Chapter 139

Ella POV

“She’s on the run,” I said, hugging my knees to my chest as I stared into the camera on my phone. “It seems she had an escape plan ready in case she was discovered.”

“Naturally,” Alexander replied, his expression thoughtful. “She’d have been a fool not to. Clearly, she’s no fool if she’s managed to pull all of this off.”

“I just don’t understand why,” I said, letting my frustration show. Alexander was the one person I knew would truly understand.

“That’s a good question,” he responded, his tone measured. “And one we’ll find the answer to eventually. But there’s no use dwelling on it right now.”

“I can’t help it,” I said, shaking my head. “I just don’t understand the motivation for doing something like this.”

“There will be something in her background,” he said, his voice steady. “A personal grudge, financial hardship, or perhaps a secret she’s desperate to keep hidden. It always comes down to something like that.”

“You sound awfully confident about that,” I remarked, raising an eyebrow.

“I am,” Alexander said. “When dealing with potential traitors, you look for vulnerabilities—debts, indiscretions, or leverage someone could use against them. It’s predictable, really.”

“It’s just so much to take in,” I said with a sigh. “My father had the wine tested, and thank goodness he did. Several of the bottles were poisoned.”

“With what?” Alexander asked, his tone sharpening.

“Nothing fatal, but enough to make our guests very ill.”

“It’s a good thing your father was diligent,” Alexander said. “I’ve already ordered replacements—we’ll have enough wine by the wedding day.”

“It feels wrong to carry on as if nothing happened,” I murmured.

“And yet, it’s what we must do,” he replied firmly. “We can’t let them win.”

“I know,” I said, exhaling deeply. “I just wish it didn’t have to be this way.”

“It’ll all be over soon,” he assured me.

“They’ve already searched her private residence and her offices,” I added.

“Did they find anything incriminating?”

“Evidence that she tampered with my medication,” I said, my voice growing quieter.

“A very thorough investigation in just a few hours,” Alexander remarked. “I’m impressed.”

“I’ll be sure to tell my father you said so,” I said with a faint smile. “He’s still disappointed they haven’t done enough since she hasn’t been caught yet.”

“The whole kingdom will be on the lookout for her,” Alexander said reassuringly. “Your father needn’t worry about that.”

“I know,” I replied. “Elizabeth has been texting me—she says her father’s resources are being put to use in the hunt.”

“Then there’s nothing to be concerned about,” Alexander said gently. “Don’t worry, Ella. You’re not in this alone.”

“Once we catch her, we’ll have all the proof we need against David,” I said, folding my arms tightly. “All the loose ends will be tied up. There’ll be no way he can deny it.”

“You think she’ll confess when she’s caught?” Alexander asked, his tone skeptical.

“She won’t have much choice,” I replied, a sharp edge to my voice. “If she doesn’t, the consequences will be…”

Alexander nodded, understanding my unspoken words. “That’s a very good point. If that’s the case, then it seems all our problems are nearing an end.”

“It feels like it’s only the beginning,” I muttered, my frustration seeping through.

“Don’t be so down,” Alexander said, his voice carrying a calm reassurance. “Things are going to work out. You must get some sleep—it’s already sunrise.”

“I don’t know how I can possibly sleep after all of this,” I admitted, rubbing my temples.

“I’m sure it won’t be easy, but you must try,” he urged. “We have the rehearsal dinner tonight, and you need to be rested for it.”

A light knock sounded at my bedroom door. I glanced towards it, frowning. “You’re right,” I said reluctantly. “Good night, Alexander.”

“I’ll see you in a few hours,” he assured me before ending the call.

“Come in,” I called, my voice steady despite my exhaustion. The door opened to reveal my mother, a steaming mug in her hand.

“Still can’t sleep?” my mother asked softly as she stepped into the room and sat beside me.

I shook my head. “How could I? Knowing that my presence here is putting the entire pack in danger…”

She sighed, her expression gentle yet firm. “I could tell you it’s not that serious, but I understand how you feel. It does seem like it’s just one thing after another.” She held out a steaming mug. “Here, have some tea. It’ll help settle your nerves.”

“Thank you,” I said, accepting the mug. The warmth seeped into my hands as I took a small sip. The tea burned my lips slightly, but its familiar taste was comforting.

“Ella,” my mother said, her voice steady and reassuring, “everything is going to be okay.”

“I want to believe that,” I admitted with a heavy sigh, staring into the mug. “But things feel so complicated right now.”

She straightened, her tone turning stern yet encouraging. “I’m your mother. I know you better than anyone, and I know you’re perfectly capable of handling whatever hardship comes your way. You’ve proven that, especially these past few months.”

Her words hung in the air as she reached over to rest a hand on mine. “You mustn’t lose hope. As long as you can hold on to your optimism, I know you’ll find your way through this.”

I smiled at her words, but my heart remained heavy with doubt. I knew so much more about what these people were capable of—things my mother couldn’t begin to imagine. If she only knew the truth, perhaps she wouldn’t be so optimistic.

“I see that look on your face,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “I wish I understood what it meant. It seems to me that you’ve become a completely different girl in just a few short months. Ever since the day you got engaged to David, you’ve been… different. I don’t know why, and I know you won’t tell me.”

“Mom…” I started, guilt tightening in my chest.

“It’s okay,” she said, cutting me off with a tight, understanding smile. “If you were going to tell me, you would’ve done so by now. I won’t press or ask questions that put you in a difficult position. I just want you to know that I’m aware—something is going on with you. And whatever it is, you have the full support of your father and me. Whatever you need, we’ll be here.”

“I know,” I said softly, forcing a small smile in return. “I’m very lucky to have parents like you.”

“Just as we’re lucky to have you as a daughter,” she replied, her voice thick with emotion. She wrapped an arm around me in a tight, reassuring hug, careful not to jostle me or spill the tea.

Then, clearing her throat to mask the weight of her feelings, she added, “Now, you must try to get at least a few hours of sleep. You’ll need your energy—and your wits about you—for tonight.”

“Of course,” I said, taking another sip of the tea and hoping its warmth might somehow soothe my racing mind.

She stood and walked to the door, but as she reached the frame, she paused. Turning back to me with a questioning look, she said, “Ella, darling, one day, I hope you’ll tell me what’s happened to you—what it is that’s changed my daughter so much in such a short time.”

“Maybe one day,” I replied softly, knowing full well that day might never come. How could I explain what had truly happened to me without sounding like I’d lost my mind?

My mother gave me one last, lingering look, then turned and left, the door clicking shut softly behind her.

I stared into the steaming mug of tea, my thoughts spiraling as I tried to make sense of everything. Threats seemed to lurk in every corner—threats whose origins and motivations I couldn’t fully grasp. There had to be a purpose behind the traitor’s actions, something more than just bribery or money.

David. Somehow, he had managed to convince her to betray the pack. That wasn’t something done lightly—not for a mere payday.

If only I could find the link connecting it all. If I could uncover the thread tying these pieces together, perhaps I could bring this chaos to an end in one swift move. It had to be possible.

But I just didn’t know where to start.