Richard: revenge of the Alpha king

The Arrival of Betrayal

The rain poured heavily that evening, hammering against the palace walls. I sat by my window, watching as the storm blurred everything outside. The distant rumble of thunder felt unsettling, like it was warning us about something we couldn't see.

Then, there was a knock.

At first, it was faint, nearly drowned out by the storm, but it grew louder and more urgent, breaking through the sound of the rain. I leaned out of my window, trying to see through the downpour. By the gates, the gatekeeper stood with his lantern flickering in the wind, looking into the darkness.

"Who's there?" he called, his voice sharp and cautious.

A reply came quickly, a voice I knew but didn't expect. It sounded urgent. "It's me, Jude! Please, I need help!"

Jude. That name was familiar. Father often talked about him, always with warmth. Jude was his childhood friend, the one who had saved his life during a fight long ago. Father said he was smart and loyal, someone you could always count on. But why was he here now, soaked and desperate?

The gatekeeper hesitated before disappearing into the rain to tell my father. A few moments later, I heard Father's quick footsteps in the hall. I quietly moved to the top of the stairs, my curiosity growing.

The big doors opened, and there he was. Jude stood in the doorway, rain dripping from his face. He had one arm around a woman I assumed was his wife. Two children clung to her, their faces pale and frightened.

"Jude," Father said, his voice filled with shock and worry. "What happened?"

"My king," Jude said, bowing his head. His voice shook as he spoke. "Bandits attacked us on the road. They burned our home. We barely got away."

Father's face fell. "Come in, my friend," he said softly. "You're safe here."

Jude nodded and led his family inside. I stayed at the top of the stairs, gripping the bannister tightly. Something about him didn't feel right. The man standing before my father wasn't the same one I'd imagined from his stories. There was a sharpness in Jude's eyes, like he was paying more attention to the palace than his own loss.

Later that night, I found my mother in her room. She was at her desk, writing under the soft glow of a lamp.

"Mother," I said, closing the door behind me. "Do you trust Jude?"

She didn't answer right away. When she finally looked at me, her face was calm, but her eyes were serious. "No," she said simply. "I never have. Jude has always been clever, but not in a way I trust. Your father sees the friend who saved his life. I see something else."

Her words made my stomach turn. "Do you think he's lying about what happened?"

"I don't know," she said. "But we'll find out. For now, watch him. Sometimes, betrayal comes from those who seem closest."

The next morning, the palace felt different. The servants whispered as they worked, throwing quick glances at Jude and his family. At breakfast, my sister and Jude's family were there,but my mother was still in her chambers.

''Where is my mother,''

I asked one of the servants,

''she said she would be down soon,''

She replied.

Father seemed happy, laughing with Jude as if nothing had changed.He didn't even notice his wife wasn't there,Jude was the one sitting in the chair my mother would always sit,Hmm it was getting out of hand.

As for my Sister,she was getting along with Zainab, Jude's wife,

Jude laughed too, but his eyes wandered the room, like he was studying everything around him.

''Jude did you remember when we did hide and seek I went to hide and I fell asleep,''

As my father said this everyone laughed including me,it was indeed hilarious,and sincerely my father and Jude made beautiful memories indeed.

''Yes,I kept on looking for you,and I didn't find you.It was up to two hours,I had to go and tell your mother.

Everyone thought you had been kidnapped.''

We all laughed again.

But my father's laughter was something else,it was as if Jude was missing his ribs.I guess if my father was into men,he would definitely marry Jude.

When my mother entered,

Mother stayed quiet, sitting at the far end of the table. She didn't look angry or upset, but I could tell she was watching Jude closely.

After breakfast, I followed Jude from a distance. He walked through the halls slowly, brushing his hands against the walls and looking around like he was remembering the place. He stopped by the armory, staring for a moment before moving on.

That evening, I overheard him talking to Father in the study. Their voices were low, but I crept closer to the door to listen.

"...thank you for your kindness, Smith," Jude was saying. "You've saved us."

"You would do the same for me," Father replied.

Jude chuckled, but it didn't sound natural. "Of course. But I couldn't help noticing the changes around the palace. New guards? Stronger defenses?"

Father paused before answering. "Yes, times are different now. We have to be prepared."

"Smart," Jude said. Then he asked, almost too casually, "And your alliances? Are they still strong?"

I felt my chest tighten. Why was he asking about alliances? What was he trying to find out?

I backed away from the door, my heart racing. Mother's words came back to me: Sometimes, betrayal comes from those who seem closest.

That night, I couldn't sleep. The storm outside had stopped, but it felt like a new one was brewing inside the palace. Jude wasn't here by accident.he was here for a reason.

And my father was so blinded, doesn't he know people change?

At that point I wasn't sure though,but my instincts,they never lie.

But I had to be sure first.