Chapter 36 New Friendship
Zoe's POV continued
I needed to act fast.
Mia was watching us. Suspicious. Jealous.
I pulled away gently. Stepped back.
Then moved forward. Toward Mia.
Gave her a small smile. Warm. Friendly.
"I'm Lady Margaret from the Southern pack." My voice was bright. Easy. "I was just telling the Alpha how beautiful Lakewood is. And how lovely his people are."
Mia's eyes narrowed slightly. Studying me.
Then she stepped closer. Her chin lifted.
"I'm Mia." Her voice had an edge. Sharp. Jealous. "His wife-to-be. We're getting married soon."
She emphasized the words. Wife-to-be. Getting married.
Marking her territory.
I smiled wider. Like I didn't notice the tone.
"How wonderful! Congratulations!" I reached out. Took her hand. Shook it. "You must be so excited."
"I am." Mia's grip was firm. Competitive. "We've been together for three years."
"Three years. That's beautiful." I kept smiling. Kept my voice sweet. "True love is so rare these days."
Behind me, I felt Jeremy tense. But I didn't look at him.
I focused on Mia. On winning her over.
Because this... this was perfect.
I wasn't here just for Jeremy anymore.
I deserved to take revenge on Mia too.
For all the pain she caused me. For the lies. For the manipulation.
For standing by while Jeremy shot me. For celebrating my death.
And what better way to destroy someone than to befriend them first?
To get close. To learn their secrets. To become trusted.
Then strike when they least expect it.
I knew Mia. Knew her weaknesses.
She had high taste. Loved materialistic things. Expensive things.
Gold. Jewelry. Luxury.
She couldn't resist.
"I like you already," I said, still holding her hand. "Maybe we could be friends? You could show me around Lakewood properly."
Mia's expression softened. Just a little.
"Friends?"
"Yes. I'm new here. Don't know many people." I looked around. Like I was shy. Uncertain. "It would be nice to have a friend. Especially someone as elegant as you."
Flattery. It always worked on Mia.
"Well..." She touched her hair. Pleased. "I suppose I could show you around."
"Really? That would be wonderful!" I squeezed her hand. "And... I have some beautiful Southern gold that would look good on you. If you don't mind, I could..."
I didn't even finish the sentence.
Mia moved closer in seconds. Her eyes lit up.
Smiling now. Wide. Genuine.
"You have Southern gold?" Her voice changed completely. Excited. Eager. "I'd love to see it!"
Perfect.
"Of course! I brought several pieces with me. Necklaces. Bracelets. Rings." I leaned closer. Like we were sharing a secret. "They're quite rare. Only the royal families in the South have access to them."
"Rare?" Mia's eyes sparkled. "How rare?"
"Very. Some pieces are one of a kind." I smiled. "I'd be happy to show you tomorrow. Maybe you could help me choose which ones to wear to future events?"
"Yes! Yes, I'd love that." Mia was practically bouncing now. All suspicion gone. Replaced by greed. By desire.
She grabbed my arm. Friendly now. Warm.
"Come back to the ball with us. I want to introduce you to everyone."
"Oh, I don't want to intrude..."
"You're not intruding. You're my new friend." She pulled me gently. "Right, Jeremy?"
Jeremy. She said his name.
I finally looked at him.
He was staring at me. Still. His face unreadable.
Confused. Suspicious. Longing.
All mixed together.
"Jeremy?" Mia repeated. Sharper now. "Lady Margaret is my friend now. She should come back to the ball."
Jeremy blinked. Focused on Mia.
"Yes. Of course." His voice was flat. "She's welcome."
But his eyes stayed on me.
Searching. Questioning.
Like he was trying to see through my mask. Through my disguise.
Through everything.
I smiled at him. Polite. Distant.
Nothing more.
Then turned back to Mia.
"Thank you so much. You're too kind."
"Not at all!" Mia linked her arm through mine. "Come. The night is still young. And I want everyone to meet you."
She started pulling me back toward the ballroom.
Back to the lights. The music. The party.
I let her lead me. Smiled. Laughed at something she said.
Played the part perfectly.
But inside... I was calculating.
Planning.
Mia thought she'd made a new friend.
A rich, elegant Southern lady who had gold and gifts.
She had no idea.
No idea that her new friend was the woman she helped kill.
The woman whose death she celebrated.
The woman who was going to destroy her.
Slowly. Carefully. Completely.
I looked back once.
Jeremy was following. But slowly. Hanging back.
Still watching me. Still confused.
Still feeling the pull of the mate bond.
Good.
Let him be confused. Let him wonder. Let him question everything.
Because soon... very soon...
They would both know the truth.
And by then, it would be too late.