As soon as Usher and Garth left the study, Mireya quickly made her way out as well. Her steps were quick, her destination clear: the bedroom. Her heart raced as if it were competing with a ticking clock. She had to contact Torin immediately, and for that she ordered Greisy to stand guard at the door.
Mireya waited anxiously for the call to connect, feeling an overwhelming sense of fear, something she had never felt before. Her body felt cold and even breathing became difficult. She tried to stay calm, trying to keep her worry from turning into fear, but the tremors that ran through her fingers couldn’t be easily dismissed.
“Mireya.”
The call was answered and Mireya’s eyes closed reflexively. Torin’s voice allowed her to take a long breath, though she quickly remembered the urgency of the situation. “Torin.”
Mireya explained everything that had happened, including the failure of her plan to get rid of Garth and the completely unexpected recovery of Usher. Finally, she reported the most important piece of information, knowing that it would surely infuriate Torin.
“What?!”
Just as Mireya had predicted, Torin couldn’t contain his anger when he heard that all the assets of the Frostholm Pack, which had briefly been transferred to her name, had been returned to their original owners. Usher had revoked the transfer.
“You can’t be serious, Mireya?”
Torin’s high-pitched question made Mireya press her lips tightly together. Her heart seemed to stop when she clearly heard Torin’s labored breathing.
“How is it possible that all the assets you managed to acquire are now back in Usher’s hands?”
Mireya had no choice but to explain. “Usher recovered. He called the lawyer right away and changed his will. Even if something happens to him, everything is now under Garth’s control. So…”
The sound of something being banged interrupted Mireya. She closed her eyes as a ringing sound filled her ears.
“You have failed, Mireya. You’ve truly disappointed me.”
Mireya remained silent, her face hardening. Torin’s anger turned the worry she had been holding back into an overwhelming fear. Torin was truly angry.
“All our efforts have been for nothing, Mireya. We’ve only wasted time. Congratulations, now we’re back to square one.”
“I’m sorry, Torin,” Mireya said quietly, her tone full of caution. She found the courage to face Torin’s anger. “It’s my fault. I was too slow and that ruined all our plans. Please, give me another chance. I will fix this mess.”
“This is your last chance, Mireya. If you fail, you’ll have to face all the consequences.”
Mireya knew she didn’t need to be reminded of that. “Thank you, Torin. I will…”
The conversation was abruptly cut off. Torin had ended it unilaterally. Mireya dramatically closed her eyes. Torin’s behavior was a clear warning sign. She had to act immediately and her mind quickly focused on one name-Willow.
Mireya quickly called Willow. When the call was connected, she said, “Prepare your magic tea, Willow. Increase the dosage. I’ll visit you tonight.”
She ended the call before Willow could say a word. Mireya didn’t want to hear Willow’s objections like in the past. She didn’t care if it endangered Usher’s life. It might even be better if she could kill Usher as soon as possible.
*
There was much for Usher to do. One of his priorities was to personally inspect all the companies. He needed to know the current state of all the Pack’s assets to ensure that no detail was overlooked, and he ordered the security team to recheck all systems.
Usher finished his inspections late that night. He returned to The Palace after another day had already begun. Still, rest was far from his mind, especially when he saw Garth and Cora waiting to greet him.
“Alpha.”
Usher walked into the palace hall, Garth and Cora following close behind. “How is the palace, Garth?”
“Everything is as you ordered, Alpha,” Garth replied simply. Then he elaborated, “Berg has isolated anyone considered suspicious.”
Usher blinked, pausing as a shadow on the upper floor caught his eye. “What about Greisy? I noticed that she’s very close to Mireya. Is she also one of Mireya’s people?”
Garth looked in the direction Usher was looking but saw no one there. Then he replied, “I have checked, Alpha, but Greisy is indeed a member of the Frostholm Pack. She’s the only daughter of Weldon Burton and Mariah Patel. Both are Omega descendants who have served the palace for generations.”
Usher frowned. “Are you sure?”
“I am very certain, Alpha.”
Usher remained silent, unable to shake his lingering doubts. He knew Garth to be someone who took his responsibilities seriously. Garth was meticulous and nothing ever escaped his attention. But strangely, Usher still couldn’t feel confident. To him, Greisy’s overly obedient behavior towards Mireya was an anomaly that couldn’t be ignored.
Two possibilities crossed Usher’s mind. Either Mireya had threatened Greisy with something extremely dangerous, or Greisy had been bewitched, just like him.
“Alpha.”
Cora’s voice snapped Usher out of his thoughts. “What is it?”
“I have something to tell you, Alpha. A while ago, a report came into the palace. It mentioned something suspicious happening in the Amerotha Forest.”
Usher turned and looked at Cora with a surprised expression. “Something suspicious around Amerotha Forest?”
“Yes,” Cora replied before continuing. “I’ve already contacted Berg, and now a joint team of guards is sweeping the Amerotha Forest.”
“Report back to me immediately with any findings from this sweep, Cora.”
Cora nodded. “Yes, Alpha.”
Usher was confident that it wouldn’t take long to uncover the truth behind the report. If there was indeed something suspicious in the Amerotha Forest, Berg’s team would find out soon enough.
“Alpha, there’s something else you should know.”
This time Usher’s attention shifted to Garth. “Tell me.”
“Mireya left about ten o’clock earlier.”
Usher’s eyes narrowed. “Where did she go?”
“According to the tracker I placed on her car, her destination appears to be the Durnham district.”
“The Durnham district,” Usher repeated, his voice laced with menace. “Nimbria Pack territory.”
Garth nodded, confirming Usher’s words. “Also, Durnham District is a dead zone that serves as a special torture site for the Nimbria Pack. There are several prisons and holding cells for the most dangerous prisoners. According to rumors, a witch is being held there.”
Usher’s expression changed; his eyes widened. Then he growled.
*