Chapter 58

Gideon’s POV

The weight of responsibility and leadership was so heavy I felt like it was slowly crushing me.

My desk was filled with all kinds of documents and files. My whole day was packed with decision making, security updates, and petrol schedules. The escape of the rogues still didn't leave my mind like the wound which is very difficult to heal, I searched every report and document to find out who that cloaked man was. Someone inside the pack had aided them. Someone close.

I signed with my pen on the paper of the report, I felt exhausted as a small amount of ink blurred as my hands shook. It had been days since I’d slept properly. Every time I closed my eyes, shadows of the past still haunt me, I still remember how Leo got injured but Raven protected him. The way Raven’s eyes reminded him of his lost mate Claire.

A sigh escaped me, and I reached for the half-drunk glass of water at my side. The coolness of the water made me feel a little fresh but my heart still felt very uneasy and nervous.

Someone opened the door without knocking. “Alpha.”

I looked up sharply with an irritated expression as Daphne entered the office and closed the door behind her. Her movements were elegant yet deliberate, her face was painted with a fake sweet smile that felt too polished and practiced.

I frowned. “Why didn't you knock?”

She just giggled and dismissed my question like it was nothing. “Why would I knock? I’ve known you since we were children, Gideon. You don't need to be so guarded in front of me.”

She continued “Also I don't like how you have built a wall between us.”

I didn’t respond, returning my attention to the paperwork. She didn't care or really didn't understand that her every intrusion was dangerous. Every second with her feels like she is up to something bad.

But she is Daphne, she moved closer to me carelessly.

“I see your glass of water is almost empty, here, have this.” She spoke gently, her voice dripped with sweetness. She set a glass of water down on my desk, right beside the one I had already been drinking from. The glasses stood side by side, nearly identical, condensation beading on their surfaces.

I glanced at it briefly, then back to my reports. “I already have one.”

“Yes, but this one I got it fresh,” she insisted gently but I can tell she will not give up. She continued smiling “You’ve been working so hard. You need to take care of yourself. I am here to take care of you.”

She whispered against my ear softly but her words felt like claws in silk. Once, long ago, they might have warmed me. Now, they only chilled me.

I leaned back in my chair with a sigh and looked at her coldly. “Daphne, leave. I have work to finish.”

Her smiles vanished for a bit but it came back instantly. “I just wanted to help you.”

“You are not helping me but you are doing the opposite of it,” I said curtly. My tone was firm and commanding as I left no room for arguments. “Leave.”

For a moment, I expected her to flare up, to throw one of her infamous tantrums. But instead she spoke nothing but something was wrong about her gaze but her fake smile masked her thoughts perfectly.

“As you wish, Alpha.”

She bowed her head gracefully and went towards the door, her steps were calm, relaxed and. She didn't slam the door but closed it gently, no raised voice or arguments. Only composure.

Her calmness unsettled me more than her anger ever has.

The door clicked shut behind her. Silence filled the office again, broken only by the scratch of my quill and the distant howl of wolves patrolling beyond the walls.

I rubbed at my temple, weary. I quickly glanced at the desk. Two glasses of water. One half-drunk by me, familiar. One untouched, pristine and fresh.

I ignored both glasses and went back to work.

After some time the reports blurred before my eyes as the night dragged on. My eyes felt heavy because I needed to sleep. At this point my whole body was feeling exhausted but I forced myself to stay focused, but fatigue gnawed at me mercilessly.

I absentmindedly reached for a glass not looking at it. As my fingers gently brushed against the cool glass. But then I paused as I realised that I forgot which one was which as I looked at two glasses.

From which I have been drinking from I didn't remember?

I looked at the glasses with a frown. For some reason, I couldn’t recall clearly. Both glasses sat next to each other which was making it more difficult to identify which one was his. Identical, ordinary, harmless. And yet…

I felt both glasses were equally dangerous after Daphne entered my office. Something prickled at the back of my neck.

I set my hand down, withdrawing. Better not to drink at all. I knew I had to trust my instincts. I pushed both glasses aside, out of reach. The unease in my gut only deepened.

Something was wrong..

Daphne’s POV

I stood outside Gideon's office as I allowed myself to smile a little.

He hadn’t drunk it. Not yet. But I made sure the glass stayed on this desk. He will eventually get tired and have a dry throat then he will drink that water and then I can carry out my plan to completely fix my place as Luna in this pack.

But I felt a small fear in the back of my mind, what if it didn't work out?, what if I get caught? What if I get my position revoked and lose everything I worked so hard for?

I also thought of what my father told me, focused on the marriage and in my mind I just knew the way Gideon started treating me after Raven entered the pack, I..I felt like someone is here to take my place again.

I hardly managed to get rid of Claire but now there is Raven, every time I look at her she just reminds me of Claire. It is really weird how quickly she got along with Leo.

And what confuses me is before Raven, I did everything I could to please him but he never opened up to me, but to Raven who is a complete stranger she managed to win his heart completely. I always wondered how and why?

I will have to find out who this Raven really is and have to keep a close eye on her.

The question made my skin go pale, knowing I have taken a huge risk of getting caught in the act.

I was lost in my thoughts but suddenly I heard footsteps coming in this direction and gasped as I saw Gideon’s beta. I quickly hid in the corner as I saw him entering Gideon's office. I clenched my hands into fist as I hope he won't be ruining my plans tonight.

I stayed hidden by the corner and waited patiently for my golden chance of being official Luna and hoped that I won't have to find the answers to my fearful questions.