Chapter 314

[ 938 words ]

Talia’s POV

“Ah, I should have explained. Leslie suggested the scent suppressors for the road. She did not want the rogues catching the scent of any of the convoys leaving the gates and tracking them back to the packs. Every Alpha and Luna on the road used them. They were given out at the gate before we left,” Nolan explained.

A cold chill went up my spine. Leslie would not have recommended that, as it had not worked before when Solon and Nolan followed me to Jason’s when I got the potions the first time. I forced a smile and nodded. “Leslie is so clever. I am glad Solon has her.”

“Yes, it was a good idea,” Nolan responded with a strained voice as if agreeing with me was detestable.

“Shouldn’t it have worn off by now?” I asked.

“I may have used too much of it,” he laughed nervously. “The dose she gave me was meant for a larger wolf. That is probably why you are not picking anything up from me right now.”

Once again, he had a rehearsed excuse for everything. My wolf paced within me. ‘Stay calm. You have to stay calm,’ she warned.

“It will wear off in a day or two. I have been told I smell like absolutely nothing until then,” he continued.

I maintained the forced smile even though my thoughts raced with fear. I was very sure that this was not my Nolan or if it was, something was very wrong with him. I could not risk a direct confrontation with him.

One wrong move could trap me here for good. I slowed my breathing and played my part. I needed to figure out who he was. I would not get any answers if he realized I was not falling for his lies.

“That makes sense. I was worried for a moment,” I sighed.

“You do not need to worry. I am right here.”

“I know. I am sorry. I think I am still not entirely awake. I think I am hungry, actually. Can we go to the dining hall? I have not eaten anything but the bread Annie brought up this morning.”

“Of course. Let’s go.”

I took his arm again, and we walked back inside. He led me down the corridors just as Nolan would have, taking the same turns at the same pace with his hand resting in the same spot on my back. He had studied Nolan well, but he couldn’t fool me.

‘Try reaching out to Solon,’ I told my wolf.

‘I am trying, but I can’t reach anyone,’ my wolf whined.

‘Keep trying,’ I told her.

The dining hall had a single small table set near the window. A maid entered a moment after we sat down. I did not recognize her. Just like the shorter guard, she wouldn’t meet my eyes.

The maid’s eyes flicked past me warily before focusing on Nolan. Nolan pulled out my chair for me before addressing, “What are you doing standing there? Tend to your Luna.” His tone was harsh, which was unlike Nolan. He never talked to his pack members like that.

The maid rushed over with a fake smile plastered on her face. Her posture made it clear she did not want to stay long.

“What can I bring you, Luna?” she asked.

“I would like Clara to take the order, please. She knows what I usually have. Could you go and get her for me?”

The maid paused and looked at Nolan. I watched her face. She hesitated momentarily because she did not know what to say.

Nolan answered before the silence became awkward.

“Clara is on sick leave,” he advised. “She has been since the day before yesterday. I

did not want to bother you with it. She will be back as soon as she is able.”

“Of course,” I nodded as if his answer was believable. “I am sorry to hear that. I hope she is all right. Please give her my best when you see her.”

“I will pass it along, Luna.”

I turned back to the maid.

“I will have whatever the kitchen is making for lunch. And,” I said, looking at the man who was not my mate, “the Beef Burgundy, please. He loves it. I have not asked the kitchen to make it for him in months.”

The maid wrote it down in her order book and said, “Yes, Luna.”

“Make sure they use the heavy cream sauce and not the lighter one. Nolan dislikes the lighter one,” I continued.

“Of course, Luna.”

The maid left. Nolan grabbed my hand from across the table and rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb. I fought the urge to cringe and snatch my hand free.

“It has been too long since we have had a proper meal together,” Nolan said.

“Yes, far too long,” I agreed. “We should do this more often.”

‘It is Jason. It has to be Jason,’ my wolf growled. ‘Why are you going along with this? We need to tear his throat out and leave!’

‘Maybe. It could be the Rogue King for all we know, but we’re going to find out real soon,’ I responded.

‘How?’

‘Jason is severely allergic to mushrooms,’ I said simply.

The food came. The Beef Burgundy was rich and dark in the bowl, and the smell of the cream and the wine filled the room. I made a small approving sound as I lifted my fork.

“It looks so good, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, delicious,” Nolan responded.

I cut a piece of meat along with a mushroom. It was a small piece of mushroom about the size of the tip of my thumb. It was small enough not to be noticed.

I leaned across the table with the fork. “Try this. The kitchen really has outdone itself.”

Nolan opened his mouth.

I fed him the mushroom.

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