The Werewolf King’s Mate
Chapter 46

Lucas'

POV:

A few days later, after my little quarrel with Cory, everything seemed peaceful. She went to class and actively participated in planning my aunt and uncle's anniversary party. We usually spend time on my studies at night - me working on the documents while she does her homework. We both sat on the couch tonight. While I read the new proposed amendments to the law, she read a novel beside me.

"No homework tonight?"

"Nope! The professors just told us to do an advanced reading; we already did that a while ago. Lola and I noted almost everything in preparation for the next class."

"That's great. So, what's the story about what you're reading?"

"It's a crime-thriller novel where a murder occurs while they are on a train. The suspect is likely still on the train, but there were many people."

"I think I've read this already. Hmm, is it one of the novels by A. Christie?"

"Yuup!"

"Ahh! Remember now! The one who did it was..."

"Lucas Dacre! Don't you dare spoil it!"

"Ha ha ha! Of course, I wouldn't! I'm just teasing you."

First, she called me by my full name, and now, she rolled her eyes at me. This woman! I couldn't help but admire her adorable traits, which made me chuckle with delight. The evening went on quietly, but Silas sent me a mind-link a few moments later. "Lucas! Come to the great hall! There's an emergency!"

"Be right there! And call Elias to be there!" "Right on it!"

I stood up and turned to Cory, "I need to go to the palace. There has been an emergency. I'll fill you in the details later on. Guards will be outside patrolling, but call me if something happens." "Alright. Be careful!"

Elias and some of our top warriors were rushing to their seats at the palace. And Sir Kingston? Only he was present, and none of the other council members.

"What is this about, Silas? What's the emergency?" I eagerly asked.

"Your Majesty, I asked him to call you." Sir Kingston spoke among the crowd.

"Sir Kingston? Why?"

"Last time, I told you about a peculiar case in one of the packs. My men started investigating, and we were led to speculate that rogues were working with witches. We could ask some questions, but no evidence or anything led us to the real suspect. They could be covering their tracks or hiding the potions. And just a while ago, I received an alert from another pack about a rogue attack. It was also odd. This time, instead of covering their rogue scent, a young man was lured to the bait by his mate's scent. Then, the ambush started. I believe whoever created the potion has evolved its formula."

"What is the pack? What happened to them? How many are the casualties?"

"It was the Nightshade Pack, Your Majesty. They are a relatively small and yet strong pack. However, they were outnumbered. Their Alpha and their son were injured. Unfortunately, their Luna did not survive."

"This is outrageous! Find out who is leading these attacks!"

"I also asked for your audience, Your Majesty, because apparently, their Beta captured the woman who lured the young man. They will interrogate her soon."

"This will be a good opportunity for us to replace a lead. Silas, Elias, pack your things. We will be going to the Nightshade pack...tonight."

"I will send the documents to you and communicate other replaceings about this case, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, Sir Kingston."

In a rush, we hustled back to the chateau to gather my things. We had a flight to catch in just two short hours! Cory, who stepped out of the bathroom, halted and looked at what was happening. "Where are you going? Why are you packing your clothes?"

"A pack was attacked a while ago, and we will fly out there to interrogate a woman who covered her scent to lure a man to start the ambush. This also happened to another pack a few weeks ago. There is a connection there that would lead us to the mastermind." "When are you leaving?"

"We will be leaving tonight. Elias and Silas will be joining me on this trip."

I turned around and cupped her face. "I will be right back in three days."

"Can I come with you?"

"It would be too dangerous, love. Rogues might still be around, and with a potion like that, they might even target you. We can't take that risk."

She took a deep breath, expressing her concern. "I understand. Just be careful, OK?"

"I will. We will be back soon, I promise."

After preparing and saying goodbye to Cory, I met Elias and Silas at the front door. I requested David's assistance getting us to the airport, where the private jet awaited us.

"Iris volunteered to watch over Cory and Lola and substitute for me for the physical classes," Elias informed me.

"I am grateful, Elias. This will ease some of the concerns I had." I appreciated his and Iris' initiative to take care of Cory.

"The twins will also be on guard and helping Sir Kingston gather intel," Silas added.

"Good! Hopefully, we will replace something concrete soon."

After three hours, we finally arrived at the Nightshade's territory. Upon our arrival, it became apparent that the area had suffered significant damage from the attack. The aftermath was evident in broken doors and shattered windows, with large claw marks left on the walls as a grim reminder of the event.

"Your Majesty, Sir Silas, and Sir Elias, thank you for coming here. I am Beta Anderson. Our Alpha can't meet you right now as he is still recovering from the attack. And his son is still unconscious."

"No worries about that. I want to pay a visit to your Alpha whenever possible."

"Of course, Your Majesty. Visiting hours would be from 10 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. We also prepared your lodging. This way, please."

Walking towards our rooms, we asked Beta Anderson what happened and if the targeted young man was still alive.

"Unfortunately, Your Majesty, the young lad died on the spot. We found his body lying down. The rogue snapped his neck. Poor boy. He was only excited about reuniting with his mate."

"What do you mean reuniting with his mate?" Silas asked curiously.

"The young man's mate left the pack to study medicine. She hasn't come back since she left three months ago. They were constantly communicating. According to his parents, the young lad was jumping joyfully and excitedly. When his parents asked him, he said that he could smell his mate somewhere. He assumed it was a surprise for him and, eventually, ventured outside to look for her."

"Then they attacked him."

"That's right. The attack started."

"Where is his mate?"

"His mate actually made a plan to surprise him. However, she arrived a few hours later due to her delayed flight. When she got here, this was what welcomed her. She told us that she already felt her heart being ripped apart when she was on the plane. She knew instantly that something was not right."

"Hmm. So they knew his mate was traveling back here to surprise him. How would they know that? Unless she told someone..." Silas was into something.

"Silas, better check this out with her. Who are the people she told her plans to? Check where she is also studying and if we can replace a connection between her and the last rogue attack."

"On it! Beta Anderson, can you have someone join me to meet her?"

"Of course, Sir Silas." Beta Anderson mind-linked someone, and a young man joined us a few minutes later.

"He is my son, Gabriel. I already told him what to do."

We had already reached our room. It was on the upper floor of the pack house. Out of all the rooms and floors, this particular one suffered the least amount of damage.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. We only have this room for you and your company. I will have someone fix another room by tomorrow."

"There's no need, Beta Anderson. We will place our luggage and head out to help with whatever we can."

He was rendered speechless and just thanked us for understanding. The Beta soon left so we could unpack and gather our thoughts on the information we had just received.

Who could it be? Who knew of her plan? And who created the potion? Damn it!

Elias and I wasted no time and regrouped with the pack members. We asked them questions about the characteristics of the rogues or if there was anything different than that-anything at all to help us piece everything together. Most had hazy memories of what happened since it was a surprise attack. A fight-or-flight response ran through their minds.

"Beta Anderson, where are you keeping the offenders?"

"They were in our basement prison, Your Majesty. Would you like to visit them now?"

"Yes, that would be good."

Beta Anderson guided us to their basement. The atmosphere was heavy with darkness, musty with mold, and filled with the dampness of humidity. Upon arriving at the base of the lengthy curving staircase, we were welcomed by guards who unlocked the entrance gates. On either side of us stood multiple jail cells. All were occupied.

"Are all of them rogues?"

"No, Your Majesty. Some were trespassers, pickpocketers, and members who committed grave and heinous crimes. The rogues were placed in the full silver cell."

We were far from the entrance when Beta Anderson stopped at the cell. It was very dark outside, except for the moon's faint glow, creating strange shadows on the ground. We could only see her silhouette and not make out her features or face. "What is your name?" I asked with an authoritative tone. She remained quiet and did not answer.

"I will repeat. What is your name?"

"Hey, answer your King!" Beta Anderson shouted at her. I waved him off to signal him that I would handle this.

"I don't like repeating myself. Answer me, or I will cut your tongue." This seemed to scare her. She whimpered from the threat.

"ANSWER ME! WHAT. IS. YOUR. NAME?!" I growled at her.

"I, uh, I a-am Victoria."

"Alright, Victoria. Where did you get the potion?"

"I-I d-don't know wha-what you're ta-talking about. I know nothing! I swear!"

I kept asking her random questions, but she told herself she knew nothing and was not part of anything.

"Let's continue with this later. Give her something to eat and drink. It might help clear her mind."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

A familiar buzz jolted my senses as I emerged from the basement - my phone was vibrating. My inbox was overflowing with messages. I looked up at my screen and saw that I had at least 20 messages and 4 missed calls from Cory. Shoot! I quickly dialed her number. "Hey, I'm sorry I couldn't answer the phone. I was in the basement. We were interrogating the woman who lured the young lad. Is something wrong?"

"I'm glad you're OK! I got worried for a second! You were angry just a while ago, and I felt it. I thought something might have happened."

"I'm sorry. I might have lost the signal when we went down."

"It's OK. So, did you get any leads?"

"No. None at all. We will pick up from where we left off later. I will also meet with the Alpha and Silas later. Hopefully, we'll get something." "Goodluck! And be safe!"

"I will."

I hung up the phone and went back to the packhouse. We didn't make much progress about the attack tonight. For now, we are helping everyone with the repairs and to get more food and medical supplies. A few hours later, the sun started showing up, and it was a new day for everyone.

Alright, it's time to get some answers.