He shot a death glare at the person who just spoke, releasing an aura that immediately silenced him.
"She may have seen something. Clear out the bodies and return to the pack house." With that, he walked away with Evelyn, and the healer immediately followed.
…
The news about the unsuccessful search, caused the Alpha to be extremely angry. It was an insult to his power and authority. Elder Elijah had already pointed out his weakness earlier, and this failure to find the intruder after dispatching thousands of warriors, including his own son - the sword of the pack, only seemed to confirm Elijah's words.
The Alpha was rather embarrassed and ashamed, than angry, which only fueled his fury and frustration.
The heiress of Redmoon pack was here, and tomorrow was the mating ceremony. Other pack Alphas would be here too.
If they happened to find out, their pack would become a laughing stock, his own reputation would be damaged, and their power, as the strongest and largest pack in the kingdom would be affected.
No! He must not allow that!
"Relay my order!" he began, "Lock down the entire city. No one is allowed to go out, or come in unless their invitation or name pass is presented. And I want double the guards at the city gates and patrolling the streets!"
He paused, his eyes scanning the room to make sure his orders were understood. "And as for the intruder... I want them found. Dead or alive, I don't care. Just bring them to me before the ceremony tomorrow."
The pack warriors didn't dare to return to their homes, they all went back out, in search of an intruder that didn't exist.
…
The next morning…
Evelyn stirred awake, feeling a throbbing headache. Forcing herself to sit up, she found she was in the infirmary.
"You're awake," the healer said. Walking over with a bowl of medicine, she stood beside Evelyn, "How do you feel?"
"My head hurts and it feels heavy." She rubbed her temples, trying to massage away the pounding headache. "What happened? How did I end up here?"
The healer's expression remained neutral. "You were brought in last night, unconscious. You had severe injuries, but fortunately, they weren't life-threatening."
Handing her the concoction, she continued, "However, your beast is dead."
She waited all night to feel the wolf's essence, but she didn't. And now, it was late in the morning, still nothing changed. Her beast was likely dead. Evelyn was a human now, sadly.
Evelyn's eyes widened with shock as she stared at the healer, the bowl slipped off her hand and dropped to the floor, spilling all the liquid.
"What...what do you mean?" she stammered, her voice trembling. "Napua...dead?"
The healer's expression remained impassive, but her words cut deep into Evelyn's soul. "I'm afraid so. The injuries you sustained were too severe. Your beast's essence is gone."
Evelyn felt a numbness spreading through her body, as if she was losing a part of herself.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up. Maybe Napua was sleeping again. She thought. Ignoring the healer, she began to speak to her beast, even though she couldn't feel Napua's energy.
She's spent most of her life being 'wolfless', but she always felt Napua's presence, but this time, she couldn't feel it at all…
Her heart dropped to her stomach in disbelief.
"Na– Nap, don't scare me, please... wake up."
She felt a lump form in her throat as she waited for a response, any sign of life from her beast for long minutes. But there was only silence. The numbness spread, and Evelyn's eyes began to sting with unshed tears. And in no time, a heart-wrenching cry traveled out of the infirmary.
…
Meanwhile, the Alpha, Markkus, Luna Livia, and Lady Miranda, listened to Maria recount what happened last night. The more she said, the darker Markkus's expression became. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched in anger.
Miranda's eyes widened with shock, her face pale as she listened to Maria's account of the brutal attack, but she didn't believe Evelyn truly did it. Perhaps Maria was confused, she thought.
However, the Alpha had an astonished look in his eyes. If truly it was Evelyn's doing, then the pack has to nurture her to become their strongest weapon. With Evelyn and Markkus working side by side, it would be easier to kill the lycan and his supporters.
"...she had a white light surrounding her. It was terrifying. She sliced off my hand –"
"Did you say she was surrounded by light?!" the Alpha almost jumped out of his seat, his eyes blazing with shock, and excitement.
"Y– yes, Alpha."
"I think my maid saw wrong, Alpha. She's been muddle-headed ever since she woke up. She even mistook her sister for her mom," Miranda spoke softly, her face etched with deep concern for Maria.
Miranda quickly spoke up, because if the Alpha believed it, he'd undoubtedly protect Evelyn. And he might also make Evelyn Markkus's Luna. Miranda wouldn't allow it.
Evelyn has to die for her long term plan to work, she must die for cutting off Maria's hand.
"Mira is right, Logan. How could an omega possess such powers? It's inconceivable," Luna Livia concurred.
"I really saw it, My Lady," Maria started, ignoring Miranda's subtle glare. "She had an aura that suppressed my beats, and her scent was very fragrant." Maria pressed on, aggrieved that they won't believe her.
Her beast was badly wounded, only by that aura, and has been unconscious since last night. The healer said that if her beast doesn't show signs of life today, it could either mean that it died, or would be crippled.
Maria swallowed back her tears. Her hatred for Evelyn shot to the roof, but she blamed Miranda more.
It was Miranda who wrote that letter and ordered her to make sure Evelyn received it. Maria was tasked to keep an eye on Evelyn, until she got to the cabin, then lock her in, to prevent her from showing up at the mating ceremony today, and once the ceremony was over, and she'd been marked by Markkus, Evelyn should be killed.
As for why Markkus's cousin and his friends went there, Maria had no idea. That was not Miranda's plans.