She was a what???
As the car sped across the empty and silent road, I could feel Lyon’s gaze on me, so I looked out the window to avoid him for a while. This was the confirmation I needed: he definitely had an attraction to me. I couldn’t yet fully tell how loyal he would be, so I planned to make him fall deeper for me, ensuring he would be an effective pawn in helping me achieve my desires.
Still avoiding his gaze or looking in his direction, I slowly unbuttoned a few buttons on my shirt, revealing a hint of cleavage. It wasn’t much, but just enough to make it visible-subtle, yet glaring enough to create attraction. The idea was to slowly bring him to a point where he’d be desperate to do anything just to have me. I would keep this up until I no longer needed him.
I heard him clear his throat, which made me more persistent. I could tell he was struggling to remain composed, so I decided to make things even harder for him. I opened the shirt a bit more with my hand, moving it up and down as if I were trying to fan myself. He was trying very hard to stay composed, but I could feel his resolve slipping away.
“Oh, um,” he began, clearing his throat once more as he continued driving. “My lady, you seem to be quite hot. Do you want me to turn on the AC, or should I open the window instead?” he asked, and I nodded.
“Yes, I am. The car feels a bit stuffy, so please just open the window,” I responded, my voice husky and soft. He quietly lowered the window nearest to me, occasionally glancing in my direction as he continued driving.
As we got closer to the lighthouse, I began directing him to where Fabian stayed. Since I couldn’t yet tell if I could trust him, I decided to have him stop somewhere nearby but not at the exact location.
“But my queen, it’s my job to protect you. Why do you want to go in alone when I could just follow you? I promise you won’t even notice my presence.”
“No, no, Lyon, it’s fine. Besides, I’m going to meet a friend who isn’t allowed to have any contact with men. Her entire environment has been sanctified, and if you come in with me, it would be defiled.”
“Oh. Well, can’t I at least follow you until we reach the place I’m not allowed to enter?”
“Well, we’re here now. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. This isn’t my first time coming here. Just wait for me, and I’ll be back soon,” I said, finally breaking the eye contact we had. “I need to go now. Wait here, and don’t go anywhere until I return.”
Lyon’s jaw tightened slightly. “As you wish, Your Highness,” he replied, though I noticed a flicker of something in his expression-disapproval? Worry? I couldn’t quite tell.
Even though I was curious about what he was thinking, I pushed the thoughts aside to focus on why I had come here. As I walked toward Fabian’s hideout, I couldn’t help but reflect on our alliance. He likely had information I could use, but I had to tread carefully as always. Fabian never gave something without expecting something in return. What could he possibly want from me now?
When I arrived, I noticed that the guard standing outside wasn’t the same one I had seen before.
“Who goes there?” he asked from a few feet away.
“Take it easy, she’s here for me,” I heard a voice from the side. I turned to see Fabian seated comfortably, his sharp eyes gleaming with amusement. He always seemed to know more than he let on, and today was no different. As I approached him, his smile widened.
“Ah, Veronica,” he said smoothly, spreading his arms in mock embrace. “I was starting to think you wouldn’t show.”
“I don’t have time for your games, Fabian,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. “What do you have for me?”
He chuckled and led me inside. The place was still unkempt and reeking of various odors, as expected. Looking around at the worn-out features and materials, it was clear that this house once had a touch of luxury, but now everything screamed of neglect, like it had been occupied by rogue wolves.
“I see you’re in a hurry,” he said as we walked down the hallway. “But you’ll want to hear this.” Fabian paused at a large oak door and turned to face me, his expression suddenly serious. “Ashley’s not as invincible as you think. There are cracks in her foundation, and I know exactly where they are.”
I crossed my arms, not allowing myself to hope too much. “Go on.”
Fabian opened the door to a study. It was extremely dusty, but he still managed to sit on a couch that looked like it was barely holding up. He gestured for me to sit, and although I hesitated, I eventually did. As soon as I sat, he pulled out documents-letters, reports, and even a few photographs.
“Ashley might seem like she has a lot of support,” he began, “but it all starts with her background. She’s not as solid as she appears. You’ll be interested to know she was actually born of an alpha, just like you.”
“What?” I leaned forward, intrigued despite myself. “Who? That dirty slave brought in by Lucas and Simon?”
“Yes, the same one. Whether you like it or not, it’s the truth. Her pack house was invaded and destroyed by none other than the ruthless Klaus. He completely tore the place down and had both her parents killed, leaving her all alone. In the end, Alpha Klaus took her, and that’s where her journey as a slave began.”
“So all of that happened, and no one could help her? Not even her father’s supporters?”
Fabian slid a letter across the desk. “Lord Harrington, for one. He was one of her father’s staunchest allies, but after the incident, he started distancing himself. He wasn’t happy about what was happening to his friend’s daughter, but what could he do? If he interfered with Alpha Klaus’s business, the same or worse could happen to him. So, he stayed back. A little pressure, a few whispers, and every other ally they had slowly stepped away until it all died down.”
I scanned the letter, reading the coded dissatisfaction between the lines. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
“Well, that’s something, but who cares? She should have someone now.”
Fabian looked at me for a moment before continuing. “There are a few-minor nobles who feel slighted by her rise, former allies from when she started building her business.”
“Oh, good. I’m sure they all left after she came back to the mansion.”
“No, Veronica, think again! I understand she took your place, and you’re not happy, but you forget she’s now queen. Many of her former allies are returning, hoping to consolidate their power by attaching themselves to hers. But we can still use this to our advantage.”
I nodded, already formulating a plan in my mind. If we could turn a few key figures against Ashley, her support would crumble. But I knew better than to rely solely on Fabian’s information. I needed to see for myself.
“I’ll look into this,” I said, standing up. “But don’t think for a second I trust you, Fabian.”
He smirked. “I wouldn’t expect anything less, Veronica. But remember, you need me as much as I need you.”
I didn’t respond as I turned and left the room, my mind racing with possibilities. The walk back to the car felt quick. There was so much to process-Ashley’s alliances and the fact that she was once a princess like me. It was all hard to swallow. Lyon was waiting by the car when I returned, his face impassive as always. But as I approached, I noticed his eyes lingered on me, as if he sensed something had changed.
“Did everything go well?” he asked as he opened the car door for me.
I paused for a moment, considering his question. “As well as it could,” I said, sliding into the back seat. In truth, I wasn’t sure. Fabian’s information was valuable, but dealing with him was always dangerous. One wrong move, and I could be the one left with nothing.
As the car pulled away from its parking spot, I found myself thinking of my mother’s words again: *”Play their game.”* And play it, I would. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that the game was just beginning-and that the stakes were about to get much higher.
As Lyon drove across the narrow, quiet road back to the mansion, I reflected on what I had just learned. If Alpha Klaus hadn’t invaded her pack house, Ashley would probably still be living as a princess. It was unsettling to think how drastically life could change. The mere thought of leaving my lavish lifestyle to become a slave made me anxious. I let out a deep sigh and buried my face in my hands.
“Are you sure everything is alright, Your Highness?” I heard Lyon ask, and I slowly lifted my head.
“What do you mean? I already told you everything is fine, so why do you keep asking?”
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just that you seem anxious, and I thought I might be able to help.”
I pursed my lips, holding back the words threatening to escape. “You know what, it’s fine. Just focus on driving.”I’m perfectly fine, so you don’t need to worry,” I said finally, sinking back into my seat as I returned to watching the trees fly by. For a long time, I stayed in that position, with my face resting in my palms, trying to make sense of everything. The revelations about Ashley had unsettled me more than I cared to admit. How could I have known that she came from a background so similar to mine? It gnawed at me, the idea that our fates could have been reversed had circumstances been different.
When I finally lifted my head again, we were nearing the mansion. The towering structure loomed in the distance, bathed in the pale glow of the setting sun. Despite its grandeur, it felt more like a gilded cage now-one that I had to maneuver within carefully if I was to win this dangerous game.
Lyon pulled up at the entrance and quickly got out to open my door. His expression remained neutral, but I could sense the tension in the air between us. He had seen the subtle shift in my demeanor, and I wondered how much of it he had guessed.
“Thank you, Lyon,” I said as I stepped out of the car. “That will be all for now. You can take the rest of the evening off.”
He bowed slightly, but before leaving, he hesitated, as if he wanted to say something. I raised an eyebrow at him, waiting.
“Your Highness,” he began cautiously, “if there’s anything troubling you, you know you can count on me, right? My loyalty is to you, always.”
I regarded him for a moment, wondering how much of that was true and how much was just another tactic. “I appreciate your concern, Lyon,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral. “But as I said, everything is fine. I’ll call for you if I need anything.”
He nodded, though I could tell he wasn’t entirely convinced. With one last look, he turned and walked back toward the car, leaving me standing in the grand entrance hall of the mansion, alone with my thoughts.
As I entered the mansion, the familiar opulence surrounded me, but today it felt colder, more distant. The walls seemed to close in on me, heavy with the weight of secrets I now carried. I made my way up the grand staircase, the soft rustling of my dress the only sound breaking quiet of the mansion. The soft glow of chandeliers cast long shadows on the polished floors, adding to the eerie stillness. Each step felt heavier than the last, weighed down by the implications of what I had learned today. Ashley’s past, Fabian’s plans, and Lyon’s growing attachment all swirled in my mind. Everything felt more complicated than ever.