Chapter Three Unveiling secrets
1172 Words
Alex leaned back in the leather armchair of his Palace suite swirling the amber liquid in his glass, across from him Rollo sat on the couch, arms folded behind his head, a knowing smirk on his lips.
“She won't tell me anything,” Alex said, sounding more amused than frustrated. “every time I ask about her life she dodges the question like a politician”
Rollo Chuckled. “Maybe she just doesn't want to deal with your royal baggage”. “Maybe, or maybe there's something she's hiding,” Alex said.
He set his glass down, leaning forward “I need you to look into her discreetly” “Are you serious?” Rollo asked.
“Dead serious” Alex's eyes were sharp now, his princely demeanor slipping into something more calculating. “I want to know who she is, every time we talk I feel like she's wearing a mask”
“Are you sure about this? People wear masks for a reason, Alex, maybe there's something you won't like behind hers” Rollo replied.
“That's what makes it exciting” Alex leaned back, a sly grin at the corner of his mouth. “Fine, I'll see what I can find out,” Rollo said, giving a reluctant sigh.
It didn't take long for Rollo to gather information, he had contacts in places Alex couldn't access, people who owed him favors. After a few days of quiet inquiries, he got what he was looking for: the truth about Diana.
Rollo sat in his apartment that evening staring at the papers spread across his table. It didn't make sense at first but then the more he read the clearer it became, Diana wasn't just some mystery woman from out of town.
She was a princess of the blood Moon Pack, Alex's family's oldest rival.
Rollo cursed under his breath stroking a hand through his hair. No wonder Diana had been so gathered, if anyone found out about her relationship with Alex it could spark a political disaster.
He wasn't sure how to tell Alex, his friend was as stubborn as they came, and Rollo knew that once Alex wanted something he didn't let it go easily, and Diana, whether intentionally or not, had already become one of those things.
****** *****
In the Blood Moon pack's estate, Diana stood in her father's grand study, hands behind her back as alpha Reynolds towered over her. His icy gaze bore into her, his expression hard and unforgiving.
“You know the rules, Diana,” her father said in a growling voice. “we do not associate with their kind”
“I haven't done anything wrong” Diana replied daringly, even though she felt her heart pounding in her chest.
“You've been seen on countless occasions with Alex, prince of silver fang pack, and you say you've done nothing wrong?”
Diana panicked. She hadn't thought anyone from their pack would notice her visits to the bar, she'd been careful or so she thought.
“It's nothing” Diana insisted, forcing calmness into her voice. “Just a harmless conversation, he doesn't even know who I am”
Her father's expression darkened. “Harmless? There's nothing harmless about getting involved with him. You are playing with fire Diana. Do you know what will happen if words spread? You risk everything, your position, our pack's safety, and the fragile peace we have maintained for years.
“ I know what I'm doing,” she said clenching her fists, trying as much as possible to keep her composure under her father's intimidating gaze.
“No, you don't!” Reynolds snapped. “You will end whatever this is, Now”
Diana looked away biting her lip to keep her from arguing, she knew her father well enough to recognize when he wouldn't be swayed. He rules the blood moon pack with an iron hand and expects nothing less than loyalty from his family, especially from her.
But what her father didn't understand was that she wasn't sure she wanted to end it. Meeting Alex had been like tasting freedom for the first time, freedom from the expectations, the rules, and the carefully crafted life she wore every day.
Still, she knew she had to tread carefully one wrong move and everything could fall apart.
That night, Rollo found Alex lounging in his suite, the prince looked up as Rollo entered a slow smile spreading across his face.
“Got anything for me?” Alex asked, setting his glass down.
Rollo hesitated for a moment before handing over the papers. “you're not going to like this”
Alex took the papers, scanning them rapidly, his expression remained unreadable until he reached a part about Diana's identity.
“The blood Moon Pack” Alex muttered his voice low “She's their princess” Rollo nodded “Now you see why she's been keeping secrets”
For a moment, Alex sat in silence, the papers crumpled slightly in his grip. Then to Rollo's surprise, the prince chuckled.
“Well that explains a lot,” Alex said, amusement in his eyes.
“You are taking this better than I thought,” Rollo said.
Alex leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping the armchair idly. “I've always liked a challenge”
Rollo shook his head in disbelief. “You do realize this isn't just some game, right? If anyone finds out about you two…”
“I know “ Alex cut in, his expression dark “but that doesn't mean I'm going to back off” Rollo sighed. “You really think this is worth the risk?”
“Absolutely,” Alex said with a wide, sharp, and confident grin.
Rollo rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the weight of what was coming. Whatever happens next, it won't be simple. And if Alex insisted on pursuing Diana, things were bound to get messy, fast.
At the Blood Moon estate, Diana stood by her bedroom window gazing out at the moonlight her father's words echoed in her mind but her thoughts kept drifting back to Alex. His easy smile, his sharp wit, the way he looked at her like she wasn't just another piece in a political game.
She knew the danger ahead, but for the first time in a long while she felt alive.
A soft knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts, her younger brother peeked in, concern in his eyes.
“Are you okay?” He asked quietly.
Diana forced a smile. “I'm fine”
He lingered for a moment, then gave a small nod and slipped away, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Diana closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She knew what her father expected of her and she knew the consequences of disobedience.
But as she stood there, bathed in the silver glow of the moon, one thought refused to leave her mind;
What if, just this once, I didn't do what I was told?
- Writer
