THE FORGOTTEN WOLF PRINCESS

CHAPTER 9: A traitor among us.

ELIZA POV

The palace corridors were silent at this hour, only the occasional creaks of old wood and the distant footsteps of guards making their rounds. I pressed myself against the cold stone wall, counting the seconds between each patrol, my heart hammering so loudly I was certain someone would hear it.

One,two,three,four.

The guard's footsteps faded around the corner.

I exhaled slowly and slipped from my hiding spot, my bare feet making no sound against the polished floor. The hem of my dark gown scrubbed the stones as I moved.

I clutched the rolled parchment beneath my gown,detailed maps of the palace defenses, guard rotation schedules, the locations of the hidden passages. Everything Sebastian had asked for.

I reached the servants' stairwell and paused, pressing my ear against the door. I pushed it open to slip through, then began my descent into the bowels of the palace.

The air grew colder with each step,the scent of earth and mildew. The torches here were spaced apart, their light creating pools of shadow. My breath came out in visible puffs, and I pulled my gown tighter around my shoulders.

At the bottom of the stairs, an iron door stood locked and bolted. I pulled out the key I had stolen from the head guard's quarters. The mechanism of the door turned with a soft click that sounded deafening in the quiet.

The door swung open and a tunnel was revealed,it was carved into the rock beneath the palace. This passage had been built centuries ago as an escape route for the royal family.

The tunnel was lit by enchanted stones embedded in the walls that gave off a faint blue glow. Water dripped in the darkness, each drop echoing like a countdown.

Drip,drip,drip.

The memory of Lyra's ball party came in,thalia and I, standing at the ceremony, watching as Damian placed the purple rose,the royal symbol,in Lyra's hair.

The omega's daughter,the bastard child. The one who should have been nothing.

But she had everything,Damian's attention,his protection,his love, even if neither of them had named it yet,I will make sure I take everything from her.

While Thalia and I,legitimate daughters of an Alpha had nothing.

"It's not fair," I whispered to the empty tunnel, my voice bouncing back at me. "It's not fair."

I emerged from the tunnel into a small cave that opened onto the forest. Moonlight shined through the entrance, painting everything in shades of silver and black.

Sebastian was already there,waiting.

He looked different than he had at the ball. His eyes held a coldness that made my skin prickle,but he smiled when he saw me, and for a moment, he looked like the charming king.

"Eliza," he said, "Right on time."

"I can't stay long." I glanced over my shoulder at the tunnel entrance. "The guards change shifts in twenty minutes. If I'm not back in my chambers by then..."

"I understand." He stepped closer, and I fought the urge to step back. "Did you bring what I asked for?"

My hand tightened on the parchment. I could throw the maps into the stream running through the cave and run back to the palace. I could confess everything to Father, beg for mercy, accept whatever punishment came,but I would do no such thing,if I do that, then what? Lyra would still have a chance to be the chosen Luna. Damian would still look at her with those soft eyes while looking through Thalia and me as if we were furniture.

I pulled out the parchment and held it out. Sebastian took it, his fingers brushed mine.

"Guard rotations," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "The schedule for the next month and the locations of the wards around the palace perimeter."

Sebastian unrolled the parchment, his eyes scanning the contents. A slow smile spread across his face. "Excellent. This is exactly what I need."

"For what?" The question escaped before I could stop it.

His eyes lifted to meet mine. "Does it matter?"

I glanced at him,he did not tell me his plans,he only ordered me around.

"No. I suppose it doesn't." I finally replied.

"Good." He rolled the parchment back up and tucked it inside his coat. "Your cooperation will be rewarded, Eliza. I promised you that."

"You promised Thalia and me power," I said, "You promised that if we helped you, we would have positions of honor in your court."

"you will." He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, the gesture almost tender. "Once Lyra is mine and Damian is dealt with, you and your sister will have everything you deserve."

"What about Father? The Avalon pack?"

"Your father will bend the knee or be replaced." Sebastian's voice held no emotion, "As for the pack, those who swear loyalty to me will be spared..." he shrugged.

"I'm going to do what's necessary." His hand fell away from my face. "War requires sacrifice, Eliza,surely you understand that,do you not?”

"I understand," I whispered.

"Good." He turned away, looking out at the forest. "There's one more thing I need."

" What?"

"Lyra. I need to know her exact location at all times. Her schedule, her routines, when she's alone, who guards her." He looked back at me. "Can you get me that information?"

"She's in Velmoria,under Damian's protection. I don't have access"

"But your father does." Sebastian's smile was sharp. "Alpha Adrian receives reports from Damian's court about his daughter's wellbeing. Those reports must include details about her security arrangements. Does he not?"

“I do not know,” I replied bluntly.

"But I'll try to get you the information," I heard myself say.

" That's good,soon we will all be gods."

He chuckled.

"Go," he said.

I turned and fled into the tunnel. Behind me, I felt Sebastian's deadly glares,piercing me.

My feet carried me through the passage in a daze.

When I emerged back into the servants' stairwell, I locked the door behind me. The key felt like it weighed a thousand pounds as I slipped it back into my pocket.

I climbed the stairs slowly, listening for any sign that my absence had been noticed but the palace remained quiet, its occupants lost in sleep, unaware that a viper moved through their midst.

When I reached my chambers, I slipped inside and locked the door. Only then did I allow myself to collapse against it, sliding down to sit on the floor.

I pulled myself up off the floor and moved to my window,in the distance, I

could see the lights of the palace,

I would give Sebastian everything he needed to capture lyra