Chapter 56
Mary
It’s time to take everything I can get, use every lule opening to my advantage, I know Deckard. He’s not in love with Amica–it’s just dury. He feels responsible for her and that’s it.
Every other night, I’ll be in that castle, staying right under her nose, making sure she knows I’m not going anywhere. Let her see me, let her feel it— Im not leaving, no matter how much she wants me to.
I’ve packed my thing, ready to settle in. I’m making myself comfortable in that caule for as long as I need to Deckard won’t say a word, he’ll let me stay. He always does.
Spending time with Amica’s husband has given me the clarity I needed. I know her–her past, where she’s come from–and now, exactly where she is. That means I can control where she’s going.
Dane hates her, just like I do, and that only makes me want him more. The way he’s looking to destroy her–though I won’t pretend he isn’t delicious to look at. But it’s his hunger to ruin her, to crush her completely. That hunger matches mine, and it sets me on fire.
We finalize our plans after a few rounds of mind–blowing sex. Amica will wish she were dead by the time we’re through with her. Her name will be dirt in the Bloodbane pack, and no one will want her as their Luna–not even Deckard
As usual, I make my way to dinner when I know Amica will be there with Deckard. I want her to see me, to feel me in her space. But tonight… something about her seems different. She’s in a better mood, almost relaxed. It annoys me more than I’d like to admit.
When I reach the table, she’s already there, sitting alone.
“Hmm, where’s the Alpha?” I ask the servant casually as they set down my plate.
“He hasn’t arrived yes,” she replies
“Oh well, I guess I’ll have to endure eating alone.. with a little inconvenience lurking around,” I say with a smirk, making sure my voice carries just enough venom to sting.
Finally, Amica speaks, her voice calm but firm. “Mary, I’d prefer if you didn’t sit at the same table as me for dinner”
I can’t help but chuckle at her attempt to show herself. “Oh, Amica, don’t make me laugh” I reply, leaning back in my chair. “Why don’t you take that up with the Alpha? Let’s see how far you get with that.”
“Listen, Mary,” Amica says, her voice steady but laced with authority. “I don’t need to consult anyone before making decisions that directly affect me. I know you’ve heard it before, but just in case you’ve forgotten, let me remind you—I am the Luna of this pack, and you will show me respect”
Her words hit like a slap, but before I can respond she turns her head slightly.
“Guards” she calls, her tone Eight. Two guards hurry over to where Em seated, their presence making my blood boil.
“I need
you to escor Miss Mary to her room, along with her food” she orders, a soft, infuriating smile playing on her lips
What is wrong
with her all of a sudden?
“What? You must be joking,” 1 snap, glaring at her. “Do you know how long I’ve been in this palace? Stop embarrassing yourself, please” i say
One of the guards steps closer, “Miss Mary, please follow us. We will escort you to your room. His hand hovers too close to me, and I shoot out of my chair.
Don’t you dare lay a hand on me, you fool!” I snarl, my voice echoing through the hall. “I know when you were hired. What gives you the right to treat me this way!“.
“Take her.” Amica says calmly, her tone maddeningly composed as though this is beneath her
The second guard places his hand on mr. and that’s thr
́s the last strane,
*Get your freaking hand off me!” I yell, jerking away as I stand. The other guard, unfazed, picks up my plate and starts walking ahead, clearly ready to escort me like some petulant child.
“Fuck off!” I spit, storming into the room. I slam the door behind me with enough force to rattle the walls, shutting it in the faces of those useless guards
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Chapter 36
1 pace the floor, fury boiling inside me. Who the hell does she think she io What gave her the audacity to sprak to me like that, to onder me around in her pathetic, calm little tone?
What’s changed! She attends the Apex Circle ceremony once–a ceremony she doesn’t even deserve to be at–and now she thinks she has power! And those guards… those useless guards! Suddenly, they listen to her, respect her, act like she’s the Alpha.
I’m livid. My fists clench at my sides Where the hell is Deckard? If he were here, none of this would have happened. She wouldn’t have dared speak to me like that. She knows she’s only holding that title because of him
1 sat on the edge of the bed, my anger simmering as I wait. Deckard will return soon, and when he does, I’ll tell him everything. He needs to put this buch in her place.
I decide to wait outside, positioning myself where I’ll see him before anyone else does. My heart pounds with anger and anticipation. It takes a while, but eventually, I spor him. Deckard finally arrives
The moment he steps toward the castle, I rush to him, my arms around his neck. My voice trembles, teetering on the edge of tears.
“Deck. Deck…”
He pulls back slightly, his brows furrowed in concrm. “What happened, Mary! What’s going on? Tell me!”
“It’s Amical Your new mate, I cry, my voice shaky. “She ordered the guards to throw me out of the housef
His face hardens, disbelief “That’s impossible. She would never do that”
Without another word, he marches into the castle, his movements swift and determined. I follow at a distance. He storms into the living room, but she’s not there. His jaw tightens as he heads to her room
“Please, I’ll deal with this,” he says firmly, turning back to me for a moment before shutting the door behind him.
I stand there, unable to hear what’s happening inside but imagining the confrontation. It takes longer! I expect, but out. His face is calm, unreadable..
eventually,
be steps back.
“Mary, I apologize on her behalf, Deckard says, his voice calm but firm. “But Mary, you need to stop getting in her face all the time. You’re only making things worse.”
The moment those words leave his mouth, it’s like a sharp, cold slap across my face. My ears ring with disbelief.
“What? Why would you say that to me?” 1 demand my voice cracking.
He sighs.
ran off to tell the servants, I wasn’t here to see what
“Mary, last time, you told the servant something I shared with you in confidence, and then she ran of happened, but I can imagine the harsh things you must’ve said to her to push her like that”
For a moment, I’m speechless. His words strip me of my defenses, leaving me exposed and raw My chest is heavy as I search his face, desperate to find the man I know–the man I love. But all I see is someone slipping further away from me.
Amica has poisoned him against me, and it shows. It’s in the way he looks at me now, the way he doubts me. She will pay for this.
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