Chapter 48
The next day Damon did not leave the palace. Instead, he locked himself in his office with the two old men in the group of elders while the group of hunters with Stone began to trace Jules' scent.
It seems that Damon's mind is now focused on finding the traitor because I know he thinks that they won't be able to find Jules as long as Jules has a connection inside the palace. Damon will fail if the enemy knows his every move, so he needs to find the traitor that Jules is referring to as soon as possible.
While I was still looking for time to enter Neticia's room. There is only one thing I wonder about in Neticia's room. I know it's been a hundred years since Neticia and Alpha Devon died but Neticia's room remains alive inside the palace. I didn't want to think too much about it, but I couldn't help it.
That's why while Anna and I were outside and walking in the flower garden behind the palace, I couldn't stop asking.
"I…saw Neticia's room," I began. I turned to Anna and saw that she was surprised when I opened the topic. I smiled at her. What could she be thinking?
"I just heard that it was Neticia's room then. Have you been in there, Anna?” I asked while looking back at the beautiful colors of the flower in front of us.
"The truth is I was the one who arranged her room since she died. And Alpha Damon commanded to let her things remain that way, so I didn't touch even one of her things. But every year I visit to clean the room," she explained.
My lips closed at what I heard. Damon already promised me last night so I shouldn't be jealous anymore. But somehow it still affects me because I know that Damon really loved Neticia.
"What do you think is Damon's reason for not removing Neticia's room from the palace?" I asked. I turned to Anna and saw her looking down at her hand. She was looking away. I bit my lower lip and sighed.
"Because...he was her first love, right?" I answer my own question. I saw more tension in her body. I looked away and returned my eyes to the flowers demanding my attention. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and wish I had met Damon so that Damon's eyes were only mine. I'm selfish, aren't I?
I can't believe I am jealous of the dead woman.
"But I am sure Alpha Damon already got over her. You're the one he's in love with. You're his Luna," she retorted. I remained quiet for a long time before I decided to go back inside. Anna and I were about to enter the library when Delta Robin suddenly blocked us.
Delta Robin bowed his head in respect for me. "Luna, you are called by the Alpha king in his office," Delta Robin informed me. I looked at Anna and saw that she was also surprised. I nodded and followed Delta Robin. Anna was left outside Damon's office, and I was the only one who went inside.
I saw Damon alone inside. The lights are dim and in front of him are the mountains of scrolls he needs to read.
“Damon?” I called him. He looked up at me. A small smile curved on his lips and gestured me to get closer with him. I nodded and did what he wanted. He quickly grabbed me by the waist and brought me to his lap. I was surprised by what he did, but I still gladly hugged him on his shoulder.
"Is there...something wrong?" I asked as he nuzzled his face into my neck. I felt him sniff and kiss that part of my skin. Damn! Why am I excited and at the same time...thrilled? For pete's sake Athena he looks like he has a problem and you're here getting excited by his touch?
"There is a possibility that the traitor is always with me," I was stunned by what he said. I felt sorry for Damon because I knew he was having more trouble finding the traitor than he was finding Jules.
I caressed his soft hair. I want to make him feel better but how?
"We're suspecting four people," I stopped at what he said. He raised his head and looked into my eyes. His arms around my waist tightened even more.
"Robin...Greg...Rolden...and...Anna," I narrowed my eyes at what he said. I stood up. Damon untied his arm from my waist because of my sudden move. Why? Why would he suspect Anna?!
"Anna can't betray you, Damon!" I raised my voice. How could he think badly of Anna when the person did nothing but please and serve them?!
I saw how Damon's eyes turned soft and gentle. He reached for my elbows, but I tried to evade his hold. We both looked at each other. I just can't accept that he thinks badly of Anna!
"It's just speculation. I know that Anna is kind and loyal—”
"A speculation?! You can't speculate her without proper evidence, Damon!” I couldn't stop the growing irritation because Anna was included among their suspected traitors. Did Damon suggest it? Did he say that?
"Are you the one who's suspecting her, Damon?" my eyes narrowed. He sighed heavily. I saw the pain in his eyes.
“Is that how you think of me, Athena? I am also confused and dismantled. I don't know whom to trust anymore," he said emphatically. Suddenly I came back to my senses. The budding irritation in my chest disappeared and I suddenly felt guilty for my accusation against Damon. I bit my lower lip as my heartthrob. Damn! Athena, you're so…self-centered!
I quickly approached Damon and hugged him around his neck. He quickly wrapped his arm around my waist. His head is in between my chest as my cheek rested on the top of his head.
"I-I'm...sorry..." I whispered with full remorse. He sighed heavily.
"The elders suggested that, Athena. Of course, I...defended her because I know you care for her...but they explained and told me things, Athena." We hugged each other slightly.
"Do you know her past, Athena? Did Anna already tell you?" he asked. He looked up and looked me in the eye. I suddenly remembered the trembling in Anna's body as she told me what happened to her in the past.
"The night when my parents died...she tried to save them but ended up...violated..." he said. My heart aches for Anna. I don't know what it has to do with Anna being a suspect, but I kept listening to Damon.
"My brother...suspected the kingdom of Agama...and then the war began between the kingdoms because of that. But suddenly, the Alpha king of Rema at that time scheduled a peaceful talk with Alpha Devon after that a treaty was created between the kingdom of Agama and Rema. Alpha Devon announced that it was all a misconception. Kingdom of Rema didn't kill and infiltrate the kingdom of Agama and it was just some rogues,” Damon said in his cold baritone.
“But…Alpha Devon lied. The wolves under the kingdom of Rema…really killed our parents…and violated Anna,” my eyes widened at the truth I heard. What the hell?!
"W-What? Why would Alpha Devon do that?!” I cannot believe it! Alpha Devon was a good leader, an alpha king! He won't do such a thing! He cares for Anna and especially his parents!
Damon snuggled into my shoulder again. I thought he wouldn't speak but I was even more surprised by what he said.
"To protect me...Athena. I was only months old at that time and the elders said I was kidnapped and threatened my brother. The kingdom of Rema wanted their name to be clean because that incident spread like wildfire in our neighbor kingdoms. They are seen as criminals, so they wanted to make amends with Alpha Devon...but Alpha Devon refused. He wanted justice but...the Rema got me,"
I can't believe it. I don't know whether to be angry with Alpha Devon or to thank him for a decision that I think also broke his heart. Is it really like this? Is this really the destiny of an Alpha King?
"And Anna...knew it from the start so the elders are suspecting her that she might be having her revenge on me," Damon said. I cannot believe it. I don't know what to think anymore. If I were with Alpha Devon, then...what decision would I make?
Is it to seek justice for my parents and violated friend or to save and protect my dear brother?
A tear escaped my eyes and hugged Damon tightly. I can't bear to lose Damon from me now. I can't imagine myself without him anymore. What would I have done if I hadn't met him, and Alpha Devon had chosen justice for his parents and Anna?
But... is that reason enough for us to suspect Anna when we know she is the one who is really hurting from the start?
"That's why I can't give this up, Athena. Alpha Devon has a lot of explaining to do with me and I can't forgive Jules for killing him," Damon said firmly in my ear. I closed my eyes tightly. But how long Damon? How long will you pursue an act of revenge that slowly swallows you into darkness?
That's why I'm sure now. A plan was carved into my mind. I need to enter Neticia's room and... get that pen holder. I will do everything to find out what is hidden there.