Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Trace of the Traitor

Lila’s POV

“The Middle East.” I closed my eyes, and a clear map materialized in my mind. Derek’s aura hovered over a vast expanse of desert. “His exact location is near the United Arab Emirates or Qatar. The Tear of the Moon God froze itself because of my awakening. For him, it’s not just useless now—it’s a hot potato.”

“That’s great!” Zoe suddenly slammed her hand on the table and shot to her feet, her eyes sparkling with a thirst for adventure. “I’ve always heard that Dubai is a shopper’s paradise, and they have those seven-star hotels built in the desert. I’ve always wanted to go but never got the chance! This is perfect. The three of us can take a vacation to the Middle East, catch that traitor, and get the Tear of the Moon God back! It’s practically a family trip!”

The more she spoke, the more excited she became, even starting to picture herself striking a heroic pose for photos on the sand dunes, dressed in desert robes.

I couldn’t help but laugh at her excitement. I turned to Jasper, about to ask his opinion, when I caught the look he was giving Zoe.

It was an extremely subtle yet warning-filled gaze. Jasper narrowed his eyes slightly, the corner of his mouth curling into a half-smile. His gaze darted between Zoe and me before finally landing on my face with a hint of an unspoken “accusation.”

The look seemed to say: ’This girl is a massive third wheel. We just survived a life-and-death ordeal and finally confirmed our feelings for each other. Now is when we need some time alone, just the two of us. Are you sure you want to bring this noisy ’third wheel’ along?’

I froze for a second, my cheeks growing warm as I instantly understood the deeper meaning in his eyes.

“Ahem.” I cleared my throat, hiding my embarrassment and amusement, and turned to Zoe. “Zoe, this trip to the Middle East is mainly to deal with Derek. It could be very dangerous. Besides…”

“Besides, you’re still in charge of surveillance on the Thorne Family, and that needs to continue,” Jasper interjected at the perfect moment. His expression had returned to the majestic demeanor of the Wolf King, and his tone held an unquestionable command. “There are also some minor clan affairs that need handling lately. It’ll be good practice for you.”

Zoe opened her mouth, clearly reluctant. “But…”

“Be good.” Jasper’s voice was gentle, yet it carried a powerful, oppressive weight. “We’ll bring you back some local specialties when we return. I hear they have a type of desert rose there that’s perfect for making pressed specimens.”

Zoe looked at Jasper’s unarguable expression, then at me, and finally sighed in resignation, shrugging her shoulders. “Fine, fine, you guys always have a point. But…” She winked slyly. “When you get back, remember to bring me some of that… camel milk chocolate! And you have to send me pictures!”

“No problem,” I promised with a smile, my heart warming at the memory of Jasper’s earlier gaze.

Jasper stood up and extended his hand to me, his eyes shimmering with a gentle light. “Let’s go, Lila. Now that we know his location, we shouldn’t delay. We need to go get back what belongs to you.”

I took his hand, feeling the warmth of his palm.

“Zoe, you be careful while you’re here, too. Aunt Martha can be a handful,” I added, looking back at her.

“I know, don’t worry about me!” Zoe waved, picking up another macaron and speaking with feigned nonchalance. “I’ll miss you guys. Especially the part about what happens to that traitor—remember to give me all the details when you get back!”

The afternoon sun began its descent, stretching the shadows of Moon Hidden Villa long across the ground. I followed Jasper into the second-floor study.

This was a familiar place; the air was filled with the unique scent of old books and leather bindings. Jasper stopped in front of a huge world map that covered nearly the entire wall, marked with the global distribution of the Hale family’s influence.

“Here.” I walked to his side, but instead of looking at the markings on the map, I closed my eyes and let the Moon Priestess bloodline within me guide the way. A moment later, I opened my eyes and my fingertip lightly tapped a vast, yellow region on the map—the heart of the Middle East.

“An uninhabited area on the border of the United Arab Emirates.” I pulled my hand back, looking at the faint, cool sensation left on my fingertip. “Derek’s aura is very weak, but he’s still alive. The Tear of the Moon God is with him, but to him now, it’s more like a cursed stone.”

Jasper turned around, leaning his back against the map wall, his gaze fixed deeply on me. He reached out, gently pulling me into his arms, and rested his chin on the top of my head. He let out a low sigh. “Lila, I’m thinking that my presence as the Wolf King might be overshadowed by you from now on.”

I looked up at him, a little confused. “Why would you say that all of a sudden?”

“After the Moon Crown Ceremony, I could feel my body undergo a world-shaking transformation. My power surged, and my senses sharpened several times over. The feeling… it’s incredible.” He paused, a complex look flashing in his golden eyes. “But even with all this immense power, I still can’t pinpoint a traitor halfway across the globe with your precision. This Perception that spans such a vast distance is just… it’s amazing.”

His fingers gently caressed my cheek, his tone a mixture of sincere admiration and a touch of helplessness. “Is this the effect of our Destined Mate connection? Your healing and Perception, combined with my strength and rule… they’re a perfect complement to each other.”

A warmth spread through my chest. I took the initiative to wrap my arms around his waist and press my face against his solid, warm chest. Listening to the steady, powerful beat of his heart, I explained softly, “A Priest’s abilities aren’t limited to just healing. We can sense the rhythm of life, so naturally, we can also sense death and betrayal. As a traitor to the Wolf Clan, Derek was already being ’punished’ the moment the Moon Crown Ceremony activated my full powers. I can feel his pain because the Tear of the Moon God is punishing him.”

“Good.” Jasper’s voice turned cold in an instant, laced with a cruel satisfaction. “Letting him stew in his misery is more gratifying than just killing him outright.”

I lifted my head from his embrace and said seriously, “But before we go deal with Derek, there’s something I have to do first.”

Jasper seemed to have guessed my thoughts. He nodded slightly. “You’re talking about the clan members who took the Enhancer and the Silence Potion?”

“Yes.” I turned and walked to the desk, picking up a freshly printed list—the list of victims compiled by Elder Darius. “Although the Moon Crown Ceremony has ushered in a new era, the bodies of those who were corrupted by the drugs are still suffering. As a Priest, it’s my responsibility to heal them first. It’s my ability, and it’s my duty.”

“Of course.” Jasper came over and gently hugged me from behind, his voice full of affection and support. “I was thinking the same thing. That traitor Derek is practically a dead man walking, so there’s no rush. Once you’re back in top condition, we’ll go drag him out.”

I turned around in his arms to get more comfortable, looking up at his almost unfairly handsome face. A smile played on my lips. “Before, we saw him as a powerful opponent, even considered him a latent threat. But now…”

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