Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle
Chapter 96: Missions.

Chapter 96: Missions.

Sorayah let out a sharp scoff of disbelief, every muscle in her body taut with frustration and dread.

"I can’t do that, Your Highness. Are you trying to put me at a dead end?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief as her gaze narrowed. "Serving under the Alpha Emperor as a maid is already more than enough. I don’t want to burden myself with another duty by spying on him."

"Just do as you’re told, Sorayah," Dimitri replied firmly, his voice sharp with authority. "I’ll speak with you later concerning this issue. For now, return to my manor. I have to see the Emperor. We’ll discuss the rest when I return."

With those clipped words and seriousness etched into his tone, Dimitri turned and exited the room, leaving Sorayah standing alone, her thoughts racing.

. . .

Not long after leaving Lupien’s palace to return to Dimitri’s manor, Sorayah was summoned by none other than Lady Arata.

As she entered Arata’s chamber, Sorayah dipped her head respectfully. "Greetings, my lady. I hope you’ve been well. You summoned me?"

"Yes, I did Sorayah," Arata replied, seated with effortless elegance on a cushion beside a lacquered table, leisurely brewing tea in a delicate porcelain set. "Take a seat."

"Thank you," Sorayah murmured politely as she settled onto the cushion, eyes fixed on Arata’s graceful movements.

"You’re one lucky maid," Arata began with a thin smile. "You were sent to war, and yet, you came back alive. Now, I hear you’re carrying the child of His Highness, the Beta Lord." She chuckled softly, pouring herself a cup of tea. "From now on, you should start calling me sister. After all, even if you’re serving under the Alpha Emperor as punishment, you’ll eventually become the Beta Lord’s concubine."

"I wouldn’t dare presume such familiarity, my lady," Sorayah replied carefully, a forced smile tugging at her lips though her eyes remained guarded. "Even if I become the Beta Lord’s concubine, I will always regard you as my superior."

Arata’s smile widened, her expression full of smug satisfaction. "Besides," Sorayah added pointedly, "it was thanks to you that I spent the night with His Highness and am now pregnant with his child."

"Oh, so you figured that out," Arata said, swirling her tea slowly before taking a sip. "You’re quite clever. I didn’t expect less. See? I did you a favor. You’ll become both a concubine and my sister."

"I’m truly grateful, Your Highness," Sorayah said smoothly as she rose from her seat and knelt before Arata, bowing her head low. "Thank you for your grace. From this day forward, I am at your service. Whatever you need of me, I’ll carry it out without hesitation."

Sorayah’s heart burned with quiet resolve. Dimitri had been right.....there was something deeply suspicious about Arata. Perhaps, if she played her role well, she might gain access to more information about Lily’s death. Becoming Dimitri’s concubine would grant her greater access to resources, and she intended to use every ounce of it.

Arata let out a light, satisfied laugh. "I’m glad to hear that. You may go now. I’ll summon you when I need your assistance. It won’t be long, so be prepared."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Sorayah said with another deep bow. "This humble servant takes her leave."

Arata nodded in acknowledgment, her sharp gaze never leaving Sorayah’s back as she exited the room.

The moment the door clicked shut, a curtain rustled behind Arata. A maid emerged from behind it, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Do you really think you can use her?" the maid asked, her gaze lingering on the closed door. "She’s a tough one....doesn’t seem like the kind of woman who submits easily."

"She won’t have a choice," Arata said coolly, picking up her teacup once more. "Even the hardest stones crack under enough pressure. I have something she won’t be able to defy."

"The pregnancy?" the maid asked knowingly, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Shall we use Lady Mira again to help execute the plan?"

Arata’s eyes glinted with malicious confidence as she set her teacup down.

"Exactly. This time, we’ll make sure Sorayah is completely under our control. Yes, and then there’s also something else I can use against her. But for now, just keep a close eye on her. Inform Ramsey, the one working under the Alpha Emperor, to monitor her every move. I’ve heard rumors that the Alpha Emperor knows her twin sister and may start to take an interest in Sorayah. That must never be allowed to happen."

"This punishment from the Alpha Emperor is merely a cover....to appease the officials. In truth, he wants to draw closer to Sorayah, perhaps even lay with her, especially after terminating the pregnancy that everyone believes is real. Ramsey must prevent all of this from happening. And of course, I’ll also be working in secret."

"However, servants’ gossip spreads like wildfire. If the Luna or Imperial Consort catches wind of this situation, they’ll stop at nothing to drive Sorayah away. They may even try to kill her. That’s why we’ll ensure our own guards are ready to protect her."

Arata concluded with a satisfied smirk, her tone firm and her hand resting gently on her stomach. "Everything is falling into place."

"Congratulations, my lady," the maid said with a respectful bow.

~ • ~

Back in the forest, Rhys trudged through the thick underbrush, Anaya resting limply against his back. His arms strained from her weight, but he didn’t stop until the gates of her pack were in sight.

"Your parents are going to be devastated... How do we even begin to explain this to them?" Rhys muttered under his breath, jaw tight with dread.

Suddenly, a commanding voice rang out, causing him to freeze.

"Stop!"

The voice came from one of the guards, sharp and intimidating. A chill ran down Rhys’ spine. But the moment their eyes fell on Anaya, who slid off Rhys’ back with effort, every guard dropped to their knees and bowed deeply.

"Greetings, Your Royal Highness," they all chorused.

Anaya, silent and solemn, gave no response. She simply walked past them, her hand finding Rhys’ and holding it firmly as they proceeded into the capital.

They didn’t stop to admire the bustling city or its majestic buildings. Their only destination was the Imperial Palace....home to Anaya’s parents.

Upon arrival at the grand entrance, the palace guards bowed respectfully, granting them passage without question. Soon, they were standing before the Alpha Emperor and Luna.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Rhys said with a deep bow.

The Alpha Emperor, a stern-looking man with a bald head and a thick white beard, frowned. "Have you forgotten your manners, Anaya?"

Anaya did not respond not with words. She lowered herself into a kneel and bowed her head in formal greeting before rising to her feet again.

"What kind of greeting is that? Have you lost your voice?" the Alpha Emperor scoffed, his tone edged with irritation.

"Take it easy on her, dear. She just returned home after all this time," the Luna interjected softly. Though middle-aged, she still retained her striking beauty, her long raven-black hair cascading over her shoulders as she stepped gracefully down from the throne.

She approached Anaya, gently cupping her daughter’s round face with both hands. "How are you, sweetheart? I missed you. Are you trying to kill your mother with worry?"

Despite her blindness, Anaya’s eyes remained wide open, making her appear normal. But tears welled within them as the familiar scent and warmth of her mother enveloped her. Overwhelmed, she threw herself into her mother’s arms.

"How have you been? Say something. Are you back for good? Please tell me you’re not going to leave me again," her mother whispered into her hair.

Rhys swallowed hard. "She can’t hear you... She can’t see you either... and she can’t speak."

The Luna froze. The Alpha Emperor’s expression darkened as he turned sharply to Rhys. "Who are you young man, and what do you mean by that?"

The older man stormed over to his daughter and gently cupped her face, his previous anger melting into distress. He had adored Anaya since childhood and always spoiled her. Just seeing her again stirred emotions he couldn’t contain.

"I’m being serious," Rhys said, tears spilling down his cheeks. "She has lost all her senses."

"Seize this bastard now!" the Alpha Emperor roared. "Torture him until he confesses what he did to my daughter. Use every method available until he tells us the truth!"

"You can’t do that to me! I didn’t harm her! I only brought her back and told you what happened. There’s a reason for all this!" Rhys pleaded desperately.

But his words fell on deaf ears. The guards rushed forward, grabbing him forcefully and dragging him out of the grand hall as he continued to protest.

Anaya, still clinging to her mother, remained silent, trapped in her own world of darkness and silence, unaware of the chaos unfolding around her.

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