Veritas

Chapter 53

Ryan followed Reinhold's scent, keeping hot on his heels as the man ran away. Unfortunately, though, it seemed that Reinhold was just too fast, and knew the maze of hallways better. Eventually, Ryan was about to encounter some guards, and as angry as he was, he knew it was a pointless effort if Reinhold was hiding behind them.

Vibrating with anger, and Kenji on the brink of taking control, Ryan had to lean against the wall and breathe deeply for a moment. In the quiet of the hallway, his perceptive ears picked up on a faint woman's voice having a conversation, presumably over the phone since there was no response back.

"Yes...He was taken care of...No...Can't escape..."

It was too faint, so he couldn't be sure; but, with his state of mind as it was, he could swear this woman was talking about Aislinn. He strained his ears harder, catching a lot of "yes, sir" and "no, sir" responses before a shadow caught his attention.

"What are you doing in this wing of the castle?" A tall, muscular and unhappy looking guard demanded.

Ryan looked up at the man before he stood up to his own full height so as not to appear intimidated. "I didn't realize where I was, sorry. I was looking for the Captain, and followed him this way" he explained stiffly, still trying to contain Kenji.

The guard frowned, looking around. "The Captain? Why would he be here?"

Ryan raised his eyebrows, surprised that the guard didn't just see the Captain run by. "Don't you—" he started, about to point out that he had been following the captain's scent, when he realized he couldn't smell it anymore. Something was definitely going on.

The guard suddenly placed a heavy hand on Ryan's shoulder, his eyes turning menacing. "I think you need a lesson in boundaries and lying. Maybe a stint in the dungeon will h—" he was threatening, when that same female voice from before cut him off.

"That'll be enough!" The voice said, before its owner appeared from behind a door.

The guard instantly released Ryan's shoulder and stepped back, bowing his head in a submissive gesture. "Of course, ma'am. Apologies" he said, clearly terrified of the woman.

Confused, Ryan took her in. She was wearing a silky red nightgown that stopped mid-thigh, appearing as if she'd been lounging in her quarters. Her long brown hair was tied to the side in a braid, a matching silk ribbon keeping the ends tied together. Her pretty blue eyes were taking him in, as well.

"You must be the elder brother I've heard so much about. You certainly do bear a striking resemblance to our Captain, don't you?" She said in an amused tone. "I apologize for my guard...Since the attack, my son has had me locked up tight 'for my protection'" she said, using air quotes and rolling her eyes. "Won't you come in and give me some entertainment?" She asked, gesturing to the room she'd just come from.

His confusion only growing, Ryan was trying to put the pieces together. Who was this woman? If her son was keeping her locked up...Could she be Reinhold's mother, and that's why they were denying he had come this way? To protect him?

"No, remember what mom said? Her whole family died...I think this is the King's mother" Kenji piped up.

Ryan had to stop himself from gasping, realizing that his wolf was right. He bowed his head apologetically, remembering the manners his mother had tried so hard to instil in him. "Ah, I'm sorry ma'am, I should really be getting back to my dad. My brother, he—" he was explaining, realizing he hadn't heard from his mother about how Aislinn was doing, and it made his heart sink. He'd been so determined to catch Reinhold for answers that he'd abandoned his mother and Aislinn at such a pivotal moment, he felt like an ass.

"Oh, yes, I heard about that" the woman purred, stepping closer to Ryan. "Our doctors are working hard, he'll be fine I'm sure...Won't you come in?" She asked, looking up at him through her lashes.

"Uh..." Ryan stammered, a feeling of repulsion towards the woman rising within him. "I think my dad needs my support right now, but maybe later?" He said awkwardly.

Again, though, the guard placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. "It was not truly a question" he explained grumpily, either angry that Ryan was getting attention from the woman, or upset that Ryan wasn't getting the message. Regardless, he shoved Ryan forward and through the doorway.

The woman giggled, stepping aside so Ryan didn't run into her. She smiled at the guard before closing the door, trapping Ryan in her quarters.

Ryan stumbled past her, before catching his balance and righting himself. He swallowed hard, beginning to panic. Normally, such a situation would be a non-issue; but, when up against the former Queen of werewolves...It was a problem. He decided not to tell his mom what was happening just yet, and trusted she'd give him an update as soon as one was to be had. So, he turned to face the woman, squaring his shoulders in preparation for...He wasn't sure what.

Her blue eyes looked him up and down again, a smirk on her lips. "Don't worry, boy...I won't bite. Tell me your name" she instructed.

"Ryan...And you are?" He asked back, trying to keep himself in check to avoid outright challenging her authority.

She giggled at that, walking closer to him. "With how I've been locked away, I'm not surprised you don't recognize me...I'm Shaela, the King's mother" she explained, brushing past him to sit on a loveseat. She patted the spot beside her, an unspoken order for him to join her.

Grimacing internally; but, keeping in mind that she held a great deal of power over him and his family, Ryan stiffly walked over and sat beside her. He leaned heavily on the arm to keep as much distance between them as possible.

"So, tell me, Ryan...Why did you come to my quarters? The Captain would never be caught dead here...So tell me the truth" she whispered softly, leaning towards him. "You can be honest" she continued softly, her eyes practically glowing as she stared into his. "It was to find me, wasn't it?"

When she leaned closer, her hands pressing onto his chest, her intentions of leaning in for a kiss becoming very clear to the innocent, never-been-kissed Ryan. He swallowed hard, closing his eyes tightly, having no idea what to do with such a powerful she-wolf making such a bold advance on him.

With his eyes squeezed shut, the only face he saw before him was Aislinn's. Her platinum hair tied up in a ponytail, face shiny with sweat and that determined grin on her face when they squared off in training. The way her blue-violet eyes lit up when she succeeded at something. His heart swelled at the thought of her, and he knew he couldn't let this woman take advantage of him.

He adeptly slid off the loveseat from under Shaela's hands, standing up a good distance away from her. "Sorry! Sorry, I can't—"

She sat back on the seat and stared at him with narrowed eyes, her nostrils flaring angrily. It only lasted a moment, though, quickly replaced with an understanding and warm smile. "Ah. You've already met your mate" she said.