“What makes you think I am less driven than you are? What makes you think that I would be satisfied with being the other woman‘
the mistress? I asked, my voice steady despite the anger bubbling beneath the surface.
or
A knowing smile spread across Thalia’s ageless face. “Please spare me; I know about your relationship with the beta; anyone with an eye can figure it out. It is only a matter of time, and you would have to choose one of the two men, but that wouldn’t be necessary if you were only seen as the ‘other woman.” She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You would always get a taste of both.”
The casual way she reduced my complex relationships to mere physical gratification made my blood boil.
“You might be ancient, but that doesn’t make everyone else fools, Thalia. As much as you are ready to do anything to claim my title, I am willing to fight twice harder to keep it. So good luck trying to claim what does not belong to you.” I lifted my chin, meeting her gaze with unwavering determination.
“I was giving you an easy way out; this would have been very convenient for us all, but of course you choose to be a hussy.” The insult slid from her tongue with practiced ease.
“Convenient for us all or just for you?” I shot back.
“You do have a lot to gain here, child.” Her patronizing tone grated on my nerves.
“Just by the side, Elder, the term ‘hussy‘ is a bit old–fashioned; we aren’t in the 16th century, in case you haven’t noticed.” I couldn’t resist the jab at her age.
“Ha, ha. Very funny, Luna.” Her smile tightened, not reaching her eyes.
“I know people like you Thalia; you do nothing except you have the most to gain from it.” I crossed my arms, leaning back in my chair to create distance between us.
“You are wrong there, Luna.”
“Enlighten me then.” I couldn’t hide my skepticism.
Her expression shifted, becoming more calculated. “I believe you’ve noticed some unusual and bizarre things about Kaius.”
The sudden change of subject caught me off guard. What did Kaius have to do with our power struggle?
“Stop making stuff up,” I said, though my mind raced with memories of Kaius’s abnormal speed when he’d intercepted me in the empty room.
“I am better than that.” Thalia’s eyes narrowed. “Kaius is abnormally strong; it shouldn’t be unusual seeing that he is an Alpha and it does run in his lineage, but he is as strong as two Alpha wolves combined.”
“And he is really fast,” I admitted before I could stop myself.
“If I didn’t know better, I would think he could read minds; his guesses are always very close to the real thing.” She was watching me closely, gauging my reaction.
I once believed he could read minds, but I thought that was me making up things.”
“He might not be able to read minds exactly; maybe something close to that.” Thalia tapped her fingers thoughtfully against the
table.
1/2
Chapter 147
I remained silent, unwilling to give away how accurately she’d described my own suspicions about Kaius’s uncanny ability to know my thoughts.
“I had lived a very long life and never had I seen a man match the strength of an elder; his speed–even in his human form–is unlike I had ever seen, and that says a lot.” Thalia continued, her voice dropping lower as if sharing forbidden knowledge.
“When he had been injured by the elders, I was indeed amazed at how fast he healed; he shouldn’t have recovered that rapidly, but he did and he was fine after a few days… that was another unnatural thing to add to the list, but that isn’t all. His healing process had been… violent; I never thought I could feel so threatened by a mere werewolf till he broke free through those silver cuffs I had used to hold him bound.”
The image of Kaius breaking free from silver restraints–silver, which weakened even the strongest wolves–sent a chill down my spine. “Why had you used silver cuffs on him?”
“He was unstable; he knew what had to be done and he agreed to it. She pulled back the sleeve of her robe, revealing a set of deep, partially healed claw marks running from her wrist to her elbow. “It was his claws, but this scar would remain for a really long
time.”
“He did this to you?” I couldn’t keep the shock from my voice.
“Yes, that had been the reason he didn’t want you in there.” Her eyes held mine, conveying the unspoken danger.
Something cold settled in my stomach. “What is wrong with him?”
“This I don’t have an answer to, but what I do know is that it wouldn’t get any better; whatever he is… he is dangerous, and you won’t be safe.” Her concern might have seemed genuine if I didn’t know better.
“Let me get this straight; so you think I cannot handle him but you can?” I couldn’t keep the edge from my voice.
“Plainly stating, yes.” Her arrogance was breathtaking.
“I think I’ve gotten your message; you should leave now.” I stood, making it clear our conversation was over.
Thalia rose as well, smoothing her robes with unhurried grace. “I would be on my way to end the elder who posed as a threat to this pack; what would you be doing? Cuddling with the Alpha and the Beta like there is no war out there?”
“I can’t lie… the thought of cuddling with the both of them is far more soothing.” I moved toward the door, wanting nothing more than to see her leave.
“I had been trying to give you a chance, one you had stupidly missed” Her voice hardened as she passed me.
“Elder Thalia?” I called as she reached the door, waiting until she turned to face me. “I hope you get killed on your way.”
Her eyes widened slightly at my bluntness before she recovered her composure. Without another word, she swept from the room, her robe billowing behind her.
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