His Dark Obsession

47. An Unexpected Trial

EVANGELINE.

One minute I was looking down at Zedkiel at the table and the next we were being whisked away. Apparently, our first round was meant to start simultaneously, or so we thought.

“What is this?” Maryka asks holding up the envelope in her hand.

We were each given one; they are identical aside from the name on it. Mine reads ‘Zedkiel’ in gorgeous gold embossed writing.

“Well, this is part of your first test.” Jean says. “Let’s say you are the queen and this city is under attack, and you are most likely going to be kidnapped or killed. Now, to save your people, you have the chance to leave your Alpha a message. Where will you put it, knowing that time is short, and he must find it before anyone else?”

“Is this part of our test?” Celia asks, frowning. 4

“Yes, it is. It’s a good chance to display how in touch with your Alpha you are.” Jean replies in a clipped

tone. 2

Celia looks down. “Then that’s surely unfair. Some of us have been married for far longer-”

“There is no place for protests.” Jean says calmly, yet her eyes are hard as she glares at Celia. “You have five minutes to think of a place and then you have a further five minutes to tell one of our messengers who will place the envelope exactly where you ask them to. It can be anywhere, in your Packs even and the rest… well, that depends on if your Alpha can find it.”

“So, it’s a combined examination…” Kayla murmurs worriedly.

I’m no longer listening, focusing on what Jean just said and staring down at the letter in my hand. Think Evangeline think!

Where should I put this so that Zedkiel will find it? Celia wasn’t wrong to panic. Zedkiel and I don’t really have a place we’ve spent much time together, aside from our bedroom. That is the first place that comes to mind, but where could I put this in our quarters?

I close my eyes, trying to think where Zedkiel would look.

A sudden thought comes to my mind, and my eyes fly open. When Zedkiel is angry, he bangs doors! I can use that!

If I have it placed above our bedroom door on the ledge, I’m uncertain it’ll be considered a valid place, but it is worth asking… if not, I should think of a backup…

“It seems that we at least have two Lunas already trying to think of a solution. The clock is already ticking.” Jean says, giving us all a hard stare.

H*ok up to see Poppy. The Luna of the Moonshine Pack is also silent as she thinks deeply.

“I’ve decided.” I say suddenly. Jean raises an eyebrow.

and then place her in the allotted area…” There’s something about that sentence that makes me uneasy, but I don’t think much of

ask them to place the letter above the door on the ledge of the door to our quarters. “What

the door, on the doorframe to

“Yes please.”

after he goes to the

let’s take you to your destination.” I nod and I’m

tells me, Zedkiel finding that letter is

I made

“There are some warmer clothes for you to change into inside the washroom and please do use

and grateful for the consideration, but at the same time,

nods and motions for me to enter

step inside and find I’m not the only one

change into these clothes Luna.” The dark-haired woman says,

the clothes and putting them on. There are sweatpants and an oversized hoodie that I

Luna!” She

the guards down the hall, I walk towards them and they continue to lead the

finds that letter as I’m led through to the back of

alarmed, Luna.” One of the two

as I walk down the dirty steps into the empty pool and into the middle of it, where they gesture for me

are not to free yourself or try to escape. This test is for prince Zedkiel. If you break the rules, you will immediately fail

something everyone should be afraid

I’m

until the prince comes, and depending on how fast he finds the letter, he’ll be assessed and graded on how

something in the empty pool, but because my ankles

necessary to tie me?”

The dark-haired one replies with a smile, as

I stare at the

my wrists are

the next thing they do is tie my hands behind my

I tell myself, taking a deep shuddering breath. They won’t hurt me. I’m trying not to panic when they tie my hands painfully tight and then they turn and climb out of the

sound before I

the edge of the pool, I see the two men who stand at the top looking down into the pool. Only then do I realise how deep it is. They are standing a good foot above my head… if this pool fills up…

time…

from the two guards, I watch them, but they don’t bother looking back at me,

my eyes, taking deep breaths to calm myself when I hear the door shut and the old rusty padlock

numb. The icy water that smells of mould and copper is making me nauseous, and it