h4Chapter 480: SEED OF DESTRUCTION (V)/h4

    The scent of roasted meats and sweetbread hung in the air of the breakfast hall.

    A gentle hum of quiet conversation echoed between the high wooden beams as the morning sun bledzily through the stained-ss windows.

    Xaden sat at the head of the table, a faint shadow under his eyes, his bandaged arm resting stiffly on the armrest beside him. His appetite was small, but he forced himself to eat.

    Jasmine wasn’t here, and her absence ached like a phantom limb.

    Anna sat beside him, delicately slicing her fruit like ady at court, hiding the feverish anticipation brewing beneath her skin.

    Fiona and Lily were quietly eating near the end of the long table.

    Tension hovered in the room—nobody spoke of it, but they all felt it. They were waiting.

    "Xaden eat." Anna insisted finally breaking the pregnant silent.

    He snapped out of his thoughts and smiled.

    "You need to eat to recover before you go out fighting again." She said. "You promised."

    "I know." He said.

    She got up from her seat, pushed back her chair and went to his side with a te of freshmb from the many delicacies on the table.

    She took away the food he had let go cold and dropped that gently before him.

    "Have this." She said picking a piece of well roastedmb and putting it to his lips.

    He obliged and swallowed.

    "You see?" She asked him. "Isn’t that much better."

    "I agree." He responded.

    Anna loved her brother.

    Since the day she found out she wasn’t alone.

    Even though it had been shocking to discover that she didn’t belong to the crescent pack, it was a delight because it meant she didn’t have to suffer.

    Still surprised her how fate had turned to her favor when she knew how wicked she was.

    The goddess must be on her good side.

    That was why she needed to get rid of Jasmine.

    Her brother deserved someone worthy of him.

    Not that tramp.

    And then the door opened.

    Erik and Damian walked in briskly, both with expressions pulled tight.

    Damian clutched a letter scroll. Erik looked like he hadn’t slept.

    Anna’s eyes gleamed and she blushed.

    Her feelings for Erik were still as fresh as spring.

    She knew he also felt the attraction, she only couldn’t fathom why he avoided her and refused to settle with her already.

    They were now by Xaden side with the papers.

    She frowned.

    "My brother needs to eat. You won’t even give him that breathing air?" She asked annoyed.

    Erik ignored her and handed him the scroll.

    Xaden looked up. "Did you find something?"

    "We did," Erik replied as Xaden opened. "We received word through one of the Crescent Pack’s outer scouts. His men contacted us."

    Sensing she wasn’t needed, she pouted and went back to her set.

    "Jasmine?" Xaden asked immediately.

    "She’s well and alive," Damian confirmed.

    Xaden exhaled, relief hitting him so hard it nearly knocked him back in his chair.

    Anna was furious at his reaction.

    "But there’s more," Erik added grimly. "Alpha Hunter-

    Before he could continue, Anna choked—a sharp, deliberate sound that echoed across the room.

    She grabbed her goblet, knocking it over. Water spilled down the tablecloth.

    She coughed again, loud and violent, drawing everyone’s attention.

    Erik blinked and reluctantly stepped forward to pat her on the back.

    "I—I’m fine," Anna gasped dramatically.

    "Are you okay?" Xaden asked a look of worry written all over his face.

    "I’m fine." She said through her red face. "It just... it surprised me... I don’t think I heard well."

    Xaden turned to her. "What did?"

    "Heard what?" Erik asked with a slightly annoyed face.

    Anna knew this was it.

    One mistake and it would be her undoing.

    Come back and bite her right in the face.

    She pressed her trembling fingers to her lips, her expression wounded and full of hesitation. "Did you say... Alpha Hunter?"

    Xaden’s eyes narrowed. "Yes. The same one. Hunter." His voice dripped with contempt. "He doesn’t deserve that title Alpha. He isn’t worthy."

    Anna paused, tilting her head, her face contorting like she was trying to decide if she should say it.

    Everyone was staring at her now.

    "I think I know a hunter." She stated.

    The room went tensed.

    "I... or I’m not.. ss... uh... I.. I’ve seen him before," she said softly, voiceced with disbelief and just the right amount of fear.

    Fiona’s fork ttered to her te.

    Xaden blinked. "You what?"

    "I’ve seen him before," she repeated, louder now. "Back when we were still in the Moonlight Pack. He came to visit my father once."

    And then she hastily added. "The man I thought was my father. Jasmine’s father, Alpha Bale. I didn’t know who or where he came from just his name then—but I never forgot his face."

    The room fellpletely still.

    "Why did he visit your old pack?" Damian asked, his brow furrowing.

    Anna took a slow breath, her eyes flicking to her brother’s.

    "Jasmine’s father would asionallye to terms of agreement with him and use his as a mercenary because he was a rogue." Anna stated matter of fact.

    Anna saw that they had mixed reactions.

    She hastily added. "But something else happened. There was more."

    she said, voice trembling now, "there was a... a scandal."

    Xaden sat straighter, his eyes dark. "What kind of scandal?"

    Anna looked down, her voice lowering just enough to draw them in. "Jasmine. Jasmine and Hunter. They had... an affair."

    Silence dropped like a de.

    Lily dropped her spoon.

    Fiona went stiff. Erik looked to Xaden in disbelief, but said nothing.

    Nanny Nia’s eyes went slightly ajar

    "You’re lying," Fiona finally whispered.

    "I’m not. Why would I even lie about such a thing?" Anna said, shaking her head fervently. "I wish I were. But Jasmine... she would sneak away at night. We thought she was just going around for some air or time alone, but then I saw him. I saw her kissing him near the grain stores one night. It was him. If this is the same man that I knew then he is the ssme who nearly killed Xaden."

    Xaden’s face was unreadable. But his jaw tightened.

    Nanny Nia stood. "No. That doesn’t make sense. Jasmine would never do such a thing-

    "I know Jasmine more than all of you." Anna snapped back. "Why would I lie? They used to send letters back and forth until she was caught and severely beaten and-

    "Ah-Ha!" Nanny Nia said in excitement. "Jasmine doesn’t know how to read or write. Everyone knows that!"

    "She pretended to. She deceived you all. What daughter or child of Alpha Bale wouldn’t know how to read or write." Anna cut in sharply. "But she’d been lying for years. She was clever—too clever. And I never said anything because I didn’t want to ruin her. I thought maybe it was a mistake. A youthful phase. But now... with everything happening... I can’t keep protecting her."

    "If you say Jasmine knew how to read or write and was the well raised daughter of Alpha Bale, how do you, who was raised as a ve know how to read or write." Nanny Nia asked point ck.

    Anna had all eyes now back on her.

    She swallowed and stated firmly.

    "I wanted better for myself so I begged the few pack members to teach me. You can go back and find out from everyone they would tell you the truth." Anna stated.

    "You’re making this up," Fiona said, shaking her head.

    "You don’t have to believe me," Anna said, folding her hands demurely on the table. "But I know what I saw. And if you don’t believe me, then perhaps... Xaden should check her room. Maybe he’ll find something."

    Everyone looked to Xaden.

    He hadn’t moved.

    His eyes were still locked on Anna, but now his face was pale. Like someone had struck him in the stomach.

    "She’s carrying my child," he said slowly.

    Anna lowered her eyes. "Then I hope—for your sake—that child is yours."