Chapter 15
THIRD PERSON’S POV
Ted Are you okay!” Laura called out, her concern deepening
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James took a deep breath, steadying himself before speaking, “1st came from the dungeons,” he said, his voice tight with Any, “I saw Olivia today.
Silence fell over the room like a thick fog
Jason sat up straighter, his brows furrowing. “And?”
“And” Janies repeated, his voice rising with barely contained rag. “She’s barely surviving in there! She’s malnourished, weak, emotionally wrecked! Do you even know the conditions they’re keeping her in? She’s pregnant, Father! Carrying Dominic’s pup, and they treat her like an animal, not even just riminal. They forgot she doesn’t have her wolf to heal her!”
Laura let out a sharp gasp, her hands flying to her mouth. Her worst fears had been confirmed, and the image of her daughter suffering alone in a cold cell shattered something inside her.
Jason’s face darkened, but he kept his expression unreadable. “She’s under investigation-
“Investigation? By lashing her and ruining her? Is this how crimals are investigated in the dungeons?” James snapped. “Or is it punishment for a crime she didn’t commit?” He took a step forward, his eyes blazing. “Have you not considered how convenient all of this is? Elder Alyosha’s sudden death? The so–called ‘evidence‘ against Olivia? And most of all, how it all happened right after Evelyn returned?”
Jason’s mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
James pressed on. “I don’t trust it. It doesn’t add up. Evelyn show up, and suddenly Olivia is framed for murder. It’s too much of a coincidence. And it doesn’t matter what the evidence says, I know Olivia can’t do this.”
Jason leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin in thought. His ind flashed back to the reports from that night–the patrol shifts had been changed at the last minute, something highly unusual. At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it, but now…. now, it gnawed at him.
“James,” he said after a long pause, his voice lower, more contemplative. “You’re saying you suspect Evelyn? You know that Evelyn is-”
James scoffed. “Evelyn is what? Untouchable? I know better than throw blind accusations, but I will say this–she has the most to gain from Olivia’s downfall. And I refuse to stand by while my sister suffers for something she didn’t do.”
Jason’s gaze flickered to Laura, who was watching them both with wide, fearful eyes. His gut twisted. Had he been too quick to judge? Too blind to see what was right in front of him?
After a long silence, Jason straightened his shoulders. “I need took into this,” he murmured. “I’ll start by questioning the warriors who were on duty that night.”
James gave a stiff nod. “And I’ll do my own investigation.”
Jason shot him a warning glance. “Stay out of this, James. If you terfere, it could put you in danger as well.”
James merely smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “Danger doesn’t scare me, Father. But regret? That’s something I won’t
live with.”
–
Later that night, James was making his way to the warriors‘ barracks when he unexpectedly crossed paths with Dominic.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
