Free Web NovelChapter 177: Episode 177.
It was well past midnight when the council meeting finally ended.
The atmosphere inside the King’s private council chamber had remained tense for hours.
Maps still covered nearly every surface with red markings stretched across eastern territories where evacuation routes had already been planned carefully before sunrise.
War had already begun creeping into the kingdom long before anyone openly decided to acknowledge it.
Torak rolled one final parchment carefully before setting it aside.
"The eastern villages nearest the lower forests must move first," he said calmly.
King Elijah nodded once. "And the underground routes?" he asked.
"Already guarded."
Xander leaned back against the stone wall nearby while folding both arms tightly across his chest after the whole arrangements.
Alaric finally stepped away from the windows afterward. "The patrols leave before dawn," he said quietly.
King Elijah rubbed one tired hand across his face slowly. "Then may the Moon Goddess protect whoever remains behind."
Nobody answered that. None of them believed the Moon Goddess protected kingdoms kindly anymore.
Not after everything happening lately.
Torak gathered the final maps before turning toward the doors.
The meeting was over, at least officially.
His body ached faintly from exhaustion already, but his wolf remained too alert for proper rest.
The corridors outside the council chamber stood silent beneath dim torchlight.
Most of the castle had long since fallen asleep.
Torak moved through the northern corridor calmly with one hand resting behind his back. His thoughts remained fixed entirely on eastern evacuations.
Suddenly, his wolf reacted sharply beneath his skin.
Torak stopped moving immediately. His eyes narrowed faintly at the feeling he felt. Something felt wrong.
He did not feel danger exactly. Just light movement, but it felt wrong.
His wolf pushed harder, and Torak turned instantly toward the opposite corridor instead of continuing forward.
The southern wing stretched quieter than the others at this hour.
And there, he saw a figure rushing down the staircase quickly while trying hard not to make a sound.
Torak’s brows furrowed instantly.
That was a servant girl, or at least someone dressed like one.
The hood covered most of her face while the dark fabric she wore concealed nearly every recognizable feature.
Yet she moved too quickly and servants were never awake this late unless specifically summoned.
Torak’s expression sharpened immediately.
The recent discoveries inside the kingdom had left everyone on edge already. An informant inside castle grounds was no longer impossible.
The servant hurried toward the next corridor turn.
Another few seconds and she would reach the south stairwell leading outside the castle entirely.
Torak moved instantly.
His boots struck sharply against stone floors.
The figure got visibly startled at the sound behind her before increasing her speed immediately.
Torak’s eyes darkened when she ran. That was definitely suspicious.
The servant rushed down the corridor desperately now. Torchlight flickered wildly across dark walls as Torak followed quickly behind her.
She reached the stairwell first.
Torak caught her arm just before she crossed fully into the south wing exit.
The girl gasped sharply.
Torak spun her around hard before slamming her lightly against the stone wall. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"Who sent you?" he demanded instantly.
The hooded figure breathed quickly beneath his grip. Then suddenly, her eyes widened in recognition under the hood.
Torak froze faintly. His brows furrowed sharply at how familiar her arm felt in his grip. freeweɓnøvel.com
Without another word, he grabbed the hood roughly before pulling it back, and dark hair curls spilled free instantly.
Suddenly, Adele Blackfen was staring directly at him with murderous fury in her eyes.
Torak blinked once.
"Gods," he cursed sharply beneath his breath in High Danish.
The next second, Adele slapped him as hard as she could currently muster with her back palm.
The sharp sound echoed across the corridor immediately.
Torak stared at her in genuine surprise afterward.
Adele snatched her arm roughly from his grip. "How dare you?" she hissed furiously, whispering.
Torak still looked halfway stunned.
Adele tried stepping around him instantly.
Torak recovered quickly before catching both her arms this time.
"What in heaven’s name are you doing?" he demanded.
His eyes moved sharply across her appearance now. She wore dark servant clothing, a heavy cloak, and boots far too practical for a noble lady.
He could see that she was trying to leave the castle.
Torak’s jaw tightened instantly.
"What is this attire?" he demanded lowly. "And where are you going?"
Adele glared at him furiously. "You should mind your business."
Torak stepped closer automatically. "You are my business."
The words slipped out before he could stop them, and he did not regret them.
Adele froze instantly.
Torak realized what he said one second too late.
A strange look crossed her face briefly, then she caught herself again quickly.
"You absolute bastard," she snapped softly. "Let me go before I scream this instant."
Torak ignored the threat entirely.
Instead, he looked sharply around the corridor. The corridor was too exposed, and dangerous.
If another noble saw her like this.... Without another word, he grabbed her arm before dragging her down the corridor.
"Torak...."
"Quiet."
Adele swallowed sharply before following unwillingly beside him.
His grip remained firm around her wrist. His grip wasn’t painful, but it was impossible for her to escape.
Torak moved quickly through several connected hallways before finally reaching one of the smaller council rooms.
He pushed the doors open immediately.
Adele frowned harder. "What are you—"
Torak ignored her again. He crossed the room before pressing against one section of the wall.
The stone shifted quietly at his touch, and a hidden door opened.
Adele blinked faintly in surprise.
Torak dragged her inside before shutting the passage firmly behind them.
The hidden chamber remained small and dimly lit beneath old lantern fire. A single table stood near the center alongside several chairs.
The room smelled faintly of parchment, cold and old cedarwood.
Torak finally released her arm.
Adele rubbed her wrist immediately while glaring at him.
He pointed toward the chair. "Sit."
"No."
"Adele."
"Don’t order me around." She warned, irritated.
Torak looked exhausted already. He dragged one hand slowly through his dark hair before turning toward her fully.
"Adele..." he started quietly. "What are you doing?"
