Pacing around wasn't my calling, but now, I think I've got no option.
"Alpha, you don't seem fine," Hans' voice boomed from behind as he walked to where I stood, facing the window.
He halted an inch away from me. "Is everything alright? Do you need me to do anything?"
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Can Violet be Aria? The mark says it all, but then any random person can have such a mark, right? Then how about the owl pendant? How on earth did she recall that?
My head was a total mess right now; never have I been this disorganized.
"Alpha?" I jerked away from my thoughts, realizing Hans had been asking questions.
Raking my hands through my hair, I flipped it backward. "I think Violet is Aria."
He blinked, his face staring at me in disbelief. I knew, right? Aria hadn't been someone I had mentioned in years, so I knew he was going to be flabbergasted when I mentioned her name.
"How did you find out?" Hans' surprised gaze was fixed on me.
I pointed at the owl pendant that was lying on my desk.
Hans gave me a quizzical look. Of course, I knew that wasn't convincing enough.
"I saw the mark on her neck," I added, weighing the odds, if I'd be overthinking. But somehow, I know my thoughts don't lie.
Hans paused for a while. "Anybody could have that mark, Alpha. It's a birthmark, so I don't see why not," Hans replied.
"Then how did she recognize the pendant? Only Aria knew that; it was a gift she gave me. We made it together!" I stated with a matter-of-fact tone. Aria had been my childhood friend, maybe a crush if I may say, or perhaps she was my mate, because our bond then was so strong.
"Aria was staying with Charlotte, and then she suddenly disappeared out of the blue. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Hans was the one doing the math now, as his gaze narrowed to mine.
My heart pounded. Why the switch of names, though? It only narrows down to one thought. It was suspicious. Everything about her looks fishy. My wolf could sense it.
"Keep a close look on her, and send me any slightest information you can find, but for now let's lay low."
Hans nodded. "Reports had it that the Luna of the Silvermoon pack is dead. Don't you think now is the right time to strike? They'd still be mourning their Luna and wouldn't be prepared," he explained, his eyes a dangerous one.
I shook my head, moving over to my chessboard. I moved a pawn, excluding the Queen. Adrian was one sly fox, and in as much as I'd like to catch him unaware, I know that bastard is always ever ready.
"Find me all the information you can get about her death, how she died and what led to it, her grave also." I knew Adrian to be cunning, but to set up his wife's death was something he'd never do.
I was intrigued, though I couldn't tell why. But even my wolf could sense that something was fishy. It doesn't sound all right.
Hans gave a light bow as he headed outside my room.
---
VIOLET'S POV
I was close to home, and avoiding Grandma Charlotte's banter would be the best for me right now because with everything in my head, I need all the rest I could get. But of course, she'd always be the old granny I know, never missing a minute to tell me how I refused to lay low, like it was my fault that I'd get chosen at every damn point. Or perhaps, I wrote a "Pick me" note on my forehead for everyone to notice me.
I sneakily opened the door; the couch was blocking me away from her view. She was staring out the window.
I bent down and started crawling to my room, hoping against hope that she wouldn't find out.
"I never knew we had rats in this house." I gave up. This woman just knows how to frustrate me. Sometimes she should just pretend for a while.
"What is it we agreed about laying low?" Here we go again. I stood to my feet, my face pulled into a frown.
"It wasn't my fault. The plan would have just gone on well if it wasn't for that bitch. She just hates me! If I don't stand up for myself, she would keep picking on me," I tried to explain. I knew she was worried about my safety and, of course, about the camouflage I had on.
"And what do you think would happen when Mason finds out that you're pregnant? He would have you investigated because it's all suspicious. Don't you get it?"
I blinked, knowing there was nothing to hide now. "He already knows," I blurted out, recounting how soft and tender he had been. For all I could tell, he wasn't concerned about any investigations but was worried about my safety.
"What?"
"He asked about the father, but I managed to croak him out of it. He was just concerned about the baby's welfare and that's all." I explained, trying to ease her out from her worried state, but it didn't look like she was getting relieved anytime soon.
"Mason has a strong aura of sense, so I knew he'd be finding out soon. That was more the reason I wanted you to lay low, so suspicions wouldn't be raised," she explained, her face etched with concern now.
"When he asked about his father, it sounded sketchy, it was as if he was interrogating me. We don't have to worry; I've got this," I assured her.
"We need to start looking into other packs. If he ever finds out you're his rival's wife, whether he likes you or not, your head would be snapped," her voice was so cold, sending chills.
"I was offered a job to work in his company. So, that'll buy us some time to make money and then flee. I heard the pay is high. So, just two months' salary wouldn't be that harmful. I promise to lay low for the time being to get us out of this mess," I promised.
"This isn't about you alone, Violet. Your baby. What if he finds out about your secret within the two months' span?"