End You For Good

End You For Good
Christine didn't knock when she paused at the entrance of the Alpha's study.
She yanked the doors open with a force that rattled the windows and made the guards outside flinch.
Arthur didn't look up from the scroll he was reading but the faint tightening of his jaw gave away his hidden annoyance.
"Christine" he said calmly, flipping through the worn papers. "I trust this is important"
Engaged at his lack of concern, she walked forward and slammed her hands on his table, an action that earned his attention.
"You lied to me" she spat out.
He arched a brow. "Care to elaborate?"
"You lied to me. You played me like I have no brains. You have another mistress!" She screeched, digging her nails into his desk.
Arthur sighed then returned his gaze to the scroll. "You've lost it" he replied flatly.
She let out a mirthless chuckle. "Oh really? Then explain why Amber saw you talking to the red-handed slave in the middle of the night"
His expression was devoid of any emotion but his fingers squeezed the edges of the scroll.
Christine's anger spiked at his silence. "Explain it to me Arthur!"
"You do not raise your voice when speaking to me" his reply was coated with the usual coldness.
But she was too riled up to care. "Then explain everything to me"
"Amber must have drank some wine that night. I didn't talk to anyone" he looked up at her.
Christine's heart clenched. "Stop lying to me Arthur. Amber saw you and her together. How long have you hid her from me? From your pack?"
"Excuse me?"
She leaned in, holding his gaze. Hers was brimming with fury that ached to explode.
"When did it start? And how long have you kept it a secret?"
"Watch your mouth," he said, his voice silky with the faint edges of anger.
Her eyes narrowed. "Why? Because it's the truth? Because I'm no longer deceived by your lies?"
"Watch your mouth" he repeated, still calm.
"Why her?" She demanded. "What do you see in her? Her sassy attitude? Her beautiful face? Her—"
"Watch. Your. Mouth" his wolf was growling within him, irritated.
"She is our enemy, Arthur," she continued. "I can't believe you're forgetting that. Maybe her kisses are softening the edges between reality and desire."
Her words were the last straw. Arthur stood up so fast it made her dizzy. The chair screeched and the table scratched the floor as he rose abruptly.
His voice came like thunder. "I said watch your mouth!" He roared.
Christine shuddered then took a step back, frightened at the sudden black slits in his golden eyes.
It only meant one thing: she had touched a nerve. And his anger as Alpha wolf was just beneath his skin.
"Arthur," she began, refusing to let this go. "Who is she to you?"
His silence was the answer she needed.
Her eyes softened with tears. "I've stood by you. I've given you myself—my soul and body. Yet you chose her."
"Stop," he said, closing his eyes.
"I stood by you when your father died. When the council was harsh to you, I was there. I satisfied your cravings without asking for anything in return but—"
"Stop."
Tears spilled down her cheeks. "Even when they accused you of murder, I defended you. Even when Josh died and the blame fell on you—"
"I SAID STOP!" His voice came out with waves of anger.
The air tensed with the sudden charge. Even the windows shook under the invisible force of his aura. "You are not my Luna. You are not my mother. You're not entitled to question me. Remember your place."
Her lips trembled. "Arthur—"
"Get out. Now."
"Arthur please don't do this. You—"
"Leave this place at once," his order was final and laced with his wolf's voice.
Christine choked down her sobs and ran out of the room. She had never seen him this angry.
She had struck a nerve.
She leaned against one of the pillars and tried to absorb what just happened.
His anger was witness to the fact that there was a silver of truth in her words.
She sank her nails into her palms, her heart sinking as well.
He had something to do with the princess. He had been brushing her off, giving her cold shoulders and raised his voice at her.... for that pathetic princess.
Amber was right all along. He had another woman. And the horrible fact that the 'woman' was the human princess made her anger rise.
How dare he? How dare she? How dare they?
Just then, a maid walked by, catching her attention. "Fetch me the slave princess," she ordered.
The girl turned around, startled. "P-Pardon milady?"
Her gaze sharpened. "Are you dear? I said fetch me the slave-princess. The one with red hair."
The girl bowed quickly. "Yes milady."
Just as the maid turned to do her bidding, a thought popped up suddenly and she added, "Tell her the Alpha has summoned her. He wants to meet her in the third room in the North Wing."
"As you wish milady."
Christine crossed her arms and allowed a tiny smirk to touch her lips. "Let's see what the fox will do now."

When Christine ran away earlier, the study descended into silence.
Arthur stood there for a long time, staring at the spot she'd stood on.
He hurt her again.
But what else could he do? Comfort her with lies?
He sank down into his chair and massaged his throbbing temple. This situation was escalating beyond control, and he couldn't stop it. He was helpless and he resented that.
"You're a fool," he told himself.
What made him think he could bury this secret forever? Her scent was leaking, Amber had seen them and Christine was connecting the dots slowly.
Arthur blew a sigh at the ceiling. This was the price of his one night. A mistake.
His wolf moaned within him. 'It isn't a mistake,' the creature purred. 'She is ours. Our mate.'
"It's a mistake," he hissed.
He had allowed his wolf, his lust to control him and now the burden was his to bear.
The Elders were circling, the council was pressing on him to find a Luna, and he had an awful secret that could end his life.
He wanted to rip the bond off with his claws, erase it from her neck.
But no matter how he wished he could turn the hands of time, one bitter truth remained: She was his mate.

Myra hummed softly to herself as she cleaned the corridor. Her back was aching, but she didn't mind.
The corridor was silent today and she was grateful. No eyes to mock, judge, or scrutinize her.
But the brief moment of peace crashed when a maid appeared out of nowhere and walked up to her. "The Alpha summons you."
She looked up, a little bit startled. "Me?"
"Yes you," the maid replied impatiently. "He said it's urgent."
Myra's mind raced with a million horrible reasons. She stood up and wiped her hands on her dress. "Where am I supposed to meet him?"
The girl darted her eyes away. "North Wing. Third room by the left."
Myra rushed off immediately, alarmed at his sudden call.
Had someone found out? Did he find a cure? Was there some bad news?
She walked deeper into the lonely halls of the palace where light barely touched. Her nose tingles at the thick particles of dust suspended in the air.
She rugged the scarf tighter as she ascended a flight of stairs, taking her to a corridor she had never seen.
Dark and dusty, it looked like it hadn't seen a broom in years. But it wasn't its abandoned look that sent a tingle down her spine.
It was the faint aura of something evil lurking in the dusty air.
Something that felt strongly like danger.
The mark felt hot and her fingers felt warmer than usual but she ignored it.
Myra stopped by the third door and looked up at its black, aging frame. She raised her hand to knock but paused.
It felt wrong. Alarm bells were ringing inside her.
But she dismissed them as paranoia and pushed the door open. The room was vast but cluttered with furniture that may have seen many centuries before her.
The air in here was much more suffocating and thick. The curtains hid the windows so the room was dark.
Myra squinted her eyes and took a step forward. This place.... looks haunted.
A hand shot out suddenly and yanked her hair with brutal force.
Pain blinded her for a second, her lips parting to scream. But the voice that followed froze her more than the pain.
"You little vixen. It's time I end you for good."