DOMINIC
Perfect.
Just perfect.
I am standing in the doorway of the newly furnished room, arms crossed over my chest, as I take in the room with a deep sense of satisfaction.
It is perfect
Just as I envisioned it.
The dark wood floors shine underneath the soft light of the chandelier, casting sharp shadows along the walls.
The whole area is filled with the sense of purpose, not the frivolity that usually fills the rooms of five-year-old girls.
No, this is a room of strength, a room for someone destined to be more than just another weak, coddled child.
I made sure to have any childishness stripped away.
No toys.
No frilly decorations.
No pastel-colored fantasies.
Instead, I have lined the walls with sturdy wooden shelves.
They are empty now, but soon they will be filled with books on history, strategy, and power.
Things she will need to learn, things I will make sure she learns.
Above the bed, a massive, intricately framed mirror dominates the wall.
It shows every corner of the room, reminding her of who she is, or rather, who I will make her.
I like that.
A constant reminder to see herself the way I see her- poised, sharp, powerful.
There is no softness here.
I don’t want her surrounded by all those rubbish Louisa had spoiled her with.
Comfort breeds weakness.
No, what she needs is order.
Discipline.
Strength.
I have crafted every inch of this room to reflect my vision of her.
Not some childish fantasy, but reality.
The reality of power.
As I close the door behind me, the satisfaction begins to fade.
Thoughts of how am going to have infiltrate the coalition drains the joy out of me.
What busness do rogues have with been so very good at gidring a place?
They are rogues!
They are supposed to be useless.
I move down the hallway with purpose, my eyes narrowing when I catch sight of Calvin standing near the entrance to the floor and he freezes the moment he spots me too, a flicker of unease crossing his face.
Good. He should be uneasy.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I demand, my voice cold as ice. I take another step closer, my fists clenching. “Didn’t I make it clear that this floor is off-limits?”
He shifts on his feet, trying to find the right words, more excuses to say but I am already losing patience and his hesitation only fuels my irritation.
“I didn’t mean to-” he starts, his voice shaky, but I cut him off.
“I don’t care what you meant,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous. “You have no business being up here. This floor is mine. That was an order.” My eyes lock onto his, and I take another step closer, letting the full weight of my presence bear down on him. “You shouldn’t even be breathing this air.”
I see him swallow hard, trying to compose himself, but it is futile.
He is nothing compared to me, and he knows it.
“I wasn’t trying to-”
Before he can finish, I shove him hard in the chest and his eyes widen in shock as he stumbles backward, his feet fumbling for grip on the hardwood floor. The momentum sends him tumbling down the stairs, his limbs flailing as he crashes to the bottom with a heavy thud.
For a moment, there is only silence.
I don’t bother looking back.
He is irrelevant and I have bigger things to deal with.
I start to walk away, my mind already moving past the distraction of Calvin when I hear him groan at the bottom of the stairs. I should keep going, but something pulls me back- some twisted part of me that enjoys seeing him squirm.
I stop at the top of the staircase and look down at him.
He is sprawled out on the floor, clutching his side, his face twisted in pain.
Pathetic.
“I hope you learned your lesson,” I say, my voice dripping with contempt. “If I catch you up here again, Calvin, you won’t just be falling down stairs.”
He struggles to sit up, his face red with embarrassment, but he nods, unable to meet my eyes. “I’m… sorry,” he mutters.
“Sorry doesn’t cut it,” I snap. “Get up. You look weak lying there.”
He forces himself to his feet, wincing as he does, but he still doesn’t meet my gaze.
He is afraid, and that’s exactly how I want him.
Fear is the only thing that keeps people like him in line.
“Do you have something to say?” I ask, crossing my arms again as I stare down at him.
Calvin glances up at me, his expression a mix of resentment and fear. “I wanted to… discuss something with you,” he says slowly, his voice strained.
I arch an eyebrow. “Discuss?” I repeat, my tone mocking. “What makes you think I want to hear anything you have to say?”
Calvin clenches his jaw, and for a moment,
I see a flicker of something in his eyes, something more than fear.
It is defiance.
Brief, but it is there.
I narrow my gaze, intrigued.
This should be interesting.
He hesitates before speaking again, his voice lower now, more controlled. “I have information. Information that might be useful to you.”
“Information?” I echo, stepping closer again. “And why would you have anything that’s useful to me? You have proven times without number that you are nothing but inept. I still dont know why i haven’t removed you from your position. You had one job. Just one. Get louisa. And it has been weeks and still nothing. What could you possibly have for me now?”
He meets my eyes this time, his gaze steady despite the tension in his body.
“Because I know things,” he says quietly. “Things that could help you.”
I study him for a long moment, trying to gauge his angle.
He had always been slippery, knowing where the wind is blowing and going with it… like most of his fellow cronies. I dont know why I bought they were all loyal. Still… he can never bold enough to outright betray me either.
“What kind of information?” I ask, my voice sharp.
He licks his lips nervously but holds my gaze. “I know about the others. The ones who’ve been talking behind your back. The ones who think you’re losing control.”
The room seems to grow colder as his words sink in, and I feel the familiar stirrings of anger building inside me.
“Is that so?” I say softly, stepping even closer until we’re practically eye to eye. “And why should I believe anything you say?”
Calvin doesn’t flinch, to his credit. He’s trying to play this smart, but I can see the fear lurking beneath the surface.
“Because,” he says slowly, “if I were lying, I wouldn’t be standing here. I know what happens to people who lie to you.”
I stare at him for a long moment, the silence stretching between us. I can feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, but I don’t let it show. Instead, I nod slowly, a cold smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
“You’re smarter than I give you credit for, Calvin,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “But don’t mistake your cleverness for safety. You are still on thin ice.”
Calvin swallows hard and nods. “I understand.”
“Good.” I turn away from him, my mind already moving to the next step. There is somethingto be gained from this.
I can find out those who still harbor dreams of betraying the pack.
I just have to play it right.
“I want names though. The next time you appear before me, you better have them. Now get lost.”
Calvin doesn’t need to be told twice. He practically scurries down the hall, eager to escape my presence.
I watch him go, my mind racing with possibilities.
He might still be useful after all… but that doesn’t mean I trust him.
As I head toward the exit, I can’t help but think of the room I’ve just built.
My daughters room.
Having her, taking her for myself will cripple Louisa, bring her back to her sense and show her who is boss.
She will be a weapon.
My weapon.
But as of now… I have a meeting to catch.