Chapter 230

Unable to shake off the unsettling feeling from the whole breakfast ordeal, I pushed the remaining food on my plate around without any appetite.

Paranoia had decided to take root, and every glance from the two of them felt like a potential trap.

I felt used and ashamed. Why had I been so trusting when they clearly hadn't trusted me?

I've let all of Kendrick's talk of respect cloud my judgment. I didn't know anything about the King or Prince, and now I was even more confused.

The two of them seemed kind, funny, and even somewhat like a normal family.

But now, after they admitted to poisoning me, there was no way I could trust them.

Even if it didn't harm me, what if it would have? What would they have done then?

Alex—no—Prince Alexander, he wasn't my friend. I wasn't going to address him as such anymore.

Prince Alexander must have noticed my change in mood because I saw how he watched me carefully out of the corner of his eye. However, I refused to give in and make eye contact. He wasn't going to get any of that satisfaction from me.

My thoughts took me back to the tour Prince Alexander had given me. I thought he was being vulnerable by opening up and telling me more about himself. He had told me how lonely his life became once his father stopped allowing guests into the castle.

But most shocking of all, he had shown me his biggest secret... a room full of rare magical books.

Why had Prince Alexander shown me something so personal to him when he didn't trust I was truly the White Wolf? Had I imagined it?

It made no sense to me.

The Alpha King finally cleared his throat, no doubt sensing my discomfort. He ordered the servers to put all the food away before rising from his chair.

"Come, Shana, to my sitting room," the King ordered, rather than asked. I looked around the room, knowing that I wouldn't be able to refuse him unless I wanted to stir up trouble.

I stood from my own chair and ran my palms down the front of my dress, smoothing the material down.

I kept my head down as Rigby escorted us out of the doors. As we walked down the long hallway, the King followed closely behind Rigby while I felt Prince Alexander stroll gingerly beside me.

His towering presence made me feel small, and I could feel him still staring at me.

The unease I felt earlier only intensified as we approached the Alpha King's sitting room.

Prince Alexander brushed into my side, purposefully, and I couldn't help but crane my neck to look up at him.

"What?" I whispered, barely audible.

"Sorry?" Prince Alexander replied airily, giving me a dazed look that was anything but apologetic.

"What are you doing?" I clarified, my tone sharp.

"I'm not sure what you mean." Prince Alexander looked away from me, deciding to keep his gaze forward.

"You've been staring at me."

"Have not."

"Have, too."

"Do you happen to have eyes on the side of your head?"

"I can see you looking at me out of the corner of your eye. You've been looking at me since..."

"Since you discovered we were giving you Foxglove?" Prince Alexander finally looks down at me. His face was void of any emotion. "I've just been observing you to make sure that you're actually okay."

I wasn't sure if I could believe him or not. I didn't know what to trust anymore.

"I'm just fine," I said. "No thanks to you."

"Actually, darling. All thanks to me," Prince Alexander said smugly. "I'm ensuring your safety, I'll have you know."

"Really?" I asked, my voice filled with an edge of anger. "Because it seems like you want me dead more than you want me alive."

"Pfft," Prince Alexander huffed obnoxiously. "That's what you think?"

"That's what I saw," The words tumble out of my mouth at rapid speed. "You poisoned me!"

"Quite the opposite," Prince Alexander replied casually as if the notion was absurd. "You're alive and well, aren't you?"

"You had no idea if I'd survive drinking the Foxglove," I said.

"No." Prince Alexander shook his head. "I knew you'd survive. I knew what you were the moment we met. It was my father who doubted you, and thus, ordered the Foxglove be given to you. I was merely... enjoying the show."

"You think this is funny?" I questioned, feeling my blood boil with anger again. "This is my life."

"Shana, I think you forget how dreary and dull the Etheral Palace has been for years. The White Wolf comes into our home after years of no visitors? Well, this is just the highlight of my entire year."

Prince Alexander is wearing a confident smile, taking pleasure in making me visibly upset.

"You still were a part of his scheme," I said. "You could have warned me."

"Warned you about what?" Prince Alexander rolled his eyes. "I knew you'd be fine. There was nothing more to say."

We walked a few more paces, this time in silence.

"I don't understand what you're trying to do then," I said, giving him a glance.

"I don't follow," he replied.

"What's your game? One minute you're the nice guy, and the next you're confusing me."

"How am I confusing you?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

"For example, why do you keep gifting me dresses?" I asked, my voice a hushed urgency. "I have my own clothes."

Alexander rolled his eyes. "I've seen the clothes you've packed for your stay. They're frumpy and old."

I gaped at him. "Those are from a close friend of mine!"

"Does your friend happen to be over the age of 80?" Alexander teased, and my face turned red.

I couldn't believe what he was saying. He must have looked through my things... but when?

"Look, I'm only trying to help you," he whispered. "I know what my father is like. If he sees you as the White Wolf, you'll find yourself in a better position than if he were to simply see you as Shana, the wolfless girl who doesn't belong in this world."

"What are you saying?" I asked, confusion covering my features.

Alexander shrugged. "I'm saying that you should be thanking me. I'm on your side here."

"It really doesn't seem that way," I said. "You're sending me mixed signals."

"Well, I'm telling you plainly, I'm on your side. I want us to get along."

"How can I trust you now?" I questioned with a shake of my head. "You deceived me."

"My father deceived you, I was merely there."

I looked at him in confusion while he gave me a nod.

"I'm on your side, Shana. Don't forget that."

I wanted to press Alexander for more information, but before I could, we arrived at the sitting room. A table was set with hot tea and an assortment of pastries.

"Sit," the Alpha King ordered, gesturing to the chairs arranged around the table.

I looked at the tea with a sudden suspicion.

There was absolutely no way I was going to be drinking that after what they had just put me through.