Chapter 114
ROGUE KING’S BASE
“What did you just say Rogue King Romero’s face turned ugly as he processed the scout’s report. “Still unconscious? How is that even possible?” He turned towards the hooded man, silently demanding an explanation. It had to be intentional, right?
“Yes. Rogue King.” The scout interrupted his thoughts. “It seems that this woman has remained unconscious since they found her. Now, they are saying it was you who poisoned her. The villagers are angry and are demanding that the council do something about the rogues.”
“Bullshit!” Romero hissed. That woman poisoned herself? Why was he being dragged into this? Slowly, he calmed his chaotic thoughts and let out a sigh. That’s right. It was he who had allowed this to happen,
“Any movement?” he asked.
“None” the scour replied. “The council hasn’t said anything, not have the Royals. Everyone has been tight–lipped. Many say it’s because she’s about to die. Others assume she already has and that they’re keeping it a secret to avoid the ire of the villagers.”
The Rogue King snorted. “Keep an eye on them and report immediately if anything changes,” he said. Romero waved the scout away, his expression dark and unreadable “Go. Report back if anything happens,” he ordered, his tone clipped. The scout nodded, retreating quickly from the chamber
The Rogue King stood in silence, staring at the map sprawled across the large table before him. The room was dim, illuminated only by a few flickering torches, their shadows dancing across the jagged stone walls. His fingers drummed lightly against the edge of the table before he turned toward the corner, where a hooded figure lingered, half–hidden in the shadows
“She’s crazy.” Romero muttered, his lips curling into a faint, sardonic smile. “Fiona Rosenthal is absolutely insane.”
The hooded man stepped forward, his movements fluid, his cloak shifting with a faint whisper. “And yet, you seem amused by all this,” he said, his tone laced with curiosity. “You’re being framed for poisoning her, the villagers are turning against the rogues, and the council remains silent. This doesn’t work in your favor.”
Romero’s smile deepened, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Doesn’t it?” he said, stepping around the table. “Think about it. My enemies now have to ask themselves a very important question: Am I injured? Am I dead? Or worse.. Do I have a poison capable of threatening even a Rosenthal?”
The hooded man tilted his head, considering Romero’s words. “A clever ploy,” he admitted. “But it doesn’t erase the fact that you’re being blamed for something you didn’t do.”
Romero slirugged, his expression cool and detached “Blame is fleeting, but fear? Fear lingers. Let them wonder. Let them doubt. If they believe I’m capable of wielding a poison that could incapacitate even a Rosenthal, they’ll hesitate before making a move.”
The rumors of his supposed injury–of being on the brink of death–had already spread like wildfire Those whispers alone were enough to ignite the imaginations of his enemies. They’d assume Fiona had been taken to heal Rogue King, only to escape before completing the task.
They wouldn’t strike unmediately. No, they’d stew in their suspicions, weighing the risks. Was the Rogue King vulnerable, or was this all a ruse? Eventually, their paranoia would push them to attack. And when they did
Boom. Dead
The thought alone drew a sharp, fleeting smile across Romero’s lip
The hooded man crossed his arms, his gaze sharp beneath the shadow of his hood. “And what of the rogues! Some of them are restless. They’ve heard the rumors and are enraged. A group has already decided to attack the village where Fiona was taken”
Romero paised, his expression unreadable as he mulled over the information. Then, he let out a dry laugh, sluking his head. “Let them”
The hooded man’s brows furrowed slightly “You’re letting them attack? Unchecked?”
Ronero waved a diuinive land. “Rogues are rogues for a reason. They’re wild, untamed, uncontrollable. If they want to throw themselves at a forubed village them. fi’ll keepribe Prince and has lule healers busy, and it’ll remind the council just how unpredictable we can be.”
“And if they succeed the hooded man asked.
“They would, Korner said Barly “But their chaos works to my advantage. While they waste their lives on a pointless assault. I’ll focus on what really maters. Besides.” He leaned against the table, his sharp gaze fixing on the hood man “II Fiona her out. If she’s truly at weak as they claim, than it doesn’t matter. Either way, I win.”
Rosenthal is faking her injuries, this night flush
The hooded man incloed his head dightly, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. “A calculated gamobile”
“Every move is a gamble, Romero said, turning back to the maps. His finger traced a line across the parchment, marking the path the rogues would likely take. “But unlike these fools, I know when to cut any losses. If the attack distracts the council, all the better. If it forces Elijah’s hand, even better.”
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Chapter 114
“And the Rosenthal girl?” the hooded man asket,
Romero’s expression darkened slightly, his eyes narrowing. “She’s a complication,” he admitted. “But the reasoning behind all this has nothing to
do with us.”
Crimson Honder’s Pack
“Unconscious” Lord Thomas Rosenthal frowned at Alpha Criv’s words. “A poison that she cannot even heal?” Rosenthal, he knew what Fiona was capabile of. She had the ability to heal any poison in this world.
seems impossible.” As a
“She’s playing a dangerous game,” he added.
“That Prince most have wanted to flush his enemies out.” Alpha Cris said. “He wants those who wish Fiona harm to reveal themselves. Be mindful. Ti seems your daughter is slowly adapting to the ways of the Royals Scheming, betrayals, and traitors are normal for them.
Thomas pursed his lips, and slowly, a smirk appeared on his face. It seemed Fiona’s life in the palace wasn’t as easy as they had originally thought. After a few more minutes of discussing Fiona and the palace intrigue. Thomas excused himself,
It was already the dead of night, and he had spent the day with the Alpha, sorting through invites from various clans and packs. As expected, they decided to decline all of them.
“Lord Rosenthal”
Thomas stopped walking. He turned and saw Zach not far away. The moonlight cast long shadows across the path, and the air between them seemed to thicken as Thomas’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
“Young Alpha.” Thomas began, his tone calm. “Is something on your mind?”
Zach straightened, his shoulders squaring as though preparing for battle. “It’s about Fiona,” he said, his voice measured. “I’ve been thinking– I believe it’s time I bring her back and I need your help to convince
father.
Thomas anhed an eyebrow, his expression unreadable as he resumed walking. “Bring her back” he echoed, motioning for Zach to follow. “That’s a runous thought. Enlighten me.”
Zach matched has strade, his jaw tightening. “Her absence has brought shame upon the pack. Her actions have left questions unanswered and wounds unticaled. But at the end of the day. Fiona is my wife. I am her husband Bringing her back is the right thing to do–not just for us, but for the pack?”
Thomas stopped abruptly, clasping his hands behind his back. He turned to face Zach, the faintest trace of a smirk tugging at his lips. “You believe bringing Fiona back would solve these.. issues! The embarrassment! The rumors He tilted his head slightly. “You’re forgetting one rather inconvenient fart”
“And wh
Zach asked, his tone edging toward defensiveness.
Thoman’s smirk deepened, though his eyes remained cold. “You have a new mate. Or has that detail slipped your mind?
yone truly
Zach’s expression darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. “I know my responsibilities,” he said. “Bat Fiona–she’s different. She’s the only one worthy of bring Luna, She’s been blessed by the goddess hersell. No one else can claim that.”
“Ah, the blessing of the goddess Thomas chuckled softly, the sound devoid of humor. “How convenient to remember it now, when it suits your arrative” He stepped closer, his gaze piercing. “Hat tell me. Young Alphia, how do you plan to reconcile your actions! Your betrayal‘ The mate Lond you
“Tacted our of duty,” Zach said, his voice firm. “But duty doesn’t erase what Fiona is to this pack. She is still the
most
subtable L
Luna
Thomas asked “Fiona hai no interest in returning, and frankly, your sudden change of heart reeks of desperation. It wouldn’t look good
“Desperation Tm thanking of the park”
Thomai chuckled again, shaking his head. “No, you’re thinking of yourself. You want to restore your insage, to undo the damage you’ve done. But Faonar thur’s moved beyond this pack. Shir’s playing a jar “your camion begin to undenuit.
Zach opened his mouth to respond, but Thomas raised a hand, silencing him. “Let me give you some advice, Young Alpha. Focus on the mate
You cantant updo what Fiona did. There is an coming back from abandoning the Clan Thomas turned on his heel and resumes his valk toward thar Rosenthal hour without sparing Zach another gla
conversation was nothing bout a waste of time, as he would never allow that woman to come back! Not even Fiona’s dead body would step
He arrived at the Rosenthal Clan House and immediately went to his study. However, Thomas froze as the heavy door creaked open, his sharp gaze narrowing on the figure seated in has chair. The fuelight from the hearth cast flickering shadows across the study, but it wasn’t the warm glow that
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Chapter 14
caught his attention. It was the presence–silent, imposing, and unmistakably wrong.
The chair–his chair–turned slightly to face him, revealing a figure draped in dark clothing. Whoever was sitting in his chair was not a werewolf.
