Page 47 of The Alpha King’s Hidden Mute Mate

That evening, I summoned the elders again.

The council chamber blazed with light, fireplace crackling, stretching everyone's shadows long. The elders sat on both sides, expressions grave. Leah was there too—as the future "Luna," she now qualified to attend meetings at this level. She sat toward the back in a deep green silk gown, hair coiled in an elaborate bun, a polite, proper smile on her lips.

Perfect noble bearing. Perfect future queen material.

But for some reason, looking at her made me increasingly irritated.

"Regarding Mia Turner's handling," I sat at the head, fingers drumming the oak table with dull thuds, "I agree to exile her."

The moment I finished, murmurs filled the chamber. Several elders exchanged glances, faces showing barely concealed satisfaction. Elder Alden even nodded slightly, like a well-fed cat.

"However," I raised my voice, gaze sweeping every face present, "she'll be placed in Willos on the kingdom's outskirts. It's within our jurisdiction. I can monitor her movements at any time. This isn't banishment—it's supervised residence."

"Your Majesty," one elder frowned, "isn't this too lenient? The prophet said she might control the entire kingdom—"

"I'll bear all consequences." I cut him off, voice cold as tempered ice. "But until then, she won't be harmed. That's my bottom line."

The chamber quieted for several seconds. A log in the fireplace crackled sharply, sparks scattering on the stone floor, quickly dying.

"I agree with Your Majesty's plan." Elder Alden spoke first, voice steady and smooth. "Keeping the threat within sight is wise. Besides—" he paused meaningfully, "Willos is only half a day from the palace. If anything happens, we can respond quickly."

The other elders chimed in. What could've become a confrontation was suppressed.

I leaned back in my chair, quietly relieved. But then, from the corner of my eye, I caught something—

Leah.

She sat in the corner, lips curved slightly upward.

Not a polite smile, but something deeper. The smile of a hunter waiting by a trap for prey to fall in, certain of success. Her fingers traced the rim of her wine glass, posture elegant and composed, like a cat that had just claimed new territory.

That smile sent chills down my spine. But she was just a woman without power.

I said nothing, just stood and dismissed the meeting.

"That's settled then," I said. "Tomorrow morning, I'll sign the exile order. Mia Turner will leave the palace within three days for Willos."

The elders rose and bowed, filing out of the chamber. Leah stood last, curtsied slightly, and turned to leave.

At the doorway, she suddenly looked back and gave me a sweet smile.

"Good night, Your Majesty." Her voice was soft as honey. "Sweet dreams."

Then she disappeared into the corridor shadows.

I stood there, staring at that closed door, an inexplicable unease rising in my chest.

Why?

I shook my head, trying to banish the thought. Maybe I was overthinking it. Maybe she was just happy to finally claim the Luna position.

But the unease was a tiny thorn, lodged in some corner of my consciousness, throbbing faintly.

I left the council chamber and climbed to the castle's highest tower. The night wind was strong, whipping my cloak loudly. The distant forest gleamed silver-gray in the moonlight, like the sleeping spine of a massive beast.

Willos was in that direction.

I closed my eyes, Mia's face surfacing in my mind—that pale, stubborn face that never showed weakness in front of me. What would she do in that little town? Would she open her window every morning and stare blankly at unfamiliar streets? Would she, in the dead of night, think of this place she desperately wanted to escape?