“Patience isn’t exactly my strong suit.”
“What are you two discussing?” Timothy finally hauled himself up, though he wisely maintained his distance from me.
The late hour cast everything in soft shadows, starlight glittering through the window against the dark sky.
Flynn lifted his head at Timothy’s question. “Perfect. You can handle this since you’ve got so much spare time.”
“I don’t have spare time.” Timothy’s brow furrowed as he glanced my way. “I’m managing the Valerium conflict, remember?”
Flynn waved dismissively. “Perry wants intel on that woman. I’ve got basics, but he needs more.”
Timothy looked between us. “What did you dig up?”
As Flynn shared his findings from the Obsidian Claw pack house, I grabbed a document from the desk and skimmed it. I didn’t interrupt their exchange – my silence gave Timothy permission to investigate further.
“How many sources did you use for this information?”
“Three, maybe four. All said the same thing.”
Flynn shrugged carelessly. He’d disliked what he heard about Phoebe from the start, so when multiple sources corroborated the story, he’d considered it settled. In his mind, I should have rejected her immediately.
“You’re telling me you didn’t even try getting different perspectives? Just took their word at face value?” Timothy’s disbelief was obvious, and his expression irritated Flynn enough that he hurled a paper in the royal gamma’s direction. Timothy dodged effortlessly.
“They lived with her – what more could I do? Everyone said the same thing.”
“If everyone’s saying identical things, doesn’t that strike you as suspicious?” Timothy looked smug.
“If you think you can do better, be my guest. I’m not wasting more time on that whore – “
But suddenly, Flynn collapsed, clutching his head in agony. Even Timothy, who wasn’t targeted by my fury, could feel the raw power radiating from me.
I was punishing Flynn through our pack bond, stretching it taut against his mind until the pain became unbearable.
Timothy pressed himself against the sofa as I rose to my full height and crossed the room toward my writhing beta.
Dropping to one knee, I seized Flynn’s throat. “Don’t ever call her that again. Understood?” I applied pressure to his windpipe, cutting off his ability to speak, so he could only nod frantically.
“I’m… sorry…” Flynn wheezed, but I didn’t release him immediately. I stared into his eyes, searching his very soul.
A moment later, I eased the mental pressure and loosened my grip on his neck.
“Good.” I stood and walked out without another word, leaving the task squarely in Timothy’s hands.
***
Timothy’s POV
Once the king disappeared, I rushed to Flynn’s side. “You okay? That was terrifying.”
I shook my head, shuddering. It had been ages since I’d witnessed Perry unleash that kind of anger on Flynn. He could be overwhelming when pushed too far.
“Fine.” Flynn rubbed his throat gingerly. “I crossed the line.”
He acknowledged his mistake, though I could tell he still believed the king was making an error with Phoebe.
“Yeah, you definitely did.” I patted his shoulder sympathetically.
***
Viola’s POV
“What brings you here, Viola?” Helen asked when she entered the room and found me waiting inside. “Need something?”
“Yes, I’ve been feeling dizzy in the mornings. I was hoping you might have something to help.” I smiled at the healer.
Helen returned my smile warmly. “Come, sit down. I’ll prepare something for you.” She set aside the concoction she’d been making for Phoebe and rummaged through her drawer.
“She’s…” I didn’t finish my sentence, but my gaze lingered on Phoebe.
“Oh, rumor has it she’s the king’s mate. I don’t think it’s just rumors anymore – I saw her mark.”
Viola spotted the mark immediately. The rumors had to be true – her step-sister was actually here. When she’d heard Mason, that gossipy omega, whispering about the king’s woman and her origins, Viola had pressed for every detail.
Mason’s description had painted a picture that screamed Phoebe. She’d been one of the most stunning girls in their pack, back when she wasn’t constantly dodged flying garbage and cruel taunts.
Their last encounter was two years back, right before Viola abandoned everything – the pack, her Luna position – to flee with her destined mate. No goodbyes, no explanations. She’d known Kevin would’ve murdered her mate without hesitation, and her stepfather would never have blessed the union.
But here was Phoebe, sprawled across the infirmary bed, and somehow she’d become the king’s mate. The future queen of this entire kingdom. The irony twisted Viola’s stomach with worry.
“What happened to her?” Viola’s mind immediately jumped to the worst scenario – the king had hurt her. The Mad King lived up to his reputation, after all.
They’d never been close, but Viola hadn’t harbored any hatred either. More like mutual indifference. Yet being so far from their pack somehow shifted her perspective on their shared history.
“Stomachache. I sedated her because she’s incredibly weak. Too much spicy food, I think. The royal gamma fed her those marshmallow sticks loaded with hot spice.”
Viola had braced for something far worse. Her eyebrows shot up. “The royal gamma did that? If it was burning her mouth, why didn’t she stop eating?”
Six months in the warrior quarters with her mate had taught Viola plenty about the royal gamma. Cheerful and approachable on the surface, the kind of guy who made you drop your guard completely. But he wouldn’t hold his position if he didn’t possess the same ruthless edge as the king and royal beta.
Helen exhaled heavily, then explained the king’s suspicion about Phoebe losing her sense of taste.
“Keep this between us,” Helen whispered, handing Viola her needed medicine. “Come here, let me examine you and the baby while you’re here.”
Viola extended her hand but kept her gaze fixed on Phoebe. Three months pregnant and battling brutal morning sickness, though Helen’s care had been a lifesaver.
“Do you know her?” Helen asked, following Viola’s stare. She only knew Viola had arrived with her mate six months ago from Briarfang pack, assuming that was Viola’s origin as well.
“She’s my step-sister,” Viola admitted after a pause, which clearly startled Helen.
***
Phoebe’s POV
I jolted awake at my usual time – two hours before sunrise. My body had memorized this schedule, no matter how exhausted I felt.
Confusion hit me first. This wasn’t my cramped room in the omega quarters, but it wasn’t my luxurious bedroom in the king’s palace either.
The events slowly pieced themselves together – the sharp stomach pain that had since disappeared.
I squinted against the harsh overhead lights, realizing I was in the infirmary. Much better equipped than the pathetic excuse for medical care back at Obsidian Claw pack, which made sense.
I was completely alone.
I pushed myself upright, fighting a wave of dizziness. When I tried to stand, the room spun violently. I grabbed the bed’s edge to keep from collapsing.
Several minutes passed before I felt steady enough to move. I headed for the door, hoping to find my way back to my bedroom, but I was completely lost.
I had no clue where I was. Last night, the king had carried me here, so I’d paid zero attention to the route. Now I was wandering aimlessly.
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