"Who is she?" She asked as they walked out of the castle.

"Lady Victoria?" Megan asked for confirmation and Eldrid nodded

"She is the only child of Councilor Lord Roberts, a close friend of King Bruce."

"What is she doing here?" Eldrid asked

"I don't know My Lady; she used to come here frequently, but in recent years she hasn't; His Highness and Lady Victoria were childhood friends."

"Childhood friends huh!" She muttered to herself. Victoria has a strange aura about her. Eldrid had the ability to see right through people's facades. And she had a strong suspicion about that woman.

"Please take me to Beta Nicholas, Megan." She finally asked Megan to take her to Beta Nicholas and Megan nodded with a low bow leading her to the Packhouse.

"Lady Ariel!" Nicholas sat his book down when Eldrid entered his chamber after a knock. She gave him a pleasant smile as she walked closer to his bed and sat on a chair beside it.

"Please call me Eldrid. How are you feeling?" She inquired.

"The wound is slowly healing, but I'm doing much better now."

"I'm glad to hear that; I was concerned about your well-being."

"Don't worry, Luna. I awoke the next day after the battle, but I have to say you had everyone worried." She gave a slight nod and turned to face Megan, who was standing by the door.

"You may depart now; I will return shortly." Megan bowed before leaving, she said.

For hours, the Luna and the Beta talked about anything and everything. They laughed and joked around as if they were long-lost best friends. For the first time in her life, she felt as if she had discovered a friend who was not her family or mate, but a friend. She had thoroughly explained what had happened on the day of the battle.

"What were you doing there that evening? And what were you asking that girl about?" She asked him the question that had been bothering her, as the topic of the battle was brought up. The ambiance heated up as she questioned.

"I had discovered a few vials of some foreign substance in that maid's possession. It was completely strange, with no scent at all." Her brow furrowed slightly as he informed her.

"How did you find it through?" She inquired.

"Alpha had dispatched me to keep a closer eye on the incidents that were occurring, and on you. While I didn't notice anything suspicious about you, I did notice something suspicious about that maid. Please accept my apologies for spying on you."

"I must say that you did an excellent job. I had a sneaking suspicion that I was being watched, but I didn't give it much thought."

"If you don't mind me asking, how did you and that physician know each other?" "About time you asked that." She lowered her gaze as the Beta sat up straighter.

"His name is Johan, and he was working with Malcolm, who was the brains behind everything that was going on. I don't know much about him other than the fact that he is one of the most evil creatures on the planet." She sighed.

"Despite the fact that you deserve an explanation because you almost died that day as a result of my actions. And I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but I'm afraid I can't answer them right now. Just keep in mind that I am not a mere mortal. Yes, I was to blame for the deaths of those warriors. But I didn't do it on intent, nor do I harbor any ill will." Eldrid explained, and Nicholas nodded.

"Do you happen to have those vials?" She inquired.

"I don't believe I do!" He shook his head.

"I suppose it would have made things easier. Malcolm is on the run, and I believe the Luna and Beta of Dawn are as well. Malcolm must be apprehended as soon as possible."

"Has he fled?"

"He literally vanished into thin air!" she exclaimed.

"What are all these creatures!"

"For all I know, he's a vampire. With the ability to teleport, which makes it much more difficult to catch him!" She let out a sigh. They sat in silence, digesting the new information they had just received.

"I have a hunch what those vials might contain," Nicholas said, gaining Eldrid's attention.

"Go on!" She urged him to keep going.

"I might have read about it in an old book. But I wasn't allowed to ask any more questions or seek answers since it contains high amounts of black magic."

"If that's the case, I believe you should seek answers to your unresolved questions right away. You have the authority and power."

"Well, Your Highness, I still can't do it without His Highness's authorization."

"I don't think he'll stop you. I had to talk to him about all of this anyway, so you must bring this up after a meeting is called. Speak your mind."

"No, Lady Eldrid, if my suspicions are correct. Things could get nasty. We need to start looking for answers right away."

"But you are wounded, Nicholas. I'm not going to let you go in this state!"

"I'm not leaving, I will rather you will talk to His Highness, and then I can bring this up. We can't afford to wait for a Councilors meeting. That would necessitate His Majesty's approval and presence as well." He argued his case.

"You are correct in this regard. But I wasn't suggesting a meeting of the Councilors. Rather one that is between the Alpha, Beta and Gamma."

"Yes, that works. Should I arrange a meeting with Alpha?"

"Just come to his private office. I'll inform the Gamma. Let us keep this confidential for the time being."

She stood in front of the Alpha office and lightly knocked twice on the mahogany double doors.

"Come in," his deep voice rang through the closed doors. She pushed open the doors and stepped inside. He sat behind his massive wooden desk, a file in his hand and a stack of heavy files to his right. His hair was tousled, and the top two buttons on his shirt were undone. His swivel chair was draped with his suit jacket. He seemed to be stressed and fatigued. He gave her a quick glance before returning to his paperwork. She stood in front of his desk, hands crossed across her chest, staring at him with cold eyes. After a few moments, he sighed and set the file on the table, looking at her.

"Yes, my love. What is it?"

"Hey, Aiden look what I..." the blonde walked out of the small file room attached to the alpha office with a huge grin on her face and an album on her hand. Eldrid's head snapped to her and towards her mate. Victoria stopped on her track when she saw her. Eldrid's jaw clenched as low growls rumbled through her chest.

"I see you're busy; I'll just drop by when you're available." She stormed out of the office, turning on her heels. In an instant, she was in the confines of her bedroom. When she thought about that woman alone in his office, a strange shiver stabbed her chest. Her blood began to boil as a result of the foreign sensation, and she began to crave blood. That woman's blood! Only if she'd been able to break her neck then and there!

The room's doors flew open, and Aiden walked in.

"Why would you leave that way? You came to tell me something." He asked, "Thought I'd give you privacy with your childhood friend." She gritted her teeth and stood up, crossing her hands over her chest. With each step he took toward her, she backed away. After a few steps she was backed up against the wall, he placed his hand by her head. They were locked in a stare-down, neither of them willing to yield and look away. With a ghost smirk on his lips, he closed the gap between their faces.

"Are you, jealous mate?" He whispered

"I'm not envious; I'm just someone who would rip someone to shreds if they traversed their boundary!" She snarled, and he nodded.

"That only implies that you do give a damn. But don't be worried; your secret is safe with me." With a feather kiss on her cheek, he walked away. Leaving her thinking what is this she was beginning to feel! The intense desire for his attention, his affection. That intense desire to kill. The desire to strangle her neck, break every bone in her body, and shred her to pieces! What was it? Was this her assassin impulses? Or it's just burning jealousy!

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