Chapter 15

THIRD PERSON’S POV "James? Are you okay?" Laura called out, her concern deepening. James took a deep breath, steadying himself before speaking. "I just came from the dungeons," he said, his voice tight with fury. "I saw Olivia today." Silence fell over the room like a thick fog. Jason sat up straighter, his brows furrowing. "And?" "And?" James repeated, his voice rising with barely contained rage. "She’s barely surviving in there! She’s malnourished, weak, emotionally wrecked! Do you even know the conditions they’re keeping her in? She’s pregnant, Father! Carrying Dominic’s pup, and they treat her like an animal and not just a criminal, they forgot that she doesn’t have her wolf to heal her!" Laura let out a sharp gasp, her hands flying to her mouth. Her worst fears had been confirmed, and the image of her daughter suffering alone in a cold cell shattered something inside her. Jason’s face darkened, but he kept his expression unreadable. "She’s under investigation—" "Investigation? By lashing her and ruining her? Is this how the criminals are investigated in the dungeons?" James snapped. "Or punishment for a crime she didn’t commit?" He took a step forward, his eyes blazing. "Have you not considered how convenient all of this is? Elder Alyosha’s sudden death? The so-called ‘evidence’ against Olivia? And most of all, how it all happen right after Evelyn returned?" Jason’s mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. James pressed on. "I don’t trust it. It doesn’t add up. Evelyn shows up, and suddenly Olivia is framed for murder. It’s too much of a coincidence and it doesn’t matter what the evidence says, I know Olivia can’t do this." Jason leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin in thought. His mind flashed back to the reports from that night—the patrol shifts had been changed last minute, something that was highly unusual. At the time, he hadn't thought much of it, but now… now, it gnawed at him. "James," he said after a long pause, his voice lower, more contemplative. "You’re saying you suspect Evelyn? You know that Evelyn is-" James scoffed. "Evelyn is what? Untouchable? I know better than to throw blind accusations, but I will say this—she has the most to gain from Olivia’s downfall. And I refuse to stand by while my sister suffers for something she didn’t do." Jason’s gaze flickered to Laura, who was watching them both with wide, fearful eyes. His gut twisted. Had he been too quick to judge? Too blind to see what was right in front of him? After a long silence, Jason straightened his shoulders. "I need to look into this," he murmured. "I’ll start by questioning the warriors who were on duty that night." James gave a stiff nod. "And I’ll do my own investigation." Jason shot him a warning glance. "Stay out of this, James. If you interfere, it could put you in danger as well." James merely smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Danger doesn’t scare me, Father. But regret? That’s something I won’t live with." — Later that night, James was making his way to the warriors’ barracks when he unexpectedly crossed paths with Dominic. The Alpha’s presence was commanding, his aura thick with dominance. His expression was unreadable, but the slight tension in his posture betrayed the weight of his burdens. James, still seething from earlier, didn’t hesitate. "Dominic," he called out, stepping into the Alpha’s path. Dominic slowed, his sharp eyes narrowing. "James," he acknowledged coolly. "You need to do something about Olivia," James said without preamble. "She doesn’t deserve this." Dominic’s expression hardened. "This isn’t your concern." James clenched his jaw. "It is when my sister is being tortured in your dungeons." Dominic’s eyes flashed with something dangerous. "Stay out of pack affairs, James. You have no authority to make decisions for anyone here, just focus on your own duties. This is an Alpha’s decision." James let out a sharp laugh, but there was no humour in it. "An Alpha’s decision?" he repeated mockingly. "You mean neglecting your own mate in favour of an outsider?" Dominic’s hands curled into fists, his control slipping for a fraction of a second. "Watch your mouth, James," he warned, his voice laced with dominance. James didn’t back down. "You’re making a mistake," he said, voice tight with frustration. "One that you’re going to regret for the rest of your life." Dominic’s gaze darkened, his jaw tightening, but he said nothing. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension. Then, without another word, Dominic turned and walked away. James watched him go, a sinking feeling settling in his chest. Dominic may have been the Alpha, but he was blind to the storm brewing right in front of him. And James would make sure Olivia survived long enough to prove it.