Griffin’s POV
I stood at the window, gazing out at the distant woods, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction settle in my chest. Everything was falling into place, just as I had planned.
Rolan was getting confused, disoriented, scrambling to make sense of the shadows I’d cast around him. He thought he had control, but he couldn’t even see the noose tightening around his neck.
The same went for Camila, she was no different from the others, just another pawn in my game. Soon, she would pay the ultimate price for her disloyalty.
A knock on the door broke my thoughts, and I knew it was her even before she stepped into the room. Camila had come back from her meeting with Caleb, her face a picture of nervous tension. She closed the door softly behind her, her hands trembling as she spoke.
“I did as you asked,” She said, her voice low, eyes avoiding mine. “Caleb suspects nothing.”
I turned to face her, my expression cold. “Is that right? Then tell me, Camila, why did you try to sell me out?”
Her reaction was immediate. She dropped to her knees before I even finished speaking, her breath quickening.
“I’m sorry!” she cried, her words tumbling out in a desperate rush. “I was greedy. I thought… I thought I could make more, and have more, but I was wrong. Please, Griffin, give me another chance. I’ll never betray you again.”
I watched her for a moment, considering her words. Her apology meant nothing to me. “You’ve broken my trust, Camila,” I said slowly, letting the weight of my words hang in the air. “You’re going to have to do a lot more than just beg on your knees to prove that you’ve changed.”
“I will!” she cried, her hands clutching at the edge of my pants. “I’ll do whatever you ask. Just give me this one chance. I swear, I’ll be loyal to you.”
I leaned down, gripping her chin roughly, forcing her to look into my eyes. “Words are cheap, Camila,” I said, my voice a cold whisper. “I want more than your empty promises. I want insurance. You’re going to marry me.”
Her eyes widened in shock, and she recoiled slightly. “Marry you?” she whispered. “That was never part of the plan.”
A bitter laugh escaped me as I released her chin, stepping back. “You don’t seem to understand the situation you’re in. There is no ‘plan’ anymore, Camila. You’re stuck with me. For the rest of your life.”
Tears brimmed in her eyes, and she shook her head, her voice trembling. “I’ve done everything you asked, Griffin. Why are you still trying to hurt me? I just want to leave this behind, to be free.”
“Free?” I snarled, my anger rising at her audacity. “Do you really think you deserve freedom after what you tried to pull with Rolan? No, Camila. You’re mine. There’s no escape for you.”
Her shoulders slumped in defeat, and I could see the fear in her eyes. Good. She needed to understand that there was no turning back now. I stepped closer, towering over her.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “You’re going to make me dinner, and when you’re done, you’ll serve me in another way. I need something to work off my anger.”
Camila’s face paled, and she wiped the tears from her cheeks, trying to regain some composure. “I can’t,” she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m… I’m on my period.”
The excuse only fueled my rage further. “You’ll do what I want,” I growled. “Whenever I want it. No excuses.”
She hesitated for a moment, then spoke again, her voice pleading. “Please, Griffin. I just need some time to rest. The cramps, they’re too much.”
I saw the weakness in her words, the desperate attempt to stall. But I had no patience left for her games. Without warning, I grabbed her by the shoulders and threw her roughly onto the chair. She let out a gasp as I tore her clothes, ignoring her protests, and taking what I wanted from her.
Camila cried softly as I pulled away, her body trembling beneath me. For a moment, I just stood there, looking down at her crumpled form. There was no satisfaction, no triumph in what I had done. Just cold detachment.
“You brought this on yourself,” I muttered, pulling on my clothes. “Remember that the next time you even think about crossing me.”
She didn’t respond, didn’t even look up at me. Her body was still, her face turned away. I could hear her shallow breaths, and see the slight tremor in her hands. She wouldn’t defy me again. Not after this.
I left her there, closing the door behind me with a finality that echoed in the silence. I had more pressing matters to attend to, plans that needed to be set in motion before the full moon celebration.
There was still much to do, and Rolan would never see the knife coming until it was too late. Camila would serve her purpose, but once I became Alpha, she was as good as dead.
Publicly executed for treason. That was the end I had planned for her. As for Rolan, well, he wouldn’t fare much better. I’d take everything from him, his power, his followers, his life. And I’d enjoy every second of it.
The pack was mine for the taking, and soon, no one would stand in my way. I made my way down the corridor, the tension in my chest slowly began to dissipate.
I was already two steps ahead of everyone.
Camila was broken, Rolan was distracted, and Caleb, well, Caleb was an insignificant player in a much bigger game. The pieces were falling into place, and all I had to do was wait for the right moment to strike.
I was close, so close I could almost taste the victory. Patience was key. One wrong move, one misstep, and everything could come crashing down.
But I wasn’t worried.
After all, I was the one controlling the board. And soon enough, they’d all realize they were nothing more than players in my game.