Aria stormed into the palace, demanding to see Elijah. The guards, unimpressed, refused her entry.
"You don't get to make orders here," one guard sneered. "You're only allowed in when our Alpha permits it."
Aria's frustration boiled over. "Elijah! Elijah!" she shouted, hoping he'd hear her.
To her surprise, the guards suddenly stepped aside.
"You can now pass," one said, his expression unreadable.
Aria's confusion was evident. What changed their minds?
Unseen Lyra tugged at her hand, invisible to all but Aria.
As they entered Elijah's chambers, Aria lifted the invisibility spell, revealing Lyra.
Elijah's eyes widened. "How did you do that? Lyra, my goddaughter, where's your mom, Akira?"
Lyra's smile faltered. "She said she's dying... and I should stay with Aria for safety."
Elijah's expression darkened. "Dying? What do you mean, 'dying'?"
Lyra's voice trembled. "I want her to finish dying so she can come stay with us. Me, Mom, and Aria. We'll be one big family."
Elijah's gaze met Aria's, and they shared a silent understanding.
"Did you see her?" Elijah asked Aria.
"Yes, I did," Aria replied, her voice soft.
"Was?" Elijah repeated, his tone laced with anguish.
"Yes, was," Aria confirmed.
Elijah telepathically summoned an old nurse, Malia.
"Lyra, dear, please stay with Malia for a while, okay?" Elijah asked, his voice gentle.
Lyra nodded and left with Malia.
Elijah's focus returned to Aria. "You met Akira?"
Aria nodded. "By the oakwood. She was repeatedly stabbed."
Elijah's anger flared. "Who would do this? In my own pack? Nobody has ever committed such a heinous act during my reign."
Aria's words fueled his fury. "Akira saw something she shouldn't have."
"Who did it?" Elijah demanded. "Tell me everything."
"There's a conspiracy... a doom waiting for Blackwood," Aria revealed. "Rogues are gathering, discussing your overthrow... your death."
Elijah's eyes blazed. "What do you mean? Who's involved?"
"I saw a grey wolf attacking you in my future vision," Aria said.
"A future vision?" Elijah's skepticism was evident. "If you can see that, why didn't you foresee the fall of Netherlands?"
"I did warn them," Aria replied. "But they didn't listen. Visions are meant to warn, not predict the inevitable."
Elijah's gaze burned with intensity. "I need a name, a face... anything."
"Akira heard a name: Kael," Aria said. "She saw the gathering near a hot spring."
Elijah's expression turned icy. "I know two Kaels. One's my cousin, an Alpha. The other's a soldier in my pack."
Aria's determination hardened. "I can recognize the faces. Show me."
A long pause hung between them.
Elijah broke the silence. "How did your magic work? Malakai bound all captives' magic in the bracelet."
Aria's brow furrowed. "I found the bracelet off. I don't know how."
Elijah's interest piqued. "Interesting. Why are you helping me? You could've let me fall and rejoiced in vengeance."
Aria's gaze locked onto his. "Lyra would've died... and my people in your dungeon would've been burned alive."
Elijah nodded. "I'll free them. Is that enough reward for your help?"
Aria nodded, a silent understanding forged between them.
"Akira, Who's she to you?," Aria asks.
Elijah's expression softened, nostalgia washing over him. "Akira... she's my little sister, my family. Her father was my father's beta. We grew up together, like siblings. After her mate passed, she returned to Blackwood Pack, seeking refuge. I promised to protect her and Lyra."
His voice cracked, emotions raw. "I failed her, Aria. In my own pack, someone killed her. In my own land."
Aria's heart went out to him. "I'm sorry, Elijah. I can see how much she meant to you."
Elijah's eyes locked onto hers, determination burning within. "I'll find out who did this. I'll make them pay."
Aria nodded. "I'll help you. But first, tell me more about Kael. Who is he?"
Elijah's jaw clenched. "There are two Kaels in my pack. One's my cousin, an Alpha. The other's a soldier, loyal to me... or so I thought."
His gaze narrowed. "I'll bring them before you. You can identify the one Akira saw."
Aria nodded, resolve strengthening. "Let's uncover the truth, Elijah."
Elijah summoned his most trusted guard, Ryker.
"Bring Kael, my cousin, and Kael, the soldier, before me," Elijah ordered.
Ryker nodded and left.
Aria's thoughts turned to the vision. "Elijah, the grey wolf... he was massive."
Elijah's eyes narrowed. "That sounds like my cousin Kael. He's the largest wolf in our pack."
The doors opened, and Ryker escorted in two men, both with the same name.
Aria scanned their faces, recognizing the one from her vision.
Elijah's expression remained neutral. "Thank you for coming. You're both dismissed."
The Kaels exchanged confused glances but left without question.
Once they departed, Aria spoke up.
"Elijah, I recognized both Kaels."
Elijah's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"The soldier Kael was the one who stabbed Akira," Aria revealed, her voice steady. "I saw his face in Akira's memories."
Elijah's jaw clenched.
"But there's more," Aria continued. "The massive grey wolf in my vision, the one attacking you... that's Kael, your cousin."
Elijah's eyes widened. "They're working together?"
Aria nodded. "Yes. The soldier Kael carried out the murder, while the cousin Kael... he's the mastermind."
Elijah's face darkened. "A coup. They're planning to overthrow me."
Aria's gaze locked onto his. "We need to act quickly. The vision showed the attack happening soon."
Elijah's resolve hardened. "I'll gather my loyal guards. We'll take down the traitors before they strike."
Aria nodded. "I'll help. We need to identify the rest of the traitors."
Elijah leaned in, his voice low. "But first, we need a trusted group. I'll bring in my most trusted men. You'll choose each one by touching them, unnoticed, to identify the trustworthy ones."
Aria's eyes widened, alarm sparking. "No one must know of my talents."
A knock at the door interrupted them.
Elijah's expression turned neutral. "Enter."
The guard stepped inside, his face set in determination. "Alpha, I'm here to arrest this murderer."
Elijah's brow furrowed. "What do you mean? Who's a murderer?"
The guard's gaze locked onto Aria. "This witch is a murderer. She killed one of our own – Akira."
Aria's face paled. "What! That's a lie!"
The guard stood firm. "We have a witness, Alpha. He's outside with some of our men."
Elijah's eyes narrowed. "Bring the witness before me. Now."
The guard hesitated, then nodded and exited.
Aria's voice barely above a whisper. "This is a setup. The traitors are trying to divide us."
Elijah's jaw clenched. "We'll uncover the truth."
Elijah's expression remained neutral, but his eyes flashed with anger. "Bring the witness and the men accompanying him. Now."
The guard nodded and left, returning with a nervous-looking scout flanked by two burly pack members.
Scout: "Alpha, I... I saw her. Aria. She was arguing with Akira near the oakwood. Later, I found Akira's body."
Aria's face twisted in outrage. "That's a lie! I never argued with Akira."
Elijah's gaze never left the scout. "What's your name, scout?"
Scout: "R-Ryan, Alpha."
Elijah's voice turned icy. "Ryan, you'll come with me for further questioning."
Ryan's eyes darted between Elijah and Aria, fear creeping in.
Aria's thoughts raced. Who was behind this setup? And why?
Elijah's eyes locked onto hers. "Aria, go with Ryker. He'll keep you safe."
Aria nodded, following Ryker out of the room.
As they walked, Ryker whispered, "Don't worry, Aria. Elijah will clear your name."
Aria's voice barely above a whisper. "But what if it's Elijah's own men behind this?"
Ryker's expression turned grim. "Then we have a bigger problem."