?Chapter 466:


    Leonardo’s eyes shed with anger, his voice rising with indignation. “Are you implying she didn’t dare? Then how do you exin the lion’s death?”


    He mmed his fist down on the armrest of his throne, the sound reverberating through the hall like a thunderp. The impact made everyone jump.


    “I’m astounded by your audacity,” he snarled, eyes flicking between Alice, Evie, and me. “That lion was a rare treasure, a gift from the former king! Its worth far exceeded your lives. Even if you died a hundred times over, it wouldn’t repay the loss!”


    His gaze settled on Alice and Evie, colder and more menacing than before. “But Makenna, since you carry the Lycan heir, I will spare you… for now. However, Alice and Evie will not be so fortunate. They will face execution immediately!”


    Makenna’s POV:


    “Your Majesty, isn’t this decision a bit too harsh?” My voice rose in disbelief, the sting of injustice cutting deep. I couldn’t hold back. I stepped forward, determined to make Leonardo see reason. “You can’t just punish them without knowing the truth! They’re the real victims here!”


    Leonardo’s gaze remained icy, his tone colder still. “I don’t care who the victims are. What matters is that the lion is dead, and it was killed by you—weak female she-wolves. That in itself is suspicious. I will investigate this, and those two lowly creatures will share the lion’s fate!”


    His ruthlessness struck like a whip, causing a surge of anger to re within me. I shouted, defiance in every breath, “This isn’t fair! You can’t decide their fate so hastily, Your Majesty!”


    But my protests fell on deaf ears. No matter how furious or unwilling I was, the oue was already written in stone.


    Leonardo, in his fury, bellowed, “Makenna, if you say another word, I will have you confined to your quarters—permanently!”


    The threat wrapped itself around my chest, squeezing the air from my lungs. Despair crept in, pulling me down into a cold abyss.


    g?lnσν????s is your storytelling haven


    Just as my world began to spiral, yton stepped forward, his presence steadying me. He bowed slightly, addressing the king with sincerity. “Father, please… investigate this thoroughly. Makenna and her friends aren’t capable of such an act.”


    Leonardo’s anger swelled again, and his fist mmed against the armrest with a resounding thud. “yton, you know that lion was irreceable! The only golden-maned lion in existence, gifted to me by my father! Whatever the cause, it is their fault. Makenna and her people will pay for this!”


    yton was left speechless. His eyes flickered with frustration, but still, he stood his ground beside me. “Please, Father, reconsider.”


    But Leonardo, unmoved by his son’s pleas, remained resolute. Tension hung heavy in the air, thick enough to choke on, when the rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed through the hall.


    All heads turned as Dominic entered. He offered a respectful bow to the king. “Father, I have something to report.”


    Leonardo, still simmering with rage, waved him off with a flick of his hand. “Not now, Dominic. Whatever it is can wait.”


    But Dominic didn’t budge. His sharp eyes locked with…


    Leonardo’s eyes locked on Dominic as he spoke, a slight smile ying on his lips. “I believe you’ll want to hear this now. It concerns the lion.”


    At that, Leonardo’s gaze narrowed. “Speak.”


    Dominic straightened, clearing his throat before continuing. “After my investigation this morning, I’ve uncovered new information. The lion’s food was drugged. The cause of its death wasn’t the attack from Makenna and her friends, but the effects of that drug.”


    .


    .


    .