Chapter 81: Seed of Deceit

Leo’s POV

I forced a steady breath, my heart still hammering from the rush of the hunt. But the moment I stepped inside, that adrenaline shifted into something else—something heavier.  

Ivy’s gaze followed me as I walked in, her brows knitting with concern. "Leo?"  

I couldn't let her see the war raging inside me. Not now. I needed to leave. Fast.  

I forced a small smirk, running a hand through my hair. "Just some business. I’ll be back soon."  

She sat up, her expression tightening. "Business? You just got back."  

I leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I won’t be long."  

Ivy studied my face, as if searching for a crack in my excuse. "You’re lying."  

My jaw clenched, but I kept my voice even. "Ivy, don’t start. I have to go."  

She grabbed my wrist before I could move away. "Wait. Did my father say anything to you? I just spoke to him today, and it was… strange."  

Her words made my stomach tighten. I knew things she didn’t—things she didn’t need to know.  

I cupped her face, my thumb brushing against her cheek. "He’s probably just caught up with the conference. He’s due back this weekend, right?"  

She nodded hesitantly.  

"Then don’t overthink it," I murmured, my lips ghosting over hers before I pressed a slow, lingering kiss.  

She sighed against me, her fingers curling into my shirt.  

"Get some rest," I whispered. "I’ll be back before you know it."  

I straightened and turned on my heel, leaving before she could protest further.  

As I reached the grand staircase, I found Isabella waiting below, her head bowed in perfect obedience. But I knew better.  

I stopped in front of her, my voice dropping into a cold warning. "Do not slip up this time."  

She didn’t flinch. "I won’t."  

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "Protect my mate with your life."  

Her lips curled slightly, but she nodded. "Of course."  

I hesitated, something gnawing at me, but I pushed it down. There was no time for doubts.  

With a final glance, I stormed out, my men falling in line behind me.  

****

Isabella’s POV

The moment the doors slammed shut, my fake smile faded.  

The little bitch.  

I clenched my fists as I watched Leo disappear with some guards.  

My Leo.

All these years of loyalty, of devotion—only for Ivy to come in and steal the life I deserved.  

I had been everything to Leo. His confidante, his protector, the woman who filled every role he needed. But now? Now I was nothing more than a servant and a personal guard in my own home.   

My nails bit into my palms as I thought back to my recent conversation with Ivy’s twin sister, Lila. She was furious, and furious people made mistakes. But they were also useful. 

We had exchanged numbers after I threw her out of the office earlier. 

I had known rage my whole life, but Lila? Hers was something else—something unhinged, dark, and consuming. And it was all focused on Ivy.  

Perfect.  

I leaned back in my chair, twirling a strand of my hair as I recalled our exchange from earlier that night.  

\---

She had called me. I hadn't expected it so soon, but I had been hoping.  

The second I picked up, I could hear it in her voice—that simmering hatred barely contained beneath a veneer of icy composure.  

"You’re in the house with her, aren’t you?" she asked, her voice sharp and clipped.  

I smirked, leaning against my dresser. "Of course I am. I’ve been here long before she was. And I’ll be here long after she’s gone."

Lila let out a bitter laugh. "She took everything from me. Everything. And now she thinks she gets to play queen? Gets to have a mate, a home, power? No. Not her. I won’t allow it."

"Then don’t." My words were a whisper, a temptation. "You and I both know she doesn’t belong in this world. She’s soft. Weak. A little girl playing house with an Alpha she doesn’t deserve." 

Silence stretched between us, thick with unsaid things.  

Finally, Lila spoke again, quieter this time. "I want her ruined. Broken. Gone."

A wicked smile curled at my lips. "Then let’s help each other."

"I already have someone powerful on my side. But what can you do?"  

I stood, walking toward my window and staring out into the darkened courtyard. "You want her out of the picture. I want what’s rightfully mine. But she’s protected right now. Leo is blind when it comes to her."

Lila scoffed. "He won’t be for long.”

I hummed. "Exactly. I can feed you everything. Her routines, her weaknesses, her insecurities. I can turn her world inside out. And when the time is right…"

"I’ll take care of her," Lila finished.  

I could practically taste her satisfaction.  

"You better." My voice dropped into something dangerous. "I want her gone. Not just shaken. Not just humiliated. Gone."

Lila exhaled, and for the first time, I thought I heard something like a smile in her tone. "I never fail, sweetheart."  

A dark thrill coursed through me.  

"Then we have a deal."

\---

I ran my tongue along my teeth as I came back to the present.

Ivy had no idea what was coming.  

She had walked into this world wide-eyed and naive, thinking love would protect her. Thinking she could just exist and have everything handed to her on a silver platter.  

But life didn’t work that way.  

I had fought for my place. I had bled for it. Sacrificed for it.  

And now, that little bitch thought she could just waltz in and take it from me?  

Never.  

If Ivy disappeared, Leo would need someone to fill that void.  

And I would be right there, waiting. With arms open and wide of course.

A wicked smirk curled my lips as I turned toward the west wing, but the moment I stepped forward, an invisible force stopped me.  

My stomach twisted.  

Once, I had free access to every inch of this mansion. Now? Everything has changed because of her.  

The mate bond had sealed my fate as an outsider.  

I gritted my teeth, then yanked out my phone, dialing Ivy.  

"Hello?" Ivy’s voice was soft, unsuspecting.  

I forced a warm smile into her tone. "Hey, I was thinking we could spend some time together. Maybe talk? Get to know each other."  

A pause. Then—"I appreciate it, but I think I’ll rest for now."  

Rage flickered hot in my chest.  

This entitled bitch.  

She thought she was the woman of this house?  

Not for long.   

Minutes later, a loud blaring alarm shattered the quiet halls.  

Ivy and several staff rushed out, their eyes darting around in confusion.  

"Isabella, what happened?" Ivy asked, breathless.  

I placed a hand over my chest, feigning embarrassment. "I was just trying to check on something in the security room. I must have triggered it by accident."  

Ivy’s expression softened. "It’s alright. Maybe you should rest, too. You’ve been protecting me all day.”  

I forced a laugh. "Maybe. Actually, I was hoping we could bond a little. We’re both important to Leo, after all."  

Ivy hesitated, but then nodded. "Alright."  

Good.  

We moved to the sitting room, and I poured us each a glass of water before leaning in with a conspiratorial smile.  

"You know," I mused, "Leo and I have been close for years. I used to take care of him when he was exhausted. He’d always let me..." I let the words hang before giving a delicate shrug.  

Ivy’s grip on her glass tightened. Good. 

"He’d come to me when things got tough," I continued, my voice silky smooth as I eyed her mockingly. "He trusted me. In every single way."  

Ivy’s jaw tensed, but she kept her tone neutral. "That’s nice."  

I smirked. She’s not as calm as she’s pretending to be. I could literally see the smoke of jealousy fuming around her. 

I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "And when he was really drained, I’d make him a special brew. Something to help him relax."  

Ivy blinked, interest flickering in her gaze. "What is it?"  

I smiled sweetly. "It’s a blend of herbs and honey. I always add chamomile and a touch of hazelnut."  

I watched her carefully. The excitement and resolve in her eyes. So gullible.

Ivy nodded thoughtfully. "Leo left in such a hurry earlier. When he comes back, I’ll brew a cup for him."  

Perfect.  

I fought the urge to grin.  

Leo was allergic to hazelnut. One sip could send him into cardiac arrest.  

And Ivy would be the one to hand it to him.  

As Ivy stood to leave, I sipped my water, my heart thrumming with satisfaction.  

I had planted the first seed.  

Now all I had to do was sit back and watch it grow.