Chapter 30 He Played Me
REIKA'S POV
Sophia said confidently, “The pack will surely favor me, knowing I have the heir who will save them in the future.”
She stood there like she’d already won. “An heir strong like their Alpha Apollo. After the family curse that affected him, the long wait is finally over.”
“What curse?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
But as soon as I said it, I felt my stomach twist. Apollo didn’t want to talk about this. He had avoided the topic. I’d felt it in his hesitation. His eyes. His silence. He said he would talk about it at the right time, but when?
Sophia laughed, and I hated the sound of it. Cold. Triumphant. “See? I told you. You know nothing about this pack. Not even about Apollo. He doesn’t trust you.”
My hands curled into fists. I wanted to scream at her, but I couldn’t. I needed to understand. I needed to know.
“He didn’t tell you his family was cursed?” She tilted her head mockingly.
“That no heir would be born until the heartbound came and bore him a child? Well, surprise. That heartbound is obviously me.”
“No,” I said sharply.
Tiana stirred within me, and her voice growled inside my head. I am his mate. I am heartbound. Ragnar knows.
I met Sophia’s smug eyes and said it out loud. “I am his mate. His wolf accepted me. That makes me the one who’s meant for him. The woman who will bear Apollo's child.”
“Stop with your delusion, Omega,” Sophia snapped, voice rising. “You think being young and mated means anything? You’re just another one of his mistakes, one of his surrogates. He’ll grow tired of you.”
“No,” I said again, firmer this time. “I don’t believe you.”
“Believe what you want.” She crossed her arms. “But I’m the one carrying the heir. Me. Not you. The pack will follow me because they’ll follow the child I’m carrying.”
I shook my head. “You’re just trying to get under my skin.”
“Under your skin?” She laughed again. “Sweetheart, I’ve done more than that. I’ve exposed the truth. The truth Apollo hid from you. And what
now? You’re going to run to him, beg for answers he won’t give you?”
“If he doesn't tell me, he’s protecting me. Not lying to me.”
Sophia’s eyes narrowed. “Keep telling yourself that. But remember this—when the pack sees me with the heir when they kneel at my feet for saving them from the curse—you’ll just be a shadow. Another girl who thought she mattered.”
I stepped closer. “I’m not afraid of you, Sophia.”
“You should be.” She hissed, “Because when Apollo chooses his heir over you, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Tiana snarled again, louder this time. She wanted to come forward, to defend us. But I held her back. Not here. Not like this.
I mostly whispered, “He wouldn’t do that.”
Sophia just smiled. “We’ll see.”
When Sophia left, I had to calm myself before I called Thea and Ruby to join me in the kitchen. I don't want them to get involved in this issue.
"Miss Reika, are you okay?" Thea asked as soon as I opened the door for them.
"Yes," I nodded to confirm.
"We're worried about you," Ruby said genuinely.
"It's okay, guys, don't worry about me. Just don't tell Apollo about this yet. I don't want him to worry. I got everything under control."
Thea and Ruby hesitated but eventually nodded in agreement.
“Thea, can I borrow your phone for a minute?” I asked her quietly after I had finished cooking and drying my hands.
She smiled and handed it over. “Of course, Miss Reika. Just don’t break it,” she joked.
I forced a chuckle. “I’ll be careful. Thank you.”
I stepped out to the backyard, the cool breeze brushing my skin as I dialed Maia’s number. Please answer. I need your voice right now.
The call connected, but the voice wasn’t Maia’s.
“We’ve been waiting for your call,” Anya said, her voice laced with mockery. I could never forget her annoying voice that haunts me for years.
My heart dropped. “Anya? Why do you have Maia’s phone? Where is she?”
Anya laughed louder this time. “Oh, sweet little Reika. If you want to find out where Maia is, you must come home and see for yourself.”
“Where is she?” I demanded. “Tell me right now!”
“Let me give you a clue,” she said, her tone gleeful. “She’s in a place where there’s only darkness… and rats.”
I gripped the phone tighter. “What did you do to her?”
“This is all because of you, Omega. You put Maia in a bad position.”
“No,” I whispered. “You’re lying.”
“Am I?” she said slowly. “Think hard. Who ran away from the pack? Who made Alpha Martin and Nyx furious? Who gave Maia the idea to cover for you? You made her a spy.”
Did they know about the video that Maia sent me?
“I don't know what you're talking about. You don’t get to blame me for your cruelty, Anya. You did all of this. Don't you?”
“Oh, but I do. You abandoned her. And now she’s paying the price. Maybe you’re not the only one good at disappearing.”
“Put her on the phone,” I demanded.
Anya scoffed. “She’s not in a talking mood. Maybe it’s the chains. Or the rats. Hard to say. And Omega, you don't have a say in this pack, not before, now, or ever.”
My stomach twisted. “Apollo will find out. He won’t let you get away with this.”
“Your new Alpha named Apollo? What are you to him? A mistress? You are just a lowly Omega. Why would an Alpha help someone like you?"
“You don’t know anything about Apollo and me.”
“I don't want to know anything about your boring life. I only want you to know that if you're going to save Maia, you need to come here immediately.
“I swear if you hurt her—”
“Come back and see for yourself. But don’t take too long. Maia might not have that kind of time.”
The line went dead.
I stared at the phone, shaking. My thoughts raced. Was Maia really…? No.
I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t think of anything Anya said without seeing it for myself. But what if she was telling the truth? What if Maia was suffering because of me?
The only person who showed me kindness was possibly in danger. I needed to think and figure out what to do, and more than anything, I needed Apollo. I knew he would help me, but first, I needed to confront him about what Sophia said. I was sure he had a better explanation.
As I returned to the estate to find Apollo, I heard two voices in the corridor.
Sophia's voice was clear: "Apollo, kiss me," her voice pleading. As I approached them, I saw Sophia's hands tangled on Apollo's neck as their lips met. My heart sank, but I immediately ran and hid.
On the other side of the house, my back was on the wall, my hands were on my chest, and I tried to calm myself while catching my breath. At that moment, I wished I was dreaming. After realizing everything, Sophia might be right.
Is this how Apollo used his power? He plays with people on his hands like a toy because he thinks he can escape with them. I should have believed what I saw the first time I met him. A ruthless Alpha.