CHAPTER ONE MUNDRED & TWENTY FOUR


    +25 Bonus


    CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & TWENTY FOUR


    Talia’s POV


    Nn’s grip on the dagger tightened but he did not have the murderous glint in his eyes like he did with the rogues. Nn really didn’t want to harm Solon if he didn’t have to.


    “I said, put it away!” my father’s voice boomed, causing me to flinch.


    Nn slowly lowered the de and backed away from Solon. He sheathed it and stepped back. The guards quickly surrounded him.


    “You have crossed every line tonight, Nn. Until I know what truly happened, you are no longer free to walk this pack’s grounds,” Father said.


    “Are you ordering me to the dungeon?” Nn asked. His voice was low and cold. His body was tense as if he was ready to fight. His aura red throughout the room, almost as oppressive as my father’s.


    “Yes,” Father said firmly. “Beta Logan will escort you there. You’ll stay until I decide what to do with you.”


    “You think that dungeon will stop me?” Nn scoffed. Then, he smirked. It wasn’t the type that would have made my heart flutter, but it made a chille up his spine. It was a smirk of a man that spilled blood and enjoyed it. “If I choose to leave, nothing will stop me.”


    My father’s eyes shed with anger, but he kept his tone calm even though his ws were digging into the table. “If you were innocent, you wouldn’t make threats. You would wait for the investigation to run its course,” Father responded.


    “I’m not threatening,” Nn replied. “I’m giving you a warning. If you don’t find the truth to clear my name by tomorrow, I will handle it myself.”


    Solon, still fuming, growled, “Is that another threat?”


    “It’s a promise, Prince,” Nn answered.


    “Enough. Beta Logan, take him,” Father ordered.


    Logan approached, motioning for two guards to follow. Nn didn’t move at first. I began to panic. What if he actually challenged my father? Would I have to pick a side? I couldn’t allow him to harm my father, but I also knew that Jason and Michael had set him up.


    Thankfully, Nn finally rxed. He shot one nce toward me before walking out of the dining hall. I felt a mixture of relief and sadness.


    Michael turned to Father first. “Your Majesty, this cannot stand. His defiance endangers every pack in the alliance. If he walks free again, he’ll drag Silverfang into ruin.”


    Jason added, “He’s already been seen with rogues. If he’s truly working with them, then the Bloodmoon pack itself ispromised.”


    Father rubbed his forehead, looking weary. “We will investigate this matter carefully. No decision will be made tonight.”


    “With all respect,” Michael said, his tone firm, “hesitation will be seen as weakness. The other alphas will not ignore an attack on their King.”


    “And yet, acting without proof could start a war,” Father countered. “I will not condemn an Alpha until I know the full truth.”


    Jason leaned closer to his father and muttered something, but I couldn’t catch the words. Michael gave him a small nod before turning back to Father. “Of course, Your Majesty. You’ve always been wise. I only hope your trust won’te back to haunt you.”


    “I have one more matter to raise before we go,” Michael added.


    CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & TWENTY FOUR


    +25 Bonus


    “Go on,” Father said. His tone was now guarded. Of course, Michael would request something right after causing chaos.


    “My son,” Michael said, nodding toward Jason, “has spoken often about the princess. He admires her greatly. It would be an honor for our families to unite. I thought perhaps we could discuss the possibility of a marriage especially since that was what Jason wanted as his reward for winning the Hunting Rite.”


    I froze, keeping my eyes focused on filling wine sses. Solon looked as if he was more word from exploding. I wonder if Father was going to reveal that I was the Princess yet.


    Father gave a polite smile, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I appreciate the respect. I can arrange an introduction, but marriage is not mine to decide.”


    “But the Hunting Rite tradition clearly…”


    “We have moved past offering daughters as rewards,” Father cut in. “The Elders already agreed that the she-wolf would make the final decision, so the Princess will determine if Alpha Jason is worthy of her.”


    Jason smiled confidently and said, “Of course. I only ask for the opportunity.”


    “You will have it. Perhaps after the investigation isplete,” Father suggested.


    Michael seemed satisfied with Father’s response. “Good. I look forward to it,” he said.


    As they left the hall, their smug expressions made my blood boil. Jason paused at the door just long enough to sh me a quick, knowing grin before following his father out. I wanted to throw the tray at his head. The rest of the guests excused themselves from the dining hall only leaving Father, Solon, and I.


    “They’re using this situation to get what they want. Jason doesn’t care about me. He just wants the title,” I blurted out as I mmed the tray down on the table.


    “That’s obvious. But right now, we have bigger problems,” Solon added.


    “Nn’s words trouble me. He sounded sincere but his actions can’t be ignored,” Father said.


    “Then we put him on trial,” Solon rmended. “If he’s guilty, we punish him publicly. That will show the other packs that we won’t tolerate betrayal.”


    “Wait, no,” I said quickly. Both of them turned to look at me in surprise.


    “I know he saved your life, but this is serious Talia,” Solon started.


    “That’s not why I am saying no. I think this is part of Jason and Michael’s n,” I said, cutting him off.


    “What do you mean?” Father asked.


    “You can’t put him on trial yet. There’s no proof. All you have is a report that Jason and Michael could have fabricated,” I replied. “You’ll just make the Blood Moon pack an enemy. They won’t stand by if their Alpha is used without real evidence.”


    “You’ve been defending him a lottely,” Father said tly.


    “I’m not defending him! I’m saying this could be another trap. We can’t rush to conclusions,” I said.


    Solon folded his arms. “So, what do you suggest? Let him go?”


    “No,” I said. “Just give him a chance to speak. That’s the least we can do since he saved me twice.”


    Father was silent a moment before saying, “I know one thing about Nn. He hates rogues. This was not an assassination attempt. Nn does resent me. I can see it every time he looks at me. But even so, he would not work with rogues.”


    “Then let me speak to him,” I suggested. “He’ll be honest with me.”


    Father considered my words for a long moment. Then he finally nodded. “Very well. I’ll allow it. But you’ll go with guards, and