Griffin’s POV
The blood in my veins felt like molten fire, pulsing with every beat of my heart. Rolan’s words echoed in my head, gnawing at me with a relentless bite.
That smug grin, that damned arrogance of his, it was enough to drive anyone mad. Yes, I had made the first kill, but Rolan had bested me again.
By the time the hunt was over, he’d taken down six deers, while I was left with only one. The first kill of the night, but what did that matter? In the end, it was Rolan who walked away with the respect of the pack, not me.
The drive back to the house was long, my thoughts clouded by a haze of anger. I kept replaying the hunt over and over in my mind, each time feeling my hands tighten into fists at my sides.
I should have been Alpha by now. Everyone knew it. But Rolan kept blocking my way, standing in the spotlight as if he were the only one capable of leading. I was sick of it.
When I got home, I was still simmering with frustration, but Camilla’s soft smile greeted me at the door, pulling me from my thoughts.
“They sent us a big chunk of meat,” she said, her voice warm and gentle. “That means you made a kill today, doesn’t it?”
I nodded, barely managing to force a tight smile. I didn’t want to talk about the hunt, not when I’d been humiliated by Rolan again.
“Why didn’t you come out for the festival today?” I asked, my voice harsher than I intended.
Camilla’s smile faltered for a moment, and she sighed softly. “I was tired, Griffin. And since I’m not from the pack, I don’t have to participate in the festivals.”
Her words struck a chord of irritation, and I snapped. “You should have come. It’s important for you to be there, for us to show unity.”
Camilla’s eyes flashed with anger as she shot back, “Don’t talk to me like that, Griffin. Whatever put you in this foul mood isn’t my fault, and you have no right to take it out on me.”
Her words only stoked the fire of my already burning frustration. Without another word, I stormed past her and up the stairs, my mind a tangled mess of anger and resentment.
When I reached the bedroom, I slammed the door behind me, hoping the distance between us would calm the rage boiling inside me.
But it didn’t. I was still furious, furious at Rolan, furious at the councilmen who had dared to suggest I give up my quest to become Alpha after that damned hunt. Even now, their voices rang in my ears.
“Rolan is stronger, Griffin. He’s more capable. Maybe it’s time to reconsider your ambitions. He is obviously not the weak Alpha that we thought he was. We all know our women make us softer.”
How could they not see? How could they not realize that I was meant to lead, not Rolan?
I threw open the wardrobe, needing to distract myself, but what I saw made my blood run cold. Camilla’s essentials were gone. Toothbrush, perfume, the little things that only someone like me, who knew her so well, would notice missing.
It might have meant nothing, but then I heard it, the low murmur of Camilla’s voice coming from downstairs, speaking on her phone.
Her words were muffled, but I could make out enough. I crept closer, the rage rising again. “No, he doesn’t suspect anything yet,” She said, her voice quiet but confident.
“He still thinks he’s going to take down Rolan. But after tonight, I’ll have all the information we need. He’s too blinded by his anger to see what’s coming.”
Even though I already knew that Camilla had been feeding someone information about my plans, I still couldn’t believe it. My secret plans to overthrow Rolan, to take what was rightfully mine. And she had been betraying me the whole time.
I stormed back downstairs, every step heavier with the weight of betrayal. She was sitting there on the couch, casually scrolling through her phone as if nothing had happened. As if she hadn’t just gutted me from the inside out.
Without thinking, I grabbed her by the neck, my fingers tightening around her throat. She gasped, her hands clawing at mine as she tried to push me away.
“Griffin!” she choked out, panic filling her eyes.
I released her for a moment, only to grab her again when she tried to bolt for the door. “You’re a backstabbing traitor!” I spat, dragging her back toward me. She kicked and struggled, but I was too strong. Too angry.
“Why?” she rasped, tears filling her eyes as she clawed at my hands again. “Why are you trying to kill me?”
“Because you’re a betrayer,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. “And you’re about to get exactly what you deserve. I know you’ve been feeding someone information about my plans. Don’t even try to deny it. If you lie to me, I’ll kill you here and now.”
She stared at me, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. “Griffin, please,” she begged, her voice breaking. “I’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t kill me. Please.”
I tightened my grip on her throat again, but I didn’t squeeze as hard this time. “You’ll do whatever I want?” I asked, my voice dripping with venom.
“Yes,” she sobbed. “Anything. Just don’t kill me.”
I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against her ear as I whispered, “You’re going to help me finish what I started. If you even think about crossing me again, I’ll kill you without a second thought. Do you understand?”
Camilla nodded, her tears streaming down her face. I released her, pushing her away roughly as she collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath.
For a moment, I just stood there, watching her. The woman I had once trusted more than anyone, was reduced to a trembling heap on the floor. But I didn’t feel remorse.
I didn’t feel anything. All I could think about was Rolan. I was going to take him down, no matter what it took. And now I knew Camilla would either help me or she would die.
I would be Alpha. One way or another.