Fated Alpha

Chapter 12: A Pawn

Caelia, as if she had seen a theatric—widened her eyes in surprise. Her behavior was completely unpredictable and she couldn't understand what part of her statement was harsh.

Although she couldn't comprehend her actions, she attempted to raise her hand and apologize by comforting the woman. However, before she could even reach her, a hand roughly gripped her wrist and stopped her in the process.

Caelia flinched in surprise and hurriedly turned her head to the owner of the hand holding her.

It was Darius. A scowl formed on his face as he threw her hands away. She winced in pain as she stumbled on her feet. Although it wasn't very hard, Darius was still an Alpha with formidable strength, while Caelia had a small figure that even a gush of wind can send her flying.

Caelia looked at him with a questioning face. Darius had never laid a hand on her despite being so cold. In all of her 2 years in the mansion, Darius is either out somewhere or would completely ignore her.

No matter how annoying Caelia acted, he never cared. No, he never even looked at her. But now, he did it so naturally without a hint of regret. However, Darius simply averted his gaze from the fallen Caelia and turned to look at the woman.

She was still sobbing, covering her face while her shoulders shook. Darius, without a change in his expression, asked her if she was okay. But she remained silent, and her face wasn't even shown so Caelia couldn't read it.

Since the woman did not answer, Darius switched his eyes back to Caelia.

"What are you doing? Just how immature can you be?" his face displayed displeasure.

'What?' she couldn't utter a word as she did not understand the question. She clearly did nothing wrong, but the woman twisted her words and turned her into a bad person.

But how much did Darius hear? Would he even believe the woman he despised for the last two years? Or will this actually work in her favor?

'If he start to hate me more, then he might throw me sooner or later. That would actually speed up the process.'

She remained silent before opening her mouth, but before words could even come out, Darius had laid yet another accusation.

"What's wrong with searching for food? Or are you doing this on purpose?"

Caelia couldn't care less how much misunderstanding had piled up as it was exactly what she wanted.

'Hate me all you want. As you always do.'

Caelia looked at the woman behind him. She looked so vulnerable with her sobbing shoulders, but Caelia knew something about her is wrong. However, instead of feeling annoyed, she felt pity for her.

The woman will be the pawn in this game, not her. She may act however she want, but it will all result to Caelia's victory. Because everything she is doing right now will work exactly in her favor.

She stood up with elegance, wiping the dirt from her clothes and looked at them with unwavering eyes. She remained silent, she did not want to fix the misunderstanding nor admit it.

'Think however you want', her eyes glowing with confidence.

However, that confidence was soon shattered by Darius's next words.

"Lyra is just staying here until the contract for the handover of the state is signed. Since the house was under Daryl's name, it will take some time for it to finish. So no matter how much you dislike her, please refrain until she moves out."

After warning her with an indifferent face, he left the kitchen with the woman.

However, she didn't even hear that part anymore.

'Daryl? Handover? State?' She was in a daze. The words that came out of Darius's mouth were a matter she honestly couldn't care less.

However, it seems that her question of the existence of the woman inside the house was finally answered.

Three words that sounded completely random, but enough to give her a clue.

Daryl. A name that she hasn't heard for two years. However, it was a name she couldn't forget. The man Darius had mentioned earlier, without a doubt, was his brother—Daryl Thorne.

Caelia mostly travelled between the mansion and the office, so she had no time to meet her family or Darius'. However, they would occassionally hold a celebration inside the company, and not just Caelia's family are there, but also Darius'.

She had only met Daryl twice. One was when she first signed the contract, wherein the man did not really stand out for her to remember his existence. So she had forgotten him as time passed due to her busy schedule.

However, months later, the company, as it was almost at the brink of collapse, suddenly had an increase of market. This was all thanks to Caelia's hardwork—which wasn't even credited to her.

Everyone in the company gathered, alongside each of their families. Daryl, as quiet as ever, never really stood out in her eyes if not for that one incident.

The company, bustling with so many people, were filled to the brink. It was supposed to be a peaceful day where they all celebrate the success of the company. But one Alpha, one reckless Alpha had forgotten to inject an stabilizer.

It was indeed an unfortunate incident as Caelia had passed by that man in accident. It was momentary, but the effect lasted long.

Once a Luna inhales an Alpha's scent that is so incompatible with them—their body reacts and convulse when not taken care of. If not for Daryl, who happens to see Caelia staggering in her feet as her head turned hazy, then she will probably become the talk of the town.

Although she wasn't able to properly thank him, Caelia began to see him as her hero. But 2 weeks later, she heard that Daryl was thrown out of their house when he chose a woman with no decent background and of low status to be his partner.

Even Caelia could not believe what happened. However, although others saw him as a disgrace, Caelia continued to look up to him. Not everyone have that kind of determination he has. Not everyone can openly fight for their love. Even if it means losing everything including their family.

Ever since that day, Caelia heard no news from the man until she had almost forgotten about him.

It was until a month ago when his death was announced. No one in his family went to visit his funeral, even Caelia, who stubbornly asked the old servant and Darius where his funeral was held, was left alone and scorned. She was only met with their indifferent gazes.

But what is the handover he is talking about? The state?

'So Daryl still lived well before he died...' she thought, but another question arose.

"So what is this handover contract? And what is the woman, as Darius called Lyra, have to do with it?"

She tried so hard to think about the answer. Caelia still had no idea what the woman's relationship is with Darius and Daryl. In fact, there is no one who can answer her. She only have herself to connect the puzzles and assume the unexpected.

"Lyra, Lyra. Handover. State."

"Wait." She looked in front, then back at the living room where no single furniture aside from a couch stood alone.

The two, who had left her alone were nowhere to be seen, but she knew. She now know who the woman was, and what her relationship to the two men is.

"Lyra Moore. It was the Lyra Moore Daryl chose over his family."