Chapter 70 070
MORGAN
I slowly scanned the room from top to bottom, my expression twisting into one of pure disgust as my nose scrunched in distaste. Every corner of the space offended me... the dull walls, the cheap furnishings, the suffocating atmosphere that lacked even the smallest trace of elegance. It felt beneath me, completely beneath me, and the mere thought of staying here made my skin crawl.
“What is this room?!” I roared, my voice slicing through the air like a blade. The maid standing by the door flinched violently, her body jerking in fear at the sudden outburst, but I paid her no attention. My focus remained on the room as I turned in a slow circle, examining every offensive detail as if it had personally wronged me.
“Get me another room. I don’t like this one... not even a little,” I added, my tone dripping with impatience. I noticed the maid hesitate, her fingers nervously clutching the edge of her apron as she shifted uncomfortably under my gaze, but I didn’t care enough to soften my expression.
“I am sorry, ma’am, but this is the room. Lady Zuri gave the order, and we cannot go against her,” the maid said carefully, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke.
My eyes widened in disbelief, shock flashing across my face before quickly hardening into something darker. “What?” I asked, my voice lower this time but far more dangerous. “Are you telling me that Zuri personally ordered that I be placed in this… this disgrace of a room?”
The maid nodded cautiously, her fear evident, and in that moment, the truth settled heavily in my chest. So Zuri had already decided to push me into a corner the moment I arrived. How amusing. How predictable.
I let out a slow breath, forcing my expression to smooth into something polite, almost pleasant. “You can go now,” I said sweetly, even blowing her a light kiss for good measure. She didn’t waste a second... she hurried out of the room as if her life depended on it.
The moment the door clicked shut behind her, the smile dropped from my face like a mask being ripped away. A hiss escaped my lips as I looked around again, my irritation bubbling over.
“Why are there so many people to get rid of in such a short time?” I muttered under my breath, my tone laced with venom. My gaze darkened as it swept across the room again, but this time, it wasn’t just the space I was evaluating... it was the situation.
“Oh, Moon Goddess,” I sighed dramatically, pressing a hand to my chest. “I truly hate that girl, Zuri… but it seems there is someone I might hate even more.”
A slow, cunning smirk curled onto my lips, sharp and dangerous.
So many prey… and not enough time.
“I need a quick nap,” I murmured lazily, flicking my fingers in the air. Instantly, the room shifted... walls reshaped, colors deepened, textures refined. The cheap setting melted away, replaced by something far more fitting of my taste... classic, elegant, and worthy of my presence.
I walked around slowly, inspecting every detail with narrowed eyes, making minor adjustments here and there with another flick of my fingers. Perfection wasn’t optional... it was expected.
Satisfied, I gave a soft whistle, letting my senses stretch outward to detect anything unpleasant, anything out of place. The air shifted slightly, and then the window creaked open on its own.
I wasn’t surprised.
A small bird flew in gracefully, landing near me as if it belonged here.
“Reena!” I called, my voice instantly softening with genuine warmth as I extended my hand. She hopped onto my fingers without hesitation, her tiny weight comforting in a way no human ever could.
Reena was different. Reena was mine. Unlike everyone else, she couldn’t betray me.
“What did you find?” I asked, tilting my head slightly as I listened to her soft whistles. My expression shifted gradually... first curiosity, then amusement, then something darker.
“What?” I muttered, a low chuckle escaping my lips. “I haven’t even been gone for a week, and they’re already fighting in my absence?”
How disappointing… yet entertaining.
I motioned for her to continue, my interest now fully captured. “Good girl,” I murmured approvingly. “Now tell me... what about the new girl in the pack?”
Reena chirped again, relaying everything she had overheard from the maids. My smile grew slowly, dangerously.
“Really? She’s that impressive?” I asked, my tone laced with disbelief and mockery. Reena continued, and this time, her message hit differently.
“What?” I roared, my body going rigid as fury surged through me like wildfire. My fingers tightened slightly, though I was careful not to hurt her. “They are mates?!”
The word echoed in my mind like a curse.
How could that be possible?
My breathing grew uneven as my thoughts raced. If she was truly his mate, then everything changed. That meant Derrick would protect her... cherish her... even place her above everything else.
Above me.
My jaw clenched.
“From who?” I muttered under my breath, my eyes narrowing dangerously. “Who exactly is he protecting her from?”
A pause.
Then a dark realization settled in.
“Me… or someone else?”
I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to calm down. Losing control now would be a mistake.
“Thank you, Reena. You’ve done well,” I said softly, releasing her into the air. She fluttered away without hesitation, disappearing into the night.
I stood up immediately, my mind already shifting gears.
This wasn’t part of the plan.
The plan had been simple... seduce Derrick, secure my position as his Luna, and take control of everything tied to Soreen’s legacy. Clean. Efficient. Foolproof.
But now?
Now there was an obstacle.
And I didn’t tolerate obstacles.
Without wasting another second, I stormed out of the room and headed straight for Zuri’s chambers. The door flew open without warning, and she looked up at me in surprise, her confusion quickly melting into smug satisfaction.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, leaning back casually. “Don’t tell me you’re upset about the room I gave you. I thought it suited you perfectly.”
Her smirk irritated me, but I didn’t let it show.
“I’m not here for that,” I replied calmly, stepping further into the room. “I actually need your help.”
That caught her off guard.
Her brows lifted slightly as she let out a small, mocking laugh. “You? Need my help? That’s new. You’ve always preferred working alone… just like last time.”
I scoffed inwardly, her arrogance almost amusing.
“Don’t be like that, Zuri,” I said smoothly, my voice dropping into something more dangerous. “You and I both know who pulled the final trigger that night. So let’s not pretend innocence now.”
Her expression faltered.
Good.
“What are you talking about?” she snapped, her voice rising defensively. “I did nothing!”
I tilted my head, my smile turning cold. “Do you really want me to remind you?” I asked softly. “That starry night… under the oak tree… two bodies lying still... ”
“Enough!” she snapped, shooting to her feet. “That’s enough. What do you want?”
There it was.
Submission.
A satisfied smirk spread across my lips.
“That’s more like it,” I murmured. “I want you to get rid of Lyka for me… and in return, I’ll grant your wish.”
Zuri scoffed, crossing her arms. “Don’t tell me this is because Derrick chose her over you today.”
I rolled my eyes dismissively. “Please. I’m not that petty,” I said, though the lie tasted bitter. “If anything, she’s more of a threat to you than she is to me.”
That made her pause.
“Oh?” she said slowly, suspicion creeping into her gaze. “And why is that?”
I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping to a whisper.
“Because they’re mates.”
The effect was immediate.
Her eyes widened in shock, her entire body going still.
“What? They’re mates?!”