Claimed By A Midnight King

Chapter 39

Silas’s POV

I was returning to my quarters when I noticed the war room light was still on.

Late. Past midnight. Most of the tower was asleep except for the guards on rotation.

I changed direction and approached the door.

Kael was inside, bent over the defensive maps. He was marking something with careful notation. When he heard me enter, he looked up without seeming particularly startled.

“Silas,” he said. “Still awake?”

“Investigating some supply discrepancies,” I said. It wasn’t entirely a lie. “Why are you reviewing the maps at this hour?”

Kael set down his pen and leaned back.

“The Alpha asked me to assess our defensive positions,” he said. “Given the reports of Solari movement on the southern border, I thought it wise to identify any weaknesses before we brief the council again.”

It made sense. It was exactly the kind of proactive thinking I’d expect from him.

“What have you found?” I asked.

“Several positions that could be strengthened,” Kael said. He pointed to different sections of the map. “Here, the eastern approach is vulnerable if they come from the mountain pass. And here, our supply lines are too exposed. I was planning to make recommendations to the Alpha.”

I studied the maps over his shoulder. The notes were detailed. Professional. The kind of work an advisor would do.

“Good thinking,” I said. “We need every advantage if they do decide to move against us.”

“We do,” Kael agreed. He rolled up the map carefully. “I’ll present this to Dominic tomorrow. The sooner we shore up these positions, the better.”

“I’ll coordinate with you on the supply line changes,” I said. “Make sure they align with what the warriors can manage.”

“Of course,” Kael said. He moved past me toward the door. “You should get some rest, Silas. You look exhausted.”

He was right. I was exhausted. The weight of knowing something was wrong but not being able to prove it was wearing on me.

“I will,” I said. “After I finish checking the grain stores.”

Kael nodded and left.

I watched him go, then turned back to the maps he’d been studying.

The markings were methodical. Defensive positions clearly noted. Supply lines carefully marked. Everything a responsible advisor would review.

I looked closer at what he’d written.

It was all legitimate. All reasonable.

And yet something about the way he’d moved, the way he’d answered without hesitation, the way he’d known exactly what to say, it all felt practiced.

But practiced in what? In being responsible? In being prepared?

Or in lying?

I couldn’t tell.And I had no reason to think the latter.

Kael had been loyal to this pack for twenty years. He’d served three Alphas. He’d never shown any sign of disloyalty. He was cautious, yes.Conservative, perhaps. But loyal.

So I let him go.

And I went to check the grain stores,just like I’d said I would.

But part of me was still thinking about those maps. About the careful way he’d marked them. About the fact that he knew every defensive position,every weakness, every strategic point in this mountain.

And about what would he even do with that information if he ever decided to betray us?