Page 10 of Framed and Forgotten (Ashen Wolves #3)

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A V R I L

Time seemed to freeze as I stared at the man before me as if he were a ghost - a fair comparison, considering how he’d appeared out of nowhere just like one. All I could concentrate on was trying not to show how startled I was. I couldn’t let him know that his sole presence made me wary.

“Alpha Orsen! What a delightful coincidence,” Koen chimed in before my long silence became too weird.

A pinch of relief settled over me as I watched him take the lead in the amicable politics. His past experience had made him a master of diplomacy - a skill I, as an isolated leader, severely lacked. Thankfully, it wasn’t a skill expected of omegas, the role I needed him to believe was mine.

As Koen stepped forward with his hand extended to greet the other alpha, his aura conveyed more than mere politeness.

The way he carried himself demanded recognition, though I doubted he truly cared that Orsen ignored him, his attention fixed on me instead.

Was Koen playing the game, projecting a command of respect he wanted others to believe he still held?

Whatever it was, he achieved the desired result, forcing the man to tear his gaze from me for a moment to address my mate, “Indeed, Alpha Koen.”

When Koen backed away, he snaked one arm around my waist while standing slightly in front of me, the gesture both shielding and comforting. It gave me the time to recompose myself and the strength to casually inquire, “If I may ask, Alpha Orsen, what brings you here?”

A line twitched in his forehead, a subtle gesture that let me know he didn’t enjoy being questioned by me. But he soon smiled, as if he held a particular interest in talking to me. A clear sign that, by replying, he hoped to get something from me, too.

“I’m on a business trip,” he revealed. “My beta and I are visiting an ally pack nearby and I took the opportunity to treat myself to a relaxed evening in my rare free time.” His answer was calculated, vague yet purposeful - enough to explain what he was doing in the city without spilling more than he wanted us to know

Just as he finished his sentence, he took a step forward. “What about you?” The nonchalance in his voice was betrayed by the glisten of curiosity in his eyes.

It was an attempt to catch us off guard - if we admitted this was just a regular night out, he could assume we lived nearby, narrowing down the possible location of Azure Smoke.

As much as I could see his real intentions, I didn’t have an excuse prepared.

Our meeting here was a surprise I hadn’t been able to quite shake yet.

Though I was normally a quick-thinker, I was sabotaged by my apprehension.

Needless to say, I was perplexed when Koen stepped in once more.

“We’re actually on a short vacation,” my mate replied, brushing my side affectionately with his hand.

I immediately wondered where he was going with this.

“Avril was granted a few days off for her outstanding performance. Just between us…” He lowered his voice, a hint of excitement shining through.

“We think the Alpha will nominate her as her assistant.”

I was trying to process his impeccable made-up story when his gaze shifted to me, lingering lovingly. A proud smile spread across his lips, so real it filled me with warmth. His act was so convincing I almost believed him. When did he become such an amazing liar?

Then, a short sigh broke through his lips as he turned back to Orsen to say, “Sadly, this is our last night here.”

“Ah, shame. We won’t be bumping into each other anymore then,” the man recognized. “I hope you still have some time left though. I’d love to chat with you a little longer.”

“Actually, we-”

Before Koen could finish his sentence, Orsen focused on me, his expression shifting with urgency and suspicion.

“You know, Avril, I couldn’t shake how familiar you seemed to me.

Curiosity got the best of me and I decided to do some research,” he started, already spiking my heart rate.

“Pardon me if I might have crossed a line - I’m not one to pry, but I needed to understand why my subconscious was so adamant I knew you.

Weirdly, it seems your identity is as much a mystery to our society as it is to me. ”

Shit!

The clock slowed down as my mind raced. I couldn’t freeze now.

Koen had handled most of the conversation until now, but I couldn’t let him answer everything for me.

If I said nothing, it would only escalate Orsen’s distrust of me.

However, I needed to use the right words, otherwise the situation would only get worse.

Despite the need to draw in a long breath, I went for a short, quiet one, pretending not to notice his accusatory tone as I feigned confusion. “I’m sorry, Alpha Orsen. I don’t follow.”

A small huff escaped him. “There’s barely any information about you in the supernatural records. Not even the Elders could provide more clarity regarding who you are.”

His eyes pierced through mine, studying my every move, but I didn’t waver.

Faking wasn’t new to me, and I stared back at him with the most innocent doe eyes I could manage.

I could feel his aura expanding, a low attempt to intimidate me into spilling the truth.

While I shivered slightly to pretend he was having an effect on me, I continued to sport a look of utter confusion.

“Well, I’m Avril Fletcher-” I began, but he cut me off.

“Yes, Omega of the Azure Smoke Pack,” he concluded, a hint of irritation tainting his tone.

“That much we know. You were also a member of Whispering Hills prior, though you weren’t born there.

No one seems to know where you came from, who your parents are, or how you stumbled upon Azure Smoke - a pack notable for staying under the radar. ”

A low growl echoed in Koen’s throat, muted enough to not appear as a challenge, yet as loud as it needed to be to serve as a mild warning. “Alpha Orsen, this baseless interrogation is bordering on harassment.”

That was my golden chance.

“No, Koen,” I told him in a soft, angelic voice, touching his chest with my palm as I stepped in front of him. Then, I flashed a glance at the other leader. “It’s okay, Alpha Orsen. I have nothing to hide,” I emphasized, catching the way his eyebrows barely rose as I surprised him.

It was working.

“Unfortunately, I’m just as in the dark about your first two concerns,” I continued.

The art of transpiring honesty while I lied straight through my teeth was one I excelled in.

“About Azure Smoke, it was actually them who found me. I was lost, broken, and packless. Luckily for me, our Alpha makes a big deal out of rescuing underdogs.”

This time, it was Orsen who stayed silent - stunned. It was obvious he didn’t know what to think anymore. He had come here certain he would expose me, but I didn’t let him, and any leads he had turned out to be a dead end.

“If that is all, Alpha Orsen…” Koen chimed in again, pulling me closer to him protectively. “We have a long journey ahead of us.”

After blinking a few times, the man shook his head. “Of course. I apologize for taking so much of your time. Have a safe trip back.”

Koen spun on his heel, leading me away with him. Instead of heading straight to the car, he mindlinked the warrior who was our driver for the night, instructing him to meet us elsewhere. And, with that, we were off the hook.

But just barely.

As we turned the corner, disappearing from Orsen’s view, the adrenaline faded in a rush. My hands grew cold, and dizziness washed over me. Koen seemed to notice, quickly stopping to cup my face.

“Hey,” he called, looking into my eyes. “It’s okay, Avril. Nothing happened.”

I could feel sweat running down my forehead as I voiced my fears, “If he insists on this…”

“He won’t,” he asserted. “You did great. As nerve-racking as this encounter was, it served to convince him to take a step back.”

“How can you be so sure?” I mused, uncertain myself. “You heard what he said. He’s been digging.”

“And he couldn’t find anything relevant,” he reassured me, his fingers brushing my cheeks tenderly. “He’ll leave us alone, and so will the Council,” he insisted.

I wanted to believe him, but the fear that gripped me made it impossible.