My Only Person

The Werewolf Prisoner

(The above-used image does not belong to me. The credit goes to the rightful owner.)

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Clarissa's POV

The mention of the council from the King's mouth put everything into stone. This changes everything. Until now, it was merely speculation, but now it's all crystal clear. My enemy is none other than the King himself– Zachariah Ansel Duncan – along with his followers, beginning with Royal Betas Keith and Charlotte.

Keith spoke of 'him'. I wonder who that 'him' is. Could it be my Theo? Has he been taken prisoner by them? But he is so powerful; the very idea seems absurd and outlandish. Regardless, the fact remains that he is missing, and somehow his disappearance is linked with the council. I don't know in what way, but now I'm certain the council is involved.

They said something about moving 'them' to the other base. Where, and when?

I've already sent the information to my allies. While they're working outside, I took up the task to sniff out the details from the inside.

I stumbled upon that conversation that day by chance, but I hope to find out more. Deciding to risk it all, I devised a plan to break into the King's office in a few days.

The day before I was about to execute my plan, I was stuck attending an evening meeting in the King's office for the Silver Fang Pride's mission update. The Archduke was supplying us with information virtually.

Unlike the routine morning meetings, this session was exclusive, attended by a select few. Namely, Keith, Charlotte, Royal Gamma, Delta, General, Commander, Captain, Gregory, I, and a handful of high-ranking officials.

Post-meeting, everyone was still in the office, discussing the contents of the new information and proposing modified strategies to the King.

Charlotte had hurriedly left after the meeting to attend an emergency case at the pack hospital. General also had to leave shortly afterward. In their stead, the princess had come to play with her father.

The King, who was visibly pleased to see her face after a taxing day, didn't chase her away and took a short break. Everyone gave them their space and formed several groups engaging themselves in a discussion of their liking.

I was silently standing by a wall, not really in the mood to share my opinions on the subject. My eyes flickered over to the frame of the father-daughter pair, enveloped in a world of their own.

Shifting my eyes to the window behind them, I watched as the daylight transitioned to dusk. I closed my eyes, resting my head back against the wall, drowning myself in the voices in the room: the hushed chatter of the group, the sweet giggle of the princess, and the playful tone of the King.

That should have been all.

Yet, something felt off.

Like a continuous noise gnawing at the edges of my ears from the distant background. It was grating on my nerves as I struggled to pinpoint its origin or location.

I could smell something too.

And it wasn't pleasant.

The scent lingered in my nose, feeling repulsive and oddly familiar. Yet, I couldn't quite place a name to it.

My forehead furrowed into a frown as I rattled my brain to identify these abnormalities. And, as if aware of my distress, the anomalies presented themselves bland and clear.

A heavy stench of blood permeated the expansive room, holding everyone's tongue and freezing every movement. The irritating noise from before sounded closer until it registered in my ears as footsteps.