" What do you mean someone was in your room ? " Genevieve snapped , her face twisting in irritation . " It's the middle of the night Collin , and we are under attack . The only ones who entered were the omegas assigned to tend the fire ." She tried to sound indignant , but Collin's scrutiny made her pulse quicken . Obviously , this was because of her secret meeting with William . When he summoned her , she had braced herself for questions about her whereabouts or William's absence . But when he said someone had stolen something from his study , a wave of cold relief swept through her . Collin's eyes bore into Genevieve . " Someone was in my study ." Genevieve scoffed . " That's ridiculous . There were guards posted outside the entire time. You think someone just walked past them ? " In front of them were the omegas assigned to tend the fire . One of the omegas , standing nearby with her head bowed , glanced up nervously . " Alpha ... we did hear something earlier . A faint noise outside the window , maybe . But we thought it was just the wind . Nothing seemed out of place , so we left ." " Out , " Collin snapped . The omegas bowed quickly and left the room . Renan entered just as the door was about to shut . " I've checked with the guards . Everyone was busy tending the wounded and controlling movement after the attack . No one was on the second floor aside from the posted guards , the Luna , Atasha , and Celeste ." Collin's frown deepened . Renan continued , " That floor is for your family . Aside from your room and Luna Genevieve's , there's Celeste's chambers and the guest room that Atasha is using . The rest were empty . " His jaw clenched . Genevieve crossed her arms . " Atasha should be unconscious by now. " Collin's gaze snapped to her . " What ? " " She's still recovering from the earlier poison , " Genevieve said smoothly . Collin frowned and gestured for Renan to leave . " Why is she unconscious ? I thought Physician Mendez healed her . " Collin asked after Renan 11:08 Wed , Sep 10 ... Chapter 26 80 55 vouchers left the study . " I gave her another dose . A slower one . It will send her into a coma soon , but she won't die . Not before they reached the North ." Collin stared at her . " You drugged her again ? " " She's done her part , " Genevieve said , her voice calm . " She married the Tyrant Lord . That's all she was needed for . If she dies before they reach the north , everyone will assume Cassian killed her . And then we'll have reason to demand compensation , more soldiers , more control . Isn't that what you wanted ? " He didn't answer immediately . Instead , he turned toward his desk , eyes landing on the now- closed paperweight . " The window was used , " he muttered , focusing on the important details instead of Atasha . Genevieve tilted her head . " So ? " " Did you enter my study tonight ? " he asked without turning . " No. I was with Celeste the entire evening . We were sorting out some herbs that we can use for the wounded and coordinating with everyone for the troop's welfare . You can ask her . " she lied without batting an eyelid . She had sent the guards away while she met William but Collin doesn't have to know that . Collin opened the paperweight again , unfolding it into the flat metal plate . He held it under the lantern light . It looked like whoever touched it didn't get it open . They tried but failed . Still , that was too close . Too dangerous . He ran a hand down his face . " There were traces of ink on the outside . " Genevieve frowned . " Ink ? " He didn't respond . Then she straightened , her lips curling slightly . " It must've been Cassian . Or one of his men . Who else could get in without a trace ? His people are good at sneaking around ." Collin turned to face her fully , eyes narrowed . " Are you certain Atasha didn't wake ? " Genevieve raised her chin . " She drank all of it . She should be slipping under by now , if she hasn't already ." But for the first time , doubt flickered in her eyes . Collin caught it . And he didn't like it . He moved toward the window , scanning the latch , the sill . It had been opened . Recently . 11:08 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 26 80 55 vouchers The study wasn't just his private room . It was a vault of secrets . And someone had almost unlocked one . He looked back at Genevieve . " You better pray she's still asleep . If not- " " She will be , " Genevieve interrupted quickly . " The poison was prepared exactly how you wanted . Slow and painless . No traces . I made sure of it ." Collin said nothing else as he marched out of his room and found the room where Atasha was staying . He eyed the two guards guarding the door . " Did anyone come in and out of this room ? " he asked . " No , Alpha ," one of the guards replied firmly . Collin gave a curt nod and stepped into the room . Atasha lay curled on the bed , her breathing slow and shallow . Her skin was pale , almost ashen under the dim candlelight , and a thin sheen of sweat clung to her brow . The blankets were bunched loosely around her , as if she hadn't stirred in hours . Her face looked drawn , weak- utterly helpless . " She's wolfless ... " Genevieve said quietly as she followed him inside . She approached the bed and gently pressed the back of her hand to Atasha's forehead . " She's burning up again . Another fever . What made you think she could sneak into your study like that ? " Collin didn't respond right away . His eyes swept the room , calculating . There was no sign of disturbance - no misplaced furniture , no scuffed floorboards , no visible trace of another presence . Because he hadn't really believed it was Atasha . No ... it was too precise , too clean . Whoever it was had used Atasha as a convenient scapegoat . Someone had come through the mansion and covered their tracks carefully . He moved to the window . It was shut tight . The latch was still aligned , the sill spotless . Not a single smudge or scratch . He inhaled slowly , scenting the air . Nothing . No unfamiliar wolf . No hint of outside intrusion . Too perfect . His gaze drifted back to Atasha . She hadn't moved . Her lips were parted slightly , dry , and her brow twitched faintly like she was trapped in some uneasy dream . 11:08 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 26 ... 80 55 vouchers Genevieve turned to him , voice soft and almost smug . " She can barely sit up on her own . Honestly , Collin , your paranoia is getting ahead of you . " But Collin wasn't convinced . Something had been touched . Something had been opened . And if it wasn't her , then someone else had been in that study . Right under his nose . " Hmph . " He spun on his heel and left the room without another word . Outside , the hall was dim and quiet . Renan was already waiting , falling into step beside him as they moved down the corridor . " Tomorrow , Cassian and his people will leave , " Collin muttered , jaw tight . " This cannot be a coincidence . Did you check his men ? " Renan nodded . " Yes , Alpha . I've confirmed it with the scouts . Cassian and all of his lieutenants are currently in the war tent . They've been there since the attack started . Multiple warriors saw them giving orders and assisting the healers . They're all accounted for ." " And our side ? " Collin asked sharply . Renan hesitated . " We took heavier losses . Seven dead , three more in critical condition . Two patrols didn't return . We found one survivor and they said the Demon Fangs changed tactics tonight . Quieter and more coordinated . They struck harder along the southern ridge and disappeared before reinforcements arrived . " Collin exhaled through his nose , eyes narrowing . Cassian's camp held the eastern line with zero losses . " No one enters that room without me knowing ," he muttered , more to himself than to Renan . " I want everyone questioned . From servants to guards . I don't care how small their task was , I want names , movements , everything , Understood ? " Renan gave a firm nod . " Yes , Alpha . " 五 AD Comment Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!