The Alpha's Debt the King's Claim novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: Why She Ran

I did not knock.

The king's study was at the end of the east corridor, and the guards at the door let me through without a word.

That alone told me he had given the order.

Evander stood at a tall window with his back to me and a map of the border pinned open behind him.

A lamp burned on the desk, and a decanter stood untouched.

"You let her go," I said.

He did not turn.

"Two guards uncrossed their spears," I said. "I watched you lift your fingers. She ran through a window with the whole court watching, and you let her."

"I did."

I had expected him to deny it.

It took the wind out of me for a moment.

"Why?" I said.

"Because I need her alive."

"She tried to kill me with a pinch of silver in a teacup."

"She tried to frame you for it," he said, and turned. "It's not the same."

His eyes were tired.

"Somebody sold her the silver. She didn't grind that dust herself, and she didn't pay for it from the Alpha's purse. If she's caught tonight, she'll scream and cry and swear it was jealousy, and Torin Brackley will forgive her in a week. If I follow her, I find who supplies her."

"You could have told me that in the hall."

"You'd have asked me how I knew she had a supplier."

"How do you know?"

He did not answer.

"I don't trust that," I said.

"I know you don't."

He crossed to the desk and opened a drawer.

"Your hand is bleeding."

I looked down.

My left palm had split along the old burn scar, probably when Torin shoved me, and I had gripped the court bench so hard that the scar had opened again.

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