Fated is overrated
Chapter 53

Queen Xena POV

I can tell throughout the interrogation that the girl was reluctant to answer my husband's questions, especially the personal questions.

Going on a hunch, I ask him to give me a crack at it. I rarely involve myself in interrogations and am mostly only there to perceive and tell the truth from lies. But then again, we have never had a seemingly innocent female rogue in interrogation either. She looks completely worn down but yet she stands tall, firm even, in front of the King and Queen. Perhaps she needs a female touch to get her to open up a little.

I clear my throat before addressing her "dear, we have seen the missing person information from your old pack. It has been 2 weeks now since your departure there.

Have you been living out there in unclaimed land all by yourself all that time? It is very dangerous out there" I ask with genuine concern lacing my voice. She seems taken aback, whether by anything I said or by my tone I don't know, but her eyes soften as they redirect to me.

She takes some time to regain her composure before answering "missing person information, your highness? I informed the pack of my departure, I am not missing. I left willingly" her jaw ticks slightly before continuing yes I have been in unclaimed land ever since. I am aware of the dangers, your highness. I faced quite a few along my journey and had a few close calls" she says with an almost apologetic smile.

My heart goes out to her. There is a lot to be uncovered still about her, but my heart aches knowing she willingly stepped into unclaimed land which should have been a death sentence for her.

Her reason was personal she said, but I can't help but wonder what on earth must have transpired for someone to forfeit their life like that.

I don't want to push her into telling us, but I need her to know she can talk to me "dear, if you ever want to talk about the personal issue, please know I am here to listen" I see sadness flashing in her eyes as she tries to keep it together, but it's there. I wouldn't be Queen if I wasn't ready to bite the bullet and ruffle some feathers, so here I go.

"That being said, I am curious and would like to know why you are lying about your wolf. And before you answer, know that I will be able to tell if you are lying or not". I give her a pointed look encompassed with an understanding smile. I understand it is hard, and I understand she doesn't trust us.

Her jaw drops open and she turns her gaze down to her feet guiltily, falling silent. "It's alright dear, I am not judging you. You have no reason to trust us and I understand. I am just honestly curious why, out of everything you could have lied about, you chose that". She looks up again, her gaze to the side while contemplating what she is going to say. "I.... I don't want people to see my wolf, your highness" she croaks out. I can tell this is the truth, but there seems more to it than that. I can tell, also from the information provided by the head warrior who brought her in, that it is unlikely that it is because she is self-conscious about her wolf.

The head warrior informed us that when they cuffed her with pure silver cuffs, she showed no reaction at all, which is very interesting, since even Lycans have a reaction to silver. Not as badly as normal wolves, but the reaction and generally being weaker us still there. He also told me she didn't seem too fazed by his aura, but that could be because he is a warrior and not from her pack.

Going on a hunch, I let out a bit of my aura, just to see how she reacts. Every wolf or Lycan will react to Royal aura, it's in our nature. But to my surprise, she shows no reaction so far. I let out a bit more, but still no reaction. I decide to really put the pressure on and push until roughly 75% of my power.

All the guards in the room crane their necks in submission and a lot of our guards - the non-Lycan ones especially - are already on their knees.

Yet she shows no signs at all, and it doesn't even seem like she is purposefully resisting. 'What are you up to?' my mate links me! Going on a hunch.

Can you try pushing your aura out? She doesn't seem to be responding to mine..! and as I keep my aura out, I feel Zion's aura waltzing over me. Although I am the Queen, he is much more powerful than I am and his aura could literally suffocate others.

I can tell Zion isn't even at a quarter of his strength and yet the guards are struggling. Even I feel the pressure building, though I am his mate and more immune to his aura than others. Astonishingly, she shows no signs whatsoever.'

What the...?' he links me, before letting out so much aura that the guards instantly drop to the floor in complete submission, shaking. Despite being more immune to his aura, I can't help but bare my neck in submission at the amount he is pushing out as well.

I glance over to Lola, and she seems to notice something is going on as she frantically looks around her. She locks eyes with me and there is confusion written all over her face.

Zion reigns back in his aura as he links me 'what on earth... how?!', clearly unable to form coherent sentences from shock. Not even me or our sons are able to stand against his aura.

So, I have to admit I am equally baffled as he is. I relax back in my seat and the guards get back to their feet as he has withdrawn his aura. I link Zion 'give me a minute alone with her, perhaps I am able to figure this out"

absolutely not! I am not leaving you alone with her, goddess knows what she is capable of' I scoff at his words. The girl looks so innocent. 'Look at her Zion.. She won't hurt me. What if you and the guards wait outside, just a few minutes, so I can try to get it out of her?'

I would rather throw her in the dungeon until she talks' I can hear the annoyance in his voice that this girl is able to withstand his power. But I cannot let him throw her in the dungeon. Not to mention, she hasn't done anything wrong. 'You are not throwing her in the dungeons!

That poor girl has been through enough! Just stay right outside the door and I will link if I need you, ok? Trust me on this one honey'. He sighs before grumbling 'fine". Zion and the guards all leave the room, until it is just me and Lola left.