Chapter 15 - The Fiancée's Confession|
Genevieve Sinclair requested a private meeting with Hazel.
Hazel nearly refused. Genevieve had helped Preston humiliate her, and her father had helped suppress Hazel's wolf. Nothing about the request suggested goodwill.
But Eleanor explained that Genevieve had offered to provide evidence concerning Richard Sinclair's role in the conspiracy.
Hazel agreed to hear her.
They met in a guarded sitting room at the royal residence. Genevieve arrived without jewelry, wearing a simple gray dress. For once, she looked younger than her carefully cultivated public image.
“I don't expect you to forgive me,” she began.
“Good. Then we can save time.”
Genevieve accepted the rebuke.
“My father knew about your bloodline before Preston brought you to the Pierre. He told me that if the Moonveil heir appeared, I should report it immediately.”
“Did you know he was involved in suppressing my wolf?”
“I suspected he had arranged something with Dr. Voss. I didn't know the details.”
“But you knew enough to keep quiet.”
“Yes.”
Hazel looked at her for a long moment.
“Why are you telling me now?”
“Because my father planned to use Preston's engagement to me as a way to strengthen his position. He wanted Preston to believe that marrying me would secure his future. In return, Preston agreed to help bring you before the council.”
Hazel felt a bitter laugh rise.
“So he traded me for a title.”
“He told himself he was protecting his pack.”
“He told himself a lot of things.”
Genevieve lowered her eyes.
“I knew Preston had treated you badly. I encouraged it because I thought it made me look stronger. I wanted everyone to believe he had chosen me because I was better than you.”
“Were you?”
Genevieve looked up sharply.
“No.”
The answer surprised Hazel.
Genevieve continued.
“I was better at pretending. I knew which people to flatter, which traditions to quote, and how to make someone feel small without raising my voice. I mistook that for power.”
Hazel studied her.
“Why should I believe you now?”
“You shouldn't. Not without evidence.”
Genevieve handed her a small storage device.
“It contains my father's messages, including the orders he sent to Dr. Voss and the council members who helped Edmund. I kept copies because I was afraid he would eventually blame me.”
Hazel passed the device to Eleanor for verification.
“If the records are real, you will have to testify.”
“I will.”
“And you may lose your family's protection.”
Genevieve's mouth tightened.
“I know.”
Hazel stood.
“I won't tell you that you're forgiven. But if you're telling the truth, you have a chance to stop doing what your father taught you.”
Genevieve nodded, tears gathering in her eyes.
As the meeting ended, she turned back.
“There is one more thing. Preston has been telling people you used a forbidden bond to control Adrian.”
Hazel sighed.
“Of course he has.”
“He says the king is not acting freely. He intends to challenge Adrian's authority at the next pack assembly.”
Eleanor looked up from the verified records.
“That would be an attempt to destabilize the succession.”
Genevieve nodded.
“My father has already promised Preston support.”
Hazel felt the familiar pressure of a new threat.
She had survived the slap, the conspiracy, and the return of a king who believed he owned her bloodline.
Now Preston wanted to turn her into the excuse for a rebellion.
Hazel looked at Eleanor.
“When is the assembly?”
“Three days from now.”
May you like
Hazel picked up her mother's pendant.
“Then I'll be there.”
