17. I'LL HELP YOU DESTROY HER

CASSANDRA

I headed down to the alpha's quarters as soon as I heard that Freya had arrived. Initially, I had wanted to wait till she settled in before going to see her but the excitement I felt at that point overruled that decision. Freya and I have been best of friends since I started staying at the mansion.

I stepped out into the courtyard and I saw her handing some bags to the maids.

"Freya!" I called out joyfully as I put my arms around her in a cozy hug.

"My dear Cass. You don't know how much I've missed you" She giggled, clinging tightly to me.

"I've missed you too, Freya. I'm so glad you're back. How was it up north?" I asked, ready to be filled with tales from my best friend.

"Oh, it was a wonderful experience. Can you believe...."

"No, no, no, my dear. You're not going to tell me all that down here. You just came back, you should rest. And there's no need to object, I know you're tired" I stroked my hand on her soft, beautiful hair as she pouted with a concurred look on her face.

"Alright, alright! I'll get some rest first. But we have a whole lot to catch up on, you know that right?"

" Of course, trust me to tell you all about it. But that will be after you've gotten some rest" We were already heading towards her room at this point, laughing just like the old times. She seemed alright, only that her hair looked darker than it usually was.

Upon getting to her room, I took the doorknob and pushed the door open, ushering her in. She laughed heartily, stepping and taking the knob from me.

"Make sure you get some rest, okay? I'll be in my room till then"

"Yes, mom” she replied sarcastically as she gave me a short hug, giggling.

"See you later, Freya," I said, heading back to my own room. Having Freya around was always a blast and I honestly could not wait for her to come around later.

As I settled on my bed, I summoned my maids with a snap of my fingers, sometimes I just did this for fun. It felt great to flex my power over them.

I stretched out my hand, a silent order prompting them to get to work. One of the maids gently took my hand and began to file my nails.

I let out a tired sigh as I rested my back against my seat. From the corner of my eye, I found another maid standing idly, her hand folded In Front of her.

“Well? What are you standing there for?” I barked, my tone sharp. “Make yourself useful and go get me some grapes” I ordered.

She flinched before quickly curtseying and leaving. I shook my head, muttering something about how incompetent these maids could be.

They started to massage my shoulders and scrub my feet as well. I shut my eyes letting out a breath of relief.

This was my usual relaxation routine and I needed it now more than ever, especially with the likes of Jayda roaming about in the pack house and trying to seduce Daemon.

That wretched witch.

I felt my anger simmering beneath my skin as I visualized her face. I needed a way to get rid of her, for good.

The maid I sent earlier returned with the bowl of grapes and I plucked one out and tossed it carelessly into my mouth.

I could hear the crunching sound as I chewed the fruit, but then my teeth met with an obstruction. A seed.

I spat it out, my face twisting into a frown as I raised my head to face her. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I spat, my voice laced with disdain.

She stared at me, lost. “I- I didn't do anything” she stuttered.

“This isn't the first time I've asked for grapes, everybody knows that I like seedless ones! Why did you get me these? What if I choked? Oh, you're trying to kill me huh? That is the plan of you useless maid right?” I accused her.

She shook her head, lowering her gaze. Just then, the sound of a light knock met my ears, slightly irritating me even more.

“Yes? Come in" I answered, expecting it to be another maid, but instead it was Freya.

"I thought I asked you to get some rest, Freya. What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I tried, Cass. I'm just so eager to hear your juicy gist and I was very bored”

I looked around, signaling the maids to leave the room. They all politely exited the room in a single file.

“What was going on here?” I could hear your voice from the hallway” she said.

“Oh don't mind these stupid maid, she just got me angry,” I replied. “Grapes?” I asked, picking one and handing it to her.

“No, I'm full, I already had so much to eat, Daemon and had wouldn't stop stuffing me with food” She settled by the edge of my bed, playing with the pleats on her dress.

“So how was your visit to the north?”

“It was amazing, their food is nice, they have great views, but forget all that, what's been going on here?” She asked, staring at me with full attention.

"Slow down, Freya" I started, taking a juicy grape in my mouth. I smiled at her as I savored its sweet flavor.

"It's not been bad. I am alright and so is Daemon."

"That's not all, is it?" She relaxed on the couch she was seated in, looking rather disappointed.

"Well, there's a new healer in town. Your brother brought her to help with the plague victims"

"A new healer?" She asked, her eyes widening in extreme curiosity. I nodded with a grave look on my face.

"That is a good thing, isn't it? Why the sudden change of expression?"

"She's just different" My voice was stained with distaste as I looked at her.

"What do you mean, Cass? Different, how?" She sat up, her eyes widening as she leaned in to focus on what I was saying.

"Jayda. That's her name. That bitch is evil. She is a wicked woman" Freya looked at me in confusion. I could tell several questions were running through her mind and I was ready to answer all.

"She's trying to sway Daemon away from me with her healing powers" I continued, staring down at the tray of fruits beside me.

"Are you serious? Why don't you tell Daemon about it?" She asked, her voice heavy with anger.

"And you think I haven't? I've drawn that to his attention many times, but he doesn't see it that way. He says I'm overreacting" I replied, a bit disappointed.

"Why would he even say that? It's really annoying that Daemon can be so blind about something this important" She sighed ferociously, her voice overwhelmed in anger. It was obvious she was beginning to hate Jayda even before meeting her and I was in for every bit of that.

"And that's not all" I continued as I scanned the room swiftly, confirming for the last time if anybody else was in the room. Then I leaned towards her and whispered. "She is a witch" In shock, Freya's mouth dropped open and she quickly put her hand over it.

"Some time ago, she had a cut and I smelt it. Definitely witch blood" I continued, then paused as Freya started to talk

"A witch? In this pack? Have you told Father?" She asked hurriedly, still in shock. I shook my head in response to what she had just asked and her eyes widened in disbelief.

"What are you waiting for? You know she would be killed instantly if you tell Father, right? And she'll be free from you forever"

"I know that. But she's been of great help to the pack, even if I believe she has cast a spell on Daemon"

"I don't think you should wait any longer, Cass. I'll tell Father myself. I can't have some witch steal your place as Luna just because of some healing power" The rage in her was very evident, and her voice gave off every bit of it. Of course, I would have said a word of it to Alpha Greyson, but the fear of her exposing my secret held me back every time.

"Please, don't tell him, Freya. Not just yet" I asked pleadingly.

Freya moved back in disbelief, staring at me with very suspicious-looking eyes. I lowered my head, trying to avoid her gaze.

"And what is that about, Cass? Why don't you want me to expose that witch? If you truly despise her then what is stopping you from exposing her? you have nothing to loose" Her questions poked against my skin as I tried to sit comfortably.

I couldn't tell Freya that I was having an affair with Axel, I had to find a way to quickly manage this situation and bring it back under my control.

I began breathing irregularly, inducing my tears. My vision blurred as I started crying. “What's wrong?” Freya asked, her voice laced with concern.

I wiped my tears, “I knew I shouldn't have told you, you don't get it.”

She crouched, rubbing circles into my back.

I sniffled, “She's a witch, I can't just involve Alpha Greyson, she'll do something to Daemon, to the rest of us.”

Freya pulled me into a small hug. “Shh, you don't need to be scared of her.”

I reciprocated the embrace, my lips twitching as I fought to hold back the smile that wanted to materialize on my face.

I broke away from her home and grabbed her hands. “Freya, please promise me that you won't tell anyone she's a witch or do anything that would expose that, at least not yet”

Freya nodded, even though I could see the reluctance in her features. “If you need my help in handling her, I'll be here for you, there's no need to be scared of that witch okay?”

I nodded, “Thank you Freya” I whispered, feigning vulnerability.