challenged 20
940 Words
Chapter 20
Con POV
I couldn’t believe my luck.
Seventeen years ago. That’s how far back I had to think when I forged her name. The paperwork had been easy to find online. Too easy. Penny always trusted me with the business side of things. She never thought I’d use it against her….I don’t need her anymore.
But knowing she’ll suffer? That will be satisfying.
Ambrose assured me the insider was already moving into place. Soon she’ll be dragged back here whether she wants to be or not. And this time, she won’t walk away.
The meeting with the crew went smoother than I expected.
“I’ve divorced Penny. She’s no longer allowed inside this building.”
Silence.
Then Mark spoke up. “Mr. Cody… she holds over a million shares. She’s part owner. If she shows up, legally we have to let her in.”
Damn it...I forgot about the shares..She always insisted on keeping them in her name. Said it was “security.” I should’ve forced her to transfer them years ago.
I forced out a sigh, rubbing my temples like I was the wounded one.
“If that b***h steps foot in here and you let her inside, you’re fired. Do I make myself clear?”
Their faces fell. These were the first people I hired when I bought this place. They helped me build it from nothing. For a second, I almost regretted snapping at them…Almost.
“Listen,” I said, softening my tone. “She left me. For someone else. She might try to destroy what we built. I can’t risk that.”
Their anger shifted. Sympathy replaced it.
“We won’t let her in,” one of them said. “What she did was wrong.”
Stupid humans…They believe whatever they’re told. Give them a sad story and they’ll pick a side without asking questions.
Ambrose said the rogue met with the vampire woman. She promised to do whatever it takes to get Penny removed from that realm. Even better, she plans to make the prince reject her.
Good…She deserves rejection….How dare she leave me first.
How dare she reject me.
Vampire Darya POV
Meeting James had been risky.
If the Vampire King ever found out I was sneaking off to a rogue Vampire house for a few hours of pleasure, I’d be punished. Severely…But James is worth the risk..Since I can’t have Dean… I’ll take what I can get…Afterward, while we were catching our breath, he mentioned a human man named Con who wanted his ex-mate back for some paperwork issue. The moment he said her name, I felt pure delight…Penny…The same little wolf warming Dean’s bed.
And now her ex wants her back?....Perfect.
I wondered what Con would do once he had her. Hurt her? Break her? Make her beg?....I would love to watch.
When I returned home, I showered immediately, sealing my clothes in a bag to mask the rogue vampire scent. Vampires can detect everything. I’d toss them later.
I began forming my plan…I tracked her scent through the castle. Wolves smell sweet to us ….warm, almost inviting. Our scent is heavier. Metallic. Blood-rich.
Her trail led to the library….I watched her from the shadows.
“I know you’re there,” she said without looking up. “Are you going to stare all day, or say what you came for?”
I stepped beside her. She was reading a book titled Ancient Vampires.
“You don’t belong here,” I said smoothly. “Dean will tire of you. When he does, he’ll reject you. And the rogues will finish what’s left.”..She calmly returned the book to its shelf.
Then she slapped me….Hard.
My head snapped to the side. Pain bloomed across my cheek.
I smiled.
“Is that all, little wolf? Vampires and werewolves don’t mix. He’ll realize that soon enough.”
Before she could react again, I struck her. The sound echoed through the library as she hit the floor.
“This is your place,” I said, looking down at her. “Beneath me.”
I turned and counted to three.
One.
Two.
Three….
I was slammed onto my back. She straddled me, her hand tight around my throat.
“You think I don’t know what you’re doing?” she said quietly. “Trying to provoke me. Frame me.”...She pulled out her phone and pressed play…..My voice filled the room….Everything I had said.
Recorded.
For half a second, panic flickered….Then I laughed.
“Listen carefully,” I said, pushing her off and standing. “That’s not my voice. You’re an outsider. I’ve been here for centuries. Who do you think they’ll believe?”...Her expression shifted…not to doubt.
To something else….Suddenly I couldn’t move….My feet were frozen to the floor...And then I saw her…The Queen.
Queen Elena stepped forward, power radiating from her like a storm.
“Darya,” she said coldly, “what are you saying to the future queen?”
I forced confidence into my voice.
“She doesn’t belong here. Dean needs a vampire queen. Not some…”
“Enough.”..Her eyes flashed.
“Leave my son’s mate alone. I sent her here to study, and you try to provoke her into shifting? If you attempt this again, I will rip your head from your shoulders. Do you understand?”...The air thickened around me.
“I am still the queen of this coven.”...The force holding me released.
I didn’t argue again...I ran…I had underestimated her.
And I had underestimated the little wolf….Fine.
If I can’t act inside the castle..I’ll find another way…This war is just beginning.
- Writer
