Chapter 73: To meet our Luna

"I have important work outside, Caroline. I will see you later—likely in the evening, as I need to visit the company as well," Andrew told her.

"I understand," Caroline replied.

"Jeremy will assist you with the rest of the investigation," Andrew added. Taking the pressed handkerchief from her hands, he slid it into his pocket. He then cradled her face between his palms and leaned in to kiss her. She closed her eyes, leaning into the warmth of his touch while her fingers gripped his shirt tightly.

He withdrew and rested his forehead against hers. "God, I will miss your scent," Andrew whispered.

He waited, hoping she would say the same to him. But Caroline remained silent.

Taking a step back, he turned to leave, but stopped when her voice reached him. "I will miss you, too."

A broad smile broke across his face, and he walked out of the room in high spirits.

Caroline sat down on the bed and unlocked her phone. Having lost all her saved contacts, her inbox was empty. Instead, she opened the news apps to see what was happening around them.

Scanning through the headlines, she quickly realized that most of the media was focused entirely on her and Andrew.

Their unexpected union had sent shockwaves through the elite werewolf community, deeply rattling high-ranking Alpha families who had long rejected the notion of an omega, or any lower-ranked wolf, ever standing beside them as an equal.

"I’ll prove them that even omegas can build the kind of community where everyone is treated equally," she murmured to herself.

Leaving the bedroom behind, Caroline stepped out into the corridor to look for Jeremy. To her surprise, she found him downstairs in the expansive living room, deep in discussion with the head butler.

Pausing midway down the grand staircase, she raised her voice slightly. "Jeremy, Andrew mentioned that you would assist me with the investigation."

"Yes, Caroline," Jeremy answered with a polite smile. The head butler offered a respectful bow to the mistress of the estate before quietly excusing himself.

"Shall we head down to the dungeons first?" Jeremy inquired.

"Yes. Have you arrested his newly appointed Beta?" she asked, walking down the remaining steps as they both headed toward the grand entrance and the waiting car outside.

"Yes, Levi is locked in the dungeons along with the warriors who attacked you and your family that night," Jeremy confirmed, opening the rear door of the vehicle for her.

Caroline climbed inside, and Jeremy shut the door gently before taking the front passenger seat next to the driver.

As the car pulled away from the driveway, Caroline picked up the thread of their discussion. "Victor was tipped off by someone. According to Andrew, he was preparing to flee across the border. Did you manage to recover his phone? We need to inspect his call logs."

Jeremy frowned, shaking his head. "Victor’s phone wasn’t recovered at the scene. However, we can still trace his call activity directly through his network provider."

"If that’s possible, make sure it’s done immediately," Caroline instructed.

"If someone tipped him off, it means they were fully aware of our moves. Someone has been keeping close tabs on both you and Prince Andrew," Jeremy noted, keeping his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

"Exactly. They must have known about our return," Caroline said, her brow furrowing in deep thought. "Since everything unfolded right there in the capital, the information leak undoubtedly originated from within. But finding out who is responsible remains the real challenge."

"Don’t worry. Whoever it was won’t stay hidden in the shadows for long," Jeremy assured her. He pulled out his phone and dialed the national telecommunications service center, connecting directly with the chief to demand Victor’s communications history.

"Caroline, do you happen to remember Victor’s mobile number? The chief is asking," Jeremy asked, turning slightly in his seat.

"Yes," Caroline replied, reciting the digits clearly.

"Pull the call logs for this number immediately and forward them to this device. Thank you," Jeremy instructed before ending the call. He slipped his phone away. "We should have the identity of whoever aided Victor shortly."

Caroline simply hummed in acknowledgment, turning her gaze to the window to watch the serene landscape pass by. Twenty minutes later, the car turned into the secure perimeter of a heavy, dark-brick detention facility.

Armed guards at the massive iron gates bowed deeply as the vehicle rolled smoothly through, coming to a halt at the main entrance.

Jeremy hurried around to pull open the rear door, and Caroline stepped out, taking the lead as the guards at the doorway snapped to attention and bowed respectfully to the Luna of Redwood High.

The officer-in-charge, Sentinel Bryce, stood waiting with a handful of junior officers to receive her.

"It is an honor to meet our Luna. I am Sentinel Bryce, the officer-in-charge of this detention center," he said, extending his hand in a respectful gesture.

Caroline accepted the handshake. As she withdrew her hand, Bryce gestured down the corridor. "Please follow me this way."

Flanked by Jeremy, Caroline followed him deeper into the facility, descending into the cold, shadowed recesses of the underground holding cells. They stopped before a iron cell door as a guard unlocked it, and the three stepped inside.

Upon seeing Caroline, Joseph and Angelina hurriedly scrambled to their feet, a false hope flickering across their faces.

"Caroline!" Angelina cried out, rushing forward. "We know nothing! Victor didn’t tell us a single word. Please forgive me for how I treated you in the past, but you cannot let us stay locked in this place. Joseph and I are innocent; we did nothing wrong."

"Get away from me," Caroline commanded coldly.

"No—I won’t," Angelina protested, desperately reaching out to clutch at her. "Not unless you promise to let us go."

"Do not force me to call the guards and have you thrown into separate cells," Caroline warned, not showing an ounce of kindness to her.

Feared, Angelina pulled away and looked up at Caroline with teary eyes.