Chapter 26
MARCELINE’S POV
(Three Months Later)
It had been three months since Ronan ended our agreement… all over that worthless bitch! I pounded my fist on the dresser, making my maids jump, but I didn’t give a damn. No one bothered about how I felt, so why should I care about them?
“Miss, may I—”
“Quiet!” I snarled, whipping around to glare at them. “Get out,” I ordered, my tone brooking no debate.
“But—”
“Out!”
“Yes, ma’am!” they chorused, scurrying from my room like frightened mice. I sank into my chair, staring at the mirror across from me. My under-eye circles had worsened, my once stunning face now twisted into something monstrous… all thanks to Ronan and his idiotic decision.
A lowly healer? Over me?
I scoffed, his words from three months back at the hunting games replaying in my head.
“You can remain if you choose, but,” his eyes drilled into mine, cold and empty of any fire or desire, “our contract ends here.”
The recollection turned my stomach, nearly making me gag. I rose, heading to the window for air, but regretted it instantly. Through the trees, I spotted Ronan and that whore strolling hand in hand.
Did he really believe her fancy blood made her special? Without it, she was nothing. Couldn’t he spot her schemes? She was twisting him around her finger, and he was blind to it! How could a brutal Alpha, infamous for his temper and iron fist, stoop so low for some girl?
How could he toss me aside for… her? Seeing them like that shattered me. I’d tried it all… every trick to split them, but each attempt backfired. Maybe it was time to end her for good.
“Remember last time?” My wolf, Rynara, cut in sharply. “He’s head over heels for her now. Killing her won’t help—it’ll just wreck us worse.”
“Then WHAT SHOULD I DO?!” I screamed. I felt trapped, desperate, totally lost. I loved Ronan—damn it, I still did. I just wanted him for myself. Was that asking too much? He never gazed at me like he did her, never stood up for me like he did for her… He never loved me, but I stuck around, hoping to turn him around. And now…
A knock broke my spiral. I meant to ignore it, but recognizing Silas’s voice, I responded.
“Come in, Silas,” I said, smoothing my robe as he entered. “What is it?”
He bowed, then approached, pulling out a file. “What you requested.”
“Oh?” My mood lifted as I snatched it from him. “No one saw you? This was kept quiet, like I said?”
“I’d never defy your commands, ma’am,” he lifted his head, eyes downcast. “It’s precisely as you wanted.”
“Well done,” I smiled, then moved to my dresser, taking a seat. I yanked the papers from the envelope, my eyes devouring every line. Once finished, I stuffed them back in.
“Here,” I thrust the file at Silas, who grabbed it swiftly.
“What should I do with it, Lady Marcelline?”
“Get rid of it, then…” I opened my drawer, grabbing ink and a brush. “Deliver a new letter for me.”
“Of course, Lady Marcelline.” He bowed and left my room. I leaned back in my chair, a smirk curling my lips.
Well, well, looks like fortune might favor me after all. Soon, Ronan would ditch Elara for me. That is… if he survived this fight.
“Are you sure this is it?” I asked Silas, who darted his eyes between the trees, looking terrified and foolish like a stray cat.
“It should be,” he said, swallowing audibly. I could smell the fear rolling off him. For the Moon Goddess’s sake, why hadn’t I chosen a sharper, braver guard? Like Cael? Sadly, he was loyal to Ronan and would sell me out in a heartbeat if ordered.
I grabbed the map from him, hissing under my breath. I studied it, then surveyed the area. “This has to be right,” I muttered, baffled why the spot looked off from the map, yet matched perfectly.
“Or was I duped?!” I shrieked, eyes widening at the idea of a setup.
“I wouldn’t assume that, My Lady,” a gravelly voice boomed from behind. Silas and I spun in terror. A man with a jagged scar on his cheek stood there, hands pocketed, flanked by five guards.
I stepped up, adjusting my dress, locking eyes with him. “Darius?” I asked, mustering some nerve.
“Lady Marcelline,” he grinned. “What brings you here?”
I cleared my throat. “I hear you’re hunting for a healer, a direct descendant of the Moon Goddess, to save your ailing daughter.”
His gaze darkened; he edged closer, his presence lethal and menacing. Without question, this was Darius, the savage Alpha. The one who’d slaughtered hordes to seize what he craved. Foe to Ronan and every other werewolf clan.
“Do you know where one is?” His voice thundered, edged with impatience.
“Know?” I snorted. “No, darling,” I shook my head. “I know exactly where she is and what she’s up to right now.”
“What’s her name?”
I smirked, arms crossed. “Elara. And she’s in my pack, right under Ronan, Alpha of the Mountain Dew Pack.”
He laughed—a chilling, ominous sound. “Oh, that’ll be fun.”