CHAPTER 427: THE SECRET

"There is our answer." Nanny Nia said.

Erik’s hand slowly clenched into a fist atop the scroll he’d been reading. "So you believe Lily was the one who tampered with the tea?"

"I don’t know for sure," Nanny Nia replied, her voice low but firm. "But Kire’s reaction was too specific to ignore. And I spoke to the Cook. The spoon I used to stir Jasmine’s tea went missing while we were outside. The Cook swears no kitchen staff touched it after we left. Which means someone came in during the commotion and took it."

Erik’s face darkened. "And if it had?"

"I don’t know what kind of poison it was," Nia said, straightening. "But I know the signs of something sinister. Jasmine hadn’t shown any symptoms yet. That was the first cup. If she’d taken more, it might’ve been too late. This was the first attempt—but I doubt it’ll be the last. Perhaps the person used the spoon to stir the tea."

He stood, pacing behind his desk. "Why target Jasmine? Why now?"

"Because she’s vulnerable," Nia said. "Xaden’s gone. No one knows where he is. Jasmine is alone, pregnant, and the bond she has with him is fraying by the hour. If someone wanted to strike, now would be the time."

Erik frowned deeply. "And you’re sure Kire wasn’t just being difficult?"

Nanny Nia shot him a sharp look. "Erik, Jasmine knows Kire is your wolf. She may not know every detail about your bond, but she’s not blind. She trusts him. And so do I. He knocked that cup from her hand the second she reached for it. And when Lily moved, he growled. That wasn’t defiance. That was protection."

Kire let out a soft grunt, pacing restlessly near the door.

"I want him with her," Nia said. "From now on. I don’t care if he’s still separate from you. I don’t care if the rest of the pack thinks he’s dangerous. I trust him to keep her safe."

Erik studied Kire for a long moment before nodding slowly. "He’s always been good at sensing what I miss. Even now, apart from me, he follows his instincts."

"He knew," Nia whispered, reaching down and stroking the wolf’s fur. "Somehow, he knew what they were trying to do."

"I just..." Erik ran a hand through his hair. "I wish I could communicate with him better. Ever since he separated, I can’t hear him the way I used to. I only feel what he feels, and even that is dull most days."

"Well, we’ll have to work with what we’ve got," Nia said. "Let him do what he does best. Watch."

Erik hesitated. "What about Jasmine? Should we warn her?

Nanny Nia stood, her tone resolute. "No. Not yet. If she finds out someone tried to poison her, while carrying a child and with Xaden still missing, it could break her. I’ve seen women lose their babies from less."

Erik’s face turned grim. "You’re right."

"And speaking of Xaden," Nanny Nia said softly, "there’s still no word?"

Erik exhaled slowly and sat back down. "Nothing. I’ve sent out three search parties. North, west, and into the Stone Ridge borderlands. No sign. Not a drop of blood, not a scent trail. It’s like he vanished.

Nia’s heart clenched. "He wouldn’t stay away this long willingly."

"I know," Erik said. "Which is why I haven’t told Jasmine. She keeps herself distracted, but I see her listening... hoping. Every time someone knocks, she turns to the door like he might walk through it."

Nia was quiet a moment. "She still believes in him."

"So do I," Erik said. "But the longer this goes on..."

He trailed off.

Nia placed a hand gently on his desk. "Then we protect what he left behind. We keep her safe. Until he returns, or until we know why he hasn’t."

Erik nodded. "Kire stays with her. I’ll send word to the guards to leave him be."

Nia turned toward the door.

Kire trotted after her, eager and alert.

"And Nia?" Erik’s voice stopped her. She turned back.

"Be careful. If this was the first attempt... there will be another."

Nanny Nia nodded solemnly. "And next time, we’ll be ready."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

XADEN’S POV

Xaden stirred at the sound of snapping twigs, too light to be a soldier, too cautious to be a beast. Rain soaked the forest floor, making every movement louder than it should’ve been. Beneath the tangle of roots where he’d been hiding for days, his breath caught in his throat.

Then he saw him.

A boy.

Thin, mud-streaked, and no older than ten. His eyes went wide at the sight of Xaden’s bloodied figure. His hand clutched a stick like it could protect him, but his trembling arms betrayed him.

Xaden tried to speak, but his throat scraped dryly. His voice came out hoarse and harsh. "Leave."

The boy froze.

"I said, go," Xaden growled, struggling to lift his head.

The boy dropped the stick and bolted into the woods, vanishing behind the curtain of leaves and mist.

Xaden closed his eyes, chest rising and falling in sharp, painful gasps.

He didn’t blame the boy. He looked like death, half-wolf, half-man, soaked in blood and rain. Anyone would run.

But less than an hour later, the boy returned.

This time, he came slower, deliberate.

Xaden’s eyes opened with effort. "You again."

"I brought food," the boy said, ignoring the warning in his tone. "And water."

He dropped to his knees beside the roots and placed down a bundle—a torn cloth with a crust of bread, half an apple, and a flask made from an old wineskin.

"I told you to leave," Xaden said, his voice like gravel. "It’s dangerous."

"I don’t care," the boy said simply. "You need help."

Xaden stared at him. "You don’t even know who I am."

"You’re not one of the rogues. You smell different. You smell... tired." He hesitated, then added, "And sad.

That caught Xaden off guard.

"I don’t want you to die," the boy whispered. "Everyone says to stay away from the forest, but I found you. Maybe the forest wanted me to."

Xaden tried to suppress the pang in his chest. "You’ll get in trouble."

The boy shrugged. "I get in trouble all the time."

"You could be killed."

"I’ll be careful. I can run fast."

Xaden stared at him for a long moment before finally accepting the food, hand shaking as he lifted the flask.