?Chapter 858:


    Alden reached out and lifted my chin with his finger, forcing me to meet his prating stare.


    He was so close that I could feel his breath on my face.


    “It was you, wasn’t it? You were the one sneaking aroundst night,” Alden said.


    My breath caught in my throat at his words. Jett and I had covered every inch of our skin. How then did he recognize us?


    Trying to maintain my calmposure, I retorted, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”


    Alden scoffed and said, “Can you cut the pretense out? Although you werepletely and thoroughly coveredst night, I could tell it was you from the way you walked.”


    He recognized you through your gait.” His grip then tightened on my chin, and he continued, “Also, you were the woman who saved the child on the street the other day, weren’t you? Now you went to great lengths to gain ess to the mayor’s residence. What exactly are you aiming for here?”


    Knowing that my denial would fall t in the presence of his evidence, I decided to confront the situation head-on. I roughly shook his hand off my chin and asked, “Since you know all this, why haven’t you told Maia? Aren’t you afraid we might mean the mayor harm?”


    Alden smirked at my question. “I prefer to keep people I’m not sure about at a close distance where I can easily watch them. Besides, I’m quite curious about your intentions. Edward too seems to have some real skills. If Dayton’s condition drags on any longer, it’ll be beyond saving. Might as well try something at this point.”


    He turned to look at me as he finished talking. Although youthful, his eyes held a depth that suggested he possessed knowledge far beyond his years. How could a boy this young have so many schemes running through his head?


    Deciding I didn’t want to continue with the conversation, I coldly said, “I have other matters to attend to.”


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    This time, Alden made no move to stop me. He instead continued to toss fish food into the pond as though we had just had a casual exchange.


    Makenna’s POV:


    I retreated to my room, unsettled after speaking with Alden. As I sipped water to calm myself, a sudden knock at the door startled me, nearly causing me to drop my ss. “Makenna, are you resting?” It was Jett.


    Relief washed over me as I opened the door.


    Inside, Jett looked puzzled and asked, “I arrived much earlier. Why the dy?”


    I recounted everything that happened with Alden.


    Jett listened carefully, eyes narrowing before saying gravely, “You need to be vignt now. Alden is dangerous and impossible to read.” I nodded, fully aware of Alden’s threatening nature.


    Remembering our urgent matter, I asked, “How is Dayton doing?”


    Jett rubbed his temples, concern evident. “I can cure the poison, but one of the ingredients I need is exceptionally rare. I thought the mayor’s influence in Marehelm would make it essible, but Maia told me they’re struggling to find it too.”


    “Is it really that difficult to obtain?” I asked curiously. “What is that ingredient?”


    Jett’s expression turned serious as he exined, “It only grows in the mountains where werewolves and the wizards have been feuding for years. Dayton focuses on city matters and stays clear of these conflicts, so he doesn’t have ess to it. As for Cody…”


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