Page 104 of Bonds of Hate

I briefly wonder if I’ve made a mistake. In his youth, Logan had served in the military during the most recent uprising. That mark could be a battle scar. I’ve seen holovids of the way Alphas spar. Even when it’s just for fun, blood and broken bones are the norm.

Except, no. The placement, the depth, the distinct silvery sheen caused by puncturing the gland under the skin. I know what I saw. It couldn’t have been anything else but a claiming mark, pressed into his flesh by an Omega in the throes of a heat cycle.

Somewhere, there must be a woman with a matching mark from him.

Who is she?

Better question, where is she?

I’ve never heard of a single case of a bonded Alpha andOmega being able to live separately. The bond compels physical proximity or the health of both suffers.

It’s impossible that Logan has been secretly spending time with another Omega. I would have smelled it on him. If Logan had even come close to bonding another Omega in the past, I would have heard rumors about it among the court. That isn’t the sort of thing you can hide. There are watchful eyes everywhere in the palace.

If he has a mate, being separated from her for more than a few days should drive them both absolutely insane

Though Omegas are typically affected by the distance more severely, often not surviving the death of their mate. Like King Leopold, Alphas usually survive the broken bond, but they probably won’t ever be physically incapable of mating another Omega.

Perhaps Logan quietly mated an Omega without a public spectacle, and she died before the crown could make an official announcement.

Maybe he killed her.

That dark thought sits with me through the rest of this, thankfully, short dinner.

I’m about to whisper to Logan that I’m not feeling well and beg permission to leave early when King Leopold rises from his seat. The scrape of his chair against the floor silences all conversation instantly.

“My family. My friends. My loyal subjects.” The king’s voice carries easily across the ballroom. “Tonight we celebrate new beginnings, but I must first address the shadow that hangs over our great kingdom.”

My fingers clench around my napkin as Leopold’sjovial expression turns grave, an inexplicable feeling of foreboding washing over me.

“The greatest tragedy since the death of my beloved wife occurred with the loss of my son, Prince Ander.” Leopold’s voice cracks with emotion. “A son I had intended to name as my heir.”

Gasps ripple through the assembly. I feel Logan stiffen beside me.

“To honor Ander’s memory and ensure justice is served, I have made the investigation into his death my highest priority.” Leopold straightens his shoulders. “To that end, I have appointed a High Inquisitor with full authority to question anyone, access any records, and go anywhere within the palace grounds.”

My heart pounds against my ribs as Leopold gestures across the room. “Please welcome High Inquisitor Sionis Thane.”

A figure rises from the far table, and my blood turns to ice in my veins. Those cold, calculating eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses. Black-gloved hands clasped lightly at his waist that would not so much as twitch when I screamed while hooked up to his medical devices. The slight smile that haunted my nightmares.

The doctor.

I’d recognize him anywhere, even here in the last place I expected to ever find him.

My chest constricts as memories of steel tables and surgical implements flash through my mind. The phantom pain of scalpels slicing into my neck makes me dizzy.

The monster who tortured me now has unlimited access to the palace.

Black spots dance in my vision. I grip the edge of the table to keep from sliding out of my chair. The doctor’s gaze sweeps the room, not lingering on anyone in particular and passing over me without so much as a blink of recognition. I am frozen in fear, praying that his gaze won’t return to me.

I have to get out of here.

“Logan, I’m not feeling well.” I keep my voice low, fighting to control the tremor. “May I please return to the harem?”

Logan’s fingers dig into my thigh under the table when I move to rise, his expression incredulous. “We can’t leave until the king signals the end of dinner. You should know that.”

I nod mutely, my eyes darting around the room. The doctor has disappeared into the crowd of mingling nobles. The thought of him moving freely through these halls, potentially discovering my presence here, makes my skin crawl.

Ares leans closer on my other side. “Everything okay?”

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