Chapter 83: Chapter 83 The Poison Runs Deep
Phoebe’s POV
"Phoebe!" Cameron’s roar made me flinch. His fury was palpable, and I could see his hand twitching as if he wanted to strike me. The only thing holding him back was our location - the palace walls and the king’s favor protecting me from his wrath.
"Kevin’s rotting in the dungeon. We need him for the plan," Cameron hissed, lowering his voice but not his intensity. His reminder of my supposed commitment to destroy the king felt like ice in my veins.
"I’ve changed my mind." I turned to face him directly, my decision crystallizing with each word. "I won’t do it. You’re asking me to commit murder against the king. I never truly agreed to that."
"It’s too late. You’re already in this mess."
"I’m not part of your sick game," I shot back, steel in my voice.
My resolve had finally solidified. Whatever twisted plan Kevin had orchestrated, I wanted no part of it. After everything he’d done to me - the lies, the manipulation, the complete lack of remorse - I didn’t care if he died in that dungeon. Maybe his death would even cripple the Movement, though I wasn’t certain he was the true leader.
But if Kevin was important enough to their cause, his demise might be exactly what we needed. Let him rot. I had my own plan now - convincing Perry to end this war through diplomacy rather than bloodshed. It might take years, but I could feel him warming to me already.
Cameron’s grip on my arm turned vicious, his fingers digging into my flesh as his voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "Yes, you are part of this. You poisoned the king. If we fall, you’re coming down with us."
I tried to wrench my arm free, but his hold was iron. "I’ll tell the king everything and beg his forgiveness."
"You think he’ll forgive you? How pathetically naive."
His words struck deep, but I refused to let doubt cloud my judgment. "He will. He’s my mate."
Cameron released me with a shove, his face twisted with rage. "Go ahead. See what your precious king does to you. Just remember this, Phoebe - you won’t walk away clean. If you betray us, you’re going down with us."
"I’m not betraying anyone. I never committed to your schemes." I met his glare with my own before turning my back on him.
I left the room and immediately sought out Perry.
"King Perry is in the strategy room, my lady. He received urgent news and is meeting with the high-ranking officials," a warrior informed me.
The timing couldn’t be worse. When I pressed for details, the warrior could only shrug - he wasn’t important enough to know classified information.
"Thank you." Anxiety gnawed at me as I headed back to my chambers, but I couldn’t shake the restless energy. I needed answers, and if something major was happening, it likely involved the Movement.
I decided to find Mason in the omega quarters.
Her bubbly personality made her easy to locate. One of the omegas practically bounced as she offered to escort me to Mason’s room, clearly thrilled to help the king’s mate.
"You look absolutely radiant, my lady. The king must be overjoyed to finally find his destined mate."
I managed a smile and thanked her for the kind words before knocking on Mason’s door. "Thank you, Violet."
"Anytime, my lady." She bowed before departing.
The lock clicked from inside, and Mason’s surprised face appeared in the doorway.
"Can I come in?" I kept my tone gentle, remembering how poorly our last conversation had ended.
——
Perry’s POV
"Poison," Perry said grimly, the word hanging heavy in the air. "The same poison as before?"
Twelve elders sat at their designated places around the strategy table, joined by five senior warriors, the royal beta, and the royal gamma flanking their king.
"Yes, alpha," Kim confirmed, his expression dark. The senior warrior had just returned from the frontline with devastating news. The warriors had been slowly poisoned, the symptoms so gradual they hadn’t realized what was happening until it was almost too late.
Only after learning about the healer’s murder in the palace had they thought to check the sick warriors. The diagnosis confirmed their worst fears.
"Most felt sluggish but didn’t complain until they started collapsing during training," Kim added.
"This has to be the same group," Flynn snarled. "Their organization is too sophisticated for amateurs. Someone’s orchestrating a rebellion against the crown."
"We need to investigate everyone in the palace," Elder Tricia suggested after a tense silence.
"Agreed, but screening thousands of people will take considerable time," another elder pointed out.
"The omega. The kitchen omega," Perry said suddenly, pieces clicking into place. "The poison at the frontline came through contaminated food. If they targeted our warriors there, they’re doing the same here. Helen must have discovered something that forced them to eliminate her immediately."
The theory made perfect sense to everyone in the room.
