Chapter 63
Selena
I had broken a promise and the thought had been haunting me for days.
Every time I passed anywhere near the dungeon wing, guilt tightened around my chest like invisible chains. Grengy was still down there because of me. Whether he had attacked me or not no longer mattered. I had promised him that I would get him out and I hadn’t.
Work, training, the revolution, the preparations for the upcoming ball… Everything seemed to have stolen my attention from the one thing I had sworn to do.
But not today anymore.
During my short break, I wiped my damp hands on my apron and headed straight for Beta Bastian’s study.
There was only one mission on my mind and that was to get Grengy released from that cold prison cell. He has suffered enough so I see no reason why he should still be there!
The castle corridors bustled with servants carrying polished goblets, folded draperies and baskets filled with flowers for the approaching ball. Everyone seemed busier than ever, yet I kept walking, weaving through the traffic until I reached the Beta’s office.
The heavy oak door was shut and a castle guard stood outside with his spear planted firmly beside him.
I smiled politely. “Good afternoon p>
He nodded once to my greeting before speaking. “The Beta isn’t inside p>
My heart sank but I pushed myself to ask again. “Do you know when he’ll return p>
He shrugged. “I couldn’t tell you p>
I sighed quietly. I could either return to my duties and hope to find another opportunity… or simply wait!
Knowing my luck, if I left now something else would certainly occupy the rest of my day. I decided to go with what works perfectly with my schedule. “I’ll wait p>
The guard simply nodded again without saying a word.
I stepped aside and leaned lightly against the stone wall, folding my hands behind my back.
Minutes crawled by and I occupied myself by watching servants pass through the corridor.
Eventually another guard approached… He greeted the one standing beside the office before relaxing beside him and started a conversation which was impossible for me to not hear.
“You’ve been stationed here all morning p>
“I have p>
“That’s really tiring p>
“The whole castle’s tiring these days.” The two men chuckled softly.
I paid little attention until I heard a familiar name. “The Alpha.” My ears instantly sharpened.
“What happened in the throne room earlier?” the first guard asked then added. “I heard someone nearly lost his head p>
The second guard laughed. “Not his head but his pride certainly did p>
My curiosity grew but I couldn’t chip into their conversation so I simply listened.
“What happened?” The guard asked.
“It’s one of the nobles p>
“Which of them p>
“It’s Nobleman William Kavanagh p>
The first guard whistled. “He actually challenged the Alpha p>
“He practically stormed into the throne room.” The guard said and I tried not to appear interested, but every word held my attention.
“They say he spoke over the Alpha repeatedly and the Alpha finally had enough of his disrespect p>
“What did he do?” The first guard curiously asked.
“He ordered the guards to force the man onto his knees p>
The first guard burst into laughter. “I wish I’d seen that p>
“So do I p>
“He deserved it!” They both laughed again and I couldn’t help smiling faintly.
That certainly sounded like Alpha Kael. He was calm… Patient… Until someone pushed him too far.
The first guard shook his head. “Sometimes those entitled nobles forget exactly who our Alpha is and they mistake kindness for weakness p>
The second guard nodded. “Exactly p>
There was a brief silence before the first guard asked another question. “So what exactly did William want p>
The second guard lowered his voice. “It’s something about land! The border lands… though I didn’t hear everything but apparently he wasn’t happy p>
I frowned thoughtfully. Border lands? Before I could think further, the conversation continued.
“I also heard another rumour p>
“What rumor p>
“That the Alpha truly intends to burn the lands near the border in an attempt to fight the vampires p>
The second guard glanced around instinctively before answering. “It’s true p>
“So the rumours are real?” The first guard asked in surprise.
“They are but keep your voice down! We’ve already been warned because the Alpha doesn’t want anyone discussing it until after the upcoming ball p>
The reminder immediately made me step forward. “You both really should follow that instruction p>
Both guards looked at me while I smiled politely. “If the Alpha gave an order, surely it’s better to obey it p>
The second of them snorted. “You sound frightened by his order p>
“I simply think rules exist for a reason.” I said.
He shrugged carelessly. “Our Alpha won’t do anything p>
I blinked. “What do you mean p>
“He lets too much slide… he always has.” He said with a scoff.
The first guard frowned. “Be careful with your words p>
“I’m only telling the truth.” The second guard said and his confidence irritated me immediately.
“He shows mercy too often! He should be harsher but he obviously has become weak p>
The word hit me like a slap. Weak? Alpha Kael? I stared at him as my fingers curled tightly against my skirt.
He continued talking as though he hadn’t insulted the Alpha of the entire pack.
“He never lets us fight real battles! Everything is always waiting, planning, thinking… What kind of Alpha avoids direct confrontation p>
Heat rushed into my face. I opened my mouth, ready to defend Alpha Kael but before a single word escaped me p>
Another voice interrupted. “Treason p>
The corridor fell silent as both guards spun around instantly.
Beta Bastian stood several steps away while his face was completely unreadable and obviously showed he had heard every single word they said.
Yet somehow… That made him even more intimidating.
The careless guard visibly paled. “Beta p>
Beta Bastian walked toward him slowly. “What you have just said His voice remained calm. amounts to treason against your Alpha p>
Nobody dared speak.
Beta Bastian turned toward the first guard. “Bring him.” He ordered.
The guard immediately grabbed his companion’s arm. “Beta, I didn’t mean p>
“Inside!” He snapped and the frightened guard stumbled forward as he was escorted into the Beta’s study.
Without thinking, I followed behind and Beta Bastian didn’t stop me as the office door shut heavily behind us.
Silence settled across the room while Beta Bastian stood behind his desk. “What is your name p>
The guard swallowed. “Harvey p>
“What’s your Rank p>
“Junior castle guard p>
Beta Bastian picked up a parchment. “You publicly questioned the authority of your Alpha! You openly described him as weak and you encouraged disregard for his commands p>
Harvey’s breathing became uneven. “I spoke carelessly p>
“You did p>
“I didn’t intend p>
“Intent changes nothing.” Bets Bastian cut him off, then dipped his quill into ink.
“From this moment forward His pen scratched steadily across the parchment. you are stripped of your rank p>
Harvey’s eyes widened as Beta Bastion continued. dismissed from your duties effective immediately p>
The guard’s shoulders slumped. “Please… my family depends on this position p>
Beta Bastian finally looked at him. “Then you should have valued it before committing treason p>
The dismissed guard slowly lowered his head before allowing himself to be escorted away.
The office became quiet once more as I stood there frozen. Part of me admired Beta Bastian’s decisiveness while another part pitied the young guard.
Beta Bastian finally turned toward me. “What did you come here for, Selena p>
I cleared my throat. “I… actually came to ask for a favour p>
“What favour p>
“It’s about Grengy p>
His expression changed immediately. “No p>
I blinked in surprise, “You haven’t even heard p>
“I know exactly what you’re about to ask! He remains where the Alpha ordered him p>
I stepped closer. “But he’s there because of me and I’ve forgiven him p>
“That still changes nothing p>
“It changes everything.” I argued back.
Beta Bastian folded his arms. “He assaulted you p>
“He regrets ever doing it and I believe him.” I quickly said.
“The Alpha’s decision remains.” Beta Bastien wasn’t giving it a thought.
I refused to give up as I continued. “If it weren’t for my bond with the Alpha… Grengy would never have been imprisoned in the first place p>
That made him pause as I pressed further. “The Alpha acted because of me and now I’m asking for mercy p>
Beta Bastian remained silent while I continued carefully. “The Alpha is carrying an entire pack on his shoulders… He has countless responsibilities and to be honest… I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d already forgotten Grengy was still imprisoned p>
Beta Bastian stared at me for several long seconds then he sighed. “You have remarkable persistence p>
A reluctant smile almost reached his lips before disappearing again and he reached for a fresh parchment.
“If I do this He began writing. any trouble Grengy causes afterward becomes your responsibility p>
“I understand p>
“If he harasses you again… you’re taking full responsibility.” He finished writing before stamping the order with his official seal.
“There.” He held out the letter. “Present this to the dungeon captain p>
My smile spread immediately. “Thank you p>
He merely nodded as I bowed gratefully before hurrying from the office.
As I made my way toward the dungeon, I crossed paths with Sally who was carrying folded linens.
For the briefest moment… our eyes met then she immediately looked away and continued walking.
Ever since the previous night that I’d confronted her about stealing spices and secretly selling them outside the castle, she’d hardly spoken a word to me.
I’m sure she was embarrassed, ashamed or perhaps even afraid but I couldn’t blame her.
Still, one question refused to leave my mind.
If she had been making coins from that illegal business all this time p>
Why hadn’t she offered even a small portion to the cause of our revolution?