21 Chapter 21: A Hidden Hand
“I didn’t…” Seraphina whispered, her voice barely audible. “I didn’t poison myself.”
Kaelen’s grip on her shoulders tightened. His green eyes blazed with fury and something else- fear, perhaps–that made her heart race despite her weakened state.
“Don’t lie to me,” he growled. “The healer confirmed it was Moonshade Blossom. A poison used specifically for—”
“Suicide,” Ronan finished, his usually charming face hard as stone as he stood at the foot of her bed. “Are you saying someone else poisoned you?”
Seraphina tried to push herself up, but her arms trembled under her weight. She fell back against the pillows, frustration building inside her chest. How could she make them understand when they were so determined to believe the worst of her?
“Yes,” she insisted, meeting each triplet’s gaze. “I would never… I wouldn’t do that.”
Orion scoffed, pacing beside the window. “Then who? Who would want to poison you?”
The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. Who wouldn’t? she thought bitterly. In this pack, she had no shortage of enemies.
“I remember…” Seraphina closed her eyes, forcing her foggy mind to recall the moments before she collapsed. “A maid brought me juice. I’ve never seen her before. She had… dark hair, pulled back tight. Thin lips.”
Kaelen released her shoulders abruptly, stepping back. “Convenient. A mysterious maid no one
has seen.”
“I’m not lying!” Seraphina’s voice cracked, tears of frustration gathering in her eyes. “Why would I try to kill myself? After everything I’ve survived, why would I give up now?”
The triplets exchanged glances, doubt evident in their expressions.
“Sera, Ronan said, his voice softer than his brothers‘, “you’ve been through a lot. After what happened with your father’s death, and then with us… with what Kaelen did…”
“No.” She shook her head vehemently, ignoring the pain that radiated through her skull with the movement. “I know what this looks like, but I’m telling you the truth. Someone tried to kill me.”
Orion slammed his hand against the wall, making her flinch. “Enough! The healer said this poison is difficult to administer to someone else. It’s bitter–you would have tasted it immediately unless you chose to drink it.”
Seraphina frowned, trying to remember. “The juice was sweet… overly sweet. I thought it was
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just extra honey.”
Kaelen ran a hand through his dark hair, his jaw tightening. “We’ll have the servants questioned. All of them. If what you’re saying is true—”
“It is,” she cut in.
“-then someone in our household tried to murder our mate.” He spat the words like they burned his tongue. “But until we have proof, you will be watched. Constantly.”
Seraphina felt her chest tighten. She was too weak to argue further, and they clearly didn’t believe her. What if the poisoner came back to finish the job?
“Fine,” she said finally, sinking back against the pillows. “Do what you want. You always do.”
The three brothers stared at her for a long moment, their expressions unreadable. Then, without another word, they filed out of the room, leaving her alone with her fear and confusion.
As the door closed behind them, Seraphina let out a shaky breath. Someone had tried to kill her. And her supposed protectors–her mates–thought she’d done it to herself. She was truly alone.
Minutes passed in heavy silence before the door creaked open again. Seraphina tensed, half–expecting to see the mysterious maid returning to finish what she’d started.
Instead, her mother rushed to her side, clasping her hand. “Oh, my sweet girl. I was so worried.”
Seraphina squeezed her mother’s hand weakly. “Mom,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Someone tried to kill me.”
Mrs. Moon’s eyes widened, and she glanced nervously toward the door before leaning closer. “The Alphas said you… that you might have…”
“I didn’t,” Seraphina insisted fiercely. “I wouldn’t leave you alone. Not ever.”
Her mother studied her face for a long moment before nodding slowly. “I believe you, sweetheart. I know my daughter.”
Relief flooded through Seraphina at those simple words. At least one person trusted her.
“The maid who brought me the juice–she’s not one I’ve seen before,” Seraphina explained, her voice low. “Dark hair, thin face. She wasn’t wearing the usual uniform, now that I think about it. Her apron was different.
Mrs. Moon frowned. “I’ll keep my eyes open. But right now, you need to rest and regain your strength
“How can I rest knowing someone in this house wants me dead?” Seraphina asked, fear creeping into her voice despite her efforts to sound brave.
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Her mother stroked her hair gently. “Because you’re stronger than they know. You always have been. She hesitated before adding, “The Alphas have summoned all the house staff to the main sitting room. They want you to identify the maid when you’re strong enough.”
Seraphina nodded, determination replacing some of her fear. This was her chance to prove she was telling the truth.
*Help me up,” she said, trying to push herself into a sitting position.
“Are you sure? You’re still very weak, and the healer said—”
“I’m sure, Seraphina interrupted. “I need to do this now, before whoever it is has time to disappear.
With her mother’s help, she managed to get out of bed. Her legs shook beneath her, and the room spun slightly, but she gritted her teeth and forced herself to remain upright. Mrs. Moon wrapped a robe around her shoulders and supported her as they made their slow way downstairs.
The sounds of agitated voices guided them to the main sitting room, where the triplets stood imposingly before a line of nervous–looking maids and other house staff. All conversation ceased when Seraphina entered, leaning heavily on her mother’s arm.
“What is she doing out of bed?” Kaelen demanded, striding toward them.
“I need to identify her,” Seraphina replied before her mother could answer. “The maid who poisoned me.”
Kaelen’s mouth tightened, but he nodded curtly and guided her to a chair facing the assembled staff. “Take your time. Look carefully.”
Seraphina scanned the faces before her, taking in each frightened expression, searching for the thin–lipped woman who had brought her the deadly drink. Her heart beat faster as she reached the end of the line and realized-
“She’s not here, she said, her breath catching in her throat.
“What do you mean, she’s not here?” Orion demanded. “All house staff have been summoned.”
“The person who served me the poisoned juice isn’t among them,” Seraphina insisted, scanning the faces once more to be certain. “She had dark hair pulled back severely, thin face, taller than most of the maids. She’s not here.”
Ronan stepped forward, addressing the head housekeeper. “Is anyone missing? Anyone who should be here but isn’t?”
The older woman shook her head nervously. “No, Alpha. All regular staff are accounted for.”
“So you’re saying this mysterious polsoner has vanished into thin air?” Kaelen asked Seraphina,
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skepticism dripping from his voice.
“Or was never a member of your household to begin with,” Seraphina replied, her mind racing. Who would have access to the pack house? Who could disguise themselves as a servant without raising suspicion?
The room fell silent as the implications sank in. If an outsider had infiltrated the Alpha’s home, their security had been severely compromised.
“Dismissed,” Ronan finally told the staff. “Return to your duties.”
As they filed out, Seraphina caught the triplets exchanging meaningful glances. Whatever they were thinking, they weren’t sharing it with her.
“Back to bed,” Kaelen ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re still recovering.”
“And now under guard,” Orion added, gesturing to two warriors who had materialized in the doorway. “No one enters your room without one of us present. No food or drink unless it’s been tested first.”
Seraphina felt a chill run down her spine. The measures might protect her, but they also isolated her further. Exactly what an enemy might want.
“Someone tried to kill me,” she said quietly as her mother helped her to her feet. “And they’re
still out there.”
Kaelen’s expression darkened. “We’ll find them.”
“Will you?” she asked, meeting his gaze directly. “Or are you still convinced I did this to myself?”
He didn’t answer, which was answer enough.
As her mother led her from the room, Seraphina’s mind whirled with possibilities. Someone had gotten close enough to poison her–someone who wasn’t a regular in the house. Someone with access, knowledge, and motive.
And as she climbed the stairs back to her room, one terrifying thought solidified in her mind: whoever it was, they would likely try again.
Her breath caught as she realized just how vulnerable she truly was.
