Suspicious
Chapter 65: Talon’s POV
“A rogue in the hills?” Greg asked with a frown evident on his face. “And you waited two weeks to tell me about it?”
I was in my study, trying to figure out if the attack was a single isolated one or a part of their team or even planned.
But after two weeks, I came up with nothing. I told Avalyn not to tell anyone about it but I was breaking that rule myself because I needed another person’s view on this.
The only person I could trust in my council was Greg.
“Listen, Greg, I thought I could figure it out myself and save you the trouble. We have so much going on already and I didn’t want to add to your piling table,” I explained.
“Lies!” He spat, turning red in anger. He kicked off the chair from beneath him and sprung to his feet.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
I could see his wolf struggling to stay in control as he slapped his fist over the oakwood table in front of me.
“Your life was in danger! I am your beta! My job description is to protect you with my life! How can I do that when you have to wait two weeks to tell me about an assassination attempt in your life!?” He questioned.
Silence filled the room as we watched ourselves. I could feel his pain and anger. He had every right to feel that way.
I did think of telling him when it happened but I didn’t want him to freak out like this plus I had it under control. Avalyn was safe and happy.
There shouldn’t have been anything to worry about until I looked at my own report of the incident again.
“In my defense, I felt it was an isolated attempt because the guys were amateurs, I could smell them twenty yards away and tell their exact position,” I said scratching the back of my head.
“Just because you are a freaking Lycan doesn’t mean you don’t need help Talon!” He hissed.
“Aah!” He cursed, kicking the table.
He took a deep breath and pulled the chair he had knocked out back into place, then he sat down.
“I apologize, Greg,” I said in a whisper.
I hated seeing my best friend like this. It was even more annoying that I was the reason for his anger.
“Well, you are strong. I am glad nothing happened to you. But it must not happen again!” He said looking straight into my eyes.
“Yes, it won’t.”
He adjusted his jacket and sat at the edge of the chair. He stretched his hands toward me and said, “Okay, so, where is your report for the incident?”
The paper was right in front of me, so without saying a word, I passed it over to him.
Greg pulled the paper toward him with two of his fingers. His frown was gone but I could still see the anger in his eyes as they began to scan the piece of paper in front of him.
“The fact that they were amateurs should not make us ignore that they were sent by someone… A woman,” he pointed out, staring back up at me.
I shrugged at this point because this was the same thing that bothered me. I got stuck whenever I got to this place.
“That was all I could get from the man before he died,” I whispered.
Greg glared at me. “He died or you killed him?”
I kissed my tongue to my teeth. “I tried getting the information from him but I was pissed off and the man was just fragile!” I said in my defense.
Greg nodded his head as if he was starting to see a pattern on the paper.
“Who did you tell, that you were going to the hill?” He suddenly asked.
I thought back to that day. I was with Emily, but I didn’t mention where I was going. Greg was gone long before I even thought of the hill.
The only person left was Willow.
“Except you didn’t tell someone, then we can say it’s a one-chance attack. Or that you were being watched…” he suggested.
“Which is very unlikely because Walter’s boys have been doing a perfect sweep of the perimeter, except the hills… Because we didn’t think they would climb all the way there to attack anyone…” Greg analyzed and I followed.
“That point is the worst for them. They can’t pull up their forces in that direction without creating a massive distraction,” he explained with his hands.
“My point is, it couldn’t be possible unless someone told them,” he concluded.
I was lost in thoughts. I couldn’t believe what my head was pointing out to me. It made no sense.
Willow could never do a thing like that. She loved me and I loved her.
We had issues but that didn’t mean she would sell me out to rogues. Much less amateur rogues -that was an insult!
“Talon, you are thinking of something… Please whatever information you may have that can help me figure this out will be appreciated,” Greg requested.
I looked up at him and considered my next words.
“I told Willow. But she couldn’t have sold me out, so I am guessing that she told her maids and maybe one of them told the rogues,” I said.
This had to be the reason. There must be a traitor among her maids.
“Think about it, first, someone plants pills that could end a pregnancy in my chambers.”
Greg pulled his fingers together and locked them on the table. “You are saying we have a mole?” he asked in a lowered voice.
“I am saying there is a chance.”
“Talon, I think, we have to question Willow. Who did she speak with on that day and who was in her chamber one or before you went to her.”
I shook my head, I couldn’t agree to this. “Willow will be devastated. She will think I don’t trust her-”
“Do you trust her?” Greg caught me off.
My heart stopped racing and stared deeply into his eyes.
“Yes, I do. I trust Willow with all my life!”
“Good. Because you are going to need it.” Greg got up from the chair and I did the same. Together, we proceeded out of the office and moved on to the chambers.
I heard snickering and even before their faces came into view, I knew who they were. Emily and Avalyn.
“And where are you two going?” Greg growled as they appeared around the bed.
Emily flashed her dark eyes into Greg and then moved them to me. “Didn’t you hear of the market fucking day?”
“My King, beta,” Avalyn greeted, making my heart flutter at the sound of her voice.
“The security situation is not safe outside the castle walls. I want you both to stay back.” Greg insisted and I watched as Avalyn’s bright face darkened.
“Come on Greg! There are guards everywhere, we don’t need to be fucking afraid. Besides, I am going to be fucking there with her!” Emily cried out.
“Out of the Question! Return to your rooms now!” Greg ordered but I held his shoulder. He couldn’t see it but I did. Avalyn was saddened by his response.
I walked to her and raised her jaw with two of my fingers. Her green eyes looked straight into my melting my resolves and problem.
“You want to go to the market?” I asked her.
“Fucking yes!” Emily replied before Avalyn.
I threw her a laser gaze and she turned her face away.
“I wasn’t speaking to you!” I hissed, baring my teeth at her.
“I want to go,” Avalyn finally whispered.
I smiled down at her and turned to Greg. “Send a dozen guards to accompany them. You just told me Walter’s boys were doing a perfect job. I am sure the market is safe.”
“Yes, my king,” he gritted out through his teeth. “If you will excuse me I will go get the guards!”
I could tell Greg was not pleased but he would be fine. Avalyn wanted to go to the market. She was with Emily and the guards would follow behind.
What could possibly go wrong?
Greg returned a few minutes later with a dozen men behind him.
“My King, the escorts are ready!” He said with a slight bow.
“Perfect. Emily, Avalyn, stay safe and make sure you are where the guards can see you at all times.”
“Thank you, brother!” Emily exclaimed and held Avalyn’s hand, pulling her away from me.
I watched as they disappeared before I turned my attention back to the task at hand. Greg was already ahead of me since he was still fuming about letting them go.
Greg got to the door and waited for me. If it was up to him, he would have probably kicked it open but he restrained himself.
“I care about Avalyn too but I think you are letting your love blind you!” He whispered harshly.
“She will be safe, Greg. Don’t make a big deal out of it. It’s not like she is traveling through the woods alone. She is just taking a few steps out of the castle. She will be fine,” I said and then turned to the door, “let’s finish this.”
I pushed the door open and walked inside. As usual, she was in her favorite spot on the balcony.
She turned her head toward us and frowned.
My heart skipped a beat as I didn’t want to ask her the questions I had in mind, but I had no choice.
“Willow, a few weeks ago, I told you I was going to the hills where my father was buried, did you tell anyone?” I asked in a low voice.
She looked into my eyes without as much as a blink. “No, why would I tell anyone?”
“The king was attacked and we have reasons to believe we have a mole in our midst,” Greg put in.
She raised her eyebrows and glared at both of us. “Are you insinuating, that I am that mole?”
“No no!” I quickly rushed. “Maybe your maids or anyone else on your team… We just need to know who you have been speaking with,” I explained.
She scoffed and folded her arms across her chest.
When she finally opened her mouth to speak, her voice got swallowed by the ringing of the emergency bell in the courtyard.
I turned to Greg with a frown and he mirrored my expression.
Something was wrong!