Chapter 173- DNA test?

Arabella:

"What are you talking about? You want me to stop looking for your daughter’s killer?"

The Queen quickly rose from her chair.

"Please, Arabella. Don’t get upset. Just hear me out." She took a step toward me but stopped when I moved away. "I’m not asking you to do this for nothing. If you agree, I’m willing to help you with something in return."

I gave her an incredulous look. "Help me with what?"

"Everything regarding your mother."

That shut me up. Wait a damn minute!

How did the Queen even know I was looking into my mother’s death? I hadn’t said a word to her about it. And more importantly, what did she know about my mother that she was willing to trade for my silence?

The Queen must have noticed that she’d caught me off guard because she continued with a knowing smile. "As a queen, I’m quite well-informed about what’s going on in this palace. I know you’ve been trying to find out what happened to your mother. I can help you with that, Arabella. But I need you to leave Anika’s case alone."

I remained standing beside the couch, trying to figure out what she was playing at.

I was already planning to meet my father tomorrow, and I certainly didn’t need the Queen’s help with anything. I could do it myself.

And why the hell was she suddenly so desperate to stop Anika’s investigation?

What kind of mother would bargain with someone to stop them from finding her own daughter’s killer?

For a moment, I wanted to tell her to shut up and stop playing games with me. But then I decided to be a little more sensible.

Bradley was already pissed at me. Jasmine couldn’t stand the sight of my face, and Amy probably hated me more than anyone else in the palace.

Did I really need to add the Queen to that list?

Not that she liked me in the first place, but I didn’t want to make things worse by picking another fight.

"I’ll think about it, Your Highness," I replied, trying to keep my tone polite. "But I don’t think I need your help right now. And as for Anika, I’ll need a pretty good explanation before I agree to anything."

The Queen watched me without saying a word, so I continued. "Your son dragged me back here when I was finally starting to enjoy my life in the human city. I didn’t ask to get involved in any of this. So, if you want me to drop the investigation, I think I deserve to know why."

I thought I’d been respectful enough, considering what she was asking of me. Apparently, she didn’t seem to agree.

The polite smile disappeared from her face, and for a second, I thought she was going to snap at me. Instead, she pressed her lips together and took a moment before answering.

"No matter what you do, Arabella, you’ll eventually need my help to uncover the truth about your mother." She lowered her voice, almost to a whisper. "And when that day comes, I’ll be waiting."

I studied her face. Something about the way she said it didn’t sit right with me. Was that a promise or a threat?

***

The Queen’s words were still bothering me the next day as we drove toward Atrium Mall, where Beta had an appointment for a suit fitting.

You’ll eventually need my help to uncover the truth about your mother.

Why was Theodora so damn sure about that?

Beside me, Lucien was unusually quiet as he drove, apparently lost in his own thoughts.

Oh, Arabella. He’s so handsome. I want to eat him alive! My wolf, Astraea, finally spoke up after being quiet for a while. I still hadn’t gotten used to hearing someone speak inside my head.

I turned to look at Lucien. I hadn’t told him about my argument with Bradley because I didn’t want to create another problem between them, especially when Bradley had always been loyal to him.

That was also why I’d asked Lucien to let me meet my father without anyone accompanying me. But instead, he decided to come along himself.

When the car finally stopped outside the mall, I picked up my bag and turned to him.

"Just so we’re clear, I need to talk to him alone. So, you’d better not show your face while I’m with him."

Lucien didn’t seem offended by my warning. He simply leaned back against his seat. "I’ll keep my distance. Just shout my name if you need me, and I’ll be there."

I kept looking at him, wondering if he was actually serious. Lucien noticed my expression and chuckled.

"What?" He raised an eyebrow. "You think I’m not capable of protecting my woman without my beast?"

My woman? My heart skipped a beat.

I rolled my eyes. "Seriously, Lucien? That’s what you got from my look?"

He laughed, looking far too pleased with himself.

I shook my head. "I have a feeling, Lucien Volkov. You’re going to be a pain in my ass today."

I reached for the door, but his grin only widened, telling me he was already planning to prove me right.

***

By the time I walked into the store, my father had already had his measurements taken.

He was standing near the counter, talking to the store manager. "Just don’t forget about the shoulders," my father was saying. "Last time, I could barely move my arms."

"Of course, sir. We’ll make the necessary adjustments," the manager assured him.

I waited until they were done before walking closer. "Beta Rick?"

He turned, and the moment he saw me, he froze. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you."

His face color changed immediately. He looked at the manager, who was still standing beside him. "Send me the final details. I’ll confirm everything later."

"Certainly, sir. Would you like us to—"

Beta Rick waved his hand to dismiss him and picked up his phone from the counter, heading straight for the exit.

He was pretending as if I wasn’t even there. I hurried after him and stepped into his way before he could leave the store.

"Please, I just need a few minutes. I promise I won’t take much of your time." I tried to keep my voice down. "I only want to ask you about my mother."

For a moment, he simply looked at me, and then his face twisted with anger. "How dare you, you pathetic piece of shit?" he spat. "Get out of my way right now, or I’ll punch you right in the face!"

I almost wanted to snap back at him. But no. Not today.

I hadn’t come all this way to argue with him. This might be my only chance to find out what had really happened to my mother, and I wasn’t going to ruin it by losing my temper.

"I’m asking you a simple question, Beta Rick," I said, forcing myself to remain calm. "I want to know about my mother. Not as your daughter, but as a member of Blackthorn Pack. She was part of that pack too, wasn’t she?"

He gave an ugly laugh. "I don’t owe you a damn thing, you ungrateful brat. Now move!"

"Beta Rick. Please."

"Didn’t you hear me? I said I don’t owe you anything!" He leaned toward me, lowering his voice. "And get one thing straight. You don’t belong to my pack anymore. You’re not my daughter either."

One look at my shocked face and his mouth twisted into a cruel smile. "Don’t believe me? Go get a DNA test done. Your mother was a whore, and you’re no different from her. I was never your father. Now move!"

I was ready to give him a piece of my mind, but something he’d said made me stop.

Wait a damn minute! What was he talking about? Why the hell was he asking me to get a DNA test?