bChapter /b71

Darius pov

GO

By the time we arrived at the dungeon, Ethan, along with his Beta and Gamma, had already gathered, apanied by a few others. The girl was nowhere in sight. As I walked in, everyone stepped aside, lowering their heads in respect.

My expression remained emotionless. When I stepped fully into the dungeon and saw the rogue’s body lying before meb, /bbI /bdidn’t react, I simply stared coldly for a brief moment, my gaze narrowing as I took in the scene.

“My king.” Ethan’s voice sounded from behind me, but I didn’t acknowledge him as he continued, “I have no idea what might have happened, but I bswear /bto the goddess that the Embeng Pack had nothing to do with this. I gave orders that no one should interfere, especially since you personally requested the rogue but-”

Before he could finish, I raised a brow and stepped closer to the corpseb, /bcausing his words to trail off

“My king… Cassian whispered from behind me as I reached out toward the body.

The rogue’s eyes were wide open, a horrified yet oddly blissful expression frozen on his face, with drool gathered at the

corner of his mouth.

Without hesitation, I took his hand and turned it over, revealing bck /bveins snaking up his arm and disappearing beneath

his skin.

“Ashvein…” Drake muttered, and my frown deepened. I took the rogue’s other hand and saw the same ckened veins.

For a brief moment, silence settled over the room as we all stared at the body. Then Ethan stammered in disbelief.

“Ashvein… but how–how is that possible? How is Ashvein in my pack?” he asked, as if to no one in particr

My gaze narrowed. I dropped the hand and stood, stretching out mine. Cassian immediately handed me a handkerchief, and I wiped my hands clean.

b“/bYou tell me, Ethan,” I said, turning to him with a calm, unreadable expression. “Why would the rogue die of an Ashvein overdose?”

“I–I don’t know what’s going on…” he stammered, his voice shaking.

His beta and gamma stiffened, tension radiating off them, but they stood tall beside their Alpha.

“You do know Ashvein is illegal,” I said, eyes narrowing. “So why would it be in your pack?”

His beyes /bwidened–tense, but not with guilt.

Still, I narrowed mine, and they shed a sharp shade of silver. Almost instantly, Ethan dropped to the ground and lowered his head in submission. Realizing just how serious the situation was, he finally spoke, calmly this time.

“I swear to the goddess, I have no idea how this happened. I know how suspicious it looks, but I truly don’t know how that drug made its way into my pack. Please, bbelieve /bme, my king”

His beta and gamma dropped to their knees beside him,

“Believe us, my king,” they echoed.

My gaze swept over themzily, my head tilting slightly. I said nothing, I simply watched for a moment before turning to Cassian, who was already staring at me, worry etched on his face.

“Cassian,” I called, and his eyes snapped to mine as he bowed.

“Yes, my king”

“Handle this. Find every clue you can. Report back to me when you’re done.”

“I bunderstand/b, my king”

Without sparing another nce at anyone, I walked out of the dungeon, the air behind me thick with tension.

As I stepped outside, I heard Ss’s voice in my head.

“Why did you do that, Darius? You know Nyssa’s father didn’t do it. He’d be a fool to try something like that while you’re here.”

He was right but that only meant someone else in the pack had a hand in this and that was what I had intended to warn him about indirectly.

“Ooh, then shouldn’t you find the person who did it before we leave tomorrow?” Ss asked, reading my mind.

I responded with only three words.

“Not my business.”

I didn’t care what happened to this pack or whether they had a traitor among them. The only thing that held my interest now was finding the leader of the rogues and eradicating them from the root and that was exactly what l’intended to do.

“Geez, you’ve turned so ruthless, Darius,” Ss bhissed/b,

The corner of my lips curved into an amused smirk as I replied,

“And you’ve turned weak, Ss.”

I walked into my chambersb, /band for a brief moment, my gaze flickered upstairs, lingering on her chamber before I stepped

inside.

Nyssa pov.

“Hal” I scoffed as I flopped onto the bed, arms and legs spread wide, still fuming over how Darius had tantly ignored me back at the dining area.

I mean, I know I shouldn’t care, he’s been ignoring my existence since the day he arrived at the pack bbut /bfor some breason/b, it still managed to get under my skin.

10-16

“Perhaps it’s because after getting a taste of the Lycan King, you can’t resist anymore and you want more,” She snickered in my head.

I rolled my eyes, resisting the urge to curse her out.

“Will you please shut up? I’m trying to think here,” I snapped, turning over and burying my face into the pillow as I let out a muffled scream.

This was so annoying. Even more annoying was how affected I clearly was

“You know what might cheer you up?” she asked.

I was just about to tell her to zip it, that I didn’t want to know but her next words made me freeze.

“Want to hear the n I have to get rid of Kieran and Aria tonight?”

My eyes widened at her words, and I quickly sat up from the bed, a wide smile blooming on my face as I asked.

“Yes! Tell me the n!” I said eagerly, excitement bubbling in my chest.

I had wanted to ask She before, but I assumed she didn’t really have a n yet. Now it seemed she was finally iready /ito share.

“It’s quite simple,” Sheughed, almost evillyi, /iclearly sensing my excitement. “In order for everything to go smoothly, so you can leave for the Lycan King’s pack tomorrow, we’ll have to kill Kieran and Aria.”

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