Chapter 91 Chapter 91
Violet
Elijah had told me several times how he loved control and took what he wanted without asking permission. Of how he was a monster and didn’t shy away from accepting that tag.
My throat went dry so I reached for the glass of water and tentatively took a sip.
“I’m not warning you because I hate you,” she added. “I’m warning you because no one warned me. When all is said and done, you would thank me for today.”
My throat burned. Was she really being nice to me?
“I didn’t ask for him,” I said. “I didn’t ask for this. I only needed an alliance for my pack.”
She inclined her head. “None of us ever do but fate works in mysterious ways.”
Her gaze darkened again. “But understand this, Violet Hayes. I am watching you.”
The words were calm. Deadly.
“I don’t care if you leave tomorrow,” she continued. “I don’t care if you fall into his bed tonight. Or already have.”
Heat crept up my face and my eyes automatically looked away from her piercing gaze.
“But if you start believing you belong here… if you start imagining a future with him…”
She leaned forward.
“I will not save you from the consequences which might have included persuading Alpha Alaric to provide more than just safety to your pack.”
My pulse roared. What did she know about my pack?
“I had someone do a bit of digging. Your pack’s financial condition isn’t good. And as you can see, there is an abundance of wealth here. Imagine what it could mean if your father doesn’t have to go from door to door, begging for support, for trades, for anything at all. Imagine all the pack members well fed, living their dream lives. Wouldn’t it be an ideal scenario?”
“You’re cruel,” I whispered.
A small, tired smile touched her lips.
“I am realistic. So let's get to the interesting part of why you are here.”
She pushed herself to her feet.
The movement was slower than it should have been.
For just a second, her hand hovered near the armrest, as if she might need it.
“You make Elijah reckless.”
“I really…”
“I noticed all I needed to at the dinner table where he kept standing up for you. That is dangerous.”
Her gaze dropped to my hands, still clenched. “You make him forget what he is.”
Her eyes lifted again, looking at me sharply before delivering the final blow.
“And that’s why I need you to destroy him.”
My breath left my lungs in a sound that wasn’t quite a gasp. Of all the things I’d expected her to say, this would not have been even a remote guess.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” she said calmly.
My head started to shake. “You’re insane!”
She tilted her head. “You don’t get to insult me when you’re the one who is at my mercy.”
“I would never—”
“You will,” she said softly. “Because I will make it so that you have no other choice.”
My heart pounded violently against my ribs.
“What exactly do you think you’re asking me to do?”
Her gaze locked onto mine.
“You will seduce him.”
My blood turned to ice as she narrated her master plan.
“You will let him fall in love with you,” she continued. “You will make him believe you are his future. And his forever after. If you need money, dresses, expensive jewelry or anything else to meet that goal it will be provided without any questions asked. And the best part, you can keep it for yourself."
Tears burned behind my eyes. This really had to be some cruel joke.
“And then,” she said, her voice velvet-smooth, “you will betray him when he is at his most vulnerable.”
I pushed to my feet so abruptly the chair scraped against the floor.
“No,” I said hoarsely. “Absolutely not!”
She didn’t flinch at my outburst. In fact, she continued as if I hadn’t spoken at all.
“You will humiliate him publicly,” she went on. “Make him think you used him. That you were lying. That you chose your family’s safety. Or another man. Or whatever poison story you prefer. Break him so that he never dares choose someone again. You have to make him not just hate you but loathe you.”
She wanted me to turn into the very person I deeply loathed. Into the likes of Nate and Nicole.
“Why?” I croaked.
“These walls contain secrets that should stay hidden and buried. I have kept them for years and I wont let that change for anything or anyone. Besides, I am doing you a favor,” she said quietly. “By telling you now instead of letting you break later..”
Her gaze lingered on me.
“And favors, in this family, are never free. It's just as easy to ask Alpha Alaric to spare your pack as it is to demolish it. Just one word and your pack will cease to exist. It could not only get utterly wrecked but erased from memory. So choose your side wisely.”
She did not just say that!
“Please keep my pack out of it! They are innocent!” Desperation crawled into my voice and I knew she heard it too.
“Oh you dragged them into this mess when you decided to get involved with my son. I am just ensuring he never looks at an innocent looking face again. Alpha Alaric doesn’t tolerate weakness. Ironcrest Manor doesn’t forgive faults and you could turn into the biggest one of the future Devereaux bloodline. I would not allow that!”
How could she destroy her own son's heart and hopes? I wasn’t sure if Elijah even felt anything for me but what she was asking me to do was beyond cruel.
And the fate of my pack, my parents hung in balance.
“And you think that makes you a good mother?”
Her eyes flickered, just barely.
Then hardened again.
“I think it makes me a successful one.”
Author's note: Hi readers, I can't wait to see your comments. Let me know what do you think of the story and the characters so far because it will motivate me to continue writing. Thank you!