Chapter 109 War of Words

Chapter 109 War of Words
I made my way back, after the unpleasant interaction I had with Soren.  

He was trying to plant seeds of doubt that I couldn't shake. Where was Zarek? 

I was so lost in thought that I almost didn't see her.

Lena stood near the entrance to the main house, her arms crossed, her expression felt like it was carved from stone. 

Her eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin prickle, she looked like a predator sizing up its prey.

I forced myself to keep walking, to maintain my composure. I had enough enemies to deal with without adding Lena to the list.

"Sylvia." Her voice was flat, the tone sounded more like a commandment.

"Lena." I kept my tone neutral, matching her distance. "Good morning."

"Is it?" She stepped forward, blocking my path. "I wouldn't know. I've been too busy watching the pack fall apart while you wander around looking lost."

The words hit me like a slap. I felt my jaw tighten, my hands clench at my sides.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't you?" She laughed, the sound sharp and brittle. "You've been here for weeks, and all you've done is cause chaos. The pack is divided, Zarek is gone, and everyone is whispering about you."

"About me?" I stared at her, my heart pounding. "What are you talking about?"

Lena stepped closer, her eyes boring into mine. "Don't play dumb. I see what you're doing. I've seen it from the beginning."

"And what exactly is that?"

"You're using him." Her voice was a bit venomous. "You're using Zarek. You came here with nothing, and now you're wrapped around him like a parasite, draining everything he has."

I felt the blood rush to my face. "That's not true."

"Isn't it?" She circled me slowly, her eyes never leaving my face. "You show up out of nowhere, and suddenly he's distracted, making reckless decisions, putting the pack at risk. You're the reason he left. You're the reason everything is falling apart."

"I'm not—"

"And then there's Rex." The name hit me like a physical blow. I felt the color drain from my face. "I know you've been meeting with him. I know you have history. What I don't know is what you're planning together."

My heart was racing now, my mind spinning. How did she know about Rex? How much did she know?

"I'm not planning anything," I said, my voice shaking. "Rex and I have nothing to do with each other."

"Liar." Lena stepped closer, her eyes blazing. "I've seen the way you look at him. I've seen the way he looks at you. You're in this together, aren't you? You're working with him to destroy Zarek."

"That's insane!" I stepped back, my hands raised in defense. "I would never—"

"Just like you're working with Cassie." She spat the name like it was poison. "Another human who showed up out of nowhere, stirring up trouble, hiding secrets. You're both the same. You're both using this pack for your own purposes."

I stared at her, my mind reeling. She was accusing me of everything I feared, everything I was trying to prove wasn't true.

"I'm not colluding with anyone," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I care about Zarek. I would never hurt him."

"Care?" Lena laughed again, the sound hollow and bitter. "You don't know what care is. You're a liability. A weakness. And I won't let you destroy everything we've built."

Something inside me snapped. The fear, the guilt, the exhaustion, it all boiled over into rage.

"You're blind," I said, my voice rising. "You're so blinded by your hatred of me that you can't see what's really happening."

"What's really happening?" Lena's eyes narrowed. "Enlighten me."

I stepped closer, my hands clenched at my sides. "Zarek is gone. The Elders are plotting against him. Soren is spreading rumors, turning the pack against him. And what are you doing? Standing here, attacking me, when you should be protecting your Alpha."

Lena's expression flickered, just for a moment. Something that looked almost like doubt crossed her face. Then it was gone, replaced by that cold, hard mask.

"Don't talk to me about protecting Zarek," she said, her voice was sharp. "I've been protecting him longer than you think. I would die for him. I would kill for him. What would you do?"

"I would do the same," I said, my voice shaking. "I would do anything for him."

"Would you?" She studied me, her eyes searching my face. "Would you walk away? Would you leave him if it meant keeping him safe?"

The question hit me harder than I expected. I opened my mouth to answer, but the words wouldn't come.

Because I didn't know. I didn't know what I would do. 

Lena must have seen the hesitation in my eyes. Her lips curled into a sneer.

"That's what I thought," she said, turning away. "You're not ready for this world, Sylvia. You're not ready for him. And when everything falls apart, don't say I didn't warn you."

She walked away, her footsteps echoing in the silence.

I stood there, frozen, my heart pounding, my mind reeling. The words echoed in my head, sharp and cruel.

You're not ready for this world. You're not ready for him.

But she was wrong. I was ready. I had to be.

Because if I wasn't, I would lose everything.

I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling the frantic beat of my heart.

I needed to find the silver knife. I needed to embrace my destiny. I needed to stop Soren and whoever else was plotting against Zarek.

And I needed to prove Lena wrong.

I turned and walked toward my room, my steps quick and purposeful.

–

I made it to my room before the shaking started. I leaned against the closed door, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

Something was wrong with Kieran. I had seen it in his eyes, the anger he had tried so hard to hide. 

I thought about his offer, the way he had tried to get me alone. I felt like he was up to something. 

I crossed the room and pulled out the book, my hands trembling. 

I had been naive then, I trusted people easily, believed in his friendship, in loyalty but I wasn’t that girl anymore. You can never truly know one’s intentions. 

I opened the book, my eyes scanning the pages. I needed to understand. I needed to find the truth.

Because if some of the wolves were working against Zarek, I needed to be ready, especially with Zarek being away.

I needed to find the silver knife.

I needed to embrace my destiny. I needed to stop Soren.

–