The moment Clara reacted
It was time for Norah to rise—a time to act sooner than anyone expected. Her thoughts churned like a storm as she sat alone, eyes fixed on the window.
“If I remain here with him, I will always be marked as nothing, " she thought bitterly. The worst part is that he will never allow me to rise!
Williams, still deeply in love with her, drew closer. His eyes softened as he smiled, his voice low and affectionate.
“What a beautiful day with you, Norah. The sun shines only to brighten your beauty. I am in love with you.”
Norah turned to him slowly. Behind her faint smile was a deceitful glint.
“Give me your position,” she said flatly.
Alpha Williams’ smile faltered. “You have asked for this many times, Norah. Do you really think I will in any way do that?”
At the doorpost, Clara stood quietly, listening, her hands trembling against the frame.
Norah’s voice grew sharper. “I have satisfied you more than you ever expected. I gave you the best of myself—even when you least deserved it. Why shouldn’t I have the pack for myself? Have I asked too much?”
Williams sighed deeply. “You ask the impossible, Norah. Remember, you are my mate.”
“Take that out of your memory if you think we are mates,” she spat. “We are never one. I accepted to mate you only with the mindset of taking the pack for myself.”
“What?” Williams’ face turned pale.
“You heard me clearly,” Norah continued. “That’s why I’ve refused to give you a child. You are not worth it, Alpha Williams.”
“You’re joking,” he muttered, almost pleading.
“I am not kidding,” Norah replied coldly, her face hardening.
“I have allowed you to rule with me,” Williams argued. “I gave you every opportunity to gain command and be in charge. That does not mean I should step down for your rise.”
“I think you’re the one joking here,” she said, glaring at him. “You act like you don’t know this already.”
“Norah,” he softened his tone, “I’m ready to offer you whatever you wish—except this.”
“Alpha Williams, this is all I want,” she hissed. “I need to rule the pack myself. If you fail to give it, I will mate with one of the rogues instead.”
Williams’ eyes widened. “What do you have to do with rogues? Have you gone insane? These are our enemies! Not our friends. Have you been interacting with them?”
“Let’s not drag this out,” Norah snapped. “This is between the two of us.”
Williams stepped closer, his voice breaking. “I love you. That’s something I can’t hide. You are special to me.”
“I love you too,” Norah said with a faint smile—but her eyes told a different story.
At that moment, Clara panicked and ran down the hallway, accidentally bumping into the door.
“You again?” Norah snapped, pointing at her.
“I’m sorry, Norah. I wasn’t listening to your conversation with him.” Clara’s voice shook.
“You’ve judged yourself without me judging you,” Norah sneered. “What do you take me for? How do you expect me to believe that foolishness?”
“M–ma…” Clara stammered.
“I think it’s time you left this pack, just like your useless mistress Isabella, who should have rotted in the grave already.”
“Please, don’t hurt me,” Clara begged, falling to her knees. “Save me, Mrs. Norah.”
Norah’s eyes blazed. “I am sick and tired of you, Clara. You disgust me. Get in there, pick your things, and leave this house.”
Clara’s face lit up with hope. She stood, smiling faintly, thinking Norah had finally granted her freedom.
But as she picked up her bag, Norah’s voice cut through the air like a whip. “Where do you think you’re going with those bags?”
“You asked me to leave the pack. That’s what I’m doing.”
“You must have lost your mind,” Norah snarled. “Take that bag back to your room. After that, bring me a drink.”
Clara, walking reluctantly, went back inside with her bag.
When on earth will I be free from her? she thought bitterly. I don’t have a choice—only to wait until the day an opportunity is offered to me.
She dropped her belongings, went into the kitchen, and opened the cupboard.
“My goodness,” she whispered. “The juice is finished. How will I explain this to her?”
Just then, Norah called her name sharply. “Clara!”
Clara didn’t hear her. Norah’s voice rose. “Clara!”
Norah stormed into the kitchen, anger radiating off her. “Why do you always land yourself in trouble?”
Clara spun around, panicked. Without thinking, she grabbed a bottle and hit Norah on the head. Norah fell to the floor, blood rushing down her forehead.
“My God,” Clara gasped. “My life!”
She had no option but to jump from the window. “This is my narrow escape. I pray I survive this,” she whispered as she heard footsteps approaching.
Clara leapt down. She almost broke her legs but somehow landed safely.
“Finally,” she breathed.
Moments later, a guard entered the kitchen and screamed when he saw Norah on the floor.
“Mrs. Norah!” He rushed to help her as she opened her eyes.
“Get that girl for me—she hit me and escaped!” Norah hissed.
The guard ran to the window and peered out. “She’s gone,” he said nervously.
“You must be stupid to inform me of such!” Norah yelled.
Alpha Williams arrived, shocked at the sight. “Norah, what happened to you?”
“That bitch did this to me,” Norah growled.
“You mean Clara? She’s the only one who could do this to you.”
Norah glared at him. “What are you insinuating, Alpha Williams? That I have turned into Isabella?”
“No, Norah. It’s about your safety,” he said softly. “You need to be rushed to the hospital.”
“I’ll be fine,” Norah said coldly, walking into the bedroom to wash her wound.
“I’ll make sure she bleeds from her mouth,” she muttered to herself.
“Can I help you?” Williams asked gently.
His question provoked her. She hissed and stormed off. Williams exhaled heavily.
“She has imposed this on herself,” he muttered, then turned to his guards.
“Make sure you find her,” Williams commanded. “Do not let her escape—not even once.”
Meanwhile, Norah was boiling inside. “That idiot of a female must be caught. Get her defeated—she will pay for what she’s done!” she ranted, pacing the room.
“If she isn’t found,” she warned Williams, “I’ll turn this pack upside down.”
“You have to calm down, Norah. The guards are searching for her,” Williams replied.
“Work things out right now, Alpha Williams,” she snapped. “Your weakness has finally infected the members, making them react so evilly to me.”
“Norah, Clara will definitely be found,” Williams reassured her.
“Don’t you dare touch me, Williams,” she hissed. “You insulted me. You made me think I’m the weakest of them all.”
“No, Norah. It hasn’t come to that.”
“Keep that to yourself.”
Meanwhile, Clara ran far from the compound, too scared to look back.
“A single stop could lead to my capture. I have to be careful,” she murmured as she reached a crossroads.
“Where can I go from here?” she pondered, scanning the area, when she spotted Williams’ guards searching nearby.
“No!” she whispered and hid behind a tree, barely escaping detection.