hapter 116


    Natalia was sitting calmly on a bench in her cell when we arrived, looking remarkablyposed for


    someone who’d been caught drugging an Alpha.


    Her hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, and she wore the same elegant dress fromst night, though it was now somewhat wrinkled.


    When she saw Alexander, her expression remained neutral, but when her gaze shifted to me, something calcting shed in her eyes.


    “Alpha,” she acknowledged Alexander with a slight nod, deliberately ignoring my presence.


    “You know why you’re here,” Alexander said, his voice dangerously controlled. “Where did you get the drug, Natalia? And why use it on me?”


    “I didn’t drug anyone,” she replied coolly, examining her manicured nails.


    Alexander’s jaw tightened. “You admitted itst night.”


    “Did I?” Her smile was poison sweet. “I don’t recall. Perhaps I was confused. Or perhaps you were too… affected… to remember correctly.”


    “This isn’t a game,” I snapped, stepping forward. “You drugged my mate with a controlled substance that could have seriously harmed him.”


    Natalia’s eyes flicked to me, then back to Alexander. “I want mywyer. Otherwise, I’ll be filing charges for uwful detention.”


    Alexander’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, but his voice remained controlled. “You’re wee to have legal representation. But remember, Natalia, this isn’t humanw. This is packw. And drugging an Alpha carries severe penalties.”


    “We’ll <i>see</i><i>,</i>” she said with infuriating confidence.


    With nothing more to gain from this conversation, we left the holding area. As we reached the stairs, I remembered the Omega who had helped me find Alexanderst night.


    “There was an Omega,” I said. “She helped me locate you when you disappeared. She might have seen something.”


    Alexander nodded. “Beta Ethan,” he called, and the man appeared almost instantly. “Find the Omega who was assisting Luna Summerst night.”


    Twenty minutester, a thin, nervous–looking woman was brought to us. She kept her eyes downcast, the posture of someone used to making herself invisible.


    <b>“</b>You helped mest night,” I said gently. “Do you remember?”


    She nodded slightly. “Yes, Luna.”


    “Did you see who was with Alpha Alexander? The one who helped him to the study<i>?</i>”


    She shook her head. “I only saw from behind. An Omega in staff uniform, but…”


    “But what?” Alexander prompted.


    “I didn’t recognize her. And I know all the staff.”


    Alexander and I exchanged nces. An infiltrator.


    “Thank you,” I said. “What’s your name?”


    “Mira, Luna<i>.</i>”


    “Mira, I promised youst night that the Felix Foundation would help with your pup’s medical care. Lyra will take your information and arrange everything.”


    The woman’s eyes widened, filling with tears. “Thank you, Luna. Thank you.”


    As Lyra led Mira away, Alexander received a mind link that made his expression darken.


    “What is it?” I asked.


    “Natalia’s father is here. With Council representatives.”


    We hurried to the main hall where Council representatives–two stern–faced older wolves I recognized as Elders Morrow and Daniels–waited with Beta Ethan and the pack’s head of security.


    Beside them stood a tall man with the same dark hair as Natalia, his face thunderous.


    “Alpha Alexander,” Elder Morrow greeted, inclining her head respectfully. “Luna Summer. We understand there was an incidentst night involving wolfsbane–based drugs.”


    “That’s correct,” Alexander confirmed, his posture rigid with controlled anger. “Natalia Thompson administered a rut–inducing substance to me without my knowledge during the Felix Foundation charity


    g.”


    Elder Daniels’s eyebrows shot up. “A serious usation. And you’re certain it was her?”


    “She admitted it to mest night,” Alexander stated firmly.


    “Under what circumstances?” Elder Morrow asked. “Were there witnesses to this confession? Recording


    devices?”


    Alexander’s jaw tightened. “No. It was a private conversation.”


    “Convenient,” Natalia’s father sneered. “My daughter denies these usationspletely. Where is your


    Chapter 116.


    evidence?”


    “We’re analyzing the security footage,” Beta Ethan interjected, “but so far, we haven’t found visual


    confirmation.”


    The atmosphere grew tense as both sides stared each other down.


    “Without concrete evidence or a confession witnessed by a third party, the Council cannot sanction any punishment,” Elder Morrow said finally. “Alpha Thompson’s daughter must be released immediately.”


    I could feel Alexander’s fury radiating beside me, but he kept it controlled. “Very well. But Natalia Thompson is no longer wee in ckwood Pack territory.”


    “Noted,” Elder Daniels said dryly.


    Twenty minutester, we stood watching as Natalia was escorted from her cell. She walked past us with her head held high, but as she passed me, she leaned in unexpectedly.


    “By the way,” she whispered, her voice so low only I could hear it, “little Felix didn’t die because his condition worsened. Someone helped him along.”


    Before I could react, she continued walking, joining her father and the Council representatives.


    I stood frozen, her words ringing in my ears like a death knell.


    What did she mean? How would she know about that?