#Chapter 3 Hidden in Plain Sight

As I make my way into the alley behind the tavern, a cheerful voice rings out, “Come back anytime!” “I suppose it’s easy to be cheerful when you’ve just acquired someone’s life savings,” I mutter. I sigh and lift my hand to examine the small bottle I received from the apothecary, turning it toward the light to get a better look at the murky brown liquid inside. This was my first visit to the apothecary, and I had always assumed that the potions would be a bit more… whimsical. Regardless, I need to suppress my Mate Bond. I can’t risk everything I’ve worked so hard for, and I can’t risk losing my Wolf. This potion is my only hope. If I outright reject my Mate, or if he rejects me, I will lose my Wolf. If he accepts me, I’ll be stuck as a housewife. I can’t face either of these fates. I take a deep breath and uncork the small vial with a pop. A pungent scent is released into the air, and I can’t help but turn my head as my nostrils sting. “So it’s going to be like that,” I grumble before steeling my nerves. I bring the vial to my lips, flinching as the acrid liquid slides down my throat. After a beat, I feel it. Loss. Nara begins to howl as the connection to our Mate dulls, and I can’t help but feel her anguish and her desperation to resharpen the connection. I double over, struck by the weight of it. It takes me a moment, but the intensity of the loss begins to subside, and I push myself upright. I risk tugging at the bond just to be sure it’s really been suppressed. It’s there, but barely. This might work. I have three months; that is how long this potion is supposed to suppress the bond. I have three months to come up with the money for another vial or to find another solution. An hour later, I’m back at the palace, praying to the Moon Goddess that this potion works. I stand quietly in formation when another member of the guard walks up and says something quickly to my Sergeant. My Sergeant looks concerned for a moment before calling out, “Ember McMann.” “Yes, Sergeant,” I call, struggling to keep my voice steady. “You are to go with Officer Ortega.” “Yes, Sergeant,” I repeat, willing my breath to slow. I clench my fists to keep my hands from shaking as the guard grabs me by the arm and begins to lead me toward the palace. My heart thuds in my chest, and I fight to remain in control as panic begins flooding my body. The potion must be faulty. I’ve been discovered, and my dreams are dead. “What is this about?” I question. I already know that I’m being led toward my downfall. The guard looks at me briefly before glancing at my uniform and sighing, “They need to question every woman who was in the palace last night.” I finally catch my breath as hope blooms in my chest. They don’t know that it’s me. I haven’t been discovered yet. Maybe this isn’t about me at all. I send up a quick prayer to the Goddess that this potion is strong enough to suppress the bond if I cross paths with Prince Kaine as the guard continues to lead me toward the palace. I just need to get through this interrogation, and I will be free to live my life, at least for the next three months. The guard continues to drag me along, either oblivious to or uncaring toward my inner turmoil. He guides me away from the main entrance of the palace and along a small path through a back door, then down a long hallway that doesn’t appear to get much use. As we continue forward, I can’t help but notice the stark difference between Prince Kaine’s room in the basement and the rest of the palace. Where Prince Kaine’s room is simple, even barren, the palace is extravagant. Even the seemingly abandoned hallway I am being dragged along is more ornate. The walls are littered with expensive-looking art, and intricate sconces adorn the wall every six feet or so. The guard continues to pull me along before making a sharp turn, causing me to stumble. When I’ve regained my footing, the guard leads me through a doorway and into a large room where about thirty other women are gathered. Before them stands another group of guards, all wearing various expressions of contempt. As I take in the guards uniforms, I realize that they are all extremely powerful officers. I turn to the guard escorting me and give him a questioning look, but he simply shrugs and leads me to take my place among the women. It seems as though I am the last female to arrive. The guard makes his departure, and a guard standing in front of the line of women steps forward. He crosses his arms behind his back and begins pacing around us as he begins to speak. “If you are innocent, you have nothing to fear. If you are guilty… you better hope we don’t find out.” He pauses in front of two women near the end of the line and pulls them to the front. Several other guards step toward the line and begin doing the same thing. I listen to the head guard, his tone vicious as he barks out, “What were you doing at the palace?” The woman on the left answers first, visibly shaking. “I-I was just delivering some flowers. I work at the florist that does the arrangements for the palace. I—why am I here?” The guard laughs, getting in the woman’s face. “You are here because we called you here.” He pushes the woman back into line and looks at the other. “And you?” “I-I—I just—” The woman begins to cry. “Spit it out!” Guilt overwhelms me as I watch the guards scream at the women. I can’t be certain, but I am pretty sure they are looking for me. The last thing I want is to draw attention to myself, but I need to help in some way. I step forward and face the women. “I know this seems harsh, but I’m sure that they are just trying to get to the bottom of things. The royal family upholds the law. We are safe; they wouldn’t punish anyone without just cause.” Some of the women look skeptical, but the group seems to visibly relax as they take in my words. The head guard turns to me, a look of malice on his face. “You have no right to speak of men’s business, woman!” So much for not drawing attention to myself. My blood begins to boil at the guard’s words, and I can’t help but snap back at him. I wear a guard uniform the same as him. “You are creating chaos and panic! The majority of these women are innocent, and yet you belittle us!” The guard gets in my face. “You will not speak to me this way.” I grit my teeth. “Are you prepared to face the consequences if this continues to get out of hand?” I hold my breath, waiting to face the consequences of my outburst when Prince Kaine’s Beta, Jake, strides into the room. “Enough.” The room goes quiet, and the guard who was in my face only moments ago steps back. The Beta continues, “We have gathered everyone here because a woman made a direct attack on Prince Kaine last night. We need to find the culprit.” My head buzzes as I take in this information. An attack on Prince Kaine? I was with him until morning. My heart sinks, and I realize what’s happening. Prince Kaine is planning to reject me, and more than that, he would rather round me up like a criminal than admit that we were ever mated to begin with. Goddess, please tell me he didn’t see my face. Everything happened so fast that I can’t be sure. The door opens again, and Prince Kaine steps into the room. I quickly lower my head, trying not to catch his eye. I can’t be found out. I could lose everything. Prince Kaine’s footsteps echo as he begins to survey the group. I hear them draw closer, but I keep my head down, praying that he moves on. I watch as his shoes approach and then stop right in front of me. No. Prince Kaine’s voice is commanding as he barks the order, “Look up.”