Chapter 98: Replace me

“Devil? Hmm.” Rhea tilted her head, a smirk playing on her lips. “I kind of like my new nickname.”

They all smiled as she moved farther into the kitchen, stopping in front of them.

“I am sorry I wasn’t here to help,” she added before anyone could ask. “There were some internal issues we needed to take care of.”

Leia’s expression hardened. “Is it something you have to hide from me again?” She asked, frustration slipping into her voice.

Rhea froze, guilt flickering across her face. “I…”

“I will tell you.”

The unfamiliar voice cut her off, drawing everyone’s attention.

Leia’s gaze locked onto him, her heart skipping at his appearance. He looked disheveled, exhausted, worn down in a way that made her anger fracture and give way to concern. They had only been apart for three, no, four hours and he already looked like he hadn’t slept in days. A dozen questions burned on her tongue, but worry swallowed them whole.

“Follow me,” he said, already turning and heading out of the kitchen.

Aria stepped closer to Leia, her voice soft. “Please go. He looks like he needs you.”

Leia sighed, glancing at Rhea, who added quietly, “I know he’s difficult. And even if he won’t admit it… he truly needs you.”

Leia’s brows knit, worry tightening her chest before she finally followed him.

…

Inside Casimir’s room, silence stretched between them.

Leia stood a few steps away, her gaze locked onto his. She considered speaking first, but something held her back. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to relieve him but how? The exhaustion etched into his face made her chest ache, stirring an urge to comfort him despite herself.

The longer she stared into those onyx eyes, the harder it became to hold onto her resolve. There was too much in his gaze…longing, desire, affection, enough to make her doubt everything she had decided.

Questions crowded her mind. ‘Does he love me, or is he playing with me?’ Is there a future here… or none at all?

As angry as she was, she couldn’t bring herself to ask. More than answers, she needed to know one thing.

Was he okay?

“We will arrive in the North tomorrow morning,” he said suddenly, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Oh.” She nodded faintly. “Okay.”

She waited, hoping he would say more. When he didn’t, she finally asked, “What internal issues was Rhea talking about?”

Casimir turned away, walking toward the balcony. Her lips curled into a scoff. Shaking her head, she turned for the door but halted.

“I have enemies everywhere,” he said quietly. “The North isn’t free of them. The next few weeks will be… difficult.”

She stopped and slowly turned back.

“Are they behind the men’s sickness?” She asked.

“Yes.” His voice was firm. “This is only the beginning.”

Leia exhaled, a heavy sigh leaving her as the weight of his words settled in.

She wanted to ask a thousand questions, but she didn’t. Instead, she said quietly, “Alright. I will take my leave now.”

She turned to go.

“When we get to the North,” he said, stopping her in her tracks, “Violet will be my Luna. You may need to step out of the light for her.”

Her heart skipped…then sank.

Leia turned back slowly, shock and hurt colliding in her eyes. Shock, because this was the same man who had told her he would end the marriage for her. Hurt, because she was beginning, against her will, to feel something for him. Her heart craved him. Her body craved his attention. And she hated herself for it.

“Oh.” She lowered her gaze, schooling her expression. “Okay.”

“There’s a reason it had to be her,” he continued.

She cut him off, unwilling to be fed excuses wasn’t, “It’s fine. I understand.” She forced a half-smile. “Do what you need to do for the pack.”

Inside, she was unraveling. She wanted to scream, to demand answers, to ask why it hurt this much. But she already knew better. Men were all the same. Knowing that didn’t make the pain any lighter.

“What if I am not doing it for the pack?” He asked, stepping closer.

“Does it matter?” Leia replied, her tone flat, detached.

“Doesn’t it bother you that another woman could replace you?”

She scoffed softly, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.

“Whatever this is between us didn’t start by choice,” she said evenly. “I was sold to you as a breeder. A woman meant to lie still while you spill your seed into her.” Her eyes met his, unflinching. “If you decide to sever our ties today, I will leave gladly. Without looking back.”

Her cold, defiant tone earned a slight lift of Casimir’s brow.

“If I let you go,” he asked quietly, watching her too closely, “would you really leave?”

He already knew the answer. He just wished, foolishly, that it would be different.

“Gladly,” she said without hesitation.

A faint smile crossed his lips. At least she hadn’t disappointed him.

“Why?” He pressed, deliberately provoking her. “Is there someone else you love?”

“Why would that concern you?” She shot back. “I didn’t question your decision to marry Violet.” He stared back at her, as if trying to read her mind.

Changing the topic, “The next few days in the North may be difficult for you. Once I finalize talks with the Alpha, things will settle. I will have you moved to a room beside mine, in case you need…”

“There’s no need for that, Alpha,” Leia interrupted coolly. “As long as my friend and I have a room to sleep in and food to eat, we won’t be a bother.”

“I…”

“And if you insist,” she cut in again, her voice firm, “I won’t agree to let Violet replace me.”

Her words were sharp, unmistakably final.

Casimir studied her for a moment, then exhaled slowly. He knew better than to push her further. If he needed to protect her, he would do it quietly. Angering her now would only make things worse.