Chapter 185: Eyes on the prize.

Griffin's POV

The new apartment was everything I had missed: luxury, space, and the smell of money in the air. After months of scraping by, of playing the loyal Beta, I was finally back to the life I deserved.

Rolan had welcomed me with open arms, treating me like a brother, almost as if he had forgotten the history between us. It was easy to slip back into the routine, pretending that everything was fine.

But even as I enjoyed the comfort, a part of me never forgot what I truly wanted. Power. Control. The Alpha title that had always felt so close yet just out of reach.

Rolan's warmth, his generosity, only served to remind me of what I could have if I played my cards right. The councilmen who had secretly supported me from the start were more vocal than ever. They were feeding me stories of the riches, influence, and glory that awaited me once I took the Alpha title for myself.

It was hard not to get caught up in their promises, not to imagine myself sitting in Rolan's chair, ruling over the pack with the authority I deserved. They pushed me and urged me to take the next step.

I mean, why wouldn't they? They wanted the same thing I did: Rolan out of the way.

Still, there were moments when I questioned whether I needed to go through with it. Rolan had been treating me better than ever, restoring my accounts, my position, and my status.

He had taken me back into his inner circle as if nothing had ever happened. Sometimes, I even considered letting go of my plans and keeping things the way they were.

But those thoughts never lasted long. Ambition burned too hot inside me, and the council's constant whispers of opportunity only fueled the fire.

Camilla's laughter pulled me from my thoughts. She was lounging on the couch, a glass of wine in hand, looking at me with that sly smile of hers.

She had been parading herself around as my mate, flaunting her new position as the Beta's woman, even though we both knew it was all an act. She was in this for the perks, just like I was. And when I didn't need her anymore, she'd be gone.

"What's on your mind?" Camilla asked, breaking the silence. She swirled the wine in her glass, her eyes glinting with mischief. "You've been quiet for a while now. Thinking about backing out of your grand plan?"

I smirked, shaking my head. "Not a chance. If anything, things are moving faster than expected."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. "So, what's the next step, then? You gonna keep playing the loyal Beta, or are you finally going to make your move?"

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. "I'm going to challenge Rolan to an Alpha Duel."

Her eyes widened, but there was a flicker of something else behind her surprise, excitement, perhaps, or greed. "You're really going to challenge him? After all, he's taken care of you so well. You're not worried about it, I don't know... gratitude?"

I scoffed, the idea almost laughable. "Gratitude? Camilla, Rolan's a few days older than me. He got lucky. I could've been Alpha, and I will be. He's in my way, and I'm not about to let anyone stand between me and what I deserve."

Camilla studied me for a moment, her gaze calculating. Then, slowly, a smile spread across her face. "Well, I'm not complaining. As long as I get what I want out of this, I don't care who you have to step on to get there."

I smirked. That's what I liked about Camilla, she knew exactly where she stood in all of this. She was in it for the rewards, just like I was. No illusions, no pretending.

"You'll get what's coming to you," I promised her. "Just like I will."

She set her wine glass down and leaned forward, her voice dropping to a low purr. "You're so smart, Griffin. Always thinking ten steps ahead."

I watched her, amused by her flattery. She knew exactly how to play me, but I didn't mind. She was a tool, and she knew it. But as long as she played her part well, I had no complaints.

"Speaking of being smart," I said, my tone shifting. "I'm feeling a little stressed after all this planning."

Camilla tilted her head, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Oh? And what would you like me to do about that?"

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze drifting over her body. "I think you know exactly what I want."

She didn't need any further instruction. In an instant, she was up from the couch, moving toward me with that seductive sway in her hips. Her hands went to her shirt, slowly unbuttoning it as she sauntered over, her eyes never leaving mine.

"Is this what you had in mind?" she asked, her voice thick with suggestion as she let her shirt slip from her shoulders, revealing the smooth skin underneath.

I felt a surge of heat rush through me, the desire building as I watched her. "Exactly."

She straddled me, her body pressing against mine as her lips found my neck, her breath hot against my skin. I could feel the tension melting away, the stress of my plotting and scheming replaced by the raw, primal need for release.

Our movements became more frantic, the need to dominate, to control taking over. Camilla wasn't gentle, and neither was I. We didn't need tenderness, not in a relationship like ours. We both wanted the same thing, power, control, and the satisfaction of knowing we could take what we wanted.

She was rough, just the way I liked it. I grabbed her hips, pulling her closer, my hands roaming over her body as she moaned softly in my ear. It was a battle for control, a struggle for dominance, and I relished every second of it.

By the time we were done, we were both breathless, the air thick with the scent of sweat and sex. Camilla lay beside me, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she caught her breath.

"Feeling better?" she asked, her voice still teasing.

I smirked I'mI let out a low chuckle, running a hand through her hair. "Don't worry, Camilla. I've got my eyes on the prize. And soon enough, it'll all be mine."

Rolan's days were numbered. He just didn't kno I'mw it yet.