Chapter 59 059
ZURI
A satisfied smile rested on my lips as I walked back toward the pack house, the lively noise of the market square slowly fading behind me.
What I had just witnessed was far more entertaining than anything I could have planned.
“I still can’t believe that rogue,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head in disbelief as I continued walking. “How dare she lie to Derrick and try to fool everyone in the pack like that?”
The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed.
Did she truly believe the rest of us were stupid?
Did she really think she could sneak into our pack, pretend to be harmless, and deceive all of us so easily?
The audacity alone made my blood boil.
But then again…
A small chuckle escaped my lips.
“She already ruined things for herself,” I murmured. “Why don’t I help speed things up a little?”
My smile widened.
Honestly, I couldn’t have been happier that I decided to go to the market today. If I had stayed inside the pack house like usual, I would have missed that entire scene.
Maybe working with that mysterious girl wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
If I played my cards right, the information I now had could become the perfect weapon.
With the right leverage, kicking those rogues out of the pack would be easier than ever.
And Lyka?
She would finally be gone.
The thought alone lifted my mood.
By the time I reached the pack house, my steps were light with excitement. I headed straight toward Derrick’s office, eager to deliver the “news” I had gathered.
But just as I approached the door, two guards stepped in front of me.
I stopped immediately.
My brows furrowed.
“What are you doing?” I asked sharply, glaring at them.
The guard quickly bowed his head respectfully.
“I’m sorry, milady,” he said carefully. “But the Alpha isn’t receiving visitors this late.”
Visitors?
My eyes narrowed dangerously.
Since when had I become a visitor in this place?
I was about to snap at them when Derrick’s voice suddenly came from inside the office.
“Let her in.”
The guards immediately stepped aside.
I pushed the door open and entered the room with lingering irritation.
But the moment my eyes landed on Derrick sitting behind his desk, my expression softened instantly.
His posture was relaxed, one arm resting against the chair while several documents were spread across the desk in front of him.
Even while working, he carried that effortless authority that had drawn my attention since the very beginning.
“Why are you here this late?” he asked calmly, barely giving me a moment to speak.
His tone wasn’t welcoming.
If anything, it sounded like he would rather I wasn’t here at all.
Still, I forced a polite smile.
“I came to tell you something important,” I said. “Something you might be missing about the pack.”
That finally caught his attention.
He looked up from the documents.
“The rogues are acting suspiciously,” I continued.
His expression shifted slightly.
“Rogues?” he repeated slowly.
Then his gaze sharpened.
“Do you mean the same rogues you abandoned the pack for when we were under attack?”
The words struck me like a slap.
My face heated instantly with embarrassment.
I had hoped he wouldn’t bring that up again.
Maybe I had acted a little irrationally that day, but it wasn’t like I meant any harm.
Still, I forced myself to stay calm.
“I already apologized for that,” I said stiffly. “But what I’m trying to tell you now is important.”
He remained silent, watching me carefully.
I took a deep breath.
“The rogues you allowed into the pack… they’re planning something behind your back.”
His brows drew together slightly.
That meant he was listening.
Encouraged, I continued speaking.
I described everything I had “seen” at the lakeside.... the meeting between Lyka, her pack members, and the mysterious man.
Of course, I made sure to add a few extra details.
Nothing too obvious.
Just enough exaggeration to make the story more convincing.
By the time I finished, I could see that Derrick was paying full attention.
“What exactly are you saying?” he asked slowly.
My lips curled into a subtle smirk.
Perfect.
I had him exactly where I wanted him.
“Are you surprised?” I said casually. “Because honestly, I was shocked too.... ”
“Enough.”
Derrick’s voice cut through my words sharply.
I froze.
His expression had changed completely.
Instead of concern… there was irritation.
“What are you doing, Zuri?” he asked coldly.
The question caught me off guard.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Why are you trying to implicate a girl who has nothing to do with you?”
My eyes widened.
For a moment, I couldn’t even process what he had just said.
Did that mean… He didn’t believe me?
“Don’t tell me you think I’m lying,” I said slowly.
Derrick sighed heavily and rubbed his temple in frustration.
“I don’t know what’s going on in your head lately,” he said, “but you really need to stop this.”
My chest tightened.
“Stop what?” I demanded.
“Your jealousy.”
The word hit harder than I expected.
“Give it up, Zuri,” he continued calmly. “There’s no reason for you to be this jealous of someone like that.”
Someone like that?
His words felt like tiny knives stabbing into my pride.
“This is ridiculous,” I said through clenched teeth. “If you don’t believe me, why don’t you go check for yourself?”
For a moment, I thought he might actually consider it.
But instead, Derrick simply returned his attention to the documents on his desk.
Like the conversation was already over.
Like I wasn’t worth any more of his time.
The dismissal stung more than I wanted to admit.
Without another word, I turned around and stormed out of the office.
The moment I stepped into the hallway, my anger exploded.
How could he not believe me?
After everything I told him!
Was he really choosing that rogue girl over me?
My wolf’s lazy voice suddenly echoed inside my mind.
He didn’t choose her over you. He simply asked you to bring evidence. Those are two different things.
I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
That stupid wolf always sounded bored whenever I complained.
Still… she wasn’t entirely wrong.
If Derrick wanted evidence…
Then I would give him evidence.
“I wasn’t lying in the first place,” I muttered to myself as I headed toward my room.
Once inside, I immediately pulled out my phone and contacted the girl who had offered to help me deal with Lyka.
It didn’t take long before she arrived.
She entered the room quietly, her eyes studying me with a raised brow.
I didn’t like the way she looked at me.
There was something unsettling about her gaze.
But I pushed that feeling aside.
“I need your help with something,” I said firmly. “And it’s urgent.”
She didn’t respond immediately.
She just continued staring at me, silently waiting.
Fine.
I got straight to the point.
“That letter you mentioned before,” I said. “The one the rogue uses to communicate with her people.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“Yes?”
“Can you get it for me?” She nodded slowly.
“That’s possible,” she said.
Then she added, “But why do you need it?”
I glared at her.
“That’s none of your business,” I snapped. “Just bring me the letter.”
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then the corners of her lips curled upward.
Not into a smile.
Into a mocking smirk.
My irritation grew instantly.
“What are you doing?” I demanded. “Why are you still standing there?”
Something about the way she looked at me made my stomach tighten.
Her eyes seemed… different.
Darker.
Dangerous. But I quickly dismissed the thought. I was probably just being paranoid.
“I suggest you change that tone,” she said calmly.
“I’m not your subordinate.”
I blinked in shock.
“What?” I said sharply. “If you’re not my subordinate, then what exactly are you?”
She stepped closer.
Slowly. Confidently.
“I’m your accomplice,” she replied.
Her voice was smooth, almost amused.
“There’s something called a partner, you know. That’s what I am.” She leaned slightly closer.
“So if you want a favor… you should ask nicely.”
For the first time since she entered the room, I felt a small flicker of fear.
This girl was definitely not ordinary.
Still… I needed her help.
I forced myself to swallow my pride.
“Fine,” I said stiffly. “Can you please get proof that Lyka was involved in the pack attack?”
The words tasted bitter in my mouth.
Submitting like this felt humiliating.
“Because I want her out of this pack,” I added firmly.
The girl’s smirk deepened.
“Really?” she said softly.
Then she turned toward the door.
“Well then… watch me make it happen.”
With that, she walked out of the room.
I stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door.
A strange feeling settled in my chest.
Why was she helping me?
And why did it fee
l like I had just stepped into something far bigger than I expected?
I exhaled slowly.
“I just hope I didn’t make the wrong choice trusting you,” I murmured quietly.