13. Another One Down

SKYLA.

Saying goodbye to Royce was scary and so fucking emotional whilst trying to pretend it wasn't,

because I didn't know when I'll see him again.

Sure, Leo wired us up, him with a new number, and made sure no one can get into my phone. At

least I could talk to him, but still knowing that I won't get to be by his side tonight... or until who

knows when.

Everyone agreed that it would be too risky, and he needs to stay away from anywhere near the

Shadow Wolves Pack or the academy.

Fuck.

I never knew I was so fucking needy until him... but it was always like this... even when we were

talking as Reign and Luciferess, we couldn't spend a day without talking.

He kept his walls up, but his hug lasted a little longer. The way he cupped my face and caressed my

cheek was for a moment longer... as if he too knew we won't see each other soon.

I don't want that.

We're now at Midnight Academy, in the headmaster’s office and Rivers has just given Dad his

unwanted opinion on how I should be in school, or he was, until three other Alphas and two

witches, had shown up.

There is Flint from the council and two other Alphas I don't recognise. From the witches there is

Magdalene and that weird quiet Sephora, she’s the youngest and I don't really like her. I know

Raihana gets so fucking mad at her.

Now that the formalities are done, Rivers clears his throat. “As I was saying about attendance-"

“Really? We have more pressing matters to tend to and you think her attendance is important!”

Magdalene snaps.

Rivers really is fucking annoying. Funny he wants me in school now because didn't he fucking want

me out the fucking way and suspended?

“Nine days for a hearing. That's fucking long, aint it?” Dad asks Magdalene. “And just to give one

fucking date, you called us all the way down here?”

“Well, there is more to it than just the date King Alejandro. Three more dead. Do you not think it a

coincidence that the two of them were last seen talking to Skyla Rossi?” She says sharply.

Three?

“What the fuck do you mean? And why the fuck was I not notified?” Dad asks coldly.

But my heart skips a beat, unable to focus properly.

I know they mean Royce, but who else was last seen talking to me?

"Yes, that's what we wanted to discuss, King Alejandro. We didn't withhold it from you, it only came

to our knowledge recently, and we thought it best to tell you in person.” Flint says seriously.

“I know about Kenneth's son-"

"And do you know about Zayn Freeman, the same boy your daughter almost killed last year?” One

of the Alphas says.

“Zayn? Zayn's dead?” I ask, shocked, but no one answers.

"Keith, you will know fucking better than to accuse her!” Dad snarls as he stands up, his aura rolling

through the room.

Silence falls as every werewolf in the room lowers their head to the Alpha of Alphas. Yeah, fuckers.

Magdalena tuts as Sephora stands up. “The truth may hurt, but people are dying!” She exclaims

defiantly, although I can tell his aura is affecting her too, but she too, is powerful.

"King Alejandro, there is footage that Skyla was the last one to see him alive.” Rivers says quietly.

"Yet your cameras didn't catch the attack, now did they?” Dad growls

I try to think back to when I had ever seen him. That was ages ago...

“I haven't seen him in ages.” I interrupt again, this time speaking loud and clear.

“Rightfully so, his body was found at the bottom of the trench down at the end of the academy

grounds, pretty much decomposed... and he had died from the same poisoning as the girls,” Keith

says.

“Let's not jump to conclusions. The king can see the body himself.” Flint adds, clearly conflicted and

I know he is loyal to Dad, but he is also level-headed.

“I will, but to blame Skyla without proof-*

“He had a piece of torn clothes in his hand, and they contained Skyla Rossi's DNA."

Silence falls and my stomach twists. I feel nauseous as I try to make sense of it all.

That isn't fucking possible.

“If finding out the truth is so fucking urgent, then why the fuck are you holding that trial in nine

days! Let's probe her mind and get the answers now!” Dad growls as the door opens and Kenneth

the Cunt enters.

I have to admit he looks... not like himself. He looks tired, but I guess losing a son does that. Did he

regret everything he had forced on Royce? I mean, is it even real?

“Protocol! You do not understand how things work!” Magdalena shouts. “I trust you King Alejandro

but-"

“But not enough to believe that I know my daughter and I know she did not fucking kill anyone!”

“I have always sided with you! Don't you think I have a reason for doing and saying as I am!” She

snaps back, her aura swirling around her.

"And what may that be?!” Dad roars. “Probe her mind now!”

“Il won't! don't you see, I'm trying..."

"Allow me.” Sephora says, placing a hand on the older woman's shoulder.

Magdalene frowns as she looks away, and Sephora looks at Dad.

“We have seen glimpses of the havoc of darkness in the future, King Alejandro and I see her in the

midst of it all. She is tied to servants of Apophis, heed our warning.”

My head shoots up and my heart thuds.

“What?” I ask.

No. Just no.

This can't be true.

“What do you mean?” Dad asks. “And if you know something, why didn’t you come to me?”

“Because it's not clear, but with everything going on, prophecies, readings and the stars are not

always so easy to read.”

Darkness... involving me...

“No, I wouldn't do something bad...” I say.

Aleric! Royce said, Aleric shot him... he’s the one whose mind should be probed!

I'm about to speak when Kenneth beats me to it. “And why didn't you tell this to Alejandro first?” He

asks coldly.

“I wanted to be certain. I was trying to keep everyone safe by warning you and at the same time, I'm

trying to delay so we can buy time to find some solid answers.” Magdalene massages her temples. “I

feared with no clear answer, he would not listen-"

“I always listen!” Dad growls.

The sound of footsteps, one of which is clearly a woman by the sound of heels, makes me glance at

the door. Despite my mind being a mess. I recognise both scents.

“Can you all just calm down?” The woman who opens the door with a flick of her finger says.

Ri.

Magdalena turns to her, shocked to see her here. Right behind her is none other than Uncle Liam.

“Call a code red. We have the hearing first thing in the morning. You are already causing Skyla

enough stress and accusing her of something she has not done, so why delay the hearing?” Liam

says quietly.

His voice is calm, but there's a power in it and everyone here fucking knows he's right.

“My son and Beta are dead. Let's do it.” Kenneth says.

I think Dad and I are both fucking shocked he’s agreeing. How will he take it when he learns that his

other son tried to kill Royce and murdered his Beta?

"Are you certain?” Flint asks him.

Kenneth looks down. “Every single member of my pack is accounted for, save Royce.” He says,

looking away.

“I'm with Liam, let's move this hearing closer, as for the spell regarding the reading of the girls’

minds, it will be witnessed openly. I don't want any foul play.” Raihana says, her eyes flashing.

"Of course, we are not the enemy here, Seraphina,” Magdalene says, referring to Raihana by her

witch-given name.

“Great, then I'm glad we are on the same page.” She says icily.

“I understand that this hearing should be witnessed by the entire council, but I will be sitting it out

to mourn the loss of my son, Aleric will attend in my stead.” Kenneth says quietly.

For real? The same guy who ordered his daughter's death is mourning?

He looks at me, and our eyes meet. “My son was a good man, and if I find out there was foul play... I

demand blood for blood, life for life.” He says, his eyes flashing.

Dad and Liam instantly block his view of me, their auras raging, a menacing growl rumbles in Dad's

chest.

“Then I hope you are ready to stand by it.” Dad snarls venomously, “Regardless of who is behind

this.”

“l intend to.” Kenneth spits.

Sephora sighs. “Let's call it a night and tomorrow we shall hold the hearing at noon, then. If that is

what everyone wants.”

“Excellent. I'll notify the rest of the council, Alpha Alejandro.” Flint says quietly before I stand up. The

three Alphas leave first and I sigh heavily.

“I don't get it. How come no one realised Zayn was dead?” I say quietly.

“Their Alpha is sick, and he didn't seem to realise anything was off.” Rivers explains.

"And why didn't you question why a student was not attending classes?” Liam asks, cocking a brow.

Silence falls in the room and Rivers pales as all eyes turn on him.

“I... have been negligent... I didn’t think much of it, often students do this... just I-like Miss Rossi...

and we had thought Zayn was on the field trip too, whilst they thought he had cancelled so when

we realised he was missing... well it took a while.”

I roll my eyes. That's fucking crazy. The field trip was only a weekend, even Aleric had gone on it.

Was he behind killing Zayn and if so, why? Is he trying to get revenge on me for what I said that

day... I remember the recording I had taken and planned to listen to it again.

I want to know if there's any hints in it.

"Come on, let's go. I think I've had enough time around people I can't stand.” Raihana mutters,

tossing her long brown locks over her shoulder.

Liam smiles slightly. “Shall we?” He says to me, holding his hand out.

I smile as I close the gap between us, and he pulls me into his arms.

Yeah, I'm being accused of murder... yeah there are several people who believe it's me... There's

something dark in my future... I mean Dante has said it, Magdalene has said it... but... I have so

many people on my side. They will stop me, if ever- if ever I do something bad.

It's going to be ok?

Right?

Why is that feeling of foreboding growing?