CHAPTER 234: _MID-SEASON PLOT TWIST

Elian’s POV

*****

"Still as broody as ever, Lulu." Estella grinned, stepping toward the metal table. She stood beside Lucian who seemed like he was holding himself back from doing something rash.

The metal table gleamed under the white crystal lights, its surface cold enough to sting Elian’s palms as he glared at her.

But the Alpha Prince controlled himself in contrast, turning his eyes to the Delta and Gamma. "What’s the meaning of this? Why is she out of the dungeons?"

Elian watched Estella while Lucian spoke.

The bitch—yes, he’ll call her that—had her eyes glued on Lucian at first but soon dragged her attention to Elian. The grin on her face faltered for a second, clearly a mask she was using to hide her true feelings.

[That’s if she has "feelings".] The system made a scoffing sound.

"Estella is still Beta Axel’s sister, Alpha Prince." Delta Reina’s tone was calm, her palms clasped in front of her. "We informed her of her brother’s atrocities and brought her out. She might know his whereabouts."

Lucian parted his lips to say something but Gamma Drax added. "From what I recall, she plotted with Baron Magnus to capture the princess and Elian. We’ve found out Magnus is a Dark Hand spy so—"

"Hey, grey beard." Estella interrupted just then, her voice bratty as ever. "Just to reiterate... I had no clue Magnus was a member of the Dark Hand or whatever. Okay? He just—"

"Is that supposed to magically clear all the bullshit you put me through?" Elian rose to his feet, unable to take the clown show anymore. His hands hit the table, eyes locked on Estella who arched a brow.

"Someone seems to have grown some fangs this past month." The bitch sniggered softly. "You also seem... Different. You finally grew a spine under all that pathetic omega—"

"One more word," Lucian’s movement was a blur, his fingers curling around her neck before Elian could blink.

She gasped while Elian gawked with surprise.

"Alpha Prince!" Delta Reina tried intervening but Lucian glared at her. A clear warning to stand back.

[Well... This escalated in record time. No surprise there.]

When Lucian brought his eyes back to Estella again, she had her hands clenched desperately around his wrist. Her gaze was pleading and she looked so frail.

As if she wasn’t a whole ass Alpha class wolf.

"If you want to go back into the cage they brought you from in pieces..." Lucian growled, his fingers around her neck tightening. "Then insult Elian again. I dare you."

His voice was a promise and for some reason, Elian believed he’d genuinely do it.

Lucian let go, ignoring Estella even when she gasped and coughed erratically, her blonde hair cascading over her face. She gripped the edge of the table, lowering her head.

"Enough of this." The Gamma boomed, eyes darting to Estella. "Your brother poisoned the king with a curse and has been working with the Dark Hand. Do you have anything useful we need to know?"

Slowly, she raised her head again, her jaw clenched. But she didn’t dare make eye contact with Lucian.

Instead, her eyes went to Elian, tinted with disbelief. Like she couldn’t believe Lucian did that for him. But he didn’t do it for Elian.

Elian could feel it. The Alpha Prince felt genuinely disgusted now at the mere thought of him being treated less again.

"Useful?" Estella finally snapped her neck, her lips curling into a sarcastic smile. "Oh, I don’t know. What do you want to know? A list of all the people my brother brought home back when we were kids?"

She was obviously saying that to spite Elian. Maybe get him jealous.

Sigh... If only she knew.

"Don’t play coy with us, Estella." Reina’s voice was cold as she took slow steps toward her. "Your parents for example. Why don’t we ever hear about them?"

Estella frowned. "Because... Because they’re in another part of the Empire? Do you expect us to be dependent on them forever?"

Elian’s brows furrowed.

Now that he thought about it, Axel never mentioned his parents. And he never bothered asking, seeing it as prying. But now—

"In light of Axel’s betrayal... We did thorough research on the Thorne family." Gamma Drax revealed, stretching out his right hand.

A holographic screen flickered to life, hovering above his palm. Images of two people, a man and a woman, showed on the screen.

"Kane and Merida Thorne. Both apparently well-to-do nobles—not really important in the royal court."

Estella’s face recoiled visibly. Disgust? Anger? Shame?

Elian couldn’t tell.

"The Alpha king took personal interest in their son, Axel Thorne, after the lad showed extraordinary Alpha-class talents at ten years old." Gamma Drax went on like it was a broadcast. "Took him into the palace, raised him like his own... While also bringing you in, Estella."

Estella’s eyes twitched, her fists clenching on the table. "Did you drag me out here to read out my history?"

Gamma Drax sighed softly, the holographic screen fading away. He glanced at the Delta who gave a nod before facing Estella.

Elian watched the interaction. He and Lucian kept eye contact for a moment.

Something was wrong.

"When last did you speak to your parents, Estella?" The Delta queried.

Estella rolled her eyes. "We used to talk regularly when Axel and I first came into the palace. But the last time was... The last Lunar Winter festival."

Her lips pursed with suspicion. "Why?"

Yeah... Why?

Elian folded his arms in front of his chest, taking his seat.

[Sigh... I see a mid-season plot twist coming in.]

"Estella, we looked into your parents and discovered they’ve been dead for fifteen years." Delta Reina said solemnly. "Some weeks after you and your brother came into the palace."

Elian’s lips parted.

The air seemed to go still, the revelation like a bomb.

What?!

How’s... How’s that even—

"Oh, I get it." Estella suddenly let out a cynical laugh, covering her lips with her palm. "This is some kind of sick psychological punishment. Right? Like locking me up in that dungeon wasn’t enough."

Silence.

The Delta and Gamma remained silent, staring at her with pity.

Estella’s smile finally faded, her pupils dilating. "You’re lying. I spoke to my parents for years through calls! They... They even sent gifts. I—"

"Someone must’ve been trying to make sure you don’t find out about their death." The Gamma pointed out. "The Dark Hand maybe. We aren’t sure. But whatever calls you were making? Whoever you saw in them..."

He placed a hand on her shoulder, lips curled with a wry smile. "... Those weren’t your parents."

Estella’s chest rose and fell with each heavy breath. She blinked once. Then twice. It was like her brain was rebooting, trying to comprehend what she just heard.

Elian was definitely still trying to wrap his head around it.

’Something tells me Garrick had something to do with it.’ he thought to himself. ’He probably took control of Axel’s body around that time and didn’t want his parents to suspect.’

But he couldn’t share his thoughts with the Gamma or Delta.

All he could do was exchange a knowing glance with Lucian from across the table. One that showed they both had the same line of thought.

"P–Please..." Estella finally broke, swatting the Gamma’s hand from her shoulder. She grabbed his collar, causing the older man to gasp with surprise. "Tell me it’s a lie. Please—"

"Estella..." Lucian tried getting to her but she sneered.

"No!"

Tears streamed down her face as she fell to her knees, sobs wracking her body.

Her sobs tore through the room — raw, unrestrained — the sound of a truth sinking claws into her sanity.

And as Elian sat there... He couldn’t help feeling a tang of sympathy. Pity maybe.

And that scared him.

If Garrick Ironclaw could really do something so diabolical, so twisted that he felt pity for those he saw as enemies. Then what extent could the sick bastard’s schemes go?