Chapter 26: Obsessed with him

"Your touch sent an electric sensation straight through my veins," Andrew said. "The mate bond is already taking hold between us."

"I didn’t mean to do that," Caroline admitted softly. "It was just curiosity."

"Don’t apologize. I like it." Andrew stood up and held out his hand, helping her to her feet. "Let’s get you back to your room. The doctor said you need rest, and the faster you recover, the sooner you can reach your goal."

She nodded in agreement as he led her back into the palace. Once inside her chamber, he guided her onto the bed and arranged a few pillows behind her back for support. As evening began to fall, Andrew crossed the room and pulled the curtains shut. Caroline pulled the duvet over her lap and then up to her chest.

She removed her earrings and placed them on the bedside table. A sudden wave of sleepiness washed over her.

"Andrew, I feel like sleeping," Caroline murmured.

By the time he returned to her side, she had already fallen asleep. He watched her for a long moment before quietly leaving the room.

As he descended the stairs, the house butler stood nearby with his head bowed. Miller and Jeremy soon entered the drawing room.

"Were you two able to recover anything related to Caroline’s pregnancy?" Andrew asked.

"No, Your Highness," Miller replied. "The doctor who examined Caroline is no longer in the pack. They say she left for another country. I tried to find her contact details, but there was nothing."

"It seems more likely that Victor murdered her as well," Jeremy remarked.

"If he did that, the suspicion would only grow stronger against him. I don’t think he would have done something like that. Victor planned everything too discreetly." Andrew’s expression darkened. "Try to find out if there was anyone in Crystal Moon Pack who knew about Caroline and Victor’s relationship."

"Yes, Your Highness," Miller and Jeremy replied together.

They both pivoted on their heels and left to carry out the command.

"I spoke with Julian earlier," Ilias said, his voice echoing through the room as he stepped into his brother’s line of sight. "Nina is being manipulated. You need to find a way to pull her out of this before it’s too late."

"Didn’t I tell you I intend to punish her alongside that bastard?" Andrew’s voice turned colder, his presence growing more intimidating as Ilias took a seat on the couch. "You shouldn’t be here. Return to the palace at once." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

"I’m not going anywhere," Ilias replied adamantly. "You’ll regret targeting our sister, Andrew."

Andrew chuckled, a dark, dangerous edge echoing in the sound as his burgundy eyes narrowed.

"Dream on, Ilias. You know damn well what I actually regret in this life—being born into this royal family. If I weren’t a Kensington, I swear I would have destroyed every last one of you."

Ilias remained completely unfazed by the threat, meeting his brother’s intense gaze without flinching. He knew the source of Andrew’s bitterness toward them all too well.

"Stop viewing us as your enemies," Ilias said quietly. "If anyone in this family was ever coddled, it was you. Father soft-pedaled his usual judgment for your sake, that’s the only reason he gave Caroline a whole month."

Andrew looked away, leaning back against the couch cushions with a bitter laugh. "Save the lecture, Ilias. Dad knows he can’t force my hand. He knows I’ll only rebel."

"And do you know what happens to rebels?" Ilias countered, trying to reach him. "Anyone else speaking out against the Alpha King would face brutal execution. Yet here you sit, completely untouched and unscathed. That’s only because Father recognizes your anger is doing the talking."

"Fascinating," Andrew said dryly, flicking a wrist toward the exit. "Now get out."

"I’m speaking with Caroline tomorrow, then I’ll leave." Ilias rose to his feet, pulling his phone from his pocket and bringing it to his ear as it connected.

"Hey, sweetheart," Ilias spoke into the receiver. "Sorry, I was tied up talking to my brother. He seems to have completely lost his mind."

Andrew rolled his eyes, staring up at the ceiling in pure annoyance.

~~~~

Nina stood on the balcony of the guest room in Victor’s house, holding her phone tightly against her ear.

"Good evening, Mom."

"Return to the palace, Nina. You cannot remain in the home of a prime suspect," Seraphina’s stern voice commanded from the receiver.

"Caroline is the one lying!" Nina argued, her voice rising. "She fabricated everything just to secure her place as Luna. Victor was only helping her father pay off his debt, that’s how Caroline grew obsessed with him in the first place, and why she accused him of infidelity when he rejected her. I don’t understand why you and Dad allowed her to marry Andrew. You both hold the highest authority here, so just use it."

"You know what kind of stunt Andrew will pull if we push him," Seraphina replied over the line. "Besides, we trust your judgment. Your father knows Caroline won’t be able to present any real proof. However, until this is resolved, you cannot stay in the Crystal Moon Pack. Also, it’s better for you to marry someone from a dignified family. Victor already has accusations hanging over his head, and I refuse to let my daughter suffer."

Nina closed her eyes, letting out a sharp breath. "But I love Victor, Mom. He has done incredible work for his pack and for this country. Don’t worry about me. I’m safe here, and I’ll keep flying back on the weekends to visit."

"So, you won’t listen," Seraphina said.

"Sorry, mom." Nina apologized, a faint smile appearing across her lips. She felt an arm wrapping around her. Victor nuzzled her hair while letting her stay on the phone. "Mom, I’ll hang up. Take care and I love you."

Seraphina looked at the black screen and lowered her phone to the table.

"Order Nina to return," Davian stated as soon as he entered the chamber. "I want her here in the morning."

"Your Majesty, what happened?" Seraphina rose to her feet.

"You want our kids to fight with each other. Andrew won’t go easy on Nina and I can’t see them tearing each other apart. If you can’t call her back, I’ll pass the order," Davian pronounced.