Leah and Samuel walked silently through the corridors of Barduff Castle, which was covered with lengthy shadows from the moon. Leah's hands were still heavy with the parchment they had discovered earlier. Information was being fed to Gwen from somewhere inside these boundaries. Someone around.
Samuel hardly raised his voice above a whisper. "We must exercise caution. They will go farther into hiding if we startle them too quickly.
Leah held the parchment closely and nodded. "We then wait for them to approach us after setting the bait."
The proposal had been approved by Jacob. He had ordered the guards to reduce patrols just enough to create the impression that security had relaxed. They hoped the traitor would move, make a mistake, and come out.
Leah found herself roaming close to the eastern tower, where the errand boy had been discovered, as the hours passed. The castle was unnaturally quiet, and the wind was abrasive against her skin.
Then she heard it, a slight rustle close to the servants' door.
Heart thumping, Leah shoved herself against the stone wall. A shadow passed just outside the archway, hesitated, then slipped inside.
As they rounded the corner, she almost ran into Jacob and Samuel as she turned and sprinted back into the main hall. She exclaimed, "They're here." "Near the entrance of the servants."
Jacob made no hesitation. "Let's go."
In an attempt to obstruct any escape, they dispersed, each moving in a different direction toward the entrance. As Leah slipped into the dim hallway, listening for any movement, her heart raced.
There was a loud crash in the distance. Then there was a voice, low and terrified. "I have no time for your uncertainties! It was an obvious signal. We have to take action right away—
The last person Leah ever expected to see appeared in the wavering light as she walked closer with her torch in hand.
Lyall, Paul.
Jacob's beta.
Paul's face twisted in surprise as he whirled. There was silence between them for a moment. Then Paul's expression hardened as though he realized there was no way out. "Leah, you shouldn't have come here."
A heartbeat later, Jacob emerged, his eyes narrowing as he saw his most trusted counsel standing among a half-packed satchel and strewn parchments. "Paul," he remarked in a dangerously composed tone. "Tell me that this isn't what it appears to be."
Paul stood up tall, his eyes full of defiance. "It appears that I'm acting in this pack's best interests."
Leah gripped her torch more tightly. "By abandoning us?"
Paul's mouth tightened. Do you believe Jacob can be a leader? Do you believe that a Luna can be an omega? Strength, not feeling, is what this pack deserves.
With a steely voice, Jacob moved closer. "And you believed Gwen to be that strong?"
Paul remained silent. Rather, he leaped and grabbed the knife at his belt in a single motion.
Time slowed. With her heart pounding in her ears, Leah staggered back. Jacob, however, was quicker. The dagger clattered to the ground as he spun, catching Paul's wrist.
In a flash, Samuel was there, snatching Paul and holding him against the stone wall. "It's over," snarled Samuel. "You've lost."
Paul's breath came in short gasps. "Jacob, you're blind. You were and always were. Gwen is unstoppable. She is more powerful than you think, even from her jail.
Jacob gave a quick exhale. "After that, we ensure she never gets another chance to rise."
Leah took a step forward and met Paul's gaze. "Who else is involved?"
A sneer formed on Paul's lips. "Don't you want to know?"
The guards had arrived just in time, and Jacob gestured to them. Go to the dungeons with him. He will speak shortly.
Leah felt a shiver descend upon her as Paul was pulled away. How many more traitors were hiding in the shadows now that one had been exposed?