She assuages my apprehension each time I consider revealing our deeply buried secrets to Dad.
“If you disclose, your efforts will yield no fruit. I am steadfastly by your side.” She reassures, though her comfort feels somewhat hollow.
“Your comrades have deserted you. I refuse to follow suit.” She declares, but I meet her statement with a resentful glare.
“Anyone can depart at any given moment. Bestowing trust upon others or their pledges is inherently precarious.” I assert firmly. She gazes at me, clearly taken aback by my unwavering resolve.
“I believe your mate would be somewhere preparing to enter this Ghost world, unaware that the one he’s struggling to obtain is disrespecting a venerable elder.” She narrates, and I chuckle softly. “What’s amusing?”
Instead of responding, I point towards the door.
“Dad’s already here. He’s caught us.” I reveal, prompting her to quickly shield herself from view. I rise to open the door, turning the knob to admit Dad.
“Why return to this pack house?” His first question upon arrival. “You’re no longer my daughter. I could order your execution this instant.”
He continues to threaten, but I remain silent, arms crossed over my chest, glaring at his lips in defiance, refusing to utter a single word.
“I have a greater Beta now, and no matter how much you try to bring me down, I continue to ascend.” He declares, though his last words are muffled by a sudden disturbance. A few drops of blood fall from the ceiling, capturing both of our attention. He sighs softly and then continues speaking.
“I think it’s high time you gave up on…” He abruptly stops again as blood resumes pouring from the ceilings. It starts to concern him, prompting him to leave the room, and I promptly lock the door behind him.
“Did you do that?” I inquire of the witch beside me. She immediately materializes once again before responding.
“Yeah, I wanted to confuse him. We need some time to ourselves to think about the best approach to eliminate your father so your mate will be in control.” The witch suggests.
“What’s the most effective way to kill wolves?” I inquire.
“Wolfsbane, typically.” She retorts. “I don’t believe any other substance, whether it be medicine or poison, is more effective.”
“Now I remember, poison doesn’t kill them, right?” I ask her again, and she hums, pondering over it. “I would have served him his favorite food, and he would have died easily then.”
“You wouldn’t have to do that. Instead, you could use a different and more effective approach since you’re the only succor now. Only you can kill him. If Alex wants control, he’d have to kill you both.” She says.
“If he kills us both, can’t he revive me?” I inquire.
She scoffs, which later turns into mocking laughter. “Even if he does that successfully, Thompson will also be revived. So, what’s the point?”
Thompson suddenly barges back into the room, visibly startled as the witch materializes beside me. I smirk at his reaction, causing him to gulp nervously.
“Did you bring another powerful wolf to kill my people? Like you killed Simon and Smith, right?” He questions me aggressively.
“Your questions seem rhetorical.” I retort, clipping my words with a hint of sarcasm.
“Attack me if you can.” The witch taunts him. “Let’s fight to determine who has more power.”
“Damn. Shut your freaky lips.” Thompson disrespects her. “Whatever you say doesn’t matter; it’s forgotten the moment it’s said.”
“Especially by the deaf.” The witch adds. “Only someone with hearing issues would forget my words within minutes.”
“You guys should stop beefing.” I exclaim, hitting the ground with my palm for emphasis. “Thompson is an outcast; you shouldn’t argue with someone who’s already catching the scent of the grave.” As he hears that, his fear intensifies, evident in his reluctance to remain in the room.
“You still haven’t told us why you came in here.” I alarm him. “I want to know – perhaps you came here to meet your demise.” The witch chuckles at my remark, but he only furrows his brow in response.
“James!” He calls for his Beta. “I need you right here.” In an instant, James rushes down to our location.
“Please deal with the rogues. Make sure you keep them in a secure location. They might prove useful someday.” Thompson instructs before departing.
“Please, move. Don’t stress me!” James commands, his tone firm. “I’ll shift into my wolf and drag both of you out of here if you refuse to cooperate.”
“So you don’t recognize me either?” I ask, taken aback. Even though he’s a new Beta, he must have been chosen from among the active warriors in the pack house.
“How should I?” He replies, sounding upset.
“Well, I’m Clarissa. I’m Thompson’s daughter. I reserve all rights to stay here with whoever I want. If you disobey, you’ll face the consequences, and you know exactly what I mean by that.” I threaten him.
“What about the one beside you? I just need to do my job.” James asks, his tone firm.
“Don’t worry about me. Just leave, or you’ll regret it once we pounce on you.” She adds to the threats. As if the threats weren’t enough, Thompson barks from inside the room, ordering us to be taken to the shifting field. I’m unable to resist as three large males carry me to the shifting field, and the witch fades out of reality. That’s why I can’t even try to trust her or her words.
“Open your mouth. Let’s sleep with you, and we’ll help you escape afterward.” The men carrying me bluntly state. “Are you a virgin?”
I don’t respond. I simply stare at them, shifting my gaze from one to another. It starts to amuse me, but I keep my amusement hidden. One of them hits me hard on my chin, but before he can withdraw his hand, I scratch the back of his palm, causing it to ooze blood. He licks the blood, and the wound heals within seconds.
“Well, I’m not a virgin.” I lie. I refuse to sleep with anyone, regardless of the circumstances. If I ever do, it will only be with my true mate. Until then, I remain pure, closing my eyes to anything I shouldn’t be seeing yet.
“I’ll report you to dad.” I threaten further, sensing their threats diminishing as they notice dad approaching behind me.
“Don’t repeat anything I told you to him. Got it?” One of them warns me before dad arrives.
“Why is she on a bench? Do you intend to have your way with her?” Dad asks angrily.
“No, Alpha. We’d never dare.” They hastily assure him, while I shoot them a scathing side-eye.
“That’s the impression I have right now, and you’ve given it to me.” Dad complains, clearly displeased.
“We’re sorry, Alpha. We’ve already started her training. The first step is to have her lie down in this manner.” One of them lies, attempting to cover their tracks.
“No. If anyone is going to train her, it will only be one of you.” Dad orders. Two of them immediately exit, leaving one behind-the one I despise the most. He looks untamed, and his demeanor reflects it. I’ve never heard him speak alone; he always speaks alongside the others.
“Okay. You’ve been chosen to train her. But you can’t do it now. Wait for me at the training ground behind the balcony.” Dad instructs him.
“Why did the Alpha say that?” The guy asks, clearly puzzled.
“You don’t question an Alpha. I’ve told you that countless times. And organize this pack house! I don’t want any unnecessary noise. Don’t divulge any secrets you know about this pack house to anyone.” Thompson instructs him before leaving.
“What did you want to say, loser?” I taunt as he attempts to hit me.
“Simp.” I retort. “You should be grateful I’m here, even bothering to listen to your idiotic ramblings.”
“I could crush you if I wanted. If you push me to that point, you’d regret it.” He warns me, his tone menacing.
“Your mate. Your father. Who did you know first?” He asks, changing the subject.
“It’s a rhetorical question, right?” I ask.
“Answer it.” He insists.
“You.” I reply.
“Then why deny me? Why try to kill me without hearing my side of the story?” He questions me in a flat tone.
“I don’t need to anymore. I already…” I begin to say, but he interrupts me. I raise my finger to halt him.
“I already did. You never denied killing him during your attacks in the bush.” I assert.
He chuckles softly. “It’s all a prank.”
I bulge my eyes and shout at him, “Best lie of the century.”
“A prank? If it were a prank, you’d be doomed because of it.” I retort. “We’re desperate to see you dead.”
“I understand your desperation, your willingness, your determination, and ultimately, I understand how futile your efforts to kill me have been.” He remarks. I slowly turn to look at him, letting out a slight hiss before quickly looking away again.