Chapter 42
Maya sat in the dimly lit room, her thoughts racing. She had been toying with the idea of helping Bennett, but something about it felt wrong. She wasn’t sure if it was the fear of getting caught or the guilt that came with betraying Federico and the pack. But the truth was, she owed Bennett more than she cared to admit. He had leverage on her, and she couldn’t ignore that.
As she sat staring at her phone, it buzzed, making her jump. She glanced at the screen. Bennett.
She hesitated before answering, her heart pounding. “What is it?” she said, her voice low and sharp.
Bennett’s voice was smooth and calm on the other end of the line. “Maya, darling. I’ll be at the pack’s border soon. I need you to let me in.”
Maya’s breath hitched. “Bennett, you’re insane. I can’t do this. There are too many guards, and if anyone finds out-”
“They won’t,” he interrupted, his tone unwavering. “You’re smart enough to make sure they don’t. I know you’re capable of getting me in. You owe me, Maya. Don’t forget that.”
Her hands shook as she held the phone. “I haven’t forgotten, but this is suicide. Federico will kill me if he finds out.”
Bennett chuckled softly. “He won’t. You’ll help me slip in, unnoticed. You’ve been in the pack long enough to know the weak points in their security. You’ve already scouted the place for me once before. All I need is for you to make sure I can pass through without being detected.”
Maya closed her eyes, leaning back against the wall. She had done this before-helped Bennett gather information on the pack without anyone knowing. But this was different. This was dangerous.
“What’s in it for me?” she asked, trying to buy herself more time.
“Your freedom,” Bennett replied coolly. “I’m your way out, Maya. Help me with this, and you’ll never have to be tied to this pack again. Think about it. No more Azalea, no more Federico. Just you, free.”
Maya’s grip tightened on her phone. The idea of escaping this life was tempting, but at what cost? Was she willing to betray everyone she knew?
Bennett’s voice cut through her thoughts. “I’ll be there in less than thirty minutes. Make sure everything’s in place, or else…” He let the threat hang in the air.
Maya swallowed hard. “Fine. But you better keep your promise.”
“I always do,” Bennett said before the line went dead.
She stared at the phone in her hand, feeling the weight of her decision pressing down on her. She had no choice. If she didn’t help Bennett, he would ruin her. And if she did… she might lose everything. But at least she’d still be alive. For now.
Taking a deep breath, Maya stood up and quickly began forming a plan. She knew the guards would be on high alert because of the ball, but there were always gaps in the security around the eastern perimeter. She could distract them just long enough for Bennett to slip through. It was risky, but it was her only option.
She grabbed her jacket and headed out, her mind racing with what she had to do.
—
Leandro and Thomas made their way down the hall, their steps echoing softly off the stone floors. The tension in the air was palpable as the preparations for the ball continued, and the two brothers exchanged glances, each lost in their thoughts.
As they approached one of the side chambers, they heard their mothers’ voices, Queen Selena and Queen Lucia, talking quietly but urgently. The two brothers stopped just outside the door, listening closely.
“I want to see that girl put in her place,” Queen Selena’s voice hissed with venom. “Azalea has been disrespectful for far too long. It’s time she learns who truly holds the power here.”
Queen Lucia’s voice followed, smooth but equally cold. “I agree. Azalea has gotten as comfortable as Luna. She must be reminded of her station. Punishing her in front of the entire court will serve as a lesson to her and anyone else who thinks they can defy us.”
Leandro’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. He nudged Thomas, who raised an eyebrow in amusement.
“This is exactly what we need,” Leandro whispered. “Azalea being humiliated in front of everyone. It’s perfect.”
Thomas grinned, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “And we don’t even have to lift a finger. Our mothers are doing the dirty work for us.”
They both chuckled, listening as their mothers continued to plot Azalea’s downfall.
“We have to speak to King Marcos,” Queen Selena said. “He agreed to this. Azalea must be punished during the ball, in front of the guests. It will be a public display of loyalty to the crown.”
“And it will weaken her position as Luna,” Queen Lucia added. “Once the pack sees her humiliated, she’ll never recover.”
Leandro and Thomas exchanged a look of triumph. Everything was falling into place.
“This is going to be a very interesting ball,” Leandro whispered, his voice dripping with satisfaction.
Thomas nodded, his smile widening. “I can’t wait to see the look on Federico’s face when Azalea is disgraced in front of everyone.”
They both turned and continued down the hall, their spirits lifted by the knowledge that their mothers were doing exactly what they had hoped for. Azalea’s downfall was imminent, and they were ready to enjoy every second of it.
—
In her private quarters, Ophelia stood in front of the mirror, meticulously adjusting her dress for the ball. The gown was a deep emerald green, perfectly tailored to accentuate her figure, and her hair was styled in soft waves that framed her face. She looked every bit the regal, powerful woman she believed herself to be.
As she applied the finishing touches to her makeup, Mack sat on the edge of the bed, watching her with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. He could sense that she was plotting something, and he was eager to hear what it was.
“You look stunning,” Mack said, his voice low and smooth.
Ophelia smirked, glancing at him in the mirror. “Flattery will get you everywhere, darling.”
Mack chuckled, but his expression turned serious as he leaned forward. “So, what’s the plan? You’ve been unusually quiet about it.”
Ophelia’s smile faded as she turned to face him, her eyes cold and calculating. “The plan is simple,” she said. “We make sure that Azalea’s night is ruined. She’s already vulnerable, and with a little push, we can break her.”
Mack raised an eyebrow. “And how exactly are we going to do that?”
Ophelia stepped closer to him, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Azalea is too focused on Federico and the ball. She won’t be paying attention to what’s happening behind the scenes. That’s where we come in.”
Mack nodded slowly, intrigued. “Go on.”
“We’ll start small,” Ophelia continued, her eyes gleaming with malice. “A few whispered rumours here, a little sabotage there. By the time the night is over, she’ll be in a position where she can’t recover. Federico won’t be able to protect her from the humiliation that’s coming.”
Mack frowned, considering her words. “And if that doesn’t work?”
Ophelia’s smile returned, though it was colder than before. “Then we move to plan B. But trust me, Mack, this is going to work. By the end of the ball, Azalea will be nothing more than a broken woman.”
Mack leaned back, a slow smile spreading across his face. “I like the sound of that.”
Ophelia turned back to the mirror, adjusting her gown one last time. “Good. Now get ready. We have a show to put on.”
As Mack stood to leave, Ophelia’s phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen, her eyes narrowing as she saw the name flash across the display.
Bennett.
She quickly grabbed the phone and answered, her voice sharp. “What is it?”
Bennett’s voice was calm on the other end. “I’m in. Maya did her part. Now, let’s make sure tonight goes exactly as planned.”
Ophelia’s eyes darkened, a wicked smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “It will. Everything is falling into place.”
She hung up the phone, her heart racing
with anticipation. Tonight would be the night everything changed.
And Azalea wouldn’t know what hit her.