The Crown's Entrapment

Back at Cordon Arena, Gilas couldn't help but wonder and worry as he impatiently waited for a report from one of his most trusted men that he had sent to conduct a secret investigation in regards to Lady Deni's case.

Nasser definitely had something up his sleeve for the finals but something was still amiss. He had clearly told the man that Clara was off limits. And knowing the devious man enough, Gilas was sure that he wouldn't hurt her since she and her territory were both major pieces in his plans.

[Alpha Gilas, I have news,] his right-hand man, Lino, telepathically greeted him.

[What did you find out?]

[Lady Deni's brother went missing three days before her fight with Lady Clara. As soon as she died, the boy suddenly appeared unconscious on the same day,] Lino reported. [There were no witnesses. And based on the boy's answers, he didn't know what exactly happened to him as well. All he knew was that he suddenly felt dizzy while following a trail of gold coins while he was on his way home.]

Gilas gritted his teeth. This was definitely not a part of Nasser's plans. It was too lame for the old man's taste, which would only mean one thing...

'Pinra,' he inwardly growled as he clenched his fists.

Immediately dismissing Lino for a job well done, Gilas put his attention back on the tournament he was overseeing. He would definitely deal with Pinra later. That woman… She seriously was testing his patience ever since she was born!

Gilas's eyes darted towards the direction where Nasser was currently sitting together with the rest of the Elders who had just arrived to watch the rest of the tournament. Their eyes met, and Gilas didn't even wait for permission as he said, [I clearly told you not to touch Clara, but Pinra clearly still attempted to kill her using one of your pawns!]

Nasser frowned. There was only silence as their eyes refused to break contact. Before long, Nasser calmly replied. [Don't make any harsh moves. I will deal with Pinra for now,] he leveled out with an even tone. [For now, go straight to your mother as soon as the day's tournament is over. Clara is currently on her way to the Manor to visit her.]

Gilas was caught off-guard by that information. Why would Clara suddenly visit his mother now?

[Make sure you keep your word, Son] Nasser warned. [You should claim her and make her yours already. Once you do so, I will make sure that Pinra won't touch a single hair on Clara moving forward. And I will make sure she'll live through the finals. If you still can't, however… Then I can't ensure that she'll live with her body still intact, Gilas.]

Gilas clenched his jaw. And here he thought that he and Nasser already had an understanding. Weren't they supposed to wait until the tournament ended?!

[I told you already, Clara-]

[Enough! Stop with your lame excuses!!!]

Naser roared out, making Gilas clench his fists till his knuckles turned white. Despite the sharpness of his glare, it was still nothing to Nasser as the man simply raised an eyebrow at him.

[You must know that I refuse to take the risk you asked for me to take. I still have no guarantee that Clara will become yours, after all. A lot of things can happen between now and tomorrow, and the next thing you know, you'll end up once more as a failure, and Clara will become Darius's Queen,] Nasser scoffed. [Nothing is set in stone, especially now that there's still no news regarding the Princess of Ebodia.]

Nasser clicked his tongue in annoyance and as he continued, [You must give me reassurance in this matter, Son. Mark Clara before the finals. Because if you don't, then I won't be able to guarantee Clara's life.]

He declared with utter conviction, [If she's already marked, then she will no longer be qualified to become Queen. Like I said… Pinra must become Queen. No one else.]

Gilas did his best not to grit his teeth. He was about to refute his father's demands, but Nasser had already put him against his mindlink wall.

[Are you alright?]

Gilas flinched at Gideon's sudden telepathic intrusion. The man had probably noticed how he was currently interacting with Nasser.

[I'm good. It's just some of the usual arguments with him regarding Clara…] Gilas remarked with reassurance. It was so unlike him to talk like this, but somehow, he felt like he would explode soon if he wasn't able to let out all the anger he was bottling up inside of him.

[Is she perhaps your mate? You see, we've been rather curious about the matter for quite some time now,] Gideon casually asked. [No one bothered to ask you though… And we also can't confirm it with Clara because she… uhm…]

Gilas sighed. [I know. She already told me that her wolf has a problem with its sense of smell due to an incident she had when she was a kid. And yes, she's my mate.]

[Holy crap! I knew it!] Gideon burst out so hard that the man had to cover his mouth with his hand despite them still talking telepathically.

[That man is really funny,] Gilas's wolf, Ham, chortled.

Gilas couldn't help but let out a faint smile. He couldn't agree more with what his wolf just said as he shook his head in mirth.

[Does she already know that you're her mate?] Gideon further asked.

Normally, Gilas would simply lift his brows whenever he was asked about this exact topic, but surprisingly, he answered. [Yes,] he nodded. [She asked me, so I told her.]

[I see…] Gideon nodded in both surprise and understanding. A beat then passed before he then suddenly added, [Oh, right. Do you need to leave early to see Clara? I can cover for you today, so you can leave as early as you can right now.]

Gilas raised an eyebrow in surprise. He didn't expect the gesture of goodwill, but he was nevertheless grateful as he nodded, [Thank you.]

Despite the free pass to leave, Gilas didn't dare to leave the arena until Nasser and his companions left the premises. After he made sure they were gone, he then prepared himself to travel in his wolf form.

[What are you going to do now? Will you mark her?] Ham inquired as he shifted into his wolf form and started his journey.

[I don't know, Ham, but I do plan to tell all about this to Clara so that I can hear her point of view on the matter,] Gilas replied. [Maybe we can decide on what to do after we talk to her…]

Silence reigned as he ran through the shortcuts that he knew of were scattered throughout the woods. Still, Gilas couldn't help but sigh to himself throughout their journey.

They were making good time on their way to their territory when Ham suddenly asked, [What is it?]

Gilas blinked. His wolf probably felt his distorted emotions despite his silence.

[It's nothing. It's just that I can't help but feel suspicious about all of this,] Gilas admitted.

[I can't exactly pinpoint the reason why, but doesn't this all feel weird? Nasser and Pinra's relationship… It seems too strong for a pair that's merely 'uncle and niece.' Pinra… that woman has been jealous of me ever since we were kids, and she's been competing with me for Nasser's attention and recognition for what feels like forever now. Now that I think about it… I feel like there's more to this…]