Chapter 13: Not an easy death

"Your Highness, why did you let them go?" Jeremy asked as soon as Andrew returned to the drawing room.

His elder brother, Ilias, was nowhere to be seen, which meant he had already left for the capital with the royal decree delivered by their mother.

"Jeremy, it’s not as simple as it seems," Miller explained before Andrew could answer. "Caroline’s case is weak. She has no solid evidence left to prove her accusations."

He glanced at Andrew. The Alpha Prince was unusually calm, and Miller knew that expression well enough. Andrew’s calmness usually meant he was already planning something that would make everyone else regret crossing him.

"Announce to the media that Andrew Kensington has found his mate and will soon marry her," Andrew ordered.

Miller’s eyes widened. "But, Your Highness, what about the woman the palace already announced as your future wife?"

Jeremy nodded in agreement, clearly confused by Andrew’s decision as well.

"Why should I care about that?" Andrew asked coldly. "My parents didn’t hesitate to let criminals walk free. Not one criminal, but two. Nina was involved in the murder of Caroline’s family and the death of her pup, yet they still protected her because of her status."

His expression hardened.

"Let the kingdom know that I have found my mate. I don’t care what the palace announced before. Just do what you’re told."

Andrew paused before adding, "And don’t let anyone enter this mansion without my permission. I don’t want anyone disturbing Caroline."

"Should I reveal your mate’s name?" Miller asked.

"Of course," Andrew replied without hesitation.

Miller nodded and bowed respectfully. "Yes, Your Highness."

He turned around and left the mansion, heading straight for the media house to deliver Andrew’s announcement to the kingdom.

"Your Highness, how are we supposed to uncover the truth now?" Jeremy asked, frustration evident in his voice. He clenched his fists as he continued, "I should have arrested that pack doctor who examined Miss Caroline. If we had questioned them, we might have had some evidence to work with."

"Send someone to keep an eye on Victor’s movements," Andrew ordered calmly. "He believes Nina’s support will protect him from me forever. But he’s mistaken."

Jeremy nodded. "Princess Nina is planning to marry Victor. I overheard their conversation when they were leaving for the Crystal Moon Pack."

Andrew’s lips curled into a slow grin.

"That’s even better," he replied.

~~~~~

Nina ordered the driver to stop the car as soon as they were outside her brother’s ruling territory. The vehicle came to a halt in the middle of a deserted stretch of road, with nothing but dense trees and empty land surrounding them.

"What happened? Why did you ask the driver to stop here?" Victor asked in confusion as he looked through the window. "It’s such a deserted place."

Nina didn’t answer. She opened the door and stepped out of the car without saying a word.

Victor frowned before getting out from the other side and walking toward her. "Nina, what’s wrong?"

He barely finished speaking before Nina suddenly raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.

The force of the blow snapped Victor’s head to the side. A sharp pain shot through his cheek and spread along his jaw and into his neck. He stared at Nina in disbelief, completely caught off guard by her sudden attack.

"Did you sleep with her?" Nina demanded.

"No! Why would I ever sleep with an omega?" Victor frowned, clearly irritated by the accusation.

"Don’t lie to me, Victor!" Nina shouted, her eyes flashing a dangerous deep pink. "I don’t believe Caroline’s words. But my brother? He never lies. Andrew wouldn’t have dragged you out of the pack if he had even the slightest doubt about what Caroline told him."

She stepped closer, her anger growing with every word.

"Did you order someone to kill her parents? And how long have you been cheating on me?" she demanded.

Victor’s throat suddenly felt dry. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

He couldn’t tell Nina the truth. Caroline had always been his true mate, and he had betrayed her by choosing Nina instead. If he admitted that now, everything would turn against him. Nina would never forgive him, and Andrew would have even more reason to punish him.

Victor lowered his gaze, desperately trying to think of a way out of the situation without revealing what he had done.

"Just tell me the truth, because if I find out you’re lying to me, you won’t live long enough to regret it," Nina warned him.

Victor swallowed nervously before forcing himself to meet her gaze.

"She was in heat and came to me," he lied. "You must have seen how difficult it is for omegas to control themselves during their heats. She knew exactly what she was doing."

Nina’s expression remained cold, but Victor continued before she could interrupt him.

"That’s why I ordered her elimination. As for the pup she was carrying, I have no idea who the father was. It could have been anyone’s."

He took a breath, carefully choosing his next words.

"Ask anyone in the pack about Caroline. You’ll learn what kind of woman she really was. She has always known how to manipulate people and make herself look innocent."

Victor knew exactly how to turn the situation against Caroline. If he repeated the same story often enough, people would eventually start believing it. And now that Caroline had no evidence left to defend herself, he could make the kingdom believe whatever he wanted.

Thankfully, he had already destroyed every piece of evidence connected to her pregnancy.

Nina grabbed Victor by the collar and pulled him closer, her eyes burning with anger.

"Did you not hear what I said?" she shouted. "Andrew would never lie about something like this. He can be dangerous once he gets his hands on evidence, and the worst part is that he won’t give you an easy death if he finds out the truth."

Her grip tightened around his collar before she finally released him.

"I love you, Victor. That’s why I’m giving you a chance to tell me the truth. You have one day. Come clean before me before I find out the truth from someone else."

With that, Nina shoved him backward. Victor stumbled a few steps but quickly regained his balance.

Nina turned around, climbed into the backseat of the car, and slammed the door behind her, leaving Victor standing alone on the deserted road.