Chapter 171 CHAPTER 171
Rosaleen’s POV
All pairs of eyes were fixed on me as I tried to take in the scene. How could Viktor have failed in such a simple task? It was something I could have readily handled.
I remained fixed in place, not attempting to step any closer to Philly. She was a bit wounded but I could still see murder in her eyes.
“Rosaleen,” Alpha Raymond called out, breaking the awkward silence. “See me in my study.”
He rose up and walked out of the room while I followed behind. First, I thought he was about to offer an explanation for what was happening. Then, anxiety took over and I imagined that the mission had failed woefully, Calderon had been arrested and he mentioned my name.
When he offered me some wine, I concluded that I was over thinking. I declined the offer. I’d had enough wine for the day. I was even beginning to doubt my sanity. Perhaps I was seeing things that weren't there.
“Philly was attacked tonight in Anna Trent’s home,” he said, looking at his chair but refusing to sit on it. “We were lucky that they weren’t killed.”
I bit my lips.
“I know you are not comfortable with Philly in the house because of what happened between you both last time, but I can promise you it won’t happen again.”
It was certain. Philly was moving back into the mansion.
“Also, Anna Trent would be staying with us for the time being. She is taking care of Philly.”
At the mention of this, I flared up. “What? Stay here? Are you joking? Is Evelyn Moon also going to be here? The whole bunch? You are making this place a nest for nine tailed rogue foxes!”
He remained silent.
“Fuck!” I yelled. “This is unacceptable, Alpha Roman. We had a contract!” I scratched a spot on my scalp until I was sure I had drawn blood. “She can’t stay here. If she does, the contract is breached. If you don’t help me with Alpha Roman, the contract is breached. And the whole world will know that Philly is alive, and you lied about her death.”
He sat down this time. I thought my threats had a strong effect on him. I was wrong. “I’m not afraid to suffer for my error, Rosaleen. It’s something you are yet to learn. What I am afraid of is for others to suffer because of my error.”
I couldn’t make sense of what he was saying.
“Viktor Calderon already knows that Philly is alive. There isn’t much to hide now, is there? So, if you tell the whole world that she is alive, it wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe, just maybe, it might even save her. Because killing her would be less easy.”
I bit my lips hard.
“You can’t abandon me, Alpha Raymond. You can’t do that,” I pleaded.
“It’s the best I can do.” He rose up again. “Anna Trent will live here for a while until Philly is better. As for Alpha Roman, you’ll find a way to deal with him.” He circled his table. “I’ll help you anyway I can. But you cannot take Evelyn Moon’s contract.”
I felt like the floor was being pulled from beneath my feet. I blinked. It wasn’t possible that he was saying that. I must have heard wrong. Perhaps I was still asleep and this was a nightmare. Or I was sleep walking. Something. Anything, but this.
I turned around and walked out of the room.
I passed by the kitchen because I needed some water, and I needed to take some painkillers. Talking to Alpha Raymond had increased my distress and the pain in my head was threatening to kill me. Evelyn was seated by the kitchen table, feeding her baby.
I felt anger and pain and all I wanted to do was to squeeze her neck until I squeezed life out of her. She ignored me and I walked to the refrigerator. I slammed it shut as I pulled out a bottle of water.
“You think you can find your way back here, don’t you?” I asked, glaring at her. “Using your mum as an excuse to step your foot into this place.”
She remained silent.
I stepped closer, my fist tightening over the bottle of water. “I’m talking to you.”
She raised her head and only glanced at me briefly.
“I’ll make sure you regret this decision,” I said, half-laughing. I felt delirious. The wine was probably messing with me. “You should know I keep my words. You keep coming back from the grave, but soon, I’ll bury you so deep that you won’t be able to claw your way out.”
She scoffed. “You should be more worried about wearing that mask you always have on before you leave your room,” she replied.
My hand flew to my face immediately and I realised that my skin was naked. It felt like a prick to my heart. I felt embarrassed. I had forgotten to cover it up and I had faced the whole family and strangers a few minutes ago. I bit my lips hard until I was sure I tasted blood.
I tried to say something nasty to her but I couldn't find the words to say. I turned around and walked away from the kitchen, walking as fast as I could to avoid anyone seeing me.
My phone started to buzz as soon as I got to the corridor leading to my room. It was past midnight, so I knew the call had to be urgent. It was a private number and I knew who it was.
“Hello?” I said, shutting the door of my room and walking towards the bed.
A strange voice responded. “I’ve called on behalf of Viktor Calderon to inform you that the mission has failed and it is over.”
“What do you mean the mission failed?” I spat out. “I gave out timely and useful information. How could you all let this flop?”
The man was silent for a while. Then he spoke again, his voice mechanical. “You are no longer needed by Alpha Viktor Calderon for this mission. Plans have been updated and you are no longer wanted.”
The line went dead.