Chapter 7

I wandered without a shadow. Everywhere I used to go if I was allowed to leave, I was followed by a few warriors. Later, that changed to a few Omegas and then just one.

They let me leave now because of a combination of years of the persona I carefully built and their complacency. But still, I rarely ventured out, I did not want to give them a need to question.

They should have been worried, even if they thought the threat followed the visitors here; there was obviously a breach in security.

I wandered seemingly aimlessly around the place until I reached the edge of the forest and slipped between the trees. I pulled out the map I’d been working on slowly over the last few years in bits and pieces. I knew where I was going, or I thought I did.

I picked some Perscyths for myself—a bright white flower with thick petals that were stark against the muted browns they pushed through.

These flowers broke through the rough patches that didn’t get much sunlight. I always admired them, the ones who were able to grow into something beautiful despite their circumstances.

The flowers that didn’t grow in darkness didn’t succumb to the ease of changing themselves not to need light, but the ones that held onto the bit of light they could find and made it enough.

I smiled, smelling its soft fragrance. It would look lovely in my room.

I couldn’t wander as much as I would have liked. I had to get back not only because I didn’t want to raise suspicion but because I wanted to find out what the others were thinking and, more importantly, if they knew anything.

I was surprised to find I actually felt at peace, as much peace as I could attain these days, but still, it was something. My life revolved around my plans for revenge, and I rarely did anything recently that wouldn’t benefit my plans.

I couldn’t remember the last time I did anything for myself because I wanted to, and I hated that they took that away from me, too, even if it was partially my own doing.

I made a vow as I strode to the patch of Silent Junipers I marked months ago I would do something for myself every single day.

I cut some of the flowers with scissors I had borrowed from the kitchen, wrapping them in linen I also borrowed. I dug around with my fingers to grab some from the roots, making sure not to break the little bulbs that grew under them before wrapping them in a damp cloth.

Silent Junipers were lovely—a deep shade of purple, more of a leafy plant than a flower. I often wondered if their name had to do with the color of Juniper Berries, as there was nothing berry-like about them.

I walked back, lost in thought, scanning the forest floor. I made note of a patch of Fireheart on my hand-drawn map. Those were best fresh, but they were more common and not a problem to find.

On second thought, I went back and carefully picked some, making sure to dig their roots out with a stick and wrap them in a napkin. I was careful not to touch the itchy leaves.

I accidentally touched some exploring as a child, and the rash traveled up my arm. I was in so much pain that I practically lived in a warm bath for the next few days. My heart clenched at the memory of my mom reading books by the tub and telling me that every minute would be easier than the last.

I wish there were a way that the memory of them could be nice and not tinged with so much pain and anger. Maybe when they were avenged, I could look back on the many happy memories with anything besides pure, undiluted pain.

I checked the position of the sun. I was only gone for two hours, but it felt like a lifetime. I picked wildflowers on the way to the gardens, where I discreetly dropped the Fireheart under a stone bench, making sure it was hidden from view.

The gardens were tended, but not diligently. I had never seen the ranked members even here, so they wouldn’t be a priority to them.

They focused on the needs of The Alpha and his family and keeping up appearances for outsiders. They wouldn’t worry about maintaining spaces for the pack to enjoy, or anyone they deemed lesser, the other few who called the packhouse their home, warriors, Omegas, and me.

I strolled through the packhouse, taking the main entrance as I did when I wanted to be seen. I went to the kitchen and deposited the scissors.

“Such lovely flowers, Simone,” the head Omega, Amelia, nodded toward me.

Even though I knew her well, I never got used to the pity in her voice whenever she spoke to me. She tried to hide it, or she probably thought she did.

But I knew that even the Omegas believed who I portrayed. I should be happy that my facade held even with those who thought they knew me, but it still cracked something within me—the fact that no one actually knew me, not anymore.

“Thank you, Amelia. I was going to put some bouquets together and maybe press some or dry them to hang them around,” I replied. My voice softened as I shrugged. I looked down as if it was a bad idea.

“That sounds lovely, Simone. Is there anything you need?” she asked, and I nodded, thanking her for the supplies and the croissant she sent me away with.

I went up to my room and got to work. Pressing, drying, and putting together bouquets. It kept me busy, and I became lost in it.

Satisfied that it would be enough for today, I threw the linens in the laundry basket and washed my hands.

Now, off to see what else I could find out without running into the nightmare brothers.

It didn’t take long to hear Alpha Raymond’s booming voice reverberate off the entrance hall's stone.

“But that’s not what they think!” he almost shouted.

“It’s a coincidence,” Luna Addison said softly.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“The river goes for miles,” Nolan noted.

I suppressed my smile and walked past them, pretending to be taken aback by the shouting. No one noticed me, and I was hoping they would stop me, but they didn’t.

Very well. I found a spot near enough where I could listen.

“A hand, well, an arm.”

“But it could have been the Beta’s, the Red Ridge One?”

“Unless he had three arms, I hardly see how.”

“They could be lying.”

“Why would they?”

Silence ensued.

“Their son was murdered here. It seems like they have every motive to lie. They’re angry at us; they want answers that we don’t have.”

I breathed; this was working out far better than I expected. To have both of these Alphas pinned against each other, especially the pack that was on the receiving end of my gifts.

I couldn’t have timed it better, even if I tried. Decay could be so unpredictable, especially with the weather here and the constant changes in the river.

I guess the second one was starting to decay. I wondered if I tied his hands, but I was fairly certain that I hadn’t.

I waited until the voices stopped, and I heard footsteps. I turned and bumped into Luna Addison on the way; she waved me off and brushed past me.

“I have something for you,” I said shyly. She turned on her heel, looking down at me as if confused who I was. I extended my hand in front of me, averting my gaze. “I picked them.”

She paused, taking them from me. “Thanks,” she sighed past her confusion, walking away. “Simone,” she called, and I made my shoulders sag inward.

“I’m sorry.” My voice sounded small.

“Come sit with me.”

I nodded slowly and followed her toward her office silently with my head hung, failing to erase the smile that crept on my face.