Chapter 52 THE THREAT BETWEEN US
Varkos
Maria barely made it three steps into my study before I shut the door behind her. The sound thundering across the room—final, deliberate.
She turned, already opening her mouth to speak. “Alpha, I—“
My hand closed around her throat instantly, and I lifted her clean off the ground. Her gasp was sharp, her hand struggling uselessly against my wrist as her feet kicked for support that wasn’t there.
I slammed her back against the door hard enough to rattle the shelves, my Alpha power flooding the room like a suffocating tide.
“You don’t dare speak a word,” I growled, my voice a low, dangerous whisper. “Not until I have spoken, you old hag.”
Maria’s face flushed with ugly red veins that stood out along her temples as my fingers tightened even more around her throat. Her eyes bulged out, rolling slightly as she clawed desperately at my wrist, her nails scraping against my skin hard enough to sting—but it was nothing. Absolutely nothing.
“I know fully well you were about to say something to Lady Ravena and Kenna during breakfast,” I leaned closer, lowering my head until my mouth hovered beside her ear, “Something you know fully well would ruin me,” I said calmly, as if we were discussing the weather and not her imminent death.
My grip tightened around her neck just enough to remind her of a single, terrifying truth. She was alive because I allowed it. “What the hell,” I said slowly, deliberately, “did you intend to reveal?”
Maria’s body shook violently now, her legs kicking uselessly as her hands clawed harder at my arm. I felt the tremor rippling through her bones, the panic setting in as her lungs burned.
“Answer me! Damn it!”
I squeezed harder.
Not enough to kill her, but enough to hurt.
Her body jerked violently, a broken cry tearing from her throat as her spine arched against the door. “Y-you,” she choked out, her mouth finally working, the words ripping free in a hoarse rasp, “you’re sleeping with the human slave.”
She shook her head weakly, her lips trembling, while her eyes were already glassy and unfocused. No sound came out—only a strangled wheeze.
A faint curl at my lips. Slow, dangerous. “So you did see her,” I murmured, “You really did see Ginnie in my bedroom.”
Her eyes widened further, the terror spilling over into pure shock now. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her breath coming in ragged, broken sobs, “It’s wrong.” She choked out. “What you’re doing with the human slave is utterly bad. Lady Kenna—“
My grip snapped tighter instantly.
Her words died in her throat.
“Do not,” I said quietly, my voice dropping into something dark and lethal, “Dare utter Kenna’s to my ears.”
“I couldn’t stay silent,” Maria whimpered, her body shaking uncontrollably with fear, so thick it was intoxicating. “I won’t stay calm and watch a dirty human take the place meant for a Luna—”
I slammed her harder against the door before she could finish her words, the impact echoing violently through the study. Wood cracked beneath her back, so much so that the shelves rattled as dust shook loose from the ceiling.
“If you ever,” I growled, my voice no longer calm, nothing funny about the tone of my voice. “Use that filthy mouth to speak about what you saw,” I leaned in until my forehead nearly touched hers, my grip crushing now, merciless.
“Any day you even think about whispering Ginnie’s name to my mother,” I continued, “to Kenna, or anyone—” my claws sliced just beneath her skin, a promise rather than a threat. “I will rip you into shreds and bury what’s left of you so deep this land will forget you ever existed.”
“I-I won’t,” she sobbed, her body went slack in my grip, a broken sob tearing free as her strength finally gave out. And for a terrifying moment—
I considered not letting go but her eyes clearly showed that every ounce of her life was leaning her body. “I swear. I swear I won’t say a word.”
For a moment, I stood there, watching her for a long moment. I watched the fear. Watch the truth sink in, then I released her. She collapsed to the floor in a choking heap, her hands clutching her throat as she gasped violently for air.
“Stand up,” I ordered, stepping over her like she was nothing but trash. She coughed, tears streaking her face as she tried to breathe again. “I trust,” I said coldly, “That I’ve made myself clear?”
She struggled, finally forcing herself upright but her legs were swaying underneath her. Terror was still etched into every line of her face. “Y-yes, Alpha Varkos,” she nodded frantically, “ I won’t say a word. I swear on my life.”
Then as quickly as she turned toward the door, desperate to escape.
“Wait.”
I walked toward her slowly, deliberately. Each step sounded like a countdown to her death. “You will proceed with the wedding preparations,” I growled, “that’s going to take place the day after tomorrow. You will oversee everything about planning it…Do I make myself clear?”
Her eyes flickered in confusion, but she forced herself to give a response to my order. “Y–yes, Alpha Varkos.”
“You’ll handle it personally,” I added. “Because this mess” My gaze burned into her…it exists because of you. And you will not dare say a single word to Ginnie about any of this.”
“Of course.” Her breath hitched, “I—yes. I won’t.”
“Get. Out.”
She didn’t hesitate.
Maria fled my study like something was chasing her. The door slammed behind her the instant she walked out, and the silence rushed in.
Fuck!!
I dragged a hand through my hair, pacing the study like a restless animal locked up in a cage, my chest tight with fury—not at anyone in particular.
At myself.
I stopped near the window, staring out at nothing with the horrifying realization that there was only one thing left to do.
Tonight—
I would tell Ginnie the truth.
Even if it shattered her.