Her Ultima Wolf
Chapter 19~Bliss and ignorance

Sebastian’s POV~

Once Somers entered the office, Celia started talking.. “Shana came to me last night..and asked me to help her get Arabella out of the way. She said it’s the only way I can be Queen. She gave me a tonic to give to Arabella in a drink. I tried several times to put it in her drink..all night. I couldn’t ever get close enough. Then, I saw that mousy little girl going to the restroom and followed her. All she had to do is put it in Arabella’s drink. I knew the timeframe Shana had given me to be able to get Arabella to her was running out. But that girl refused. And I lost my temper. I just hit her..I punched her and she fell..and I kicked her. You know! You saw the video! You are my mate, Sebastian! You were promised to me! I didn’t mean to hit that girl! But she called me desperate and pathetic. Told me I was committing treason. It was just a sleeping potion! That’s all! All I was going to do was knock Arabella out! Shana has everything else planned out. I don’t know what she wants with the Queen…but I am sorry I hurt Clarissa.”

I sat there..blown away. Celia is out of her mind! I look at her father…he looks defeated. I ask him “Did you have anything to do with these plans?” He said “what? No! I didn’t know anything about it! And I am ashamed my daughter is involved! Yes, I played an underhanded game with that agreement..but all I really hoped for was a seat on the council before I handed over the pack to Paul… Now, with these sporadic rogue attacks I am dealing with, I’m thinking it’s time I retire anyway!”

Arabella says to Celia…”Tell me Celia…after I was knocked out..what was the plan? How would I have been gotten out of the castle? There are a lot of blanks here that aren’t being filled in yet.. You may not know everything..but you know more than you’ve shared” Arabella never ceases to amaze me. She jumps right in with pertinent questions every time. She doesn’t hesitate to defend those she holds dear..and she never backs down from a fight.

Celia replies “ There are old hidden stairwells that were used by the servants years ago. If you don’t know they’re there..you’d never replace them.. Shana said I only had to get you to the stairwell and she’d take it from there. That’s all I know. You’ll have to ask Shana what the full plan was. I know it was stupid. But I am meant to be Queen! Then you show up here and I no longer exist? How did you expect me to feel?”

Arabella respnds with “I don’t expect you to feel anything. You were lusting after a man that didn’t want you. Is there even a small part of your brain still functioning? You were never meant to be Queen! You proved that, by nearly stomping an innocent woman to death! And not just any woman! But the Royal Beta!! You should never have touched a man who is not yours! And you should never have touched my sister!” Arabella looked at me..and said “I’m going to check on Callista..then headed to bed. Join me when you’re done here” She kissed me and walked out.

I mindlinked my dad and asked him to gather his wife and stepdaughter and come to my office “ He said “I can bring Trudy, but Shana hasn’t been seen all evening. What’s this about?” I sighed into the link and said “Just come” Less than 24 hours ago, I suspected my own father was betraying me..now my stepsister… is my stepmother involved? These people are…were my family! While I didn’t like them much.. I didn’t have cause to distrust them. “Brayden” I said “I need you to start a search for Shana. My father doesn’t know when she was last seen.” He nodded and I knew he was arranging it. I dismissed Somers until the morning. Then, I called two guards to escort Celia to a cell. Her fate will be in the hands of the council.

My father walked in with Trudy. I waved my hand offering them a seat. I then told them about Celia and repeated what she had told us. I watched Trudy’s face throughout my monologue…and the only expression change was one of sadness. I watched as tears roll down her cheeks. My father’s face was pure anger. He definitely had no clue. I breathed out a sigh of relief at that! I turned to Trudy and, as gently as I could muster, I said “You need to tell us anything you know or have heard..no matter how inconsequential it may seem…something may catch our attention “

My office door pops open and a Very Angry Kaiden stands there saying “Where the fuck is that bitch!?” I said “you need to take a seat and chill out! Celia is in the cells!” He sits..but he’s not happy about it as he whispers “Luna told me it was Celia! I wanted to kill her! So. I left Bella with Callista and well..yeah..I’m here” I just nod at him. I looked back at Trudy and said “Please. Tell us what you know “

She is sobbing and had to take a few deep breaths before she began “Shana has always been a spoiled little thing. I overcompensated for losing her dad. But, the last couple of years, she’s been abhorrent. Nasty. So disrespectful to your father. Talking to me like I’m dirt. She started demanding everything! We had to go to Silver Moon Pack every few months..she would literally scream it..until Alfred would just agree to shut her up. She always said it was to be with her cousins..that Celia was too far up your ass to be her friend anymore and she Needed her cousins. I think her mate is there. I think that’s why she wants to go there. But then, Alfred offered to send us there for a lengthy visit and she freaked out…saying No…she has to be around you…around the castle. It has been exhausting and I just want off this roller coaster our life has become.”

I look over at Kaiden and my eyes must be as big as his..I link him “See what you can replace out about her movements..not only at that pack..but her comings and goings .We replace her and we may learn who, at least, one of the players are.” He nodded and linked back “you’re having one hell of a wedding night!” And I laughed! I looked at my dad and raised my chin at Trudy and I told him “Take her home… get some rest.. don’t worry about Shana anymore. She isn’t your problem now.” He stood and helped Trudy to her feet..muttered a sullen good night and left.

I heaved a sigh and said..”Cory? Thoughts?” He sat quietly for several long moments..then he spoke “Ezekiel is one of the major players. I haven’t figured out his game yet.. but I will! Somehow..if Trudy is correct…and Shana..being an Alpha’s daughter, would be mated to a high rank…leaving Ezekiel or his Beta..the gamma is mated. Too many coincidences…and I don’t believe in coincidences. So, let’s look at it this way.. Shana meets Ezekiel..and they’re mates! Or they aren’t and he is promising to mate her and make her Queen, if she helps him take out the King. Moon Goddess already told us they want to get rid of you. The why is what has me baffled. And Shana started ‘acting out’ two years ago…this was already in the works! We need a way in..we need eyes inside that pack!”

Kaiden says “I can hack back into their security system and we’d have access to all their video feeds.” I told him “Do it! Remember yesterday? When life was carefree and we were ignorant of all this shit?” And he grins at me and says “Well…you remember that old saying about bliss and ignorance…