Chapter 68 Jealousy

Chapter 68 Jealousy
Emma POV
I slammed the door to my chambers behind me, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the silent hall. My fists clenched at my sides, and I pressed my forehead to the cool wood for a moment, trying to calm the fire that was raging inside me. That stupid raven! That infuriating girl had ruined everything. Everything!
I could still see the look on her face, so innocent, so smug, like she knew exactly what she was doing. If it hadn’t been for her meddling with her stupid childbirth, Ava would have eaten the poisoned food and her precious little pregnancy would be nothing but a mistake waiting to be corrected. My plan—my perfectly crafted plan had crumbled in a single, infuriating moment.
I kicked at the floor and started pacing, my shoes clicking sharply against the marble. There had to be another way. There had to be. Cain might be wrapped around Ava’s finger right now, but no human would hold him forever. Not if I had anything to do with it.
The thought of Ava smiling, glowing with her happiness, made bile rise in my throat. I will not let that human ruin everything for me. Cain would never notice me if I didn’t act carefully. I had to get close, make him see me, make him think I was… harmless. That was the first step.
By the time I finally stopped pacing, my mind had already begun spinning with plans, contingencies, and traps. I couldn’t let this go. No way.
I stormed out of my chambers, my cloak swirling around me, my mind still reeling. And then, of course the universe decided to test my patience further. I collided with someone solid in the hall.
I froze for a heartbeat and then looked up. Cain. Of course. Standing there, tall, immovable, like he owned every inch of the air around him. My stomach twisted, a mix of frustration and something far more dangerous.
I forced myself to bow slightly, my eyes downcast for a fraction of a second, then flicked my lashes up at him, letting them brush ever so subtly against my cheek.
“Good evening, Alpha,” I said, my voice soft, melodic, dripping with a sweetness that didn’t belong to the storm raging inside me.
Cain didn’t even blink. He didn’t spare me a glance. He simply nodded once, his expression unreadable, and stepped around me, moving as though I were nothing more than a shadow on the wall.
I followed.
Not too close. But close enough. I knew where he was going without even needing to think. The pack hospital. Of course he was heading there. He always put duty first. That predictable, infuriating man.
When I kept pace beside him, he finally paused, his body stiffening. Without turning, he asked, “Why are you following me?”
I cleared my throat, keeping my voice light and airy, the very picture of innocence. “Oh… I was going to see dear Raven,” I said, my tone almost saccharine. “I thought… I might check on her.”
Cain’s head tilted slightly, just a fraction but he didn’t look at me. He nodded once, sharp, and continued walking. I followed, my heart pounding with excitement and irritation. This was it. This was my chance to see what was happening, to plan my next move.
The hospital came into view, and I watched Cain enter first, his presence commanding, even in a place where he was not required to dominate. The healers and pack members immediately straightened, bowing their respect. I observed it all, my teeth clenched.
Cain approached Ryan and Raven first, and my stomach sank as I saw the warmth in his expression. Warm, genuine. He congratulate them.
“Congratulations beta” he said 
“Thank you alpha” Ryan responded and raven smiled warmly. 
My hands curled into fists at my sides. Jealousy surged through me, a raw, biting thing. I had planned to be the one in that position, the one basking in his attention. Yet here I was, nothing. Invisible.
Ryan, ever the professional, stepped forward to shake Cain’s hand. “Congratulations, Alpha,” he said, smiling. “Ava told us she’s carrying a child. Congratulations.”
I froze. My lips parted slightly, my mind trying to register the words. Cain… he already knew. And Ava… she smiled warmly at him, completely unaware of the anger I was barely holding back.
Cain simply nodded, his expression steady, yet something soft lingered in his gaze. My chest tightened, the anger and jealousy twisting into something almost painful. How dare she? How dare she sit there, smiling, glowing, basking in his attention?
I stepped forward, just slightly, forcing a smile of my own. Polite, controlled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. My teeth bit down on my lip as I watched Cain’s gaze linger on her for just a fraction too long.
I couldn’t let this go. I had to act. I had to find a way to ruin this moment, to remind Cain that I existed. That I deserved to exist in his orbit.
I clenched my hands at my sides and swallowed my words. For now. I couldn’t blow my cover. Not here. Not with the alpha is watching. But I would act. Soon. I had to.
As Cain turned to leave, still gazing down at Ava with that infuriating warmth, I stayed just behind, my eyes locked on him, burning with determination. He might be infatuated now, distracted by human warmth and innocence, but I would have him soon and the human will be gone for good. 
The game had only just begun.
And I would win.