The Alpha's Unwanted Bride novel Chapter 493

Chapter 493: MURDER

How did any of this happen?" Marie demanded, her voice sharp and filled with a rage that burned beneath the surface like hot coals. Her gaze swept over everyone in the room before landing on Jasmine’s pale, lifeless body.

She sighed heavily, realizing Jasmine was still unconscious, barely clinging to life. Her magic had stopped the bleeding—for now. But the damage had been done. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she signaled for everyone to step out.

Loren, Ned, Nanny Nia, and the wide-eyed maids all nodded wordlessly, as if pulled by some invisible force. Silently, they moved through the room, wiping down the stained floors, disposing of the used towels, and gathering the bloodied basin.

Nanny Nia lingered the longest. Her hands shook as she gently pulled Xaden’s thickest fur blanket over Jasmine’s fragile form, tucking her in like a child. Then, with trembling lips, she kissed her forehead softly. "You were supposed to be safe," she whispered.

Once they were all outside and the door shut firmly behind them, Marie turned on the group like a storm.

"Now," she said, her voice icy and controlled, "I want you to tell me how any of this happened to Jasmine. From the beginning. Every single detail."

"We... we don’t know," Nanny Nia said honestly, her voice small. "Not everything."

"I do," came a soft, hesitant voice.

They all turned in surprise to a maid who had lingered near the back, practically invisible until now. She was one of the youngest, often overlooked and never spoken to unless commanded.

"I was the one who found her," the girl said, twisting her fingers together. "I—I was going to give her breakfast. When I walked in... she was already lying there. On the floor. Covered in blood. I thought she was dead."

"I saw her the night before," Nanny Nia added quietly. "I checked in on her in the cell. She was fine. Weak, tired... but fine."

Marie’s eyes narrowed. "Cell?"

"Yes," Nanny Nia said. "She was placed in one."

Marie looked sharply between them, blinking in disbelief. "Why was Jasmine in a cell? What in the name of the goddess was she doing in a damn cell?"

Loren, now back to his usual irritated self, scoffed. "I thought you were the all-seeing witch."

Marie turned to him slowly. "Being a seer doesn’t mean I’m omniscient, healer. Now answer me. Why was she locked up?"

And then they told her everything—piece by piece, voice by voice. The betrayal Jasmine had supposedly committed. The evidence. The whispers of treason. The claims she had colluded with the enemy. That she had plotted against Xaden, her mate. Her Alpha.

Marie listened, her expression unreadable. And then she chuckled—low and cold. A dangerous sound. Everyone froze, unsure if she was laughing or preparing to curse the entire hallway.

"That’s it?" she asked, her voice now trembling with fury. "That’s why Xaden...?"

She didn’t finish the sentence. Her hands balled into fists. Her jaw clenched so tightly it was a wonder her teeth didn’t crack.

"Where is Xaden?" she finally asked.

"No one has seen him," Loren answered. "Or Erik. They’ve been gone since it happened. Most believe they’re not even in the territory."

Marie’s gaze darkened. "Well, wherever they are, they’re about to be found. If I were any of you, I’d keep someone with Jasmine at all times. Before whoever started this... finishes it."

She turned abruptly, her cloak sweeping behind her like a shadow.

"Where are you going?" Nanny Nia called after her.

"To find your so-called Alpha," Marie snapped.

She stormed down the hallway, her presence crackling with power. The torches flickered as she passed. The walls seemed to shudder.

She was livid. This wasn’t just betrayal—it was stupidity. She had worked too hard, protected too much, and now it had all been undone. Jasmine’s womb was empty. Her soul barely tethered to her body. And all because Xaden had believed lies whispered into his ears.

Using her power, she reached out across the territory, searching for his energy signature.

There.

At the outer gate. He was just dismounting from his horse. Marie’s lips curled.

She stepped outside, storming across the courtyard. The massive doors of the pack house opened for her as if sensing her fury. She descended the stone steps and found Xaden, tall and broad-shouldered, speaking with his men. Erik was beside him.

Xaden turned slowly, sensing her rage. His brows drew together.

"Where have you been?" he barked. "I sent for you for nearly two weeks! You ignored every summons—"

Marie didn’t answer. She lifted her hand and traced a wide circle through the air. A swirling black vortex burst into life.

In the next blink, Xaden, Erik, and Marie vanished.

They reappeared inside a sealed room within the pack house. A private study, empty and locked.

"What the hell are you doing?" Xaden growled. "Why bring us here?"

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