Alaric POV
I watched Sophie leave the room. I saw the relief in her eyes. Her shoulders dropped. She looked like she had carried the weight of the whole kingdom for three days.
I knew I had to do something. Her life is at stake in this kingdom. She proved her innocence. Now I must prove my power.
I left the quarters of Queen Mother Isolde. I walked with purpose. My boots echoed against the floor. I reached my chamber. I sent for Cassian. He arrived within minutes.
"Cassian, go to the palace archives." I commanded.
"Check the records for Prince Daemon's medication. I want to know if squirrel droppings have been used in his medication before. Look at every entry for the last year."
"I will go now, Sire." Cassian said.
He bowed and turned on his heel.
I sent for the palace doctor next. He entered the room with a nervous look. He kept his eyes on the floor.
"Did you have any contact with the medication before it reached my step mother's quarters?" I asked.
"No, Alpha." The doctor replied.
"Grand Prince Magnus always supplies the medication himself. He brings the sack. He ensures the seal is intact. We do not touch them until the administration time."
I dismissed him with a wave of my hand.
I sat at my desk. I waited.
Cassian returned after some time. He held a leather bound ledger.
"The squirrel droppings were never found in the records, Alpha." Cassian said.
He pointed to a specific line in the text. "The ingredients listed in the archives state that it was added only for this new week. It is a fresh change. Grand Prince Magnus supplied the shipment personally."
I looked at the ledger. I felt a cold knot in my stomach.
I am not saying Grand Prince Magnus is trying to kill the Prince Daemon. But what are the odds that this ingredient is added now? It was added the same week Prince Daemon prepared to dine with me. It was added when someone knew she used ginger in all her dish.
I stood up. I headed for the secretariat of Grand Prince Magnus.
I walked past the guards. I did not wait for an announcement. I pushed the doors open.
I saw Uncle Magnus sitting beside his fireplace. The room smelled of old wood and smoke. Magnus sat in a large chair. He looked disheveled. He was drunk with wine. He reeked of alcohol.
He looked at me with glazed eyes.
"Sit, Alaric." Magnus said. He gestured to a chair.
I sat with him. I watched the fire.
"Young Prince Daemon is fine and well." I told him.
"All thanks to the Moon Goddess." Magnus said. He took a long sip from his cup.
"It came to my notice that an ingredient in the medication was added recently." I said.
"This ingredient caused the illness. You are the one in charge. You usually examine the medication before sending it out."
Magnus laughed. The sound was dry. He shook his head.
"I did not add any new ingredient to the medication." He said.
"It is the same thing I usually supply. I have no reason to change the formula."
"The palace archive says otherwise." I interrupted.
"The records show a change in the shipment this week."
Magnus leaned forward. He squinted at me.
"What reason do I have to lie? Why would I want to kill Daemon? He is my own blood. I have served this family for decades."
"I am not accusing you, Uncle." I said. My voice was calm but firm.
"I am inquiring to know what is going on in my kingdom. Someone changed the medicine."
Magnus smiled. It was a slow, tired smile. He leaned back in his chair.
"I do not know anything about any new ingredient. I do not handle the small details of the mixture."
"Did anyone else come in contact with the medication?" I asked.
"Did anyone touch the sack before they reached Isolde?"
"I examine the ingredients." Magnus said.
"Then I gave the sack to the royal physician. She drops them off. She handles the final delivery."
"The royal physician?" I asked. I felt a sharp spark of suspicion.
"Yes." Magnus said.
"If any changes were made, she should be able to answer for it. She is the last person to hold the sack."
"Thank you." I said. I stood up to leave.
"Alaric." Magnus called my name.
I stopped.
"You are a good brother to Daemon. You care for your own."
I did not answer. I moved fast.
I returned to my chambers. I felt the wolf inside me pacing. The trail was getting warm.
I called for Cassian and Thomas. They both arrived almost immediately. They saw the look on my face.
"Cassian, go check when the royal physician was last seen in the palace." I said.
"Check the gate logs. Check her station."
"Thomas, go to her house." I commanded.
"Check the perimeter. Look for signs of flight. I want her here right now. She must tell me who paid her. She must tell me who provided the squirrel droppings."
Thomas nodded. He vanished into the shadows.
Cassian left through the main door.
I walked to the window. I looked out over Blackwood. The sun was gone. The darkness was total.
Today, the person behind this must face the full wrath of the Alpha. I will find the truth. I will protect Sophie.
I will tear down anyone who stands in my way.
