Chapter 104
Mar
Blackthorn Castle hasn’t felt like home since Amica came back Deckard barely looks at me, let alone checks on me. It’s pathetic, really–how he parades around like the devoted husband when I know the truth.
Dane told me to wait, to talk to him when he’s in a better mood, Remind him of the good times, go soft on him. And if that doesn’t work? Well, there’s always another way.
And tonight? Tonight proves I still have a place in his heart. He tells me what’s troubling him, confides in me like old times. He may pretend otherwise, but I know he still has a soft spot for me. He’s just too wrapped up in his hero complex to admis
iL
So, I’ll handle things myself.
Pamela as i perfect excuse for me to get into their business again An opportunity to get deckard to look my way again
And if Amica thinks she can erase me? If she thinks her little fairytale romance will last?
She has no idea what I’m capable of
The next morning, I take e two servants and a guard with me to Pamela’s room. I don’t need Deckard’s permission–but i war tell everyone that i am workin on Deckard’s order And when I give an order, they listen.
By the time dawn stretches across the sky, they’ve dragged her out of the room, her pathetic struggles muffled beneath the cloth mask I had them the around her face. No one needs to hear her screaming.
I wait in the garden, standing tall as they shove her down before me.
Take off the mask,” I order.
Pamela gasps as the fabric is yanked from her face. Her wide, bewildered eyes land on me,
“Hello, Pamela,” I say smoothly, folding my arms. “I hear you’ve been running your mouth, filling Amica’s head with all kinds of ideas, making her disrespect our Alpha.” I step closer, tiling my head. “And I don’t take kindly to liars.”
She coughs, “Who are you? What do you want?”
Her tone was so casual so unaware of who she’s dealing with. I stap her hard across the face, the sharp crack echoing through the garden.
“You will speak to me with respect, I sneer, watching the red bloom across her cheek. “Now, tell me what exactly did you. say to Amica to about Deckard?”
Pamela looks up at me, defiance flickering in her eyes,
I take a deep breath. This woman–this nobody–thinks she and up to me? After all I’ve been through, after everything I’ve lost because of her precious Amica?
I step forward, crouching to her level, my nails digging into herein as I force her to look at me.
Her face turns red, and satisfaction swells inside me, if she truly means something to Amica–if she’s a mother figure or anything close–then this is even better. I can take out all my anger on her for what that stupid girl has cost me.
I can’t wait for Aunica to find out that I’m doing this under Deckard’s orders
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“I have nothing to say to you, Miss, the woman says, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. “I don’t know who you are. nor was I introduced to you when I arrived at this castle. If the pha truly ordered this, then he is the only one I will speak
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Her deliance grates on my nerves.
I grabs her by the hair and yank hard, relishing the sharp gasp she lets out. “Listen, woman, you are nobody. There is no one here to protect you.
I lean in, my grip tightening “Your precious Amica has been nothing but trouble since she stepped foot in this place. But even she who only holds the ceremonial title of Luna–never dared to raise her voice at the Alpha until you came along and filled her head with lies.”
I smirk, watching the woman tremble beneath my grip. “I could order the guards to put a bullet in your skull right now, and just like that, you’d be forgotten. No one would care. No one would mourn you.” 1 tilt my head, my voice dripping with amusement. “So if you still want to walk this earth, I–suggest you tell me exactly what I need to know–now. Because I have nothing to lose…but your life? That’s a different story.”
touch. only this were Amica instead. My time will come. But for
1 revel in the power, in the way she shudders under my to now. I’ll enjoy this,
“What the hell are you doing, Mary?”
The sharp voice behind me makes me stiffen.
Turn, slowly, already irritated before I even see her face. Bria storms toward me, her eyes blazing with anger.
“Who asked you to do this?” she demands.
I roll my eyes, exhaling in annoyance. “Look, Bria, this is none of your business. I’d rather you stay out of iL”
But she doesn’t listen. She rushes forward and shoves me back, catching me off guard for a second.
I stumble slightly but recover quickly, letting out a slow, mocking laugh. “Pathetic” My lips curl into a smirk. “If I pushed you with the same force, you’d be dead by now.”
1 straighten my posture, crossing my arms as I glare at Bria. “Torking under the Alpha’s orders. We had a lengthy discussion about this last night.” My voice is firm, unwavering
Bria’s eyes narrow. “That’s impossible,” she snaps. “The Alpha would never ask you to do something this barbaric What are you, a rogue? We don’t act like this!”
She rushes to Pamela’s side, helping her up from the ground like she actually matters.
I scoff, rolling my eyes. “Listen, you old bitch, I’m in the middle of handling an assignment, and I don’t need your useless interference. I take a step closer, smirking as Bria stiffens. “If you really want to know if I’m telling the truth, why don’t you go ask the Alpha yourself?” I tilt my head. “But in the meantime, I’m busy dealing with this one, so stiggest you scram.”
“Dragging a defenseless woman out here early in the morning reatening her life? This is insanity, Mary! Deckard didn’t order this, did he?”
I tilt my chin up defiantly. “Deckard has enough on his plate. I’m just doing what needs to be done.”
Bria takes a step forward, lowering her voice. “And you think this will make him see you? Make him love you?” Her words cut sharper than I expect
I clench my jaw. Love? Love has nothing to do with this.
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“This is about loyalty,” I snap “Something Amica clearly lacks Something you seem to be lacking too
“Aunt Pamela, what the hell is going on here?” Amica’s voice ruthrough
Her eyes dart wildly, taking in Pamela’s disheveled state. “What are you doing here, Aunt Pamela? I’ve been looking for you everywhere–why are you crying?”
Pamela sniffles, lowering her head like a pathetic little lamb.
Tm so sorry, Amica. This was all Mary’s doing. I truly apologize Bria speaks like she’s afraid of her
“Who touched you?” Amica’s voice is a dangerous growl, thick with barely contained rage. “Who dared lay their hands on you?”
Pamela hesitates for a moment before slowly lifting a trembling finger–pointing right at me.
Asmug smile spreads across my lips. Good. Let her know exactly what I’ve done. Let her seethe in it.
Then, before I can fully enjoy the moment, a sharp crack explodes across my face.
My head snaps to the side, my vision blurring as the sting spreads through my cheek. For a few seconds, all I hear is a dull ringing.
I blink rapidly, trying to refocus.
Did that bitch just hit me!
