Kate looked at the photo without blinking. "I attend many charity events," she said calmly. "I speak to hundreds of people."
"You don't recognize him?"
She tilted her head slightly. "May I see his face clearly?"
The younger detective slid another photo forward. This one was sharper. The man looked serious, his eyes cold. Kate studied it carefully as she made sure her breathing stayed even.
"I have seen him before," she admitted after a moment. "He introduced himself as a donor. The son of a well-known philanthropist, but I don't remember his name."
"You don't remember the name of a well-known philanthropist? Well, you two spoke for almost ten minutes," the detective pressed.
"At charity events, people like to impress," she replied smoothly. "They talk, and I listen. That does not mean I know them."
The older detective watched her closely. "We have reason to believe he may have had a personal motive."
Kate's eyes hardened. "What are you trying to say? If you believe I was involved in my husband's shooting, say it clearly."
Neither man answered. She leaned forward slightly. "My husband is fighting for his life out there, and I stepped into his company today to keep it from collapsing. Do you truly think I would plan something like this?"
The younger detective shifted uncomfortably, then Kate stood up. "If that man is responsible, then catch him. That is your job, right?" She walked to the window and looked out at the city lights.
"As a daughter of a respected family, I meet strangers every week," she continued. "I shake hands. I smile. I speak politely, that is how public life works." She turned back to them. "I expect you to work harder. So go out there and find him!"
The older detective nodded slowly. "We will."
After they left, Kate remained standing by the window. Her reflection stared back at her in the dark glass. "Don't leave me, please," she whispered, then suddenly her phone buzzed with an unknown number.
She was surprised but answered it without speaking. A man's voice, calm. "Kate Vale Kingston, I expected you to look for me, or you want me to come instead?"
Kate's grip tightened. "Who is this?" her brow tightened.
"You already forgot my number? Why act as if you don't know why I pulled that trigger?"
Her breath caught. "What did you want?"
"Our agreement. I assume you remember it." Silence stretched, then the voice laughed softly. "Don't make me look for you, Kate. We'll talk soon."
The line went dead. Kate set the phone down slowly without saying a word or showing any expression.
--------------------------
Back in the palace, Adrian finally woke again. His body felt heavy, and his throat was dry. He turned his head slowly and saw Lady Arin sat near the bed, her hands folded tightly together. She looked exhausted.
When she noticed his eyes open, she stood quickly. "You're awake."
He exhaled. "Did I… turn?"
She hesitated. "Not fully, the pain passed."
He stared at his hands. They looked normal. "Am I a monster?" he asked quietly.
Arin's expression softened. "You are a king and a wolf. But an Alpha, that is not a monster."
He laughed weakly. "I didn't ask for this."
"None of us did," she replied.
Arin stepped closer to the bed. The room was quiet except for Adrian's slow breathing. The torches on the wall burned low, casting soft light across her face.
"You frightened everyone," she said gently. "You frightened me most."
Adrian pushed himself up against the pillows, his body still felt weak, but his mind was clear. "I frightened myself," he answered. "You said I am a wolf, I don't even understand what that means."
"It means you are born of the Moon Pack," Arin replied. "It means you carry the blood of Alphas, and this pain is part of you."
"It is not part of me," he said firmly and tapped his chest. "I am not the man you think I am, you know that."
Arin moved closer, so close he could see tears gathering in her eyes. "You are still my husband," she whispered. Before he could react, she leaned forward and tried to kiss him.
Adrian's eyes widened in shock. He quickly pushed her shoulders. "Stop!"
She pulled back, hurt flashing across her face. "Are you afraid of me?"
"I am not afraid," he said quickly. "I just can't do this."
"Can't do what?" Her voice trembled. "Kiss your own wife?"
He shook his head. "Arin you need to understand me, how many times will I tell you?"
The words hit her like a blow. "That what?" she look straight into his eyes. "We were joined before the Moon Altar. The packs witnessed it, and you promised to stand beside me."
"I already have a wife," Adrian said, his voice tight. "Her name is Kate. I married her in Seoul, and I love her."
Arin stared at him as if he truly had lost his mind. "You kept speaking of that strange world," she whispered. "You think that dream is more real than me?"
"It is not a dream," he replied. "It is my life."
She grabbed his hand suddenly. "Then when will you remember me? When will you look at me the way you used to?"
He gently pulled his hand free. "Maybe one day your real husband will return. Maybe the man you love is still inside this body somewhere."
Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Why are you treating me this way?" she cried. "I stood by your side when you collapsed. I faced the court when they called you mad. And if you continue like this, we will lose this throne to your brother because the pack is falling apart already."
He looked away, guilt pressing on him. "I don't want to hurt you," he said softly. "But I can't cheat on my wife."
"I am your wife!" she shouted.
"You are not," he answered, his voice tired. "And you can never be."
Silence filled the space between them. Arin stepped back slowly. Her expression changed from pain to anger. "You are cruel," she said. "You do not even see it."
"I'm just confused," he replied. "Everything is wrong. I need to rest."
She wiped her tears roughly. "Rest then, Your Majesty." She turned sharply and walked toward the door. Her maid hurried after her, whispering her name.