?Chapter 119:

I strode into Jasmine’s room, my eyes scanning the space. The food tray sat on the bedside table, half-eaten. I picked up the stained cutlery and turned her food over. It smelled fine, looked fine.

My gaze locked onto the ss of orange juice, some of its contents spilled onto the rug. I raised it to my nose and took a deep sniff.

“The juice!”

Ace’s growl rumbled through me as the pungent scent of Wolfsbane filled my nostrils. My eyes locked onto Seraphina, her hands shaking as she tightened her grip on her dress.

“Wolfsbane,” I snarled, my voice barely human. I lost all sense of control as my hands stretched forward, grasping Seraphina’s neck, my grip firm but controlled. Her eyes widened with fear, and her throat bobbed as I pulled her closer.

“Tell me how this got into the orange juice you served Jasmine,” I said through gritted teeth.

Seraphina’s gaze lowered, and she shook her head. “Alpha, I swear I didn’t do it! I’d never harm Lady Jasmine!”

I searched her expression, my instincts on high alert. Deep down, I sensed she was telling the truth, but I didn’t release her immediately. With a gentle shake, I let go.

“Get out of my sight,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. As I turned my back on her, I could hear her feet scrambling across the floor before she shut the door.

My destination was one of the ces I’d never dreamed of entering. I stormed into the kitchen, Ace’s anger still simmering within me. A look of surprise passed over the staff’s faces, and for the first time, they bowed simultaneously as I entered.

“No traitors in my pack,” I vowed, my voice echoing off the stainless steel appliances.

The head chef, Maria, stepped forward, her steps slow as she wrung her hands. “Alpha, we’ll do whatever it takes to help.”

“Summon all the kitchen staff,” I ordered without blinking, my gaze hard and fierce. “Now.”

Maria scurried off, and soon the whole kitchen staff assembled before me. The silence added an uneasy feeling to the already tense atmosphere as I scanned the crowd.

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“Someone poisoned Jasmine with Wolfsbane,” I dered, my voice cold. “I want to know who, and I want to know why.”

The staff exchanged nervous nces.

“Speak now, or face the consequences,” I warned. I stood tall, my eyes scanning the sea of nervous faces before me, all of them carefully avoiding eye contact.

“Listen up!” I barked, my voice echoing off the kitchen walls. “One of you spiked Jasmine’s drink with Wolfsbane. I want to know who, and I want to know now.”

I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in.

“You’ve got sixty seconds to confess. After that, I’ll investigate myself. And if I find out who did it…” My gaze hardened. “You’ll be banished, along with your family. You know what that means.”

The room fell so silent that I could hear their breaths, heavy with fear. I clicked my tongue as I stepped forward.

“No other pack will take you in,” I continued, my tone unyielding. “You’ll wander as Rogues, alone and vulnerable.”

I pulled out my phone, the timer ticking away. Damn it, why was it taking them so long?

“Time starts now.”

The seconds ticked by, each one stretching into an eternity.

Fifty-nine… fifty-eight… fifty-seven…

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