Chapter 25

LAYLA'S POV

I pace the floor of my room for what feels like the hundredth time. The note is crumpled in my fist.

The paper looks worn, like someone had crumpled it a thousand times but the message is clear. And chilling.

Ronan.

That name.

What do they mean by I shouldn't trust him? Who sent this? and who is Ronan?

Is it a trap? Probably. But what if it isn't?

I press a hand to my stomach, forcing myself to calm down. I feel a bit nervous. I can't ignore it. maybe if I follow the instructions, I can find out more about myself and my father too.

I wrap the cloak tightly around my shoulders and step into the corridor. Everyone is already asleep so it's the perfect time to move. I move as quietly as I can. I stay close to the walls, ducking into alcoves each time I hear a guard's boots echo in the distance. The guards are patrolling but luckily, I miss them. My hand never lets go of the note. I can feel the inked words burning through the paper into my skin.

What if someone sees me? What if the triplets see me?

I shake the thought away.

The paper instructs me to go to the east tower. The east tower is the oldest part of the castle, nearly forgotten. No one uses it anymore. As I climb the steps, the air grows colder, heavier. The silence is suffocating. Every step I make feels like it's echoing in my ears.

When I reach the top, the room is exactly as I expect—empty, shadowed, and cold. Moonlight comes in through the narrow window. There's nobody here.

Nothing. No one.

Maybe this is a cruel trick.

I take a step back, feeling my heart sinking.

Then something moves.

A figure detaches itself from the shadows and steps forward.

My breath catches.

He's young, maybe a little older than me. Dark shaggy hair curls around his ears. His posture is relaxed, but there's something sharp in the way he stands. His eyes, piercing and unreadable, study me in silence.

"Who are you?" I ask.

He tilts his head, a small smirk playing at the edge of his lips. "A friend you don't know yet, little Omega."

Little Omega?

Something in the way he says it makes my skin prickle. Who the hell is he? Is he the one who sent me the note?

"You're smaller than I imagined," he adds. He eyes me up and down with curiosity "Though I suppose that's how they kept you hidden."

My pulse thunders in my ears. "You still haven't told me your name."

He steps closer, but not too close. He leans casually against the cold stone wall, arms crossed.

"You'll know everything in due time. But for now… you can call me Ronan."

My eyes widen. Ronan? The same Ronan I was warned not to trust in the note? How come he's here?

Is this some kind of trick?

"You?" I step back "Why would I trust someone I was warned about in the very same note that led me here?"

His smile falters slightly. "Because whoever sent you that note didn't know the full truth. Or maybe… they wanted you to doubt me. Either way, I'm not your enemy."

I don't answer. My fingers grip the note harder.

He sighs, pushing off the wall. "I have something to tell you. Your father wasn't just erased from history, Layla. He was betrayed."

My throat dries. "By who?"

"I don't have names," he says quietly. "But someone within Silverfang Keep wanted him dead. And they succeeded. If the truth comes out… it could bring down the entire kingdom."

I stare at him in disbelief. "Why should I believe you?"

"Because I knew your father," he says "He was brave. Too brave. And he uncovered something they didn't want anyone to know."

"What did he uncover?" I ask quickly, stepping forward.

But before he can answer, we both freeze.

We hear the sounds of footsteps from the corridor.

Ronan's face changes instantly. "Shit," he mutters.

He backs away from me, slipping into the shadows again.

"Remember this, Layla," he whispers. "Nothing is as it seems."

"Wait—!" I call out in a harsh whisper, but he's already gone.

The footsteps grow louder, more defined, boots against stone. My breath catches as a tall figure steps into the light. I recognize him immediately.

Commander Thorne.

Of all people.

His eyes landson me, and his brows furrow. "What are you doing here at this hour?"

"I—I couldn't sleep," I stammer "I needed some air. That's all."

Thorne's eyes narrow. He steps further into the room and his eyes scan the area for anything out of place.

"You're far from your quarters. The east tower isn't exactly a scenic route for moonlit walks."

I swallow hard "I'm sorry. I got lost"

He steps closer to where Ronan disappeared. My entire body stiffens. Could he still be here, hidden just beyond the veil of shadow?

Thorne finally turns back to me. "Go back to your room"

"Yes, Commander," I whisper.

I'm grateful beyond words as he turns his back to me.

I don't wait. I hurry down the stairs, not daring to look back. When I reach the lower halls, I slow, pulling the note from my cloak. It's wrinkled from my grip, but something catches my eye.

I see something I didn't notice before. There are faint markings—almost invisible—at the back. Coordinates? A cipher? I can't tell.

And something else…

I reach into the lining of my cloak and pull out a small feather. It's black with silver edges. I hadn't noticed it before. It must have been tucked in by Ronan. A signature? A sign?

I stare at it.

If I was warned about Ronan in the note, why was he waiting exactly where the note told me to go? Is someone playing tricks on me?

Who is Ronan really?

What did he know about my father?

What did my father uncover that cost him his life?

"I have to know the truth…" I whisper to the silence. "Even if it destroys me."