Chapter 60


    60. Refusing To Believe


    After meeting Charlene, we had gone our separate ways. I had first walked around the city for a while


    trying to rx my mind before I requested a meeting with the king. I now waited patiently for the guard to


    tell the king that I had requested an audience. “The Alpha said he is busy, but what is it regarding?” The


    man asked me coldly.


    “I wanted to see the evidence against my parents.” I said quietly, knowing the king obviously didn’t want


    to see me anymore. I just wasn’t worthy of his time.


    The man quirked an eyebrow before looking at me scornfully.


    “Are you actually wasting the Alpha’s time with your pathetic requests? You should be grateful he hasn’t


    demoted you to an omega.” He muttered scornfully.


    I frowned, about to reply when I heard footsteps.


    “That is not your ce to decide, Gerald. I’ll let the Alpha know and I will take miss De’Lacor where she


    needs to go. You are speaking to a Zeta rank guard, even if you are an Epsilon… treat her with respect.”


    Raiden’s smooth, calm voice came, yet it held a clear warning. 1


    I turned, feeling relieved to see him. Although I don’t think he realises I’m nothing, not a Zeta rank or


    anything, so I had no idea why he said that.


    He gave me a small smile before motioning for me to follow him. I gave Gerald a small nod before


    following Raiden. He was quiet, and I had a feeling he was mind linking the king.


    “Come on, he said I can show you the proof.” He said, giving me one of his killer smiles.


    I forced a smile back, not missing the concern in his eyes. “Thanks, did the king agree?”


    “He said you can take a look, besides, I was actually going toe find youter. The king has decided


    to make you a Zeta rank warrior. Congrattions. I think your wit onboard The Siren Killer must have


    reached him.” He said, giving me another smirk.


    I nodded, wondering why the king had done that. It wasn’t like him to care. Had Theon said something?


    Maybe I was being hopefully, but it just felt too coincidental… I followed him through to the wing which


    had our old quarters, the Gammas’ quarters, as well as the king’s personal library, office, and other


    important rooms. The wing next to this one was the Alpha’s personal living quarters. “So, the evidence is


    kept in the restricted area, but I will have to stay with you whilst you check it.” Raiden exined. “Oh…


    I’m sorry, you probably have a lot to do, right?” “It’s not much, I’ll get it done. Besides, I didn’t have to


    come find you myself. That saved me time.” He winked at me, and I nodded as he entered the library.


    There were many people scattered around, some searching for books, others mulling over maps and


    records. Far more mages than werewolves. They all lowered their heads to Raiden, I remembered a time


    I had been shown that same respect.


    I looked down, thinking I was ok with the insult and rejection, but I wanted at least my parents ‘names to


    be cleared.


    Raiden told me to wait before he went over to the desk, the man behind the table was a serious elder


    mage and his hard eyes turned on me before he nodded to whatever Raiden had said. He took out a key


    from his huge ring of keys, as well as taking another bunch and removing one small one from it.


    Raiden thanked him before returning to my side. “I got the keys,e on.” He said, leading the way.


    Once inside, he shut the door after us. The room was a lot smaller, yet it was far fuller. Boxes and chests


    were also stacked to one side. The shelves and cabs were all locked andbelled.


    “Yileyna.”


    I turned to look at him and he walked over to me, making my heart skip a beat at the seriousness on his


    face.


    “Raiden.” I said, narrowing my eyes. He chuckled before crossing his arms. “Tell me what’s wrong? You


    aren’t your usual sparkling firework self tonight.” He said softly. I shook my head.


    “I am fine, really. They say you reap the consequences of your actions. I paved this path for myself and


    now I’m walking it.” I replied with a humourless smile.


    “He hurt you again, didn’t he?” He questioned sharply, his eyes shing green. 1


    “It doesn’t matter, can we get to the evidence?” I asked, turning away.


    “Yileyna.”


    I looked back at him, and he frowned slightly. “What is it? I said I’m fine.” I said, trying not to sound


    irritated. “Hmm you did, but I just wanted to say, I’m here even if you just need a friend to listen. No


    judgement, no expectations, just someone to listen.” He said quietly. My heart squeezed and I looked


    down at the ground. “I’ll keep it in mind, but I’ll be ok.” I said, turning away. That was a lie I was telling


    myself again and again even when I felt like I was crumbling inside, I wouldn’t admit it… “Alright, let’s get


    to this.” He said, briskly walking past me and unlocking one of the small metal cabs.


    The mood became darker as he took out a bunch of letters, maps and reports. “It’s all here, from the


    letters he received, and sent, as well as the blueprints and maps of the


    city and castle.” He said quietly.


    “He didn’t do it.” I replied firmly. “I know my parents.”


    I took the things from him not wanting to hear anything more, and turned my back on him Walking over, I


    sat down at one of the three tables in the room and ced everything down carefully.


    I could feel him watching, but I refused to look at him.


    I came here for a reason…


    I looked at the letter’s Dad had apparently received; ns for an attack, ns to usurp the alpha from


    the throne, to take over the middle kingdom…


    Lies. Dad considered Alpha Andres his best friend, there was no way that he would have done this.


    I stared at the letters, taking a calming breath before I picked up the first letter. Although I knew it just


    couldn’t be Dad, the fact that everyone said it was him made my stomach churn.


    I looked at the letter I had just unfolded. This was a letter he was meant to send soon it seemed. It was


    Dad’s handwriting, or extremely close… but, no Dad couldn’t do this.


    I skimmed the letter, a letter that stated he was enclosing the maps and a clear route into the castle.


    Stating that he needed more time, and that the nned attack needed to be dyed.


    I read it quickly


    “We need to hold out… I fear that the king may know something… Yours W…’


    I frowned, staring at thest part.


    It just didn’t make sense. If Dad was nning to send this letter out to tell them to hold off the attack,


    then why was it even here? Shouldn’t he have posted it as fast as possible?


    I know one could argue he didn’t get the chance, but… but still, something wasn’t right.


    I stared at the writing, trying to find even one small sign to tell me it wasn’t Dad’s, but even after staring


    at it I found nothing. It looked just like his…


    I folded it away, picking up the letters that were sent to Dad, not that even one was addressed to him.


    They talked of ns to storm the capital from the sea, how the king’s time hade and how the


    Obsidian Shadow Pack would take their rightful ce. There wasn’t much, as if they were speaking


    about casual topics, but there was no deeper evidence, none that referenced any solid ns and dates.


    Maybe they were destroyed, but if that was the case, why would Dad even keep these? He was a Beta


    rank, he wasn’t stupid enough to get caught… “If Dad did this, he wouldn’t keep such files in our home.” I


    said, my voiceing out icy and angry. Raiden was silent for a moment before he sighed,


    “They said it’s the one ce that would never have been raided or found.”


    “Yet they somehow received a tip-off? Do you know who it was or how?”


    “That’s ssified information I’m afraid, my ice queen.” 3


    1 red at him before sighing. I felt guilty, I was taking my frustration out on him. “Probably one of the


    king’s own spies.” He replied after a moment, “but it’s not something we should be discussing.” “I still


    don’t believe my father did this.” I said, standing up. I wanted to swipe a letter. Raiden might be


    charming, but he was sharp, and his eyes were currently on me.


    “Me neither.” He said quietly, a small frown on his face.


    I looked at him, my heart skipping a beat, and I gave a small smile.


    “Thank you.”


    He gave a curt nod before we put everything away and we left the room.


    “So… I’m assuming you don’t have a date for the uing ball?” I frowned, Theon bing beta was


    bing a grand affair, wasn’t it?


    “No, I don’t,” I said quietly. “I won’t attend.”


    “But as a Zeta rank, you should be there; besides, I don’t have a date either. Want to go with


    me?”


    “Really? Have you already been through all the single women in Westerfell?” I remarked with a smirk


    He pouted. “I’ve been behaving rather well actually, especially since that voyage.”


    I couldn’t resist a smile.


    “Oh, have you now? I’m proud of you, but has that changed since we returned?” I asked, slightly


    amused.


    “Yeah, I even refused the she-wolf on board. However, on a serious note, I realised that there’s a huge


    difference between love and lust.” He winked at me and my smile faded.


    Love and lust…


    Had I been blinded when it came to Theon? Was there really nothing more than lust between us? My


    heart sank and Raiden stopped.


    “Come with me to the ball, if not as a date, as a friend. You don’t need to suffer alone, Charlene will be at


    the Alpha’s table. You need someone by your side, and I’m sure my brother would love to see you again.


    So, what do you say?”


    I hesitated, before sighing in defeat.


    “As a friend. Don’t expect more.”


    He smiled and nodded.


    “I won’t.” He winked, before taking my hand and cing a soft kiss on it.


    “Raiden.” I warned.


    “As friends, I promise.” He became serious, letting go of my hand. “Besides, I won’t take


    advantage of your emotions and try to pull a move.” “Thank you. I don’t want to hurt you or use you.” I


    smiled softly, his words making my heart skip a beat.


    “What if I want to be used?” 2


    “Raiden!” “Sorry.” He chuckled “Anyway, I’ll send a messenger with your duties from Monday. Make sure


    you go to the pack tailors and get your uniforms.” I nodded before he paused, clearly being mind linked.


    “Everything ok?” I asked when he frowned.


    “Yeah, I just need to go, Dad and the king want to see me regarding some security ns. Will you be ok


    going from here?” I nodded. “I grew up in these halls too, remember?” “Yeah. I know, we yed together,


    remember?” He replied in the same tone that I had used.


    “Yes.” I smiled slightly.


    He gave me a final smile and wink before he walked off, and I decided to take the shortest route out of


    here.


    I didn’t want to go anywhere near Theon’s room. I made my way down the hall, passing some guards,


    and took a left from the gamma quarters.


    It was a lot quieter here; I was about to open a door that led to a staircase, which led to a side exit, when


    I paused hearing familiar voices talking. My heart skipped a beat when I realised who that was…


    Theon…


    “… you please.”


    Charlene?


    “I’m done with Yileyna. I think it’s high time we told the entire kingdom about us, that we are to be mated.


    Don’t you agree, Charlene?” Since when did Theon call Charlene by her name?


    Wait… mated?


    I calmed my heart, realising what was happening. Charlene must havee to try to talk to him for me.


    Goddess, didn’t she realise he’ll just be mean to her? Worried for her, I made my way towards the room


    where the voices wereing from. I stopped at the door, shocked to see Theon was holding Charlene’s


    chin. Confusion filled me and I looked at the side profile of the man before me, having to confirm if it


    really was Theon. “Theon, we need to-” Charlene was cut off when Theon bent down and imed her


    lips in a


    deep kiss. Shock pped me in the face, apanied by the sharp pain of rejection and betrayal. I


    wasn’t able to stop the sharp intake of breath, my heart pounding as I backed away.


    He kissed her…


    What was going on?


    I…. No… he…


    Nothing made sense… My head was about to burst, I turned and fled, unable to stay here any longer.


    The pain in my chest was overwhelming, crushing me painfully. Theon kissed Charlene…


    I was halfway down the stairs, when I froze, turning back towards the open door at the top, fear


    enveloping me. I knew my best friend enough to know she wouldn’t do that… but what if Theon forced


    her?


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    He isn’t like that…


    But still, I was scared, I need to make sure she is ok. I heard the sound of a door m, my heart


    pounding in fear, then hearing Charlene’s sobs as she ran down the hall.


    I pressed myself against the wall, hoping she wouldn’t sense me. Thank the goddess she was ok… I


    looked down at the stone steps, trying to fight back my tears. Theon really was done with me…


    The urge tofort her was overwhelming, but I knew she’d also feel terrible if she knew that I saw what


    had happened…


    I couldn’t go to her… Theon, of all women; my friend?


    I won’t cry.


    After a moment, I quietly made my way down the steps and out into the cold.


    My heart was racing painfully fast, and I felt that sharp pull within me once more.


    It hurt.


    The image of Theon kissing her was screaming in my head, and my eyes prickled. ‘It’s high time we told


    the entire kingdom about us… that we are to be mated?’ Confusion was bubbling within me but the pain


    that was overpowering everything was unbearable.


    The howling wind and the vicious rain that began pouring down drowned out my soft sobs as I rushed


    toward home…


    A home that wasn’t mine… Would I ever find where I truly belong?