Anabel.

"Ms. Anabel, why don’t you start talking before I help you out?"

Daniel’s voice was calm.

Too calm.

He had turned fully toward me when he said it, his eyes steady, unwavering. There was no hesitation in his tone, no uncertainty. Just confidence.

And that terrified me.

For a split second, my composure cracked.

Had he found out?

The question flashed through my mind like lightning. Did he know? Did he have proof? Was that why he suddenly sounded so certain, so assured of himself after standing there speechless moments ago?

My fingers twitched slightly where they rested against Noah’s shirt.

No.

Impossible.

He couldn’t have known.

My plan had already gone wrong once tonight. I wouldn’t allow this new twist to spiral beyond my control too. I refused to let this turn into a spectacle where I stood exposed as the villain.

Not here.

Not in front of everyone.

My brothers were standing right there. The entire corridor was filled with pack members watching every movement, every expression.

I could not afford to look guilty.

If they ever saw me differently, if doubt crept into their hearts, I would lose far more than this competition.

I would lose them.

And that was something I would never allow.

I forced myself to breathe slowly. Calmly.

Then, carefully, I lifted my head and stood up, wiping at my tears as though I were steadying myself emotionally. I schooled my features, smoothing out the brief flicker of panic, replacing it with composed indignation.

A small, controlled smile curved onto my lips.

"Alpha Daniel," I said evenly, facing him head-on, "what do you mean by that?"

I tilted my head slightly, letting confusion color my expression instead of fear.

"Are you angry I pointed out your little scheme," I continued, my tone sharpening just enough to suggest offense, "and now you want to turn the table around?"

A ripple went through the crowd.

Good.

It was working, I needed to shift the focus.

Question his motive.

Make it look like retaliation.

"Exactly, Alpha Daniel!" Aidan’s voice joined in immediately, firm and commanding. He stepped forward slightly, his presence dominating the space between us.

"I don’t think that speaks so well of you," he continued. "As an Alpha, shouldn’t you own up to your deeds? How do you rule your pack if you can’t admit your mistake?"

I resisted the urge to smile too widely.

Perfect.

Let them corner him instead.

Daniel’s jaw tightened, but he did not look away. His gaze flickered between Aidan and me, calculating.

"My pack is being ruled properly," he replied, a sharp edge cutting through his composure. "And you expect me to agree to something I didn’t do?"

He paused.

His nostrils flared slightly.

"Your sister smells of..."

My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

No.

Whatever he was about to say, it couldn’t be good.

My mind raced. Had he noticed something? Sensed something? Wolves relied heavily on scent. If he had picked up anything unusual...

"The healer has arrived."

The guard’s announcement cut through the corridor, loud and clear.

Daniel’s words died mid-sentence.

And for the first time since he had addressed me, I felt genuine relief flood my body.

I didn’t let it show.

I couldn’t.

But inside, the tension loosened.

Saved.

At least for now.

The crowd parted once more as the healer stepped forward, attention shifting back to Noah immediately. The urgency of his condition reclaimed the spotlight, dulling the sharp focus that had been aimed at me seconds earlier.

I lowered myself beside Noah again, reclaiming my place at his side.

Concern.

Devotion.

I let those emotions paint my face.

"Please," I whispered softly, just loud enough for those closest to hear. "Make sure he’s alright."

My brothers’ attention snapped back to Noah as well. Whatever confrontation had been brewing between them and Daniel was forced to pause.

And that pause was all I needed.

I avoided Daniel’s gaze deliberately, but I could feel it lingering on me. Watching. Measuring.

He suspected something.

I was certain of it.

But suspicion was not proof.

And without proof...He had nothing.

I pressed my lips together subtly, steadying myself as the healer knelt down to examine Noah.

The game wasn’t over.

It had only become more dangerous.

And I would not be the one to lose.

The corridor slowly shifted as the healer stepped forward.

"Make way," one of the guards ordered, and immediately the crowd parted. The murmuring quieted into low whispers as two guards carefully lifted Noah from the floor. His head lolled slightly to the side, his body limp in their hold, and I made sure to follow closely, my hands hovering as though I was afraid he might slip from their grasp.

They carried him to the bed and laid him down gently.

I stood at his side, fingers brushing lightly against his arm, my expression filled with concern. Inside, however, my pulse was still racing from Daniel’s almost-revelation.

The healer moved forward and took Noah’s wrist between his fingers, closing his eyes in concentration as he read his pulse. The entire room fell silent, every breath measured, every movement cautious.

After what felt like an eternity, he opened his eyes and stood upright.

"Alphas’," he began respectfully, bowing slightly, "Alpha Noah is currently experiencing sleep paralysis. He seems to have been drugged, but he will wake up soon. All he needs at the moment is some rest."

Drugged.

The word lingered in the air.

I kept my face composed, allowing a flicker of shock to pass through my features as though this revelation was unexpected to me.

"The noise wouldn’t be good for him," the healer continued. "I will give him some drugs now."

He turned away and bent over Noah again, preparing whatever mixture he needed.

And I felt it.

Relief.

Deep. Steady. Cooling the panic that had been threatening to expose me.

He would wake up soon.

That was fine.

By then, the narrative would already be planted.

I slowly lifted my gaze and locked eyes with Daniel.

If looks could wound, mine would have cut deep.

He stood there still, tense, observant. Watching everything too closely. Too intelligently.

He was dangerous.

A perfect match for Maria.

The thought irritated me more than I expected.

They both carried that same defiant spark. That same unwillingness to bow quietly.

And together... they could become a problem.

I studied him carefully, memorizing the way he held himself, the quiet calculation behind his eyes.

Yes.

He was a threat.

But threats could be managed.

A thought flashed through my mind suddenly, sharp and clear.

And before I could stop myself, a sly smirk spread across my lips.

Subtle.

Brief.

Gone before anyone else could catch it.

If I couldn’t pin this directly on Maria tonight, there were other ways.

Better ways.

"Everyone is dismissed," Adrien’s voice rang out firmly, reclaiming control of the room. "Alpha Noah needs his space to recover."

Authority returned to the space instantly.

The crowd began to disperse slowly, whispers trailing as they moved toward the corridor. One by one, they filed out, casting lingering glances at Maria... at Daniel... at my brothers.

I remained by the door, watching them leave.

When the last of them stepped outside, I closed the door gently behind them.

The click of it shutting felt symbolic.

Private.

Controlled.

One of the guards approached me hesitantly.

"Ms. Anabel," he said quietly, lowering his head slightly, "I did as I was told by the guards before coming here, but I couldn’t relate it to her."

I glanced at him briefly.

He was referring to the message I had signaled earlier, the arrangement, the timing of the healer’s arrival. I had made sure everything aligned perfectly.

But in the end, Daniel’s interference had disrupted the final piece.

I couldn’t fully pin it on Maria.

Not yet.

Still, the foundation had been laid.

"Don’t worry," I said smoothly, my voice calm and reassuring. "You did well."

He visibly relaxed.

"I have another plan in store for her," I added quietly.

And I meant it.

If this path didn’t destroy her, another would.

I turned my gaze back toward Noah, who lay peacefully on the bed as the healer worked beside him.

Everything would unfold exactly as it needed to.

Maria might have escaped this round.

Daniel might think he had disrupted something.

But the game was far from over.

And I never played to lose.