Twice Rejected
Chapter 65

Alpha Niyol’s POV

Things were becoming more complicated to the extent that I was having trouble with knowing who and who not to trust.

Julianna Roberts seemed so sure that Henry had a hand in Koko’s kidnap, but I didn’t want to jump into conclusions since Henry had been Koko’s companion when I was away, considering that she wasn’t the outgoing type.

Aside that, he had saved her once too and shouldn’t have any reason to kidnap her. If he wanted to hurt her, shouldn’t he had done it long ago? Why now?

All these thoughts juggled in my head as we all waited for Henry’s arrival. After greeting and bowing, I told him what we needed him for. He collected the letter and went through it then gave it back to Chester.

He refused saying that he had no hand in it, leading to an argument between himself and Julianna. I couldn’t say anything or stop them as they babbled on and on.

Henry looked convincing that he didn’t do it, but Julianna was not ready to let him off the hook yet. She kept throwing different questions at him and he didn’t fail to answer them all while maintaining his stance.

If he had a hand, I was sure he would be rendered speechless, but he defended himself without holding back and that convinced me.

“I don’t think that he actually did it, Niyol.” My sister whispered to me while the argument was going on.

“Yes, I feel that way too. He looks so sure.” I whispered back.

When I had enough, I dismissed Henry and tried to make the girl see points that Henry was innocent. My sister did the same, but she stood her ground.

“I completely understand

where you two are driving at, but I still maintain my stance, your majesty. Allow me to carry out more investigations.” She requested and I nodded.

I also wanted to see where all these would lead to.

“Chester, send more troops out to look for that servant,” I ordered after realizing that there must be a spy in my palace.

The thought of the betrayal made my heart ache as my expression turned to a pained one. And to think that the maid was actually recruited by my own mother.

“Son, pull yourself together.” My mother said and my anger rose to the surface.

After all, she had a fault in this as well. She has caused me nothing but pain right from Erika and now to Koko. What angered me more was that she didn’t take pity on the girl at all. She was glad the girl was kidnapped and wanted to set me up with another.

“The meeting is over, you can leave now.” I said, not sparing her a glance.

She stood up and dragged her feet out of the throne room. When I looked up, I saw that Julianna had followed her outside. Maybe, she wanted to question her as well.

“Do you really think Henry would do such a thing?” Laci asked me, immediately we were left alone.

“Are you starting to suspect Henry too?” I asked her, because that was what her expression was telling me at the moment.

“It’s not like that, but Julianna seemed so sure that Henry might be involved. If not, she wouldn’t have insisted on investigating him,” Laci said.

“Julianna is an investigator and that is what she knows how to do best. Investigators are a very determined set of people who go for what they want without looking back. And if they should find someone suspicious, they won’t rest till they have confirmed their suspicion. I think that’s what she’s trying to do and I am sure that Henry is innocent,” I said, trying to make her see my point.

“I’m scared,” She muttered but it was loud enough for me to hear.

“Why?” I asked.

“What if Henry actually had a hand in the kidnap? I’m scared of how I’m going to feel, how you’re going to feel. Things are just complicated,” She said and I suddenly became quiet.

Henry wouldn’t do that, would he? He wouldn’t betray me. He wouldn’t do that, right? I trusted him as the closest person to Koko. He wouldn’t just throw the trust to the wind like that.

“He wouldn’t do that, Laci. He can’t,” I said, trying to comfort her or was I trying to comfort myself? I wanted to believe that he didn’t have a hand in it. I wanted Julianna to be wrong this time by finding another culprit that wasn’t Henry.

“I hope so, Niyol. I really hope so.” Laci said.

Julianna walked back in at the moment and smiled. It looked like she had gotten a lead.

“Were you able to get anything?” I asked her.

“I got pretty convincing answers from your mother. She was quite cooperative,” Julianna said and I pressed my lips into a thin line.

Her being cooperative doesn’t change my perception about her.

“But I need to make sure that they are the right information.”

“Thanks. You are trying a lot,” Laci appreciated her.

She was really trying a lot and I loved her professionalism. It was quite rare to see investigators who could stand boldly to interrogate without fear and maintain their stance no matter the oppression. I was glad she came and it gave me hope that my Koko would be found.

“It is nothing, princess Laci. I am just doing my job.” She bowed.

“Thanks for doing your job right.” I commended her and she smiled.

“I’ll take my leave now, Alpha Niyol. I need to cross check a few things. I’ll tell you if I notice anything unusual,” She said and bowed to me.

“It’s okay. Take your time,” I said to her.

“Princess Laci?” She bowed.

“You may go.” Laci smiled at her before she left.

“You need to go and rest now, Laci. You’ve been busy since you returned from checking up on your son,” I said as I looked at her face.

She looked exhausted, but the stubborn lady preferred to be stuck to me like butter in a pancake.

“I am fine. I’m staying with you and keeping a close eye on you in case you would be hurt again,” She said.

“But, I am fine. See?” I smiled at her.

“You cannot mask up your pain with a smile, Niyol. It is very obvious,” She said.

“You nag a lot.” I teased her.

“If I don’t nag, you wouldn’t be on your toes, would you?” She asked rhetorically in a bid to light up my mood.

“Seriously speaking, Laci. You need to rest. You look exhausted. You have to rest for the sake of your son, okay?” I tried to coax her.

“But I want to stay with you. Besides, my husband is with my son, so I have nothing to worry about.” She defended.

“He needs motherly attention too. If you continue like this, you might get sick and I won’t be happy about that. I can’t be missing Koko and dealing with your sick a*s too.” I said and she glared at me.

“Fine, I’ll go and rest. But, bear it in mind that I am coming back to check on you tonight. Do not allow Chester to leave your side and make sure you eat dinner. I’ll ask when I return.” She meted out instructions like a mother who was going on a trip.

“Yes, mum.” I teased and she smiled.

I wished she could keep smiling like this all the time. Since Koko’s disappearance, she hadn’t been smiling like usual, but bearing the pain with me. I felt lucky to have a sister like her.

She sighed and stood up. “I’ll be going now,” she said.

“Alright. See you later,” I said.

She took one last look at me like she was reluctant to go. I urged her to go with my hands and she sighed before leaving.

I rested my back on the throne I was sitting on and closed my eyes. “Koko, please be safe wherever you are. I will come get you sooner than you think.” I muttered to myself.

The screeching sound of the door opening after Laci left made me look up from where I sat. Chester entered and walked up to me.

“I have sent out more troops like you requested.” He said, watching me closely.

“Alright. Thank you.” I said and leaned on the throne once more.

“Dude, are you alright?” He asked me. From his tone, I could tell that he was worried. Chester had been the best beta anyone could ask for. He would always be at my beck and call and worry about me too. We’ve grown to act like brothers and we treated each other like that too.

“You don’t need to worry about me, I am fine.” I answered.

“How can you say you’re fine when it is obvious that you’re not?”

Oh, and he nags as well.

“When I came and saw you in this state, I couldn’t imagine that the warrior Alpha I knew had become this,” he said, pointing to me. I could feel the hurt in his voice.

“You really don’t need to worry about me.” I cooed.

“Let me worry about you, Niyol. I pray to the moon goddess that our future Luna should be found as soon as possible. Seeing you like this breaks my heart. I can’t bear it.” He said.

All I could do was sigh.

“Come on, you need to eat,” he said.

“I don’t have an appetite for food now.” I replied.

“You need to eat to be strong. You’re already looking pale and I don’t want to mention weak because the Alpha Niyol I know of is a strong Alpha.” He said.

How do I explain to this strong head beta of mine that I am not cut out for food now? I looked at him and wanted to stand up, but remained seated as a splitting headache hit me. I held my head in pain.

“Are you alright?” Chester asked me. “They’re hurting her again, right?” Chester held me tight.

I couldn’t say anything due to the excruciating pain. I wish I could lay my hands on those freaks! I’ll make them wish they were never born! Just hang in there, Koko. I will find you.