Chapter Twenty two

Maliya's POV

What just happened at the dining? And wait, did I just take milk to her to get insulted? I questioned myself a hundred times, replaying the scene over and over in my head. The frustration boiled inside me, each thought like a smoldering ember, growing hotter with each passing second. My hands were shaking as I trudged toward the mirror, my reflection staring back at me as though mocking my vulnerability.

I stood there for a few minutes, just staring at myself. What had gone wrong? I had everything perfectly planned, and yet—Leila... she wasn’t supposed to reject me, not like that. The nerve of her. How dare she call me a thorn in her side when I had gone out of my way to help her? How dare she turn her back on me after everything?

I turned my gaze away from my reflection, my fingers curling into fists as my eyes landed on the drawer across the room. The sound of my footsteps echoed in the silence as I walked toward it, my knuckles white around the handle as I pulled it open with force. The harsh scrape of wood against metal made the air around me thick, almost suffocating.

I exhaled sharply, trying to steady my breath, my heart thundering in my chest. My eyes scanned the drawer—my secret weapon, hidden in the back, waiting patiently. I reached in and pulled it out with a sick smile curling on my lips. The vial was small, innocuous even, but I knew what it could do. What it would do. I could feel the power of it in my hands, a cold, intoxicating rush of satisfaction washing over me.

Bringing the vial closer to my eyes, I admired the clear, deadly liquid inside. It was still the same potent poison, the one I’d added to the milk earlier—just a small dose, nothing too obvious. But it would work. I could already picture the effects, Leila’s face slowly going pale as the drug coursed through her veins, her body growing weaker, more compliant. She would beg me to help her, just as I’d made her beg in the past, but this time... it would be different. This time, I would make her pay for every word and every action that had made me feel small and humiliated.

Awwn, so mouth-watering. The thought made me smile again, this time more darkly. I rubbed my fingers over the smooth rubber stopper, enjoying the sensation of control. With each passing second, I felt more and more powerful, like a puppet master pulling at the strings. Leila had no idea what I was capable of. She didn’t know what I could do when I was pushed far enough.

“She’ll regret this,” I snarled under my breath, my voice dripping with venom. A devilish grin spread across my face as I envisioned Leila’s downfall. She thought she could insult me, ignore me, and play her little game of defiance?.No. She was about to find out just how badly she had underestimated me. I would make her life hell, turn her into a shadow of the proud woman she pretended to be.

Maliya, the queen of control. That was who I was, and Leila was about to learn that lesson the hard way.

I could already hear her voice in my head—the defiance, the disbelief. It wouldn’t matter. Soon, I would be the one holding all the power. And when the time came, I would use it. All of it.

I would be her nightmare.

I walked toward Alpha Sebastian’s office, each step deliberate, and calculated. The adrenaline coursing through my veins kept my mind sharp, but beneath it, a quiet anger simmered. I could still feel the sting of Leila’s defiance from earlier. Her rejection, her dismissal—it had been humiliating. She had no idea how much that one moment would cost her. But now, I was about to correct the balance and put everything back in its rightful place.

As I reached his door, I paused for a moment, taking a steadying breath. I couldn’t afford to let my emotions show, not now. This had to be perfect. I couldn’t afford to slip. My fingers brushed against the door handle as I knocked softly. The sound echoed in the otherwise silent hallway, sending a ripple of anticipation through me.

“Come in,” Alpha Sebastian’s voice called from inside.

I stepped in, my back straight and my gaze unwavering. I could feel his scrutinizing eyes as he looked up from his papers. He always exuded composure and control, a quality I had long admired. But now, it was time for him to see things from my perspective.

“Maliya,” he acknowledged with a nod, his eyes briefly scanning me before returning to his papers. His relaxed yet observant posture only fueled my determination. I was done being underestimated, even by him.

“Alpha,” I responded, my voice steady and commanding. “We need to discuss Leila.”

His expression shifted, and the mention of her name sharpened his gaze. “What about her?” he asked, his tone neutral but curiosity evident. He wasn't sure where I was leading this conversation, which worked to my advantage.

I stepped closer, ensuring my presence demanded attention. “She doesn’t belong in the pack house,” I asserted, each word firmly articulated. “She’s disruptive and creates tension. We both know that’s true.”

The silence that followed was heavy, but I held my ground. I had confidence in my position, and I wasn't going to back down.

Finally, he leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled in contemplation. “I’ve noticed she’s been a little... difficult,” he replied, his voice measured. “But what do you propose we do about it?”

I felt a surge of triumph; this was my opportunity. “It’s time for her to move to the maid’s quarters,” I said, my tone casual but my intent clear. “She undermines the hierarchy. We need someone in the main house who respects our structure, not someone who believes they can disrupt it.”

I could see him processing my words, weighing the implications. He wasn’t entirely convinced yet, but I could tell the seed of my suggestion had taken root.

“You think she’ll accept that?” he asked, maintaining steady eye contact.

A slight smirk tugged at my lips. Leila wouldn’t have a choice in the matter.

“She won’t have a choice,” I stated firmly, my voice steady and unwavering. “Leila has no standing here. She’s not part of the pack in the way she believes she is. We’ll make it clear that she’s not welcome in the main house. And if she refuses? Well, we both know the consequences for those who don’t follow the rules.”

Alpha Sebastian paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he weighed my words. I could see his internal struggle—he valued loyalty but had no tolerance for defiance. If Leila truly posed a threat, she needed to be dealt with swiftly.

After a tense moment, he nodded. “Alright. We’ll relocate her. I’ll speak with her.”

A sense of satisfaction surged through me. It was working. I had him convinced. Soon, Leila would be exactly where she belonged: in the maid’s quarters, a safe distance from the pack house and my plans.

“Thank you, Alpha,” I replied, allowing my voice to soften just enough to appear grateful, while internally I was already plotting my next move.

He gave a brief nod before returning to his papers, signaling the end of the conversation. I didn’t hesitate; I turned and left the room, a rush of triumph flooding my chest. I had secured my position. Leila would be dealt with.

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