Chapter 65 Chapter Sixty-five
BACK IN THE ABANDON HOUSE.
“Why did you lie,” he said coldly, “about Claus being able to have a child?”
Cyprus stared at him in confusion, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“What do you mean? What are you even talking about?”
In the blink of an eye, Roger lunged at her. His fingers locked around her throat as he yanked her off her feet and slammed her hard against the wall.
“Don’t play innocent with me, bitch,” he snarled. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
His grip tightened, crushing the air from her lungs. Blood rushed to her face, her vision blurring as her eyes bulged painfully. She clawed at his hands, her nails digging into his skin, but his hold was unyielding—merciless.
Gasping for breath, she forced the words out, her voice broken and shaky.
“I-I don’t k-know what y-you’re t-talking about.”
Her denial only fueled his rage. Roger’s fingers tightened further, her eyes rolling back as darkness crept at the edges of her vision.
“Why did you lie and say Claus was fertile,” he hissed, “when you knew he was infertile?”
Cyprus couldn’t answer. Her knees trembled beneath her weight, her body weakening as she dangled helplessly in his grasp.
“So you’d rather die than tell the truth?” he sneered. “Fine. I’ll help you with that.”
His claws slid out—sharp, gleaming, deadly.
Cold sweat drenched her skin. He meant it. Roger was going to kill her. Panic shattered her resolve.
“Wait!” she screamed just as his claws moved closer to her face. “I’ll talk! I’ll speak!”
He paused.
“It started with Sylvia,” she confessed, her voice trembling. “I didn’t want to do it—I swear. But he blackmailed me. He threatened me.”
Roger’s eyes darkened.
“So tell me,” he demanded, “who is the father of Ellie’s child?”
Tears streamed down Cyprus’s face as she shook her head frantically.
“Roger, please… if I say it, I’ll be killed.”
“And what do you think will happen if you don’t?” he whispered cruelly, leaning in close. “I’ll kill you myself. I have the upper hand here. Tell me the truth, and I’ll guarantee your safety.”
She hesitated, then stiffened.
“No. I won’t say a word.”
His grip tightened again, forcing a violent cough from her lips, saliva spilling as she struggled.
“You’re a fool,” Roger mocked, pressing his forehead against hers. “You think anyone’s coming to save you?”
“That’s a lie!” she sobbed. “Sylvia will come. He’ll rescue me!”
Roger burst into laughter. The men behind him joined in, their cruel amusement echoing around her. The sound crushed what little hope she had left.
“Listen carefully, you imbecile,” Roger said coldly, smirking. “Sylvia isn’t coming. In fact, he wants you dead—so his secret dies with you.”
Her breath hitched.
“No one in the pack even knows you’re kidnapped,” he continued. “Sylvia told them you ran away.”
Shaking her head violently, Cyprus cried, “No… no, that’s impossible.”
She was utterly confused. She no longer knew what to believe, because everything Roger was saying somehow made sense. Forty-eight hours had passed since her kidnapping, yet no rescue had come. Not a single soul. Maybe telling the truth was the only way to save herself. After all, Roger had promised her safety.
“Fine,” she said weakly. “I’ll tell you—but first, take your hand off my neck.”
“Alright,” Roger replied coldly. “Start spilling the beans.” He released her.
“The baby in Ellie’s womb…” Cyprus hesitated.
Roger narrowed his eyes, silently urging her on.
“It belongs to Sylvia,” she confessed at last.
“As I suspected,” Roger scoffed. He turned to his men. “I told you there was something suspicious about Ellie and Sylvia. I hope you idiots will finally believe everything I say from now on.”
“You’re right, Roger,” one of the men chimed in. “And you were right about Ellie being a slut.”
He nudged another soldier, and they burst into laughter.
Cyprus clenched her fists, irritation boiling inside her. She couldn’t wait to leave this place. She had already planned everything—she would flee to her maternal grandmother’s village, where no one knew her. There, she would be safe. There, she would start over.
“Now that you’ve gotten what you wanted,” she demanded, “release me so I can leave this forsaken place.”
Roger stared at her, then shifted his gaze to his men.
Suddenly, they erupted into laughter.
Cyprus frowned, bewildered. “Why are you fools laughing like mad hyenas?” she snapped.
One of the men scowled and stormed toward her. “You bitch. Do you think you’re still in the pack’s mansion, barking orders?” He raised his hand.
She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the blow.
“Enough,” Roger said calmly.
The man froze.
“We need her face recognizable when her body is found.”
Cyprus’ eyes flew open. “W-what are you talking about?” she stammered, praying she had misheard him.
Roger leaned back in his chair, a slow smirk curling his lips. “I mean I no longer need you. You’re as good as dead to me.”
“What?” She scrambled to her feet. “You promised me safety if I told the truth!” she screamed.
The realization crashed into her—Roger had lied. He had used her and was now discarding her like trash.
Roger stood, pulling out a dagger. With a flick of his hand, his men restrained her.
She didn’t fight. She knew it was useless. This was the end.
Hot tears streamed down her face.
“I said can,” Roger said coldly. “A probability. I never said I would guarantee your safety.”
He crouched before her, and once again the overwhelming scent of an Alpha flooded her senses.
“Why… why do you smell like an Alpha?” she whispered.
Roger chuckled. “Since you’re about to die, I suppose I can tell you.”
He leaned close and whispered into her ear, “I am the Alpha of a secret pack.”
He pulled back, amused.
Her mouth fell open, but no sound came out. Shock rooted her in place as tears poured endlessly down her cheeks.
“Ahhhhh!”
A sharp, searing pain tore through her lower abdomen.
She looked down in horror—the dagger was buried deep inside her.
Roger smiled as he twisted it further.
Her breath hitched. Desperately, she clawed at his shoulder, but he didn’t stop. With brutal force, he yanked the dagger out.
She coughed violently, blood spilling from her mouth as she collapsed to the floor, clutching her wound.
As a healer, she knew the truth.
This injury was fatal.
Her breathing slowed. Darkness crept in.
With one final shudder, Cyprus closed her eyes and slipped into the void.