Chapter 13 Chapter 0013
•NADIA•
"Good night, Mama."
"Good night, baby." I kissed Rowan's forehead after tucking him into bed.
He curled into the pillow, smiling softly as he drifted off. Moments like that warmed me; he adored me, depended on me.
Soon, everyone would know that I was the woman who truly belonged here. Who should've been Mason's wife in the first place and his Luna.
I slipped out of the room and made my way toward the kitchen to get the bottle of wine that Mason and I were supposed to share tonight. But to my irritation, I ran into Sloane instead.
The little witch looked so much like Cassandra that it made my stomach twist. Same soft hair, same quiet eyes. It was as if the little devil didn't want to leave my home alone.
I bumped into Sloane’s shoulder on purpose. The glass of water in her hand slipped and shattered across the tiles.
“Oh, I’m sorry, darling,” I cooed, pressing a hand to my chest. “I didn’t see you there.”
“My goodness,” she muttered, bending down to gather the pieces. “My mind was elsewhere. It's my fault."
“Goldenmane, perhaps?” I asked, letting a smile stretch across my face.
She straightened, blinking at me, hands trembling. “I’m here for Rowan.”
'Here for Rowan?' Nerissa scoffed in my mind. 'The same Rowan we tucked into bed? She's not here for him, Nadia. She's here for our Alpha.'
"Oh, the last time I checked, I just tucked Rowan into bed while you were here gallivanting in the house," I sneered, leaning closer to her. "So, forgive me if I don't see why you need to be here, Sloane."
“You heard my father speaking with Alpha Mason,” she replied, her voice maddeningly calm. “Rowan needs someone from Goldenmane Court now that his mother is gone. The alliance depends on Mason and me working together. So, I will do everything I can to support that.”
I scoffed. “Well, let’s see how long you last in Silvercrest. If you’re still around by the time I’m Luna, perhaps I’ll give you a bow.”
Her eyes widened.
Mason didn’t want Cassandra’s uncle to know we were engaged yet—something about timing, politics, and Rowan. But Sloane? I didn’t care what she did with the information.
I wanted her rattled. I wanted her gone.
By morning, my decision was solid. I would make her leave, and I would do it with a smile.
The following morning, I supervised the housekeeper in the study, watching her remove the last traces of Cassandra.
“Please make sure everything of hers is removed. Replace the frames with my photos, and tidy the space. I want it to feel refreshed.”
“Yes, Miss Nadia,” the housekeeper answered as she carefully lowered one of Cassandra’s framed certificates into a box.
It felt satisfying to watch Cassandra’s presence fade from the house.
I wanted to fill the space with my own influence so thoroughly that no one would even remember the woman who came before me.
When I noticed the task would take some time, I stepped outside to check on the other work being done around the house.
At the edge of the backyard, I saw Sloane tending Cassandra’s old garden, watering the plants with quiet care.
The sight made me clench my fists. Even from behind, she resembled her enough to irritate me.
“Good morning, Sloane,” I said as I approached her. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“Have you? I thought I would water the garden for a moment. I used to help with it often back home.”
“That’s thoughtful,” I replied. “But Rowan’s clothes need washing, and since you said you came here to help with him, I told the staff not to do his laundry anymore.”
Her eyes widened. “I wasn’t aware that I had to—”
“Don’t worry,” I replied with a gentle smile. “Someone else will take care of the garden while you’re busy.”
She hesitated, clearly uncomfortable, but she nodded and made her way back inside. I watched her go with a small swell of satisfaction.
Later, I found her in the laundry room. She was folding Rowan’s shirts with careful hands, but her eyes were red as if she had been crying. I stepped through the doorway.
“Once you’re done folding, please iron the clothes as well,” I instructed her. “Make sure they are crisp. That's how he likes his clothes ironed."
She turned slowly. Her face was tight with frustration. “Nadia, I am not a maid.”
I tilted my head. “You certainly seem to be doing a fine job.”
“I came here to support Rowan and Alpha Mason,” she answered. “I didn’t come to do chores for you.”
I allowed my expression to soften as if she had wounded me deeply. “Why would you speak to me like that? I asked for help with Rowan, not for anything unreasonable.”
“I didn’t mean it that way,” she insisted, looking uneasy. "But I won't allow you to treat me like your maid."
“It feels unkind,” I whispered. “You’ve been on edge since you arrived, and I’ve been trying to welcome you. I truly thought you wanted to help.”
Footsteps echoed down the hall. Mason appeared behind me, his gaze immediately sharp as he noticed my watery eyes.
“Nadia? What’s wrong?” he asked.
I swallowed and let my voice wobble. “She… she raised her voice at me just because I asked her to help with Rowan’s laundry.”
Mason turned to Sloane. “Is that true?”
Sloane shook her head quickly. “That isn’t what happened. She twisted—”
“I don't want excuses,” Mason replied. His voice was firm and cold. “You are here to support my son. If Nadia had asked for help, you should have offered it.”
“Alpha, please listen,” she pleaded. “I never disrespected her.”
“You will pack your bags,” Mason insisted. “You’re returning to Goldenmane Court in the morning.”
Sloane stared at him as if she had been struck. “Mason, I would never treat Rowan poorly, and I'd never disrespect you.”
“You already have,” he replied, leaving no room for further argument.
She wiped her eyes and left the room without another word.
When she was finally gone, I slipped my hand into Mason’s and leaned into him. “Thank you. I didn’t want to make this a problem, but she truly frightens me sometimes. That's why I didn’t want her to stay with us."
He held me close. “I won’t let anyone upset you again. I promise.”
His arms tightened around me, and all I felt was quiet triumph spreading through my chest.
Sloane was as good as gone. Just like her sister.