Chapter 18: The visit.

(Yvonne POV)

The stench of burnt soup clung to the air, sharp and bitter, as I stared at the mess splattered across the kitchen floor. 

Another wasted meal, I thought, glaring at the abomination I had to endure called food. My claws had retracted, but not before leaving faint scratches in the cheap, peeling linoleum.

“Fuck!” My chest heaved with the force of my anger as my frustration boiled hotter than the burnt soup I had just thrown. 

“It’s all because of her. It’s all her fault,” I hissed, my voice dripping with venom. I should be living the life of my dreams, one where I would be the concubine, the Alpha’s Luna, the most powerful woman in the pack. I was to be revered by all. I made sure of it. 

Ever since I was young, I had always wanted to be Luna and kill anyone who dared to be near my chosen Alpha. Everything was perfect as he was finally engaged to me. I thought I had succeeded. 

But all that was until her. 

“She caused all this,” I slammed the pot aside, its metallic clang echoing across the small cage for an apartment. “She made him hate me. She made him forget about the things we did together within only a few moments of her meeting him. And now, I’m here, living like a goddamned beggar.”

My eyes turned a hue of yellow as I glared at the small apartment and that’s when my eyes snaked to the couch. That old, tattered thing has been not only my bed ever since I moved here, but also my punching bag for my rage one too many times. 

Without thinking about anything, not even a second thought, I lunged at it, my claws bared and tearing through the old fabric. The ripping sound of the fabric brought some sense of satisfaction to me, making me tear even deeper. 

I wished to the moon goddess that this couch could turn into Haisley. I want to sink my claws into her, to tear her into a million pieces. I wanted her blood and flesh. 

I wanted her dead beneath my feet. 

Thinking about this, I slashed even deeper, my eyes crazed as I stared into the imaginary image of her pathetic figure. 

But after a few seconds, the torn couch wasn’t enough to extinguish the fire burning in my chest.

Kayden.

My Kayden. 

The thought of him—no, not that. The mere memory of him laughing with her, favoring her—ignited a fresh wave of hatred. 

That bitch. 

I would do anything to kill her. 

Haisley. 

She had slithered her way into our lives. A maid, an ordinary slave, bought from the Alpha’s cage but unknowingly poisoned everything she touched. 

My wedding, my life, and my supposed mate. 

She took everything. 

“Ahhh,” I screamed, grabbing the couch with all my strength, surged by adrenaline and I heaved it towards the window. 

The glass gave way, shattering into a billion pieces as the sound of it hitting the street below followed by the angry blare of car horns and panicked passengers gave me some sort of satisfaction. 

Good. Let them yell and feel my pain. 

I didn’t care anymore.

I sank to the floor, my hands shaking as I buried my face in them. I didn’t want to do this. I never wanted to be a pathetic werewolf and cried as I had tried to hold back the tears for the longest time, but the tears came anyway, hot and relentless as they poured from my eyes. 

“All her fault,” I choked, dropping my head to the dirty floor. 

Just when I was getting lost in my misery, a sharp knock at the door startled me, breaking through the haze of my emotions. 

Who could that be?

Instinct took over, and I raced toward the kitchen for a knife. “Who is it?” I asked, waiting for a response and, as I expected, no response came. 

Slowly, my claws came out in defense as I sensed impending danger as I crept towards the door. 

I peered through the peephole, prepared to stab the ears of those who would know I was staying in this abandoned building, but when I saw who was there, I froze.

General Lucas.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I barked, yanking the door open just enough to glare at him.

Lucas, calm and infuriatingly composed as always, raised an eyebrow as he scrutinized my disheveled appearance. “May I come in?”

I glared at him, my eyes narrowing. “No,” I barked, blocking the doorway with my body and my legs holding the door, refusing to budge. “What the fuck are you doing here, Lucas. I thought I told you never to show up here unless I called. These impromptu visits should end.”

He sighed, his eyes flicking down the hallway. Something about the way he looked over his shoulder made my stomach tighten.

“What is it? What’s so important?” I asked, looking behind him for what might have dragged his attention. “You’re not alone!” I said, bringing up my knife to his neck.  

Lucas raised his hands in surrender, his voice low and clipped. “It’s important, and I am alone, Yvonne,”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Then why are you here? What would be so important as my peace and solitude?”

“Let me in, Mistress.”

I scoffed, annoyed as I left the door, and entered my apartment. Lucas entered alone, the sound of the door closing followed, and I turned to meet his searching gaze. His eyes scanned the mess of the room, the shattered window, and the remnants of the couch that were scattered all around the room.

“Seems like you have been remodeling.” He said, his voice holding a question.  

I narrowed my eyes on him. “Do not waste my time, General. Tell me what you want to tell me and do away with your presence. I have no time for rubbish like this. I need to think of my next plan of action.”

“Make it quick.”

General Lucas sighed, his shoulders dropping. “I’m so sorry, Yovenne. But we’ve been compromised.”