Chapter 6 She's dead
Jeremy's POV
My eyes went to her lips. My wolf was joyful.
Kiss her. My wolf screamed.
I jumped up before I gave in.
By night I was alone. She'd gone back to her cell.
"Need some help?"A calm sweet voice came from behind.
I quickly turned around.
Mia stood in my study doorway wearing a red silk dress.
She looked so tempting. I wish it could move for her.
"Mia. What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you." She closed the door and locked it. "We haven't been close in so long."
She walked towards me. Hips swaying.
"Mia, I have work..." I said, because I know where this is going. I don't want to give her hope and then shatter it.
"You always have work." She pressed against me. "When was the last time you touched me?"
By touch, she means a cuddle. Over the years she had made peace with having my body just warming hers... nothing more.
Her lips found my neck. Kissed down.
I waited for my body to respond but nothing.
Her hand moved lower to my belt.
She kissed me deep.
I kissed back. Tried to feel something.
Still nothing.
Her hand touched me through my pants.
Nothing. My body was dead.
"Jeremy?" She pulled back, Confusion written all over her face. "Why aren't you...I thought by now..."
I get what she's trying to say. Even I thought since the assassin had broken the curse, it would be easy for me to use it anyhow I like. But NO.
"I'm just tired." I lied
"Tired? Or is it because of her?"
"Mia, don't..."
"That slave! You can get hard for the assassin but not for me?"
"It's the curse..."
"I know about the curse!" Tears filled her eyes. "I've loved you for three years. Waited. And now you found a solution but it's her instead of me."
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry doesn't fix this." She wiped her eyes. "Sorry doesn't make me feel less worthless."
"You're not worthless. You're beautiful. Perfect."
"But you don't want me! The only man I want doesn't want me back!"
I didn't know how to respond, so I said the for thing that came to my my mind.
"After the wedding, I'll find a way to make this work. I'll make you happy. I promise."
"Will you? Or will you keep that slave forever?"
"She's temporary. Once I find another solution..."
"What if there is no other solution?"
"Then I'll live without it. But I won't keep her alive forever. You have my word."
Mia was quiet.
"Two months," she finally said. "We get married in two months. And after that, she goes. Deal?"
"Deal."
She kissed my cheek and left.
I put my head in my hands.
What am I to do?
"Alpha!"
James burst through the door. His face was white.
"What happened?"
"It's the assassin. You need to see this now."
He held out a tablet. "Security footage. From the kitchen."
My stomach dropped. "Show me."
The video showed the kitchen. Melissa cooking. The assassin helping.
Melissa turned away.
The assassin looked around. Pulled a small pouch from the apron she wore.
Opened it. Poured gray powder into my stew.
All caught on camera.
"No."
"I'm sorry, Alpha."
"Where is she?" My voice was cold.
"In the dungeon."
"And my food?"
"Tested. Poison confirmed."
I stood with anger. The tablet fell. Broke on the floor.
"Call the council and gather the pack.
"Alpha, perhaps we should question her..."
"There's nothing to question. I saw it."
"But..."
"Just do what I said, James!"
He left fast.
The mate bond screamed. Something's wrong.
I crushed it down.
The evidence was clear.
The dungeon was cold.
She sat in the corner. Hands tied. Head down.
I stood outside the bars.
"Look at me."
She lifted her head. Eyes red. Swollen from crying.
"I gave you every chance. I kept you alive. And this is how you repay me?"
"Jeremy, please listen..."
"Don't! Don't you dare!"
"I didn't know what that powder was! Melissa said it was seasoning..."
"Melissa is family. A royal chef. Why would she poison me?"
Her face went white. "Please, just ask her..."
"The only one who wants me dead is you!"
"Why would I poison your food where there are cameras? Why would I be that stupid?"
"Because you want revenge so bad that you don't care ."
"Please... I'm being framed... The video shows what they wanted you to see!" She gripped the bars. "Please investigate. Watch the full video. You'll see I'm not lying."
She trembled. I'd never seen her this broken.
"I'm done listening to your lies." I turned away. "Guards are preparing the forsaken forest. Let's end this..."
My voice broke. I walked out fast.
"No! Jeremy, please!"
I climbed the stairs.
"Please! Jeremy! I'm innocent!"
But I didn't stop.
_______
The forsaken forest was dark.
The whole pack gathered.
Guards dragged the assassin through the crowd. She'd stopped fighting or crying.
She just walked like a ghost.
They tied her to the execution tree. Arms above her head.
I walked through the crowd.
In my hand was her gun. The same one she used to shoot Mel.
"You will die by the same weapon you wanted to use to destroy my family."
She lifted her eyes. "I didn't poison you, Jeremy. I swear on our mate bond." She said so weakly.
"Don't you dare remind me of the goddess's mistake!" I screamed.
She went quiet.
"I tried. I let you live. And what did I get?"
She glared at me for awhile before talking.
"Just do it now, Jeremy."
Her words shook me immediately, if I listen to her say another word, I could change my mind.
I moved back. Pointed the gun toward her with shaky hands.
Don't do it, Jeremy. She's our mate. My wolf cried.
I pulled back the gun hammer. Closed my eyes.
My wolf became louder.
Don't do it. It's not her. Please. You're the Alpha, if you change your mind no one will question you.
"Shut up!" I screamed as I pulled the trigger.
I didn't hear her scream. I opened my eyes fast, hoping I had aimed wrong
I didn't aim wrong. Her head dropped down. Eyes slightly shut.
I dropped to the floor. My wolf crying and fighting inside.
You killed her. You killed her.
"She's dead," James said after checking her.
The whole pack roared with joy.
I put my hands on my face and screamed.
I didn't know if it's me or my wolf but before I could think I had rushed to the stand and started untying her.