Chapter 38

Gideon’s POV

I looked at the medical file, and the words written in it were sharp and straight to the point as I continued to read it.

Cause of death: wolfsbane ingestion.

I read it once, twice, a third time. The letters blurred but not because of my eyes, the words were written perfectly but it was because of my fury which clouded them. My hands crumbled the file unconsciously as I tried to control my breathing.

Wolfsbane again.

My hands curled into fists on the edge of the desk. My wolf was angry as I could feel it pacing around inside me, demanding blood.

It wasn’t enough that Raven had nearly been stolen from me by poison. Now even the maid who was the only link to find the mastermind was dead too. Silenced by the same means.

This was done on purpose. Calculated.

Someone was bold enough to act like this in my own pack, but clever enough to make sure to destroy every evidence which could expose them. They were hiding behind the pawns which they could discard if they were no longer useful.

I straightened, my chair scraping softly against the floor as I rose. The air in my office felt tense and heavy, I felt the walls were pressing closer to me. The scent of candle wax, smoke, and the faint iron tang of weapons lining the room only made the rage in me sharpen.

I would not let this go unanswered.

I called my beta. My voice was low and commanding.

The door opened almost instantly. Beta entered, his posture was straight as he looked at me respectfully. “Alpha.”

I handed him the file without ceremony. “Read.”

He took the file and started reading, his eyebrows furrowed. “Wolfsbane.”

“Yes.” My tone was sharp and firm. “It is wolfsbane again. Whoever is behind this has access—steady access. That is no accident. That means someone is supplying them with it.”

My beta's jaw clenched. “You think—”

“I don’t think.” I cut him off, stepping forward, my shadow spilling across the desk. “I know. No one can just walk into a shop and buy wolfsbane without getting asked questions. The people who buy potions should have their names registered. Someone in this territory is breaking those laws, or someone outside has been smuggling it in.”

Beta nodded thoughtfully, I can see unease in his eyes.

“You will find every potion maker within reach of this pack,” I ordered. “Name them. Track them. Find out who has brewed wolfsbane in the last moon, and to whom it was sold.”

“Of course, Alpha.”

“Not only in the pack,” I continued with a cold voice. “Search beyond our borders. Traders. Herbalists. Black-market runners. If it is one of my people who went behind my back to get the poison, then I want to know how. If an outsider brought it in, I want to know who gave them passage.”

My beta nodded with determination and focus. “Yes, Alpha.”

“And there is another thing,” I said, my eyes narrowed sharply like blades. “You will

cross-check the records with every member of this pack. Every servant. Every warrior. Every elder. No exceptions. If a single coin is used for suspicious activity, I want to know about it immediately. Bring me names, Bring me answers.”

Beta bowed his head. “It will be done.” “Go.”

As soon as the beta left the silence returned. I looked at my reflection in the window. I looked at my hardened face, I have fought countless battles yet this one is different. It made my mind sharper than any of those.

Justice.

That word was carved in my mind.

Raven’s pale face keeps on popping into my mind. Their children stayed beside her like scared shadows..they held onto her desperate for her warmth and life.

And I had failed them.

My chest tightened with guilt; it was more heavier than any weapon I carried, every armor I wore.

I was Alpha. It is my duty to protect them from any harm, to keep them safe in my house yet this poison seeped into its walls not once but twice like a stubborn smoke.

I placed my hand on the glass of the window and looked at the dark forest, the treetops brushed against the dusk.

“I promise you” I whispered against the glass as my breath fogged against it. “Whoever did this will answer for it. Raven, you will get the justice you deserve. Even if I must carve it out with my own hands.”

My wolf growled in agreement demanding vengeance. Soon, I promised it. Soon.

I turned away, gathering the parchment and setting it aside. I made my way straight to the hospital. I needed to see her, to reassure myself she was still fighting. To stand near her children, remind them their Alpha hadn’t abandoned them.

But just as I opened my door, a figure stepped into the corridor. “Alpha Gideon.”

Daphne.

Her voice was smooth and practiced, her voice was soft but I felt like the concern on her face was just a mask.

She stood straight, her posture was perfect with grace, she looked elegant as always, even her facial expression was perfect..too perfect.

But her eyes.

Her eyes were calm yet precise. Too watchful. They looked so sharp and smooth that it reminded me of daggers hidden under the silk.

“What is it?” My tone was curt and straight to the point.

She walked towards me. Her steps were steady and deliberate. “I heard you were heading to the hospital,” she said, voice smooth as honey. “I thought perhaps… you might allow me to join you.”

I kept walking, my stride unbroken. “Why?”

Daphne let out a gasp of surprise and tilted her head slightly, her lips turned into a sad smile. “Because I am the future Luna, and she saved Leo two times.” she said gently. “Raven may not like me but I feel obliged that I should meet her. And the children.”

Her hand lifted to rest against her chest, her lashes lowering with feigned emotion. “I only wish to see her. To show support. It is the least I can do, as someone who… worries for her.”

My steps stopped and looked at her slowly.

“You really care for her?” I asked with a cautious tone not able to believe her words.

“Yes I do care about her,” she answered without hesitation and looked me in the eye. “Of course.”

I stood there silently for a bit, the silence was suffocating and tense. My eyes bored into hers, searching, weighing. I saw no hesitation, her emotions were hidden behind the hopeful gaze.

Her stillness and steady face was too perfect, as if she had complete control on her emotions. Like she has rehearsed and ready to speak her dialogs.

I didn't trust her perfectly masked side.

Finally, I spoke. “Alright.” I said with a cold tone. “You may come.” Her smile returned, triumphant and graceful. “Thank you, Alpha.”

She followed behind me, her perfume smell trailed slowly through the corridor. I continued to walk, from outside I was composed but from my mind I was very cautious.

She thinks she is clever. She thought her mask was impenetrable. I will let her think that.

I would allow her to be close. I would watch her carefully. If she is really the one who bought the poison, if she is the one who silenced the maid, then she will soon pay the price of betraying me.

For Alpha Gideon was not only the protector of his pack. He was its retribution.