Maggie’s POV:
“Is it done?” Debby asked once I stepped out of the tent.
She was breathless, and her hand was bloody, as well as the knife she was holding.
A shiver went down my spine as I composed myself. There was no doubt that she was a heartless killer when it came to those she wanted revenge on. How could she easily stab the very mate who was the father of her unborn child?
I did know she was going to watch him partake of the poisoned whiskey, but what I didn’t see coming was her stabbing him.
“Yes, and it worked perfectly fine, exactly as you had predicted. They stopped me from testing the whiskey,” I answered.
“Of course they did. The three of them were selfish and very greedy when it came to liquor,” she said, then looked at her bloody knife with a smile.
“Please excuse me, Maggie. I need to make sure those two are dead as well,” she said, then walked into the tent where the Gamma and Beta were.
After a few minutes, she came out with blood dripping from her hands.
“Now I can confirm that they are truly dead,” she said seriously.
“Keep your distance from this psycho,” my wolf reminded me.
“Of course,” I answered her, then forced a smile on my face.
“What’s our next move, Maggie?” Debby asked in a very excited tone.
“It won’t be long before their bodies are discovered. The red Otis they drank closed off their mind link, which is why the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma couldn’t call for help or backup. But that doesn’t mean their warriors won’t come to check on them in the morning. Right now, I suggest we go to the hot spring and take a bath. I’ll bring you a new pair of clothes, and Alec will drive you to the location the Alpha mentioned,” I said as she knelt down to pay her respects.
I quickly helped her up with a glare.
“Please remember that you are pregnant,” I scolded her.
Her expression instantly turned cold, and before I could say another word, she walked back to the pack border, with me following behind.
It was no use getting rid of the food and poisoned whiskey because it was a clear message for the warriors who would come for a check-up. They deserved to know that they no longer had an Alpha to protect them and what happens when you go against Alpha Damon.
If they were wise, they would plead with him to take them into our pack. But if they were foolish, they would go back, and over time, the pack would crumble and fall. A pack without an Alpha, Beta, or Gamma was as useless as a refugee camp.
“What will happen if the warriors beg you to go back and lead them?” I asked once I had matched her walking pace.
She made a turn towards the hot spring in silence.
“You haven’t thought that far yet, have you?” I asked seriously.
“All I know, Maggie, is that I will be far away from this territory and that horrible one, and that alone is more than I could ever wish for,” she answered.
I sighed and watched her every step as she moved closer to the hot spring ahead of us.
A lot of things were possible, and in my mind, I saw two to three possibilities that would make her go back. First, if her money ran out on that side, for her own survival, she would go back to that pack to take over. Secondly, if the people truly lived in fear and adored her in secret, they would search for her non-stop until they found and brought her back as their leader and Luna. Thirdly, if the child was an Alpha and found out about their origin, they would go back to take their rightful place as Alpha, and she would willingly go back with them, unless she hated her own blood.
I snapped out of my thoughts when she stripped off her clothes and got into the water.
“Debby, I know you have a choice. But I want to ask you to think things through clearly,” I said honestly.
“I chose to leave Maggie, and going away is the perfect choice. If I were to go back to the pack, Xiao’s father might turn the pack members against me and banish me out of anger,” she answered, making me laugh.
“You do realize that the man is below your rank as Luna, right?” I asked.
“I do realize that, but that man has a few loyal men who would harm me once my guard is down or use my child against me,” she answered.
She had a point, and it seemed that nothing I could say could make her doubtful.
I moved closer and stood at the edge.
“So you are keeping the pup?” I asked seriously.
She looked at me, then nodded.
“My unborn pup wasn’t made out of love or well wishes. I also realize now that as he or she grows up, if they take after that bastard, I won’t like it. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try to love them. The pup I carry is innocent and knows nothing of the pain I went through, and I will keep it that way. I’ll try to do my best for both of us,” she answered.
“I see,” I whispered softly.
“Maggie,” she called in a cracked voice, making me frown.
“I am so sorry,” she whispered.
“For what?” I asked seriously.
“For making you a widow,” she answered, as my heart ached.
That was the only memory I never allowed myself to remember. Her fire took a lot of lives, and among them was the life of my mate. Anyone in their right mind would cry over it and want her dead, but for me, my only concern was the Alpha’s recovery because he was like a son to me. My mate was the very opposite of a loving man. He cheated on me with most she-wolves he liked, and he never cared or apologized. He put me in so much pain because he was never in love with me until his last breath. His death to me was sad but not something I would want to kill for.
“Debby, the past is the past, and I would like it if you kept it that way. You bringing it up is only hurtful,” I said.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered as she washed her hair.
“Yeah,” I answered.
“Maggie,” Alec mind-linked me.
“It is done,” I mind-linked him back.
“Good. Is she ready to start?” he asked.
“No, give us a few minutes,” I answered.
“Debby, you wait here. I’ll go back to the pack house quickly and grab you a change of clothes,” I said, then turned and rushed to the pack house.
“Should I inform the Alpha?” he asked.
“Yes, of course,” I answered.
“Maggie, our trip may take a few days or a week. So while I’m away, have Xiao train the warriors on my behalf. And if it’s okay with the Alpha, please ask him to continue with the party. He might as well make it a private one and have Xiao drink from the cup in his office,” he said.
“I understand. So be alert while on your drive. Debby may be grateful to us, but that doesn’t mean she is harmless,” I pointed out.
“I will be alert, so you should take care of everyone until I get back,” he said as I smiled.
“Of course, my boy,” I answered and then closed the mind-link.
He and Damon were like brothers who always bothered me and at times wanted attention. Luna Sherry coming into our pack was so beneficial in so many ways. Not only did Damon shift his dependence on her, but he was happier than he could ever be, and so was the whole pack.
I was old as it was, and I cared less about having a mate because my joy was to see everyone acquire theirs and face life head-on without fear or regrets of their past.
I hated what Debby did in the past, but if she was to meet someone who could love her for who she really was, then I would wish her well, just like I did for her child’s deliverance.