Chapter 4

"I didn't do it," I said, my voice hoarse. "Isolde burned it herself."

"You didn't?" Valerius let out a cold laugh. His eyes were full of disappointment and something darker.

"That defense report was three months of Isolde's work. It's her career, her future. You think she would destroy that just to frame you? Sera, I knew you were jealous, but I never thought you would go this far."

His words hit like blows. He would rather believe a lie than trust his own mate.

Just then, heavy footsteps echoed up the stairs.

A squad of pack enforcers entered the room, their expressions grim.

"Alpha Valerius," The lead enforcer said. "We received a report that someone deliberately destroyed sealed Council intelligence with intent to compromise pack security."

"The suspect is your mate, Sera. This matter concerns territorial safety. By law, she must be taken into custody for interrogation."

I stared at Valerius in disbelief.

Compromising pack security? Isolde hadn't just framed me for burning a map, she had accused me of treason.

"Take her," the enforcer said, gesturing to his men. One of them stepped forward with silver chains.

"Wait," Valerius said sharply.

The enforcer paused. "Alpha?"

"The original maps are still archived in the Council vault," Valerius said, his tone hard as iron.

"The loss is not irreparable. My mate is ignorant and acted out of jealousy, but she has no ability or motive to betray this pack."

"I will stake my position on this. Whatever punishment you deem fit, I will bear it. Demotion, suspension, confinement — I accept it all. But you will not take her."

The enforcer hesitated. "This is irregular, Alpha. The law—"

"I am the Alpha," Valerius said, his voice carrying the weight of command. "She stays. I will punish her on my own."

The enforcer exchanged glances with his men. Finally, he nodded.

"But there will be consequences for this, Alpha. The Council will not overlook it."

"I understand," Valerius said coldly. "You may go."

The enforcers filed out, their boots heavy on the wooden floor. The room fell silent.

I looked at Valerius. For a moment — just a moment — something warm flickered in my chest. He had protected me.

"Why?" I asked, my voice shaking. "You think I'm guilty. You hate what I did. Why would you stake your position to keep me out of their hands?"

Valerius looked at me without warmth.

"The detention cells are damp and filthy," he said. "If you went in there, you would come out broken even if you survived."

"My mother's health has worsened. She will only take the medicinal broth when you prepare it. No one else can make it the way she tolerates. "

The warmth in my chest died instantly.

"And there are countless other matters in the palace that require your attention. Right now, no one else can manage them as efficiently as you do."

He paused, then added, "So you need to stay alive.That's why I kept you here."

I stared at him and suddenly I understood that Isolde had been right.

He didn't keep me because I was his mate. He kept me because I was useful.

I started laughing. It came out broken and bitter, and once I started I couldn't stop.

Valerius's brow furrowed. "Are you insane?"

"If someone better came along," I said through the laughter, my voice shaking, "someone more obedient, more capable, better at your palace, would you replace me?"

Valerius was silent for a moment. Then he straightened his collar and answered with the honesty.

"If such a person existed," he said, "and caused no disruption to my work, then yes. I would consider it."