ARAXIE POV
I sat on my bed, staring at the door for the hundredth time, making sure the lock hadn't somehow shifted on its own.
It hadn't.
Still, I got up and checked it again.
It seems like an old habit or maybe guilt.
I exhaled slowly and reached beneath the bed bunk under my bed, my fingers brushing the folded documents hidden there. I pulled it out carefully, like it might burn me.
It consist of document I stole from Cassian's hidden room three days ago.
My chest tightened.
I knew the risk when I took it. But I also knew Cassian's patterns. He visits that room once a month, precisely, methodically. Adds new files. Reviews old ones. Then locks it again so as not to drag any single wolf attention towards it.
He already made his visit this month. Which means I'm safe. For now.
I unfolded the documents again, smoothing it over my lap.
It wasn't the treasury transfers Lucien paraded around like a weapon.
No.
This was something far worse. My name was written at the top of a particular document in blocks letter, and that caught my attention instantly.
Araxie Ian.
Daughter of a shameful warrior.
My fingers vibrated in panic.
Below my name was a list of dates. Meetings. Private correspondences. Transactions. And at the very bottom, was a signature.
Not just any signature, but Cassian's.
I was under surveillance. He was keeping eyes on me.
My throat tightened at the thought of everything.
For three months, since before the mating ceremony was announced, he had been watching me. Tracking who I spoke to, where I went. Even documenting how often I met Lucien.
My stomach twisted in disgust and fear.
Was it jealousy? Suspicion? Or something else entirely?
A soft knock sounded at my door.
I froze instantly.
"Araxie?" Cassian's voice called out.
I folded the pile of documents swiftly and slid it back beneath the floorboard, pressing the wood into place neatly.
"Yes?" I called, forcing steadiness into my voice.
He twisted the door handle, like he was about to barge it.
Too bad it was locked.
"Why is your door locked?" he asked.
Because I don't trust you anymore, I wanted to say, but I couldn't.
"I was resting," I replied lightly. "Is that a crime now?"
He paused.
Then a faint chuckle. "No."
But he didn't leave.
"I spoke to the elders today," he continued. "They're unsettled, after getting to know about the documents."
Of course they are. Lucien made sure of that.
"And?" I asked.
"They're requesting to see the treasury ledgers themselves."
My heart skipped a bit.
"Then show them," I said carefully, followed by another pause. This time it was longer.
"They also asked whether the funds authorized three months ago were tied to security operations."
Security operations. That's what he's calling it.
"And are they?" I asked.
The silence on the other side of the door thickened.
"Yes," he said finally.
Lie.
I've seen the documents.. The funds weren't moved for security.. They were moved to a private account outside pack jurisdiction. An account tied to a name I recognized immediately.
Lucas.
The so-called traitor.
Except Lucas didn't initiate the transfer. He received it.
Which means Cassian isn't covering up theft.
He's funding something, or someone.
"Why are you asking me about it?" I said softly. "You're the Alpha."
"And you're about to be Luna," he replied.
About to be.
The words felt heavier now.
"You'll need to stand beside me when the elders question us."
Us.
There it was again...Always us.
As if we are aligned. As if I didn't just steal proof that he doesn't trust me.
"I will," I answered.
Because I will. Just not the way you think.
His hand rested briefly against the door. I could hear the faint shift of wood.
"You've been distant," he said quietly.
My chest tightened unexpectedly. "I'm planning a ceremony," I replied. "And I'm a bit nervous. You know being new to all of this."
I heard a long exhale, before his voice drop to a soft tone.
"You don't regret it, do you?"
The question startled me.
Regret what?.Choosing him? Leaving Lucien?
Or agreeing to something much bigger than either of them?
"I don't regret titles," I said carefully.
It wasn't an answer, but it satisfied him.
"Get some rest," he murmured before finally stepping away.
I waited until his footsteps disappeared down the corridor before unlocking the door.
The air in the room felt suffocating.
I returned to the bed and pulled the document out again.
There was more, I wasn't able to read it all.
I forced myself to sit back down.
My hands were steadier this time.
I spread the remaining pages across my mattress, scanning them carefully. The first few sheets detailed the surveillance, times I left the pack house, wolves I spoke to, how long I lingered in the market square.
Even the night I stood by the eastern ridge alone.
They recorded that too.
Subject displayed signs of hesitation prior to engagement announcement.
My jaw tightened.
Hesitation.
Is that what they called heartbreak?
I turned the page.
The next document wasn't an observation of me. It was correspondence. A copied letter. The seal was broken, but I recognized the handwriting instantly.
Lucas.
LUCAS was Cassian motherʼs maid son, before they he and Cassian fell out.
My pulse spiked.
The funds have been received. The southern contacts are prepared. Once the Luna bond is sealed, the shift in loyalty will begin naturally. They would support you and swear allegiance to you. As promised, the other heir remains unaware.
The other heir.
My breath caught painfully in my throat.
Heir.
There are only two direct blood heirs to Alpha blood in this pack.
Cassian, and Lucien.
My mind was blank. The southern contacts?
Shift in loyalty?
Once the Luna bond is sealed. This wasn't about stolen money. It was about power consolidation.
And Lucien...
Lucien's accusation suddenly felt less like revenge and more like a warning.
I flipped to the final page, this one wasn't copied.
It was original.
Signed by Cassian.
'Proceed. Once Araxie is bound, Lucien's bond with her would be broken. Without her support, he holds no elder majority. Ensure the southern vote aligns accordingly, and make sure they don't turn back on their words when I emerge need them to do the needful.
My heart began pounding so hard I thought it might crack my ribs.