Chapter 101
Author's POV
Her eyes widened, nearly falling out of their sockets and she clamped her lips shut, her heart pounding hard against her chest in trepidation while he violently snatched the knife from her and got up.
She gasped, wondering how she messed it up just at the point of achieving her goal and a tear slid down her cheek because she knew she wouldn't be getting out of this alive.
Elda burst into a heavy peal of laughter that was filled with intense mockery and threw her effortlessly over him. Then he rose, zipping his slacks and turning on the light.
"You aren't Iris, are you?" He asked but she didn't respond.
Enraged, he crossed over to her and yanked the mask off her face, her hair falling out of the messy bun she packed it in. A deep scowl formed on Elda's face and he clenched his jaw, balling his fingers into a tight fist.
"Eliana, you're that girl I banged a few weeks ago, right?" He barked.
"I wish I was fast enough in killing you," She retorted spitefully. "At least, I won't be replying to your stupid questions," She snarled.
He chuckled, tapping the edge of the knife against his chin. "Well, you underrated me and thought I could be killed that easily but I don't care about your foolishness. What I want from you right now is to tell me who sent you to kill me," He demanded.
She snorted and rolled her eyes. "You defiled me in the worst way possible and made me lose my relationship with my mate. Isn't that enough reason to want you dead?"
He pinched his forehead and exhaled. "Women and sentiments," He said, casually. "So you haven't gone past that already? You really wanted to murder me just because I had a taste of you? I thought you were a hooker and I was just horny that afternoon. Did I do wrong by coming to you? Besides I paid you heavily for your services," He spat nonchalantly.
Eliana tilted her head to the side in disbelief and moistened her lips, straightening up.
"You paid me? I didn't collect anything from you because I'm not a hooker as you assumed. You and I know that you deflowered me that day against my wish,"
She was trying so hard to keep her emotions bottled in but seeing the monster before her and remembering what he did, she didn't know when the tears began to pour out in torrents.
"You are cruel and heartless, Elda, and I don't know if anyone has told you this, but you aren't worthy of being alive, talk more of being our Alpha-"
A heavy slap landed on her face, the sound echoing in the room, stopping her from completing her speech. She fell backward, holding onto the swollen area he hit.
Elda advanced toward her with a fiery look in his eyes, his steps scary and predatory. His lips were curved into a smile, but it wasn't friendly or warm, rather, it was intimidating and deathly.
She crawled backward until her back hit the headboard. She knew that he wouldn't let her go scot-free, but she would die fighting him.
He grabbed her chin, pressing it hard so she wouldn't be able to shove him off. "The only luck you have right now is that I'm in a good mood, but by tomorrow, I'll be having a serious hangover from drinking and partying too much. Your services will be needed by me and if you take care of me properly, I'll decide if your family is going to stay alive or not,"
On hearing that her family would be put in harm's way, her chest tightened and she shut her eyes. Her ego was as great as her will, but when it came to her family, one had to go down.
So she knelt before him on the floor, palming her hands. Though Iris had promised to keep her family safe, she had disobeyed her and went overboard. Now she wasn't sure if the pact still stood.
"I'm sorry, please, don't hurt my family," She begged, desperately.
He pressed his lips and shook his head. "Don't beg me, sweetheart. It won't work," He yelled and went away.
Immediately, the sentinels outside came in and bundled her up, dragging her into an empty room.
~~~
IRIS
My bottoms had become sore from sitting patiently and waiting for good news from Eliana. The plan was to seduce and get him drugged, and then I'd swing into action but there was nothing yet, so I was confused about why she delayed this long.
It was past 10 pm and the guests were already filling the hall. If Elda was still alive then we'd be done for.
Having nothing else to do, I decided to go to the hall first and ensure that Elda's absence wasn't noticed. Wearing a simple gold mermaid dress with my hair styled into a ponytail, I looked the part.
But it was all to celebrate my victory over him, not to pretend like I cared about the Alphas and Betas that were invited from neighboring packs.
However, my fears were confirmed when I got to the well-decorated and brightly lit hall and found everyone bowing to Elda as he settled on the throne.
My throat churned with bile threatening to burst out of it and I clutched to my neck, attempting to run away when my name resonated in the air.
"Come, My lady. We are supposed to be celebrating together," He stood up. "Everyone, give her a round of applause as we welcome her to the stage with me."
I gulped and squared my shoulders, not wanting anyone to see through my confident facade. My nerves were frayed and it felt like I was walking on thin ice, but if I kept my acts together, he wouldn't be able to guess that I had a hand in what happened.
I had to save myself before saving others.
A valet ushered me to him while I waved poignantly with a bright smile plastered on my face.
"You look ravishing, my queen. Who would have thought that you tried to have me murdered before the feast?" He whispered into my ear the moment I got to him and my breathing ceased.
Shoot!
What did Eliana do?