Chapter 26

• Bustan was pacing in the warroom still pondering how Nate was able to bypass his defenses. The attack on the palace by Nate and his hunters had shaken everyone, but what disturbed him most was how easily Nate had bypassed their defenses.
• There had to be an informant. Someone within the palace had fed Nate information, and Bustan had a strong suspicion of who it could be: Kim.
• Kim had never been fully trusted by everyone. Her cold demeanor and distant attitude made her an outlier among the ranks. But she had proven herself as a skilled Alpha, capable of leading the she-wolves and holding her own in battle. Bustan had granted her that position, giving her a chance to prove her loyalty, but now doubt clouded his every thought. The other day she led Olivia into the hunters trap, every evidence pointed in her direction.
• He stormed through the hallways. When he reached Kim’s quarters, he didn’t bother knocking. He pushed the door open and found her sitting at the table, sharpening a blade. She looked up, surprised but not alarmed, she had been expecting him afterall.
• “Lycan King,” she said, her tone calm, though her eyes flickered with something more dangerous. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
• Bustan wasted no time. “You’re the informant,” he said, his voice low and accusing. “Nate couldn’t have gotten past our defenses without someone on the inside, and I know it’s you.”
• Kim raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. “You think I would betray the palace? Betray you?” She stood, slowly, carefully. “That’s quite the accusation, my Alpha.”
• “I don’t think, I know” Bustan growled, stepping closer. “You’ve been distant, secretive. And Nate’s attack was too precise. He knew exactly where our weaknesses were.”
• Kim let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. “I’ve been distant because I’ve been doing my job, Lycan Bustan. Training the she-wolves, fortifying our defenses, keeping this palace safe. If you think I’ve been secretly working for Nate, you’re mistaken.”
• Her words didn’t sway Bustan. He narrowed his eyes, studying her every movement, searching for any sign of guilt. “You’re lying.”
• Kim met his gaze head-on, her expression hardening. “I’ve served you faithfully, Lycan Bustan. I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. If you want to punish me for something I haven’t done, go ahead. But you’re wasting your time. I’m not your enemy.”
• Her defiance only stoked Bustan’s anger further. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check. “Until you can prove your innocence, you’re on probation. No more training, no more leadership. You have a few days to bring me proof that you’re not working with Nate. If you fail, I’ll deal with you accordingly.”
• Kim’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she nodded, her eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and frustration. “Fine. I’ll prove to you that I’m loyalty.”
• *******
• Kim had to pack her things and leave the palace. She went back to her homely quarters. Her mind was racing with different thoughts, Why does the Lycan distrust her? Did Olivia set her up to get her out of the Palace? How had she gotten herself into this mess? She was everything evil but never disloyal to Bustan.
• It was true that she hadn’t aided Nate—at least, not yet. But now, with the threat of punishment looming over her, her thoughts began to shift. Bustan’s treatment of her, the lack of trust after all her years of service, burned deep in her chest. She had worked tirelessly for the palace, trained countless she-wolves, yet here she was, treated like an outsider.
• The knock at her door pulled her out of her thoughts. She opened it cautiously, her eyes widening in shock when she saw who stood before her.
• Nate.
• Dressed in his usual dark attire, his presence oozed danger and power. He smirked when he saw her reaction, stepping into her quarters without waiting for an invitation.
• “What are you doing here?” Kim hissed, shutting the door behind him. “You shouldn’t be here. Bustan’s already suspicious of me. He might have men monitoring my quarters.”
• Nate chuckled, leaning against the wall. “Oh, I know. That’s why I’m here.”
• Kim frowned, crossing her arms. “What do you want?”
• “I want to propose a deal,” Nate said, his voice smooth, but the underlying threat was clear. “You’re on probation, right? Bustan doesn’t trust you, and we both know he’s not going to give you a fair chance to clear your name. Why keep serving someone who doesn’t see your worth?”
• Kim’s heart raced, but she forced herself to remain calm. “What are you suggesting?”
• Nate stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with cold ambition. “Join me. Be my ally. Help me take down Bustan and Olivia, I know you've always hated Olivia. I'll give you an opportunity to punish her properly and I’ll make sure you’re rewarded. You’ll have power, real power, not this half-life you’re living under Bustan’s rule. He’s never going to trust you again, Kim. But I can because I know you were really loyal to Bustan.”
• Kim stared at him, her mind racing. The offer was tempting, especially after how Bustan had treated her. She had served him for years, and in return, he had cast her aside the moment suspicion fell on her. Nate, on the other hand, was offering her a chance to rise above it all, to seize power in her own right.
• But could she really betray the palace? Betray Bustan? Even if he no longer trusted her, it still felt like a line she wasn’t sure she could cross and was she ready to be the villain of the brother's fight. Oh but then she's been the villain all her life.
• Nate watched her hesitation and smiled, as if he could sense her internal struggle. “Think about it, Kim. You don’t owe Bustan anything. He’s made it clear where you stand with him. You can either spend the rest of your life under his suspicion or stand by my side and claim what’s rightfully yours.”
• Kim clenched her fists, torn between loyalty and ambition. Bustan’s treatment of her still stung, and part of her wanted to prove him wrong, to show him that he should never have doubted her. But at the same time, the idea of aligning with Nate felt like stepping into dangerous territory.
• “What do you want from me?” she asked, her voice quieter now, betraying her indecision.
• Nate smiled, knowing he had her. “I want information. I need to know everything about Bustan’s defenses, his strategies, his weaknesses. I need you to help me plant discord and distrust in the palace. Secrets deaths. I want you to fight with me.”
• Kim swallowed hard. This was it—the moment where she had to choose. Serve Bustan, the Alpha who no longer trusted her, or join forces with Nate, the one offering her a way out.
• The temptation was too great.
• “Fine,” she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. “I’ll help you.”
• Nate’s smile widened, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Good choice, Kim. You won’t regret this.”