Chapter 107

MORGAN

I stormed into my room in a blaze of fury, slamming the door so hard the walls trembled. My chest rose and fell with violent breaths as curses spilled from my mouth one after another. Derrick had ruined everything. Every single thing.

I was supposed to be standing above everyone by now.

I was supposed to be untouchable. I was supposed to be ruling the earth with power no one could challenge.

Instead, I had been humiliated in front of the pack, stripped of what should have been mine, and tossed aside like I was nothing.

“I am going to kill him!” I roared.

My hand snatched the crystal vase beside the bed, and I hurled it across the room. It smashed against the wall in a shower of glittering shards, but the sound did nothing to soothe the rage boiling inside me. Nothing could.

All I could picture was Derrick writhing on the floor in agony, begging for mercy while I watched him suffer for what he had done to me.

“After ruining my life, he still had the audacity to announce that rogue as his Luna,” I spat bitterly. “That fool.”

A laugh burst from my lips, sharp and hollow.

Because no matter what fantasy Derrick entertained, it would never happen. It could never happen.

I paced the room, my bare feet crunching over broken glass, too consumed by anger to care. My hands trembled at my sides. Every thought in my head was chaos.

“I need a way out,” I muttered. “A way to ruin him and save myself.”

I forced myself to think, but every plan I reached for crumbled immediately.

My powers had weakened. Pathetically so.

The magic that once made people fear me now flickered like a dying candle. I could barely command enough strength to intimidate anyone, let alone destroy them. If my family discovered how far I had fallen, they would tear me apart themselves.

They did not tolerate weakness. That was why I had needed Phoenix. That was why everything had depended on Derrick. And he had destroyed it all. I stopped pacing suddenly.

“No,” I whispered. My eyes narrowed.

“Derrick did not ruin everything.” The real problem had a face. That rogue girl. Lyka.

And perhaps that cursed old woman who kept meddling in matters beyond her place.

Without them, Derrick would never have dared oppose me. Without them, he would still be where he belonged... within reach. My lips curled slowly.

“I just need to get rid of the girl like I planned.”

The words steadied me.

“Yes,” I murmured. “Remove her… and Derrick returns to me.”

Simple. Except it was not simple anymore. Lyka had Derrick’s attention, Derrick’s protection, and worst of all… Derrick’s heart.

That made her dangerous. It also meant I needed help. The thought alone disgusted me.

There was only one person bitter enough to consider it. Zuri. I scoffed aloud.

The same Zuri I had nearly clawed apart earlier. The same Zuri who thought herself elegant while behaving like a desperate mutt.

But enemies could be useful.

Temporary alliances were not loyalty. They were strategy.

“Even if I hate that girl,” I said to myself, smoothing my dress, “it does not mean I cannot use her.”

I straightened my posture, fixed my expression, and headed for the door.

“There is no way I am letting those two be happy,” I muttered coldly. “That will happen over my dead body.”

I stepped into the hallway, my anger sharpening into purpose with every stride.

If Derrick and Lyka wanted to ruin my life...

Then I would ruin theirs first.

As I approached Zuri’s room, I heard growling from inside, followed by the crash of something breaking.

I smiled. Perfect. She was already unraveling. That meant I would not need to work very hard.

Without bothering to knock, I pushed the door open and entered.

“Stop throwing tantrums,” I said smoothly. “Let us think of a way to get rid of her properly this time.”

Zuri turned sharply, strands of hair loose around her face, fury blazing in her eyes.

“What?”

I walked farther inside, letting confidence drip from every step.

“I said,” I repeated, “since we both agree she is the problem, why do we not remove her together? I am sure it would be easy… if we work together.”

I smirked, but instead of answering... Zuri burst into laughter. My expression hardened instantly. Why was she laughing?

ZURI

I truly did not know whether Morgan thought I was stupid or simply beneath her.

Either way, I hated the sound of her voice in my room.

She had barged in without permission, carrying herself like she still mattered, then had the nerve to speak of alliances as though. we were equals. Her arrogance was almost impressive.

“Why are you laughing?” she snapped. “Did you not hear what I said?”

I stopped laughing slowly and stared at her.

“Did you take me for a fool?” I asked. “Why would you come here after we were at each other’s throats not long ago? Are you that desperate?” Her face tightened immediately. Good. I wanted her offended.

“You think I am desperate?” she hissed. “You are wrong, Zuri. I am doing this for you. Only with my help can you bring that slimy witch down.” I nearly laughed again. A witch calling another woman a witch. How poetic.

“Why should I join hands with you?” I asked lazily, folding my arms. “You are no better than I am. So what exactly makes you useful?”

Morgan’s nostrils flared.

For a moment, I thought she might strike me. Instead, she lifted her chin.

“Because I am still a force you cannot ignore,” she said quietly. “I could destroy you if I wished.”

That made me pause. Because beneath all her bluster, there was truth there.

Even weakened, Morgan was dangerous. I would be a fool to forget it.

But that did not mean I would bow.

“Fine,” I said at last, moving to sit on the edge of my bed as though I were granting her a privilege. “Then watch your tone while speaking to me. If we are partners, act like one.”

She approached slowly, eyes glittering.

“Oh? Should I?”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from reacting. She leaned close enough for me to smell the bitterness on her breath.

“Since we are discussing cooperation,” she whispered near my ear, “we should begin with how to throw Lyka out of the pack.”

Then she started talking.

And talking.

And talking. By the time she finished, I had learned two things.

First... Morgan was furious enough to become reckless.

Second... she did not want a partner. She wanted a pawn.

Every suggestion centered around me taking risks while she remained hidden. Every plan placed blame elsewhere. Every outcome favored her. She truly thought I would do her dirty work. I smiled sweetly.

“Honestly,” I said, nodding along, “that is an excellent plan.” Her eyes gleamed with triumph. Idiot.

“I knew you would see reason,” she said.

Then she rose to her full height and smoothed her sleeves.

“I expect your contribution soon,” she added coolly. “And I am not patient, so do not delay.”

With that, she turned and walked out of my room like she owned it.

The moment the door shut, my smile vanished.

“That dried-up witch dares try to control me,” I muttered, rising to my feet. My hands clenched.

“But I cannot move against her yet.” Not yet. Lyka still existed. And as long as Lyka remained beside Derrick, neither Morgan nor I would get what we wanted.

I walked to the shattered mirror across the room and stared at my reflection. Hair disheveled. Eyes wild.

Humiliation written all over my face.

“She has to go first,” I said softly. Then I smiled. Coldly.

“After that… I can decide what to do with Morgan.”

Because unlike Morgan, I did not need to shout my threats. I only needed to act, and someone in this pack was about to learn that the hard way.