CHAPTER 86: CHAPTER 86: A SPY OR A WITCH?

MAEVE’S POV

Why did she do that? There were no animals in the woods—Ivan hadn’t slaughtered any animals!

W-Why did she say that? And how did she manage to get away with it too?

I hadn’t known that was what happened. I’d only cared that we weren’t caught. But now... my gut twisted. Just what exactly had Nina done behind those doors?

"I-I don’t understand..." My voice faltered before I could reel it back.

Francis’s nostrils flared. "Don’t you dare act surprised. You expect me to believe she just made it up? That coincidentally she had a whole tale narrating only things I told you? No, Maeve. Someone fed her. Someone set this in motion. And the only thread I can trace is you."

His eyes were penetrating, glowing with a hint of gold that told me his instincts were kicking in alongside his fury. Well, this wasn’t good.

I crossed my arms tight over my chest, forcing my voice into pure ice.

"Or maybe you’re being paranoid. Or maybe you’re just looking for someone to blame for the fallout of Ivan’s actions. If you must know, Francis, I didn’t tell her a thing. If she says she saw something, then maybe she did. Maybe the Moonstone caught no lies because she didn’t tell any. Has that occurred to you? Or am I just the convenient choice to see at the bone of all your problems?" I scoffed. "You give me too much credit. I am simply a healer."

His lip curled into a sneer. "So tell me, great healer—what were you doing inside the late Alpha King’s private study?"

Tightening my shaky fingers around the book, I waved it before his face.

"Like I said, picking a book."

"Bullshit!" he snapped. "So what? You just picked a time the guards were absent to go into the King’s study just to get a book? And since when are you interested in books on war? What happened to the main library’s large disposal of medical books—hell, even books on war? Need I remind you that this is a restricted area and anyone caught sneaking in is punishable by pack laws!"

I dragged in a shaky breath, forcing my heart not to pound too loudly or else he might hear.

He was a trained Beta for a reason, forged for moments of rapid-fire interrogations and spotting pack enemies from miles away.

And what Ash Creek didn’t know yet... was that I was their number one enemy right now.

"Okay, calm down, oh ye knight of steel and honor. It’s just a book—honestly, I’ve wanted to go into the study for a while now. And yes, I snuck in. In fact, I’d been watching for weeks for an opportunity when those nosy guards would be absent. I’m sure big brawny men like you don’t know this, but the main library has the shitty books—the good stuff is always kept away in the Alpha’s study. I know this because five years ago, I used to steal some of the erotic books from the King’s shelf and finger myself to them on nights when Ivan was too busy working. Are you happy now? Is this how much you’d like to know?"

Francis’s eyes flared open—and I didn’t miss the quick flush of red on his cheeks as he blinked, clearing his throat briefly.

"I-I... well, that doesn’t explain the war book now, does it?"

"I am trying to learn a few fighting techniques for my son and a few battle strategies. I don’t know how long I’d be staying in Ash Creek, and my son will be turning five soon. I was thinking of engaging him in light battle stuff and games—and I thought learning the theories would be a good place to start in planning his studies."

Francis frowned, a brow arching slowly.

"You want to teach a four-year-old The Art of War?"

"I’m sorry, are you his mum now—or dad? Or wait, did Ivan appoint you as his royal advisor behind my back?"

His eyes hardened once more. "I don’t believe you, Maeve. Going by what happened with Nina and the Moonstone, there are still so many questions left unanswered. Plus, this is not the first time you’ve been sneaking around. Something has been off about you since you returned to Ash Creek, and Ivan is too busy trying to win you back to see it. So what are you, then? A witch? A spy? Or just a vindictive ex-wife who wants to burn Ash Creek to ash because the man who broke your heart might be its king soon?"

The words hit like claws across my skin. For a second, I almost flinched. Almost.

Instead, I let out a brittle laugh.

"How flattering. According to you, I’m apparently capable of orchestrating lies so perfect even the Goddess’s own Moonstone bows to me. Quite the résumé, Beta. Maybe I should invite you over to meet my son. Your conspiracy theories would make excellent bedtime stories."

"Enough!" he growled, and I jumped despite myself. His eyes burned hotter than I’d ever seen. "Don’t joke about this. I might not have the proof I need, Maeve, but we both know the truth. Do you even understand what you’ve done? Do you even care? Ivan almost lost the throne because of this circus! He’s been fighting tooth and nail for days, trying to salvage this damage—protecting you, protecting that boy—while you slink around with your secrets and your scheme."

My stomach dropped. The ice in his voice was beyond just fury—it was his loyalty burning with conviction and pain.

My chest tightened, pressing down with a strange feeling. Maybe guilt. Maybe shame. Maybe... pain.

And against my better judgment, against every wall I’d built, the words slipped out:

"How is he?"

Francis stilled. The question seemed to catch him off guard. For a fleeting second, something shifted in his gaze—something almost sympathetic—before it hardened again.

"How is he?" he repeated, almost scoffing. "He’s drowning. He’s tearing himself apart trying to hold this pack steady while the Council breathes down his neck about his heir and marriage and the throne and containing the rumors. He’s worried sick about you and the boy. Do you know for the last week he has asked that I watch you to make sure the Council doesn’t pull any wildcards on you? It’s almost miserable to see him this way—for a woman who’d throw fire at his name and watch him still shield her from the very flames she started. Do you even know that the summoning being held was for the purpose of making sure Asha is safe? That’s the kind of man he is. The kind of man that is trying to do better even when he knows he might never get that chance back ever again. And that’s the man you’re trying to destroy."