CHAPTER 271: _CAROLINE’S SECRETS

Caroline’s POV

*****

"Well, well, well..."

Her eyes widened when she heard that silvery voice echoing in her ears. She glanced around, trying hard not to look like a crazy person amid the people walking past her in the mall’s plaza.

The slash on her arm still pulsed with a heat that only increased her anxiety.

’Get out of here and head back to the mansion. We don’t have time for this and Odessa might need us.’ Vilda said in her mental space.

But Caroline bit her bottom lip, shaking her head discreetly as she covered the slash mark again.

’The true Lord of the North is behind that broadcast and we both know Regina works for him. Sticking close to her might—’

’Are you hearing yourself speak right now?’ Vilda snarled. ’That girl is trouble wrapped in silk. Come on, you can do better.’

Caroline furrowed her eyebrows at the same moment that she spotted something at the corner of her eye.

Or rather... someone.

Regina stood close to a shop across the plaza, giving Caroline a knowing smirk before winking at her.

The latter clenched her jaw, taking a few steps in that direction. But once again, Regina vanished from her view, causing her to groan.

’Now do you want to give up?’ Vilda asked with a scoff. ’Let’s go.’

Caroline sucked in a breath, shaking her head before scanning her gaze around the sea of people. She glanced at the spot Regina had been standing on one last time before turning around, clutching the shopping bags in her hands tightly.

.

.

When Caroline got to the mansion, she could feel the tension with just a few glances.

Staff members whispered urgently and scurried about, the shocking revelation shown on the broadcast being the main topic.

"He killed his father."

"His death has been a mystery for the longest time."

"Shh! He just got back. If he hears you we’re toast."

Caroline navigated her way through the hushed whispers and got to her bedroom, shutting the door behind her.

She dropped the shopping bags on a chair in a corner, sighing heavily as she walked toward one of the open windows. The breeze blowing from the window was soothing... but something was off.

"I could’ve sworn I left all the windows in this room closed before we went out ", she muttered as a cold shiver ran down her spine.

Crap...

"Show yourself!" Caroline snarled, turning around sharply and scanning her gaze through the room, which was lit up by the sunlight shining into it.

But she could feel it. She was too exhausted to notice at first but now she could pick up the scent of a lavender perfume as well as the lingering presence of someone dark.

Dark and seductive...

"Oh, hon. Calm down." Regina’s voice echoed as she stepped out of a closet in a corner, a small smirk on her face as she shut the closet door behind her. "Don’t mind me, I was just looking through your clothes. Ugh... Too much pink and white."

Caroline’s eyes flared with a silver light as she took a step forward, drawing her claws out and sneering at Regina. "You! What did you do to me? This mark—"

"What? You don’t like the idea of being branded?" Regina interrupted with a chuckle, shaking her head. "Boo hoo, hon. Besides, it’s not lethal. Just a little... Parting gift. And the fact that you kept this..."

She suddenly brought out the silver dagger that she had used to cut Caroline in the first place.

The latter held her breath, blinking as Regina spun the dagger around her fingers before continuing.

"... Tells me that you feel it too. You’re just as intrigued as me. Maybe even more."

Caroline furrowed her eyebrows.

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

But Regina sniggered, shaking her head and flinging the dagger back at Caroline. "You can still keep it."

Caroline’s eyes widened when she saw the blade of the dagger aiming for her forehead. She caught it by the handle just in time but that brief moment of distraction gave Regina enough time to appear just a few inches in front of her.

"When did you plan to tell Odessa and the others?" Regina asked with a grin.

Caroline gasped, her heart jumping into her throat. She slashed forward with her right hand, but Regina dodged that with a few steps backwards, chuckling coldly.

"You’re so jumpy," Regina remarked with a light sigh. "Maybe that’s because of all the secrets you’re hiding. Like..."

She flicked her wrist, causing a folded piece of paper to appear in between her fingers.

"This. A letter from Elder Davina herself." Regina let out a sigh.

Dread surged through Caroline, followed by anger and frustration as she lunged forward.

"Give that back!"

But Regina placed her right hand in front of her face, shoving her back easily.

"Oh, come on. Let’s see what the letter has to say." Regina rolled her eyes as Caroline glared at her.

’Stop wasting time and put her down!’ Vilda snarled. ’She might be an artificial hybrid but we aren’t any ordinary werewolf either.’

Caroline gritted her teeth as Regina slowly opened the letter, intentionally smirking.

"Ahem!" Regina cleared her throat, her eyes skimming the letter’s content. " I fear I waited too long to act. The signs are no longer silent. There is no running from bloodlines..."

Caroline growled, lunging forward once again. "I swear to the moon, I’ll claw your throat out if you don’t—"

"Someone’s a little too violent." Regina easily dodged, stepping to her left while the letter was still clutched tightly in her hands. She soon continued reading it out loud. "I’ve hidden truths to protect her. And now I fear I’ve delayed the inevitable."

"Someone is watching. Something dark and chaotic is stirring. If you’re reading this, protect her now more than ever. There are enemies hidden in places you might least expect."

Just when she raised her head, Caroline was upon her, grabbing her wrist and then sending a kick at her legs.

Regina yelped, stumbling backwards, but the struggle caused the letter to rip in half abruptly.

"No!" Caroline yelled, her heart dropping to her stomach.