The palace walls couldn't contain the tension in the air.

Adina lay on the bed, unconscious and still, her body twitching faintly. The healer wiped sweat from her brow, then turned to face the King, eyes filled with worry.

"My king…" she began. "It's a mix of Vale oil and a rare compound we call binding ash," she said, voice careful. "It forces the body into a state of compliance. The mixture was used to paralyze her limbs, muddle her senses, and incite… certain reactions. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing."

Thorne's jaw clenched hard. He glanced at the woman still twitching on the bed. "Certain reactions… what kind?"

The healer looked down, taking a deep breath. "Heat-like symptoms. They wanted her in a state of heat where she would be…" she trailed off. They both knew what it meant if she was in heat, and more so if her heat was induced.

"If she was given that, then why? Why isn't she in heat?" he asked, and the woman glanced at Adina, confusion clouding her eyes. "I'm afraid I don't know, my king. The only plausible explanation is that her body is fighting it. Perhaps her wolf knows not to let it win over her," she replied.

Thorne's jaw flexed.

His hands were clenched into fists so tight his knuckles cracked. His wolf paced violently, demanding blood. Someone had to pay for what had happened.

"She will be awake in some hours if all goes well, as I've calculated. If her wolf successfully fights the substance, then she will be alright…"

Thorne glanced at the woman. "And if it doesn't?"

The healer swallowed hard. "Then she will have her heat…" She looked at Thorne, who looked upset at this… incredibly so. "But I highly doubt she will have her heat. Her wolf is actively fighting against it," she rushed out.

Thorne didn't reply. He gave a curt nod. "Leave."

The healer bowed quickly and fled the room.

Caelum stood by the doorway, tense and watching.

Thorne turned to him slowly, eyes glowing with anger. "Gather everyone. Now."

Caelum didn't need to be told twice.

________

The hall was packed, ranging from the guards, kitchen workers, maids, and the slaves. Everyone stood shoulder to shoulder, their eyes flickering with unease. The summons had been abrupt, that too in the middle of the night. It was the kind to make one's heart jump in fear.

The doors slammed open with a force that made the people flinch.

Thorne walked into the room, eyes red with anger and fury. Behind him was Caelum, equally as angry.

Thorne turned to face them, jaw clenched tight. His gaze swept across the room. When he spoke, his voice was dangerously low.

"A member of this kingdom was sent to the outer borders. There has been one rule above all, and it's been to stay away from the outer borders. Yet, someone in here had the audacity to send a fellow member to the jaws of death." His voice echoed through the chambers as his gaze swept over them all.

"I will only ask once. Who sent her there?"

Silence.

Utter, suffocating silence.

No one moved. No one dared breathe too loudly. Even the guards shifted uneasily.

Elara stepped forward. "My king, everyone here knows exactly the punishment for sabotaging. No one here would dare to go against your rules. I doubt anyone here did that. Instead, I wouldn't be surprised if that girl went on her own," Elara said, voice sharp. "She does like the attention," she muttered quietly.

"ELARA!" Thorne snarled, and the people gasped. It was one thing to hear of the King's rage and another to see it.

Elara flinched, anger creeping up her veins. "I only said—"

"You've said enough. Throwing words so easily. Have you lost your mind?" Caelum snapped.

Elara's chest heaved heavily. "It's unfair to punish the people of this kingdom who have served dutifully, all for a slave. We shouldn't be pointing fingers at our people."

"Enough!" Thorne's voice rang out, and they all went silent. His gaze stayed on Elara, anger bubbling inside his chest, but he would deal with her later. She's been sore ever since that night.

"M-My king…" someone stepped out from the crowd, and the people began to murmur, confused.

Thorne turned to look at the person. "Matilda."

Matilda stood before him, trembling hard. "My king… none of us here would deliberately sabotage a fellow member. Adina is very stubborn, and she did this all on her own."

Thorne's gaze darkened. "You're telling me a mere slave who hasn't been here for two months did this all on her own?"

Matilda looked at him and nodded. "Yes, my king. She did this by herself."

Elara smiled. "That's exactly what I was—" she didn't get to complete her words.

"That's a lie." A shaky voice rang out.

Kora stepped out from the crowd. She bowed to Thorne and looked at Matilda, whose gaze had widened. Her face morphed into disgust the more she stared at Matilda. "The head maid is lying."

Matilda's face ran pale. "W-What are you—"

"You sent her there!" Kora's voice was louder now, steadier. "I overheard you. You told her to go to the outer borders. You said no one must know."

Matilda staggered back a step, eyes darting around. "Lies! She's lying! She's jealous—she's always hated me!" Matilda turned to Thorne, her knees buckling as she fell before him. "My king, please—I didn't do it. I wouldn't—"

"You knew the patrols were gone. You gave her a command you knew she couldn't disobey, Matilda."

Matilda crawled forward, shaking. "I was loyal—I've served this kingdom since I was a girl—please, don't take everything from me—" She turned to Elara, rushing towards her. She held the hem of Elara's clothes. "My lady. Please! Say something! Help me!"

Elara looked down at her. She bent low enough and ripped her hands off her clothes. "You laid your bed, and now you will lie on it."

Matilda froze. She knew Elara was vile, wicked, but this… she never ever expected this.

She shook her head, wiping her face dry. "If you don't talk, then I will tell—" she didn't get to complete her words.

Elara's hand shot out, and she smacked Matilda's face hard, sending the woman tumbling down.

"How dare you lay your filthy hands on me. I would've defended you to my bones, but not after this. You deserve everything you get from now."

She turned to Thorne. "Forgive me for my words, my king. I shouldn't have tried to defend any of these people. I just thought no one would do something as despicable as this, but now… I know better."

Thorne looked at Matilda, who was full-on sobbing now, her body trembling.

"You're stripped of your position as head maid and will no longer be allowed to interfere in palace works. You'll work as a normal servant under the ruling of Maya."

Matilda's gaze snapped up. Her sister? Maya? She's back in the kingdom?

Just then, the woman, Maya stepped out of the crowd where she stood. She was younger than Matilda, although not by a lot. Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, her dark eyes were sharp as they settled on her.

Matilda stiffened instinctively, fear flashing in her orbs.

"My king, I have come." Maya's voice was calm, confident, and soothing. A stark difference to Matilda.

Thorne gave a curt nod. "As from henceforth, the first sister of the Jerkins family will be the new head maid."

Maya bowed deeply. "As you command, Your Majesty."

Two guards hauled Matilda up to her feet like a criminal.

"Let this be your lesson," Thorne said, his voice booming through the hall. "Disobey me again, and you won't live to regret it."

Matilda screamed as she was dragged out. No one moved to help.