Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 838

Chapter 838: Rebuild The Device

The rest of the palace might not have known exactly what was happening, but even they were not ignorant of the rising tension in the atmosphere.

They were not blind enough to miss the sudden increase in security, the questioning of Fae servants around the palace about a strange butterfly, and the thorough searches being carried out in every corner.

While all of that was going on, Alaric was in the Queen’s chambers. It was even more surprising that not even Violet had been permitted inside.

Queen Seraphira said, "I’ve spelled the room so no one can eavesdrop on our conversation or watch us in secret."

Alaric looked genuinely surprised.

"That happens?"

Queen Seraphira gave him an incredulous look.

"This is the Fae Realm, Alpha Alaric. Everything happens."

Then she gestured toward the table set at the corner of the room.

"Sit."

Alaric obeyed, pulling out a chair and settling down.

The Queen followed right after, adjusting the layers of her long, voluminous gown as she sat across from him.

Then she asked,

"How long would it take you to work on the backup prototype?"

"A few hours," Alaric answered. "That’s all I’d need to get it functional."

What the others didn’t know was that the butterfly was not the only device they had.

Of course, there had been trial and error during its creation, and in the process, Alaric had preserved a backup prototype in case anything ever happened to the original design.

Queen Seraphira said,

"I want you to keep it from Violet and Asher."

Alaric stared at her like he had heard wrong.

"What?"

His shock was immediate.

"Why? Violet is your daughter. You can’t seriously think she’s the one who stole the device. And Asher is my Alpha brother. He would never do anything that would hurt Violet—and that means hurting you too."

But Queen Seraphira remained unmoved.

"I know exactly what you mean, Alaric," she said calmly. "But this is the Fae Realm. The walls have ears. I have seen parents turn against children and children turn against parents."

She added, "And surely you do not think it is mere coincidence that the device vanished a day before the competition."

That made Alaric pause. Because when she said it like that, it did not sound like a coincidence at all.

He opened his mouth to speak, but the Queen continued before he could.

"Or if you prefer," she said smoothly, "think of it as me narrowing the circle of suspicion."

Alaric frowned.

"This time around, only you and Zuru know there is a second device," she said. "Not even Lila is aware of it." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The logic became clear to Alaric. If the second device vanished too, then the blame could only fall on two people. Him, or Zuru. There would be no confusion or excuses. No two ways about it. The Queen was not being paranoid, but smart.

Alaric exhaled and rubbed a hand over his face.

"What do I tell Violet then?" he asked. "She’s going to want to know what we discussed in here and, I have to admit, I don’t know how to lie to her face."

Queen Seraphira answered without hesitation.

"Tell her you’re working on a new device."

Alaric narrowed his eyes at once.

"I thought Fae don’t lie."

"It is not exactly a lie," The Queen said with elegant calm. "It is hardly your fault if they assume you are starting all over again, when in reality, you are simply working on an already existing prototype."

Alaric stared at her, dumbfounded.

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