Three Alphas, Fated To One, Played By One, But Mated To One-Chapter 63: Gathering the Threads

Lilith didn’t ask unnecessary questions.

That was one of the reasons I had begun trusting her more than the others who had been assigned to serve me. She simply nodded after I gave the order, her posture straightening as if she had just received a military command.

"I understand, Luna," she said. "Do you want information only about their current lives in the pack, or also about their lives before they married into it?"

"Everything," I replied immediately.

Lilith was stunned slightly at the firmness in my voice, but she didn’t say anything about it.

"Then I will need access to the pack archives," she said thoughtfully. "Marriage records, family backgrounds, migration history... those documents are kept in the administrative office."

"Yes. The administrative staff reports to the Beta’s office, but Lady Bernice’s authority still reaches there. Since I am officially assigned to you, they won’t deny my request."

That was more convenient that I had expected. Especially now that I had gone to see Lady Bernice and left unscathed. They would assume Lilith was on a mission assigned by the former Luna.

In this way, I could also avoid the limelight because they won’t know that I am the one snooping around.

I leaned back in the chair beside my desk, watching Lilith as she spoke.

It made me feel like I was beginning to build something of my own. Even though it was within the pack I had been dying to leave.

Even though I was starting with the most basic form of building power, information.

However, moving through dark corridors to hide from my tormenters over the years has taught me one thing. Information is the most reliable kind of power.

"How long will it take?" I asked.

"If I work overnight, I can prepare a preliminary report by tomorrow evening."

"That fast?"

I was surprised because there were many people in the pack and finding their information and arranging it would definitely take a lot of time. I had thought that she would need at least a week.

Lilith’s lips twitched slightly. Probably because of my reaction.

"I used to assist Lady Bernice’s administrative team before being transferred to your service. Organizing information is part of my specialty."

That answer made me wonder if I had backed the wrong tree.

Could she be the spy? Why would Lady Bernice give such a competent helper to me? However, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.

"Good," I said. "Then you can start tonight."

Lilith nodded again.

However, instead of leaving immediately, she hesitated for a moment.

Something about her expression had changed.

"Luna... may I ask something?"

"Go ahead. Feel free to ask anything."

"Why do you need that information?"

I don’t know why she asked when she always just did what she is told, but I folded my hands together and considered how much I should reveal.

"Because I want to understand something," I said finally.

"Understand what?"

"The structure of the pack."

After all, this was something that Lady Bernice had emphasized several times during our conversation and I don’t believe it was just a passing comment.

She had a deeper meaning and if I was going to survive as anything more than a slave, then I need to understand how the pack works.

Lilith looked puzzled.

"You already live in the pack." She said in confusion.

"I live in it," I agreed. "But that doesn’t mean I understand it."

If I understood the pack, I would know why my dad was killed. But I don’t, which means I don’t know how it works.

Lilith waited quietly for me to continue.

I sighed softly. ’May as well tell her.’ I thought to myself.

"Think about it," I said. "Almost every woman who married into this pack ended up giving up whatever they were doing before. Warriors stopped training. Scholars stopped studying. Artists stopped creating."

Lilith’s expression darkened slightly.

"That’s... true."

"Why?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

She didn’t answer. Probably because she had never thought about it before.

Finally, she said carefully, "Because that is the tradition of the Night Claw pack."

"Tradition?" I asked, the word leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

"Do you believe that tradition is fair?"

Lilith lowered her eyes.

"Fairness has never been the foundation of pack hierarchy."

That answer made me smile faintly. Lilith was honest.

"But it should be. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly. Regardless of their gender or status. So, tell me, are all the other packs the same?" I asked all of a sudden.

"I don’t think so." Lilith replied thoughtfully.

"Exactly. Why is our pack different?"

I didn’t say anything more than that. But it seems that there is something about the pack hidden from the ordinary members.

I leaned forward slightly.

"I’m not trying to destroy the pack, Lilith."

Her head lifted.

"But I refuse to accept a system that wastes half its potential. Or turns people into mindless puppets."

"Then, how is the information you are asking for going to help in changing that?"

Lilith asked in confusion.

"The moment I encouraged those women to stand up for themselves, I created enemies," I said calmly.

"I need that information to help me survive the deep waters of this pack." I finally said.

Lilith nodded slowly.

"Do you think people will target you?"

"The men who feel threatened will eventually retaliate. Maybe not directly because they are still afraid of Alpha Mike, but in other ways."

I stood up and walked toward the window.

Outside, the pack grounds were quieter now. The sun had set completely, and only the dim lights along the pathways illuminated the courtyard.

"The question isn’t whether they’ll come after me," I continued.

"The question is how."

Lilith stepped closer.

"And the women you want information about?"

"They are my weapon. But most importantly, I want the to live their own lives. Not like puppets or pawns."

"I don’t understand." Lilith said with a frown.