The Werewolf King’s Mate
Chapter 68

Lucas

POV:

In the dead of night, a sudden knocking on our bedroom door startled us awake. It was Tommy and Silas seeking our attention. Cory and I hurriedly got up from bed and quickly made our way to the study hall. Something seemed pressing, and we didn't want to waste any time. Upon arrival, we discovered that the study hall was bustling with activity, and everyone had gathered there.

"What was the urgency behind this? Why disrupt our sleep during the late hours?" I insisted that they provide me with a response.

"I received a call from the high priestess!" Tommy spoke with urgency and concern.

"What is the reason for the high priestess's call at such an hour?"

"S-she said that Elisha was there! Elisha went to the coven."

"What?!" Everyone exclaimed.

"However, she fled quickly. The high priestess wants to talk to us immediately. She also asked us to bring the amulets and evil eye. She mentioned Elisha doing something in those, and we might be in grave danger!" "Is that why I could feel the amulet's weight?" Iris asked.

As soon as Iris brought it up, we all took a pause, and I felt the weight of my amulet suddenly increase around my neck. So, are we all really in danger? But what kind of danger? I must say, this was the most daunting aspect of it all, as we are unable to identify who and where the potential danger is coming from.

"H-how is that possible? Was she not aware beforehand that it had been tampered with?"

"Unfortunately, the conversation was cut short, leaving her unable to convey anything further."

What a rollercoaster of emotions! Just when we thought we could relax, everything took a sudden turn. Elisha is a determined individual who will not rest until she achieves her desired outcome. And do we trust the high priestess?

There are many holes in this, and I just can't pinpoint where the gaps are. I have to think this through.

"What do we do about this, Your Majesty?"

"I can't shake this uneasy feeling I have. And I am unsure if I could trust the high priestess right now."

"This is all so confusing! I don't know who to trust anymore! Argh!" Ellie exclaimed in exasperation.

"The question now is, should we give the amulets back?

And what? Has the priestess blessed these again to eliminate the dark magic?" Cory made a good point. What would the priestess even do if we gave her the amulet?

"Tommy, have you tried calling her again?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, the call was forwarded straight to her voicemail."

"Silas, Tommy, and Ellie, go to the coven tonight. Check what happened and get as much information as you can from the high priestess. But be careful. Once the amulet gave any signs of danger, get out of there. Do not engage in any fight." "Yes, Your Majesty."

We gave up the amulets we were wearing, except mine. I opted to swap it out with a different necklace that could easily be mistaken for one of the amulets from Cory's jewelry collection. Then, I made Cory wear mine. Knowing that she still had some form of protection would give me peace of mind.

"Why the fake amulet?"

"An experiment. I told you I didn't fully trust the high priestess you talked to. Perhaps it was simply a gut feeling." "Alright, Your Majesty. We shall leave now. We'll be returning soon, just as soon as we possibly can."

"Bring a few soldiers with you. And again, be careful. Elisha has the power to mask herself. She could be anyone right now."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Shortly after, the trio departed from the chateau. I asked everyone, especially Cory, to return to their chambers and get some rest for tonight. I chose to remain in the study hall to ponder everything that was going on. Things were spiraling out of control. I was in dire need of someone to confide in, someone that Elisha could have trusted with her plans. But who? The last time, we asked Chloe, but she said she knew nothing. We did all kinds of torture to her, but she remained tight-lipped. I might have to visit her once more. That evening, I ventured into the depths of the dungeon. I requested the guards to escort Chloe to the interrogation room. The sight of her left me taken aback, for she appeared to have lost some weight, and her complexion was notably paler than the last time I saw her. The memory of that day made Kali agitated.

Stay put, Kali. We're here to get information from her.

I know! But this woman! I want to tear her neck for pointing a knife at our mate!

They will get what they deserve, Kali.

Kali remained quiet. My attention snapped back to my mission. Would she know anything about Elisha's plan? I was wondering how close they were and if they conspired about their plans before. Or did Elisha brainwash and use Chloe for her bigger plans? "Tell me about Elisha's plan." I noticed that Chloe seemed to be avoiding eye contact with me and didn't acknowledge my presence. "What do you know about her plans?"

Once again, I was met with nothing but silence from her.

"What do you want? I might be willing to negotiate if you provide me with the information I need." This seemed to spark her interest. "D-don't kill me."

"What information do you have on Elisha's plan?"

"I, uh, I don't know."

"Chloe. Deals don't work this way. You don't want to die, do you? Then, answer my godd*mn question!!" I firmly struck the table with my fist.

"But, I really don't know. She never told me her plans or who else she was working with. I swear!"

I'm growing rather tired of this conversation. I gestured to the guards to escort her back to her cell.

"H-how about our deal?!"

"What deal, Chloe? You said nothing!!"

"NO! I don't want to die. I swear! I know nothing!"

"Enough! Take her now!"

The guards pulled her out of the chair. When our eyes met, she knew that this was the end for her. She didn't resist or fight the guards and went with them quietly. I found myself all by myself in that dimly lit interrogation room. I don't think Chloe would lie to me with her life on the line. For a moment, I stood in the dark, trying to think of a way to win this fight with Elisha. No ideas were coming, so I decided to leave the dungeon and get other things done. But just as I was stepping out of the interrogation room, I heard a man's voice speak to me.

"There will be war," Hendrix. The deceitful individual uttered these words. How would he know? Unless...

"War? Is that what Elisha is planning? Her and what army?" If this was really her plan, who was she planning this with?

It seems that the kingdom is soon to be plunged into war.

However, we must first determine who will stand by her side in battle.

"My answer comes with a price, Your Majesty."

"What would that be, Hendrix? Name your price."

"I want nothing more than to be free. You can banish me somewhere, but I no longer wish to stay in this tiny cell. So, what do you say?"

I must say, his terms seem absolutely absurd to me. He must be crazy if he thinks I'm going just to let him go free.

Perhaps it's time to switch things up a bit and try a new approach.

"Where do you want to go? I believe it's only fair that you receive that, considering the insightful information you'll be sharing with me."

"How kind of you! Then, in a place that's quite remote up in the north. Where there are no witches and far away from disgusting rogues!"

"I thought you were friends with those rogues, Hendrix. You even worked with them before!"

"Tss. Rogues are two-faced. One day, they were by your side. Then, next, they were on the witch's side."

"You really shouldn't trust anyone that easily, Hendrix.

Although, I don't see the point of giving you this advice." As soon as I began making my way towards the exit of the dungeon, he suddenly bellowed, catching me off guard.

"How about the answers? Do you not want them anymore?"

"I got them already, Hendrix. Thanks for your help!" I couldn't help but curl up the corners of my mouth when I saw the realization dawn on him.

I proceeded forth, armed with fresh intel. It appears that Elisha is attempting to mobilize the rogues in an effort to launch an attack on the kingdom. Was she able to group rogues already? How many rogues will there be? And when.

When will they attack us? We must get our army ready and provide training to anyone who can assist us in taking on the rogues.

"Elias, we must increase the level of training for our soldiers. And release an announcement that we are recruiting for more to join the army."

"Why the sudden recruitment, Your Majesty?"

"Because war is coming to us."