CHAPTER 191

CHAPTER 191


Reika's POV

I could smell him even before he arrived, but still, I couldn't believe the fact that he had actually come.

Like he actually came!!!

I closed my eyes, letting relief wash over me as I muttered prayers of gratitude to the maid whom I never thought would convey my message to him, but she did it anyway.

“It seems like the Alpha has come,” Archer said as Ileus’s approaching footsteps struck the floor more sharply.

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Yes, he did.”

I quickly stood up, turned towards the wall, and wrapped the scarf over my head.

Less than a minute later, the sound of the door being pushed open echoed through the room as he stepped inside.

“Alpha,” Archer said with a deep bow.

As for me, I remained silent. My chest thudded loudly, and I was contemplating exactly how to begin, but I knew I needed to start somehow and explain everything to him until he understood. I couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity.

Ileus did not say anything for a long while. Finally, he spoke. “You sent for me? Yet you are backing away from me and keeping quiet. Would you get to whatever you want to discuss with me, or should I leave?” He spat coldly. “I’m extremely busy as it is.”

Finally, I turned towards him, though I had not yet removed the scarf from my head.

I took a deep breath before forcing out the words. “I never knew you were going to come. Thank you so much for coming. I really appreciate it. Can you please let my guard step out? What I have to discuss with you is quite sensitive.”

He did not say a word. He simply waved Archer away. Archer bowed and walked out of the room, leaving just the two of us.

After he left, another few seconds passed before I finally removed my scarf, my brown hair falling over my face. I lifted my head and watched as the anger etched across his face changed to shock, then fear…

“What the hell?” He screamed in terror, taking a step back as if he was trying to bolt out of the room.

“Please wait,” I said, taking a step forward.

He took another step back until his back hit the door and he stumbled sharply to the floor. His eyes were still wide with terror, his jaw dropped. Then he rubbed his eyes hard, as though he thought he was hallucinating and was trying to see more clearly. When he opened his eyes and realized what he was seeing was real, his lips trembled before he finally choked out:

“Who the hell are you?” He spat, his voice thick with disbelief. “You can’t be Reika. No, this is not Reika. You better tell me who you are right now or I might slit your throat.”

“Please calm down.” My voice was thick with desperation. “Let me explain everything to you…” I tried to step closer.

“Don’t!” He gestured at me with his hand. “Don’t you dare come closer to me.” He looked around. “Where the hell is Lilith? Who are you exactly?!” He roared loudly now, as if he could go crazy at any moment.

“I’m Lilith… It is literally the same person.”

He shook his head hard. “No… Never. Reika is dead and you, Lilith, took her form using black magic. If you think you can manipulate me with my dead wife’s form, then you are sorely mistaken.”

“I swear I’m not trying to manipulate you. And hell no, I never use black magic even though I had powers like that before. Just let me explain to you.”

Ileus did not respond; he just kept staring at me blankly, as if he was still trying so hard to make sense of whatever was happening.

But I continued with the explanation anyway. “I’m Reika, Ileus. Your Reika. I never died. I was able to survive with Ray, Daisy, and Archer’s help. On my twentieth birthday, I woke up with a changed face and strange powers…”

Suddenly, as if he had just regained his senses, he jumped to his feet. In a swift movement, he slid out the sword slung across his waist and pressed the blade against my neck. “Say the sacred name of my wife again and I swear your head will roll off your neck faster than you can think.”

My breath caught. My pulse roared loudly in my eardrums.

From the way his eyes blazed murderously, I knew he could do it, so I had no choice but to keep quiet. My lips trembled as I stared at him. Tears stung my eyes, and before I knew what was happening, they spilled over, trailing down my cheeks.

“Stop crying, you black magic imposter!” He thundered, pressing the blade deeper into my flesh until I felt a trail of blood sliding down my neck.

Still, my tears did not stop.

“Now… tell me, is it Kael that asked you to do this once you got caught, just to stop me from attacking the North?”

“No,” I choked out. “Kael did not send me. I do not use black—”

“Shut up!” He spat coldly. “Only respond to the questions I asked. But why do I care anyway? I will be attacking the North tomorrow and now that I think of it, you will come with me and watch as I burn down his pack before chopping off your head.”

He was attacking the North tomorrow?!

My chest slammed so hard that my body grew weak, and I dropped to the floor, wrapping my hands tightly around his boots.

“Please Ileus, you can’t attack the North,” I pleaded desperately, staring up at him while his cold eyes burned into me. “If you do, Daisy, Ray, and their little one would lose their lives.”

Scoffing bitterly, Ileus raked his fingers through his hair. “Ray and Daisy?”

I nodded, tears still spilling. “Yes, they got married and are expecting a child. Kael held them captive because of me… because of the mission to end your life. If you attack the pack tomorrow, it’s possible they might end up dead. Please… I do not want them to die. They are my family, they are good people and do not deserve such an unfortunate end just because they are entangled with me.”

My tears slid down and dropped onto his boots with a soft thud.