Chapter Two
1599 Words
Celestine POV
“Welcome home, brother.”
The words left my lips smoothly, effortlessly.
I helped Richardson settle into my home with the help of my wife, Kathryn, guiding him toward the guest room.
“You can rest here. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or Kathryn.”
His body sagged onto the bed, exhaustion pulling at his features. He barely acknowledged me before drifting into sleep. I stood at the edge of the room, silent.
Pathetic.
Seeing him like this—fragile, weak—amused me. This was the great Alpha-to-be? A man who could barely lift his head, who had been so easily poisoned? If only he had stayed in his room a little longer, I wouldn’t have to endure this burden in my own home.
I despised him. Always had. Ever since his father stole the ruler-ship from mine. I had always lived in the shadow of another man’s legacy. Even as a child, I had been reminded of what my father lost.
I still remember it clearly—standing beside his father in the grand hall, watching as the elders swore loyalty to another man. To Richardson’s father.
“You were meant to rule,” I had whispered to my father, a voice barely containing my rage.
My father had placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “Our time will come.”
I believed him. I had spent years preparing for it.
But Richardson had always been in my way. Even as children, he had carried the weight of leadership so effortlessly, as if the moon itself had blessed him. I still remember our sparring matches—how he had won me that day.
One misstep. One moment of arrogance.
And I had found myself flat on my back, staring up at his outstretched hand.
“Good fight,” he had said, no malice in his voice, no hint of superiority—just a boy offering his hand to another.
I had slapped it away and could hear the laughter of others ringing in my ears long after the match had ended.
That was the moment I realized the truth: Richardson wasn’t just a lucky heir. He was a better Alpha, and that was something I would never accept. Now, it was time to take it back.
———-
The maid I sent to poison him had one task—stay until he was dead. She failed.
Worse, she assigned the task to another, leaving him unattended. Extremely careless and loppy. And now, she was out there, breathing, knowing too much. I couldn’t allow that.
That night whilst at the territory far from the palace, I summoned Angel, my gamma. He arrived swiftly, his usual blank expression in place. A man of few words and fewer morals—the kind of man you trusted with things you never wanted to hear about again.
“The maid who botched the poisoning.” I swirled the liquid in my glass, watching the amber catch the dim light. “Take care of her.”
Angel gave a slow nod. “Disposal or a message?”
“Disposal. No loose ends.”
No hesitation. No further questions. Angel nodded once. “Consider it done.” I didn’t need confirmation. I already knew she was gone.
—————
The sound of Kathryn pacing pulled me from my thoughts as I shut the door to his room and made my way to the living room.
“What do we do now?” she asked, exasperated. “We both can’t stay home and look after him. I have work. You have work. And you insisted he come alone, without any of the pack’s help.”
“Yes, my love.” I stroked my chin in thought. “Remember that business flyer you mentioned? The one about baby-sitting?”
She frowned, then sighed. “Yes. It should be stacked somewhere.”
“Find it. We’ll contact them and request their services.”
Her eyes darkened. “I’m not doing this, Celestine.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to,” I said smoothly. “That’s why we’re hiring someone.”
Kathryn didn’t argue. She despised Richardson as much as I did. We had already put off having children because of our growing responsibilities—taking care of a full-grown man, especially one we loathed, was out of the question.
I heard her rummaging through books, her voice soon carrying from a distance as she spoke over the phone. A few minutes later, she returned.
“She’ll be here before noon tomorrow.”
“Good.”
Kathryn hesitated. “Celestine… If the poison didn’t work, what’s next?”
I smirked. “Tomorrow, my love. There’s a plan B.”
———
The Next Day
Kathryn left early that morning. We had a leaking pipe and had called a plumber to take a look. He informed me he’d be here in 20 minutes. I let Richardson know before heading upstairs to prepare for the day.
Richardson, still weak but a little better, nodded from the sofa. I was upstairs freshening up when the sound of raised voices jolted me. I threw on my shirt and hurried downstairs.
Richardson was on his feet, still visibly weak, but had the temper of an Alpha. Across from him stood a young woman, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her expression equally defiant.
“You can get the hell out if you wish!” Richardson’s voice was raw, hoarse but filled with rage.
The woman didn’t back down. Arms crossed, she arched an eyebrow. “Trust me, I’m considering it.”
I forced a smile, stepping between them. “What’s going on here?”
Richardson turned to me, his jaw clenched. “Your plumber’s here,” he said, jerking his chin toward the front door. Then he pointed at the woman. “But I have no idea who she is.”
I glanced at the woman again. No uniform, no tools—just irritation and barely masked disdain.
My stomach twisted. Dammit. The babysitter.
Forcing a calm smile, I turned to the woman. “Shuntelle, right?” I extended a hand in an attempt to smooth things over. “I’m Celestine. I believe my wife spoke to you?”
She hesitated, still glaring at Richardson, before shaking my hand. Quick, firm, impersonal.
“My apologies for the confusion,” I said smoothly. “We forgot to inform him of your arrival.”
Shuntelle exhaled, clearly still annoyed. “I was contacted for my services yesterday, said you needed a babysitter.”
“Yes. We need you to watch over Richardson.” Pointing to his direction.
Richardson scoffed behind me. “What the hell is this?” His voice carried that sharp, biting edge that had made him a feared leader among the pack. “A babysitter? Do you think I’m some sick pup who needs a handler?”
I turned to face him, keeping my expression neutral. “I understand this might be uncomfortable for you, but while you’re recovering, someone needs to be here during the day.”
He turned his glare on me. “I don’t need one.”
“That’s not what we think.” I folded my arms. “Look, it’s not forever. Just until you’re back to full strength.”
“This is ridiculous,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “You think I need someone to watch me?”
“I think you nearly died a few days ago,” I countered. “It’s precaution, nothing more.”
“I babysit children,” Shuntelle cut in. “Ages two to fifteen. Not grown men.”
“Will pay you fifty dollars per hour,” I countered. Her brows lifted slightly.
I could see the gears turning in her head. That was double her rate. And judging by the pause, she needed the money.
Richardson let out a sharp, humourless laugh. “This is a joke.”
Shuntelle mirrored his amusement, arms still crossed. “Trust me, I feel the same way.”
I ignored them both, my focus entirely on her. “How about sixty an hour?” She tilted her chin up.
Richardson snapped his head toward me. “Celestine—”
“Eighty,” I continued smoothly.
Shuntelle’s eyes narrowed slightly, but I could see it—the interest flickering beneath her guarded expression.
“Five Hundred,” Richardson cut in, his voice cold and clipped. “To walk away. Right now.”
Shuntelle turned to him, her lips parting slightly in surprise. I smirked. “Seven hundred.”
Richardson’s jaw clenched. “You can’t be serious.”
“One thousand,” he shot back, eyes burning into mine.
Shuntelle blinked, glancing between us as if trying to gauge who was more insane.
I stepped closer, voice low but firm. “Two thousand.”
Richardson turned fully toward her now, desperation creeping into his voice. “Three thousand if you decline now.”
I leaned forward to her “Three thousand, and a paid month off after Richardson is fully recovered.”
Shuntelle inhaled sharply, her arms dropping to her sides. Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. She was at a crossroads, caught between the weight of money and whatever gut instinct told her this was bigger than a simple job. I could see her mind racing, calculating, debating.
Then, finally, she exhaled, shaking her head. “You two are insane.”
And a long pause followed. She was considering it, but whose offer?
- Writer
