She rose gracefully, her hair now styled in soft curls rather than her asual severe updo. The feminine look softened her features, adding a surprising warmth to her appearance that contrasted with fer typical commanding presence. Her beauty was undeniable.
“You know what? This is it” I moved toward the door, ready to call
“I came here to speak to you; I’m sorry there was no other way to
balance
The guards.
in you. Her voice lacked its usual hite, throwing me off
“Are you saying that justifies entering my apartment without authorization? I demanded, keeping my distance. “I’m sorry, I didnt come here to snoop through your things or anything… I just really need to talk to you.”
“I think I’ve had enough pack members checking on me, I really do need your support, and Kalus will be informed about your visit.” I replied coldly. After the business with Rowan, my patience for unexpected visitors was nonexistent.
What I have to tell you is very important. Something in her tone gave me pause–an urgency that seemed genuine.
Very important? Just as you lied to me about those girls? What is wrong with this pack?” My voice rose despite my efforts to
remain calm,
Pride this
Lysandra’s expression hardened. “I know everything, okay! I know the truth; I know about the agreement. She pulled a folded paper from her pocket, waving it like a victory flag. “I have more information too I hope you’ll do something for me after I share this secret with you.”
My blood ran cold. How could she know about the contract? Kaius had sworn no one knew except him, Frost, and now my mother.
“So what? We made a deal, and now… the deal is off. I am with him his mate,” I replied, trying panic clawing at my throat. As for your secret, I have no interest in knowing it.”
to sound confident despite
“Haven you need why he picked you? Her question hit too close to the doubts I’d harbored since the beginning.
“I have, and you see, I got my answer.” I thought of what Kalus had shared about his childhood, about choosing me because he knee
my mother’s story.
Yes, he had picked you because of your mother, but do you really think he intends on keeping you?”
“How would you know?” 1 challenged, taking a step closer.
“He hadn’t kept you when it got to your turn,” I added, a low blow that made her flinch.
“You bitch, you don’t realize that he is only using you; maybe he did have some interest in you, but it was never meant to last. He needs a mate to claim the title as Alpha King; that is the rule, he had to be mated. Picking someone from this pack would have made things obvious, I cannot understand why he had to go for you but this is all he wanted. When the title is his… you are no longer necessary to him.”
Her words hit me like a physical blow, each one finding its mark with devastating precision. I struggled to maintain my compusure as memories flashed through my mind.
Kolus never saying he loved me back.
The retract’s original six–month timeline.
His sudden interest in me kruise
His insistence that I attend official pack meetings as his Lima,
The pieces clicked together with horrifying clarity. Kalus needed a te–any mate–to claim the title of Alpha King from his father. He’d chosen someone from outside his pack to avoid suspicion, someone without power or connections who could be easily discarded afterward.
Someone like me.
I met Lysandra’s gaze, refusing to let her see how deeply her words had cut. And what do you want in exchange for this secret?”
“I know you have the Alpha’s ears… for now,” she salil, emphasizing the temporary nature of my position. “You are important to him, I want my position back as Commander: 1 worked so damn hand for
y time with Kajes was limited anyway. And if
I considered her for a moment. What did 1 have to lose? If what she fald was true, my she was lying… well, I’d find out soon enough.
“Done.” I agreed, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
After Lysandra left, I paced
the room, unable to sit still as her revelations echoed in my mind.
I was so lost in these painful thoughts that I barely registered the door opening again.
“I’m back,” Frost announced, closing the door behind him. His eyes narrowed as he took in my agitated state. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” I lied, turning away to hide my expression.
“No. You are not okay, what happened? He moved closer, concern erlent in his voice.
I hesitated, weighing my options. If anyone knew the truth about Kaius’s intentions, it would be Frost. But would he tell me? His loyalty to Kalus ran deep.
“There’s this secret… but promise me that if I tell you this… Kalus wouldn’t hear of it.”
Frost’s expression turned wary. “What type of secret is that?”
“You know what? Forget it; let’s talk about something else, 1 backtracked, suddenly unsure.
“If it doesn’t put your life in danger, then i promise,” he said after a moment’s consideration.
I took a deep breath, deciding on an approach that might reveal the truth without directly asking. “What would happen to me when Kajus gets the title as the Alpha King?”
The silence that followed was answer enough. Frost’s eyes widened slightly, his normally impassive face betraying his surprise at my question.
So t
that’s why he wanted a mate? to claim the title, and then what I am discarded?, or worst,” I pressed, needing to hear the confirmation from someone who wouldn’t lie to spare my feelings.
There won’t be a worst,” Frost replied carefully, not denying the first part of my statement.
But that would be the end of whatever this is.” I gestured vaguely at the room we stood in, the bed we’d shared, the life I’d foolishly begun to think might be mine.
“Who told you all these?” Frost demanded, his voice hardening.
“That was not my question snapped, Inistration bubbling over
“I need to know.”
“So you could do what? Munder the person? You don’t believe I could figure this out
“I’m not murdering anybody,
“Then answer my question.”
Elowen.”
- n. The tare use of my actual name caught me off guard.
“I don’t know,” he said finally, his gaze dropping to the floor.
“But that had been the plan, hadn’t it? I pressed, needing to hear it spoken aloud,
The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken truths- Finally, Frost sighed.
“Yes. Just as you both had agreed, he was going to let you go in six months, but you don’t need to bother about that now.”
“Oh, I don’t?” I couldn’t keep the bitterness from my voice.
“No. Maybe he had changed his mind.” The uncertainty in his voice told me even he didn’t fully believe what he was saying.
“You won’t tell him about this, right?” I asked, suddenly aware of how vulnerable I’d made myself
“Okay, okay. I won’t… If I don’t have to,” he agreed reluctantly.
I turned away, unable to bear the pity in his eyes.
