The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 115: Truth Part 1

**Florence's POV**

I sat against the cold, damp stone, feeling the chill seeping through my clothes. Hunger pangs gnawed at my stomach. It had been seven long days in this place, surviving on a meager meal each day. However, the real challenge wasn't the physical discomfort but the silence that surrounded me. No messages or visits from Nicholas or anyone else, except for the maid—Lena who silently brought my food. The woman didn't even let her eyes land on me.

If there is one thing I am grateful for the past seven days here in the jail, it is for the brief 5-minute baths they allowed me three times this week, though it was under the watchful eye of a female guard in a bathroom devoid of a window, ventilation, or even a mirror.

Aware that my time here was limited, I couldn't help but wonder about the punishment Nicholas might be contemplating. I silently hoped for a quick death. Leaning against the cold stone wall, all I could do was wish that Nicholas would reconsider whatever punishment he had on his mind.

A faint sound broke the stifling silence—the soft thud of approaching footsteps. My heart skipped a beat. The rusted hinges groaned as the door creaked open, revealing Clifford's grim face. He stood aside, his expression unreadable.

"Alpha wants to see you," he said, his voice void of any emotions.

My legs, shaky from disuse, struggled to bring me to my feet. I briefly met Clifford's gaze, his poker face revealed nothing. He led the way, confident that I posed no threat, and I followed with a tired sigh, staying behind him.

My brows furrowed as I realized we were heading to the throne hall. The journey remained silent, the tension thick enough to choke on. Soon, I caught a glimpse of the imposing double doors of the throne hall. Taking a deep breath, I steadied my emotions, determined not to break down as I did the last time they saw me. I stood straight, shoulders squared.

Clifford swung the door open, gesturing for me to enter first. Clenching and unclenching my fists, I stepped inside the throne hall, not expecting to find myself here for the second time.

The first thing that struck me was the familiar spacious room, and there they were—Layla, Gayle, Isaac standing to the side, and Nicholas perched on his throne. He looked every bit the powerful king, but fatigue cast shadows in his eyes, revealing sleepless nights.

Facing Nicholas, I maintained a blank expression with my head held high. The air hung heavy with tension and silent anger, though no one uttered a word.

Finally, Nicholas shattered the silence with a low, dangerous voice. "Are you now ready to confess to your crimes?"

I had anticipated this day. Meeting his gaze, I remained unflinching. "If the crimes include gathering information and spying, then yes. But if it's about killing Baron Mace, you won't get anything from me."

A flicker of surprise crossed Nicholas's face, swiftly replaced by a hardened stare. Before I could elaborate, a choked sob cut through the air. Layla stepped forward, her eyes red-rimmed and filled with tears.

"Nicholas explained your excuse," she cried. "Do you think we would believe that piece of crap?"

Guilt stabbed at my heart. Nicholas tensed, his features becoming a mask of controlled fury.

"Yes, I hope you believe it" I declared, my voice firm despite the inner tremor.

Nicholas approached me, his eyes flickering with black—an ominous sign that his wolf equally despised me. His accusation rang through the hall, filled with disbelief and anger.

"How dare you deny it?" he spat out, frustration lacing his words.

"I admitted to lying about some things. Yes. I lied about who I am," I confessed weakly, my voice hoarse. "But I wouldn't lie about something as serious as this. I swear on my life, I didn't kill Baron."

"Who are you working for?" Nicholas demanded in a heartbeat.

Taking a shaky breath, I tightened my jaw and clenched my fists as I revealed the truth.

"It's Keith Caldwell," I confessed.

Gasps echoed in the hall, and shock contorted their faces as they processed the revelation.

"What the hell?" Isaac gasped. "I knew it. That bastard was behind all this mess"

"He was the one who ordered me to spy on different people and also set a trap to capture me. While investigating, I discovered that he was the leader of the Mad Crest pride,” I continued.

There was a long pause until Clifford broke the silence, turning to Nicholas.

“This is strong evidence for us to arrest and execute that man,” he declared firmly.

“Why should we believe you after all the lies you have said?” Nicholas's words were edged with frustration.

"We're mates, Nicholas,” I stated, taking a deep breath to steady my emotions. “You would sense something off in me if I were lying. And if you still doubt me, I dare you to kill me or let our wolves converse. Beast sides can't lie, especially when they're mates."

Nicholas's intense gaze lingered on me until he lit a cigarette, his voice laced with anger as he walked to the carpeted platform where his throne sat.

"You really know how to manipulate words and talk, don't you? Like a true spy. Now I know why you spoke so eloquently during that council meeting,” he remarked bitterly.

I remained silent, hiding the wounds his words inflicted upon me. His words stung, but I swallowed the hurt, determined not to show weakness.

Clifford stepped forward, his voice cold and serious. "I believe it's time for you to come clean with the Swiftmane Pack. We saw your name on their list of members."

Nicholas's gaze hardened. "To think I specifically mentioned the survivor. Perhaps you're praying I never find Sara Douglas."

Taking a shaky breath, I realized further denial was pointless. "Yes," I admitted, "I am a member of the Swiftmane Pack."

Clifford clarified, "A survivor, or someone involved in their tragedy?"

I shook my head. "Survivor."

Their collective gaze intensified, silently urging me to elaborate.

"For years, I concealed myself in different packs, using various aliases. Since I possessed no wolf for them to sense, I claimed not to have one, rendering myself practically useless. Finding a pack accepting me was arduous. Some accepted my bribes, but those experiences were invariably unpleasant."

Layla gasped, "You went through all that?"

"I had no choice," I replied glumly. "The same approach applied to the Swiftmane Pack. I paid Alpha Jason for entry but kept a distance from the pack members, residing near the borders. Upon returning from work in a nearby human town, I discovered the pack held hostage by rogues. However, it was too late, and the rogues outnumbered them. "

Nicholas's brow furrowed. "You, a hybrid, could have escaped. Why didn't you?"

I nodded. "I intended to. But seeing Sara Douglas, a kind soul who treated me well, I couldn't bear to leave her to die. So I stayed… and bargained with their leader."

His eyes locked onto mine, jaw clenched. "What kind of bargain?"

Meeting his gaze, I revealed, "He granted Sara's freedom in exchange for my participation in the auction where you discovered me.

Layla gasped, the sound echoing in the tense silence.