At Winterwater Pack…
Davin paced restlessly in the throne room, his expression thunderous. The guards stationed nearby dared not approach him, wary of the storm brewing in his eyes.
"Has he eaten?" Sia questioned the maids at the entrance. They exchanged nervous glances before shaking their heads.
"All because of that wretched girl," Sia hissed, clenching her fists. She still couldn't accept that their sacred ritual had been interrupted.
"Your Majesty, the witches have arrived," a guard announced, bowing slightly.
"Let them in," Sia instructed, making her way toward Davin, who continued pacing, his fists tightly clenched.
"The witches are here. We'll have answers soon," Sia tried to reassure him, but Davin shook his head, his frustration mounting.
How could someone dare step into his pack and disrupt his ritual?And all for Lisa? Who in their right mind would risk so much for her?
"Alpha Davin," two witches entered the room, their presence instantly commanding attention. Davin drew his sword, pointing it at them without hesitation.
"You'd better explain what happened last night. Who was the man in the cloak?" he demanded. He had his suspicions but needed confirmation.
"Klaus—the Demon King," the younger of the witches, Ariel, answered.
Davin chuckled darkly. "So, my suspicions were right."
"We managed to obtain a sample of Lisa's blood and ran some tests," Ariel continued. "Apparently, she carries demon blood."
Sia's brow arched. "Is she a demon?"
"No," Ariel clarified. "She's married to the Demon King."
Sia burst into laughter. "You can't be serious!"
"She is my bride!" Davin roared furiously. The mere thought of Lisa belonging to another man—especially Klaus—sent a rage through him. She was his. She had always been his.
"Davin?" Sia faltered. What does he mean, Lisa is his bride?
The witches exchanged unsure glances before choosing to stick to the purpose of their visit.
"We were uncertain whether the ritual would still allow you to obtain the Shred Mark using Lisa's blood," Ariel explained. "But now, we're one hundred percent sure—you will definitely get the mark if she dies."
A slow, wicked smile spread across Sia's face.
"Then perform the ritual."
"Lisa is with the Demon King," Ariel reminded them. "We can't proceed without her."
"I'll bring her back," Davin swore. Even if he had to turn the entire world upside down, he wouldn't stop until Lisa was in his grasp again.
---
Meanwhile…
Lisa stood before the stables, arms folded just beneath her chest, her lips pressed together in a firm line—perhaps to stop herself from crying.
"Everything is a mess."
She wasn't part of her pack anymore. Now, she was here—married to a man older than her entire ancestor line. And his son? His son was the same age as the oldest, frailest elder back in her pack—the one who couldn't stand without assistance.
A gruff voice caught her attention.
"Did you get everything?"
Lisa turned slightly, spotting two men conversing behind the stables.
What are they doing there? she wondered, preparing to leave—until their next words froze her in place.
"Yes. His downfall is tonight… let's just hope he goes to his chambers."
Lisa's eyes widened.
Who are they talking about?
"He always returns to his chambers—he doesn't spend the night with his wives," the other voice responded.
Lisa's breath hitched.
"Klaus."
Realization struck her like a lightning bolt. She immediately pivoted, sprinting toward the palace.
The two demons suddenly stiffened, sensing movement.
"Someone was here," Vorgath growled, his hands balling into fists.
"I don't think so," Klaus's guard replied. "I didn't sense any demon nearby."
Vorgath's expression darkened. "It's her. That's why we couldn't detect anything."
Demons could always sense the presence of their own kind, but Lisa… she wasn't one of them. They had spoken freely, unaware that an outsider had overheard.
"Return to your post," Vorgath ordered. "I have something else to take care of."
---
Lisa rushed through the palace halls, frantically checking every chamber, but Klaus was nowhere to be found.
Where did he go?Frustration gnawed at her.
She flinched when a hand suddenly rested on her shoulder. Spinning around, she found herself face-to-face with Beckam.
"What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost," Beckam observed, narrowing her eyes.
"Just now…I heard.."
Lisa hesitated. She couldn't just blurt out what she had overheard—especially not to Beckam, who clearly disliked her.
"What did you hear?" Beckam questioned anxiously but Lisa shook her head.
"It's nothing," Lisa finally said. "I'm just… stressed."
Beckam raised a skeptical brow. "Really?"
"Where can I find Klaus?" Lisa asked, quickly changing the subject.
Beckam let out a soft chuckle. "You do realize only Maradona is allowed to address him by name, right?"
Lisa frowned. Why?
"But go ahead," Beckam added with a smirk. "I doubt the King will mind."
She pointed toward a massive hourglass mounted on the wall at the corridor's end.
"Once both sides of the glass are equally filled, he'll return to the palace."
Lisa followed her gaze to the hourglass, noting that one side was still largely empty.
So, he won't be back anytime soon.
Sighing in resignation, Lisa turned and walked back to her chambers, shutting the door behind her.
What's in his chamber? What were those men planning?
She sat on the bed, lost in thought.
A loud knock at the door startled her.
Lisa rose, expecting Beckam—but instead, she was met with a stranger.
The man exuded hostility, his very presence radiating hate for Lisa.
Why does he hate me? Well… all the demons do, Lisa thought.
"Lady Lisa," he greeted, his tone eerily polite. "I wish to have a word with you, can you please step out of your chamber ?"
Lisa's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
"Vorgath. Maradona's brother," he introduced himself.
Lisa's stomach clenched. Now she could put the pieces together, this was the man from the stable…she couldn't forget his voice.
She instinctively stepped back, piecing everything together.
"Why do you want to talk to me?" she asked cautiously.
Vorgath chuckled. "I think you already know."
Lisa shook her head. "I have nothing to discuss with you. Now, if you'll excuse me—"
She attempted to close the door, but Vorgath swiftly blocked it with his hand.
"Are you sure?" His voice dropped, his tone laced with unspoken threat.
Lisa felt a chill creep up her spine.
"Uncle."
Ethan's voice came from behind them. Vorgath turned, forcing a smile.
"Oh, Ethan," he greeted, his demeanor shifting.
Ethan stepped forward, placing himself between Vorgath and Lisa.
"Uncle, what are you doing?" Ethan asked pointedly. "You know it's forbidden for any male to enter the Queen's chambers without the King's permission."
Vorgath gestured at his feet. "I didn't enter. I was merely asking where to find Maradona." He shot Lisa a lingering look before stepping back.
"She's in the library," Ethan stated flatly.
Vorgath nodded and Ethan raised a brow
"I am sure this is your cue to leave" Ethan added and Vorgang chuckled lightly before leaving.
Ethan turned to Lisa. "Are you alright, my lady?"
Lisa blinked, still struggling to reconcile the fact that this was Klaus and Maradona's son.
"Hmm," she nodded, though her mind was far from at ease.
Ethan scratched his nose. "I'm heading into town. Would you like to join me? Staying in the palace all day can be dull."
Lisa hesitated. The idea was tempting, but she couldn't shake the memory of the last time she had ventured into town—she had barely escaped with her life.
"Thank you for the kind offer, Prince Ethan, but I'll have to decline."
Ethan's smile faltered slightly, but he nodded in understanding. It was her wish.
"Oh, and don't worry—no male demon can enter your chambers without the King's approval. So don't let Vorgath intimidate you," Ethan reassured her before walking away.
Lisa exhaled deeply.
If Vorgath came all the way here, then he must know I overheard them.
She clenched her fists.
I have to stop Klaus from spending the night in his chamber. That was her mission now.