The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 77: Sneaking In

I stealthily made my way to the grand staircase, ensuring no one was in sight. Reaching the top floor, I glanced around and noticed the only other door adjacent to Nicholas's bedroom. Pausing briefly, I checked once more for any signs of surveillance, specifically a CCTV camera, but found none.

"Phew"

With cautious steps, I approached the door, turning the handle slowly. I took a moment to scan the room and quickly stepped inside. I didn't waste time rifling through the drawers, searching for any documents related to myself—Makayla Ellis. Despite my efforts, I couldn't find any substantial information, leaving me increasingly frustrated.

“Where did he hide my files?”

Just as I began to lose hope, my gaze fell upon a black envelope tucked away in one of the drawers. Raising a brow, I picked it up and cautiously tore it open.

Inside lay a collection of papers, my heart pounding as I recognized my picture — black hair with intense blue eyes. Half of my face was covered with black cloth. It was the picture I am sure that only Keith has. It was the only picture alongside various documents. My eyes scanned the information, and a shock coursed through me as I read about my hybrid nature — clear details about my father but none from my mother's identity. Seeing those accurate details about me sent shivers down my spine, leaving me stunned.

“What the fck,” I bitterly chuckled. “You seem to be too obsessed with me, Nicholas. Too obsessed.”

With shaking hands, I placed everything back in its original place, putting the black envelope back in the drawers. But I was too into spying now that I also looked at the contents of the red envelope.

A disbelieving smirk crossed my face when I saw the pictures. Each image showed a middle-aged man with silver-white hair, a wrinkled face, serious expressions, and an average build with a noticeable scar on his face. That scar was all too familiar to me — Keith Caldwell, one of the influential members of the Werewolf Council. The person I vowed to kill. He was engaged in candid conversations with various men.

Frowning, I turned over the pictures, scanning the dates and locations noted at the back, along with brief descriptions.

My focus honed in on one particular photo of Keith talking to a tall man in the middle of the forest. My frown deepened when I noticed the long, thick scar marred his right cheek, starting from the bottom of his face and ending there.

“This man…..” As I stared at the photo, realization sank in. It was the man who attacked the Swiftman Pack. “Austin Byers.”

I looked at the writing on the back side:

**2018

Colombia

With Suspected Rogue/Member of the MadCrest Pride**

“Why does he have this?” I whispered, utterly confused.

Then the realization struck me like a bolt of lightning – perhaps Nicholas has his own suspicions about Keith Caldwell. My attention darted to the computer screen, where an email notification popped up.

‘Alpha, all the files have been successfully retrieved.’

My jaw clenched. “Too many surprises.”

There is only one file that I know needs retrieving — the profiles in the Swiftmane Pack.

I discovered too much within a span of a few minutes, and I was having a hard time processing it all at once. I quickly cleared all his notifications and moved away from the desk, about to leave, but the sound of approaching footsteps towards the office reached my ears. Like a reflex, my eyes searched for a hiding spot. My heart was beating at a steady pace.

I scanned the room for a hiding spot, but rationality got the best of me. Whoever was coming into the room surely was a Lycan, and they would undoubtedly sense my presence regardless of where I hid myself. My gaze darted around, settling on the couch before dismissing the idea - the sound of my footsteps would easily betray my position.

Instead of taking a step away from my place, I sat in Nicholas's swivel chair. I leaned forward and rested my head on the table. I shut my eyes tightly, feigning sleep and attempting to regulate my breaths.

The seconds stretched agonizingly as I willed myself to stay perfectly still. I heard the door creak open, and Clifford's voice carried in, clearly surprised.

“Florence?” he quietly asked.

I braced myself, expecting that he would wake me up, but to my surprise, I heard the door closing quietly. His footsteps gradually faded away.

Once certain that I was alone, I cautiously opened my eyes, sitting upright in Nicholas's chair, exhaling a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

“That was close,” I murmured.

Taking a moment to compose myself, I waited patiently, allowing a couple of extra minutes to ensure that leaving would not arouse too many suspicions. I casually slipped away from the room, acting as if nothing had happened.

As I continued to roam the halls, exploring various sections of the castle — the art-filled gallery, the pool area, and even rooms filled with ancient artifacts — my mind was still on what I found in Nicholas's office. I didn't even understand the writings in the other room, and I just found myself staring at absolutely nothing.

I am just doing these things for the sake of my alibi.

Fortunately, there was one place I wanted to see, and spent my whole day there — the library.

With my nth sigh for the day, I walked through the hallway, and a sight outside the window caught my attention — a vast and lush garden sprawled beyond the glass. A smile crept across my face at the sight. It was the castle's garden.

I made my way to the garden, just assuming it was on the right wing of the estate. Thankfully, I spotted two maids approaching me.

"Hey, excuse me, could you tell me where to find the garden?"

The servants exchanged glances. One of them eagerly responded, "Oh, sure! You just need to head down that corridor, take a right, and you'll find it."

"Thank you."

Before I could turn away, the other maid blurted out, "You're so beautiful!"

I grinned at the unexpected compliment, feeling a little flattered.

"Oh, thank you! You're too kind," I replied, waving to them as I continued on my way.

As I stepped into the garden, I was instantly captivated by its beauty. The wide expanse spread out before me, adorned with flowers that lined a meticulously trimmed circular path.

Lost in admiration, my gaze swept over the flowers until something caught my eye—a figure tucked away in a clearing nearby.