behind him
1103 Words
I turn to face Mia fully, studying her concerned expression. She's right about that.I am different. The question is how much I can tell her without sounding insane.
"You're right, Mia.” I admit, moving to sit on the edge of the ornate bed.
"The journey here changed me and made me realize I can't be the helpless girl who just accepts whatever fate throws at her." I say.
Mia sits beside me, her voice dropping to a whisper. "What happened out there, Princess? When you sneaked out that night before we left? You came back different. No, it started that morning.” Mia probes.
She is observant, I'll give her that.
I consider my words carefully. Mia has always been loyal, but telling her about my rebirth, about dying and coming back sounds too much. Instead, I give her a truth she can understand.
"I saw what real strength looks like. People who fight for what they believe in, even when the odds are impossible." I meet her eyes. "I realized I have been playing the victim when I should have been playing the game. And now, we just happen to be in the most dangerous game of all."
"Alpha Graham's harem," Mia says quietly, and I catch the fear in her voice.
The cruelty of Graham's harem is whispered across the pack lands. She knows what we are against.
"Not just the harem, Mia.
Everything about this place screams danger.” I reply, moving to the window.
I let my eyes wander, looking out at the sprawling grounds of the Crystal Lake Pack territory.
"Graham is a monster, Mia. And monsters don't just give up their prey willingly." I learnt that the hard way in my past life.
Thanks to him, I became Aaron's enemy.
I am not looking forward to that.
"Then why did you come here? Why did you agree?" There's no judgment in her question, just genuine confusion.
"Because sometimes you have to walk into the monster's lair to kill it." I turn back to her. "But first, I need to survive long enough to strike."
Understanding dawns in Mia's eyes. "You have a plan."
"I have the beginning of one." I gesture for her to come closer. "Graham will summon me soon. Probably tonight or tomorrow. He'll want to… inspect his new acquisition."
Mia's face goes pale. "Princess…"
"I'm not going to let that happen." My voice is firm. "But I need your help.” I tell her.
She listens as I give her instructions of how to proceed with the plan.
Mia's eyes widen. "You want me to make you sick?"
I nod.
“I need to look sick Mia. I won't let that bastard lay his filthy hands on me. I'd rather die than allow that.” I reply.
Besides, I have a mate. I can't be tangled with some other bastard, especially not with an old geezer like Graham.
"But Princess, if the pack doctor examines you…"
"Then he'll find exactly what we want him to find.” I declare. With my hidden powers, I can clearly manipulate my body composition to appear sick.
"I just need time, Mia. I need time to figure out my next move and let Kieran verify what I told him. Time to…"
I trail off as a sharp pain lances through my chest. It's the mate bond.
I recognize it from last night. The separation from Aaron is starting to hurt physically.
Mia notices my wince. "Are you alright?"
"Fine," I lie, pressing a hand to my chest where a numb ache grows.
"I am just tired, which actually works in our favor. I don't have to fake exhaustion."
Mia studies me for a long moment, then nods decisively. "I'll need to go to the pack's herb garden. Some of the plants might be different here than back home, but the effects should be the same." Mia informs me.
"Be careful. Don't let anyone see you gathering them." I warn her.
We can't have someone figuring out our plan and selling us out to Graham.
He thinks I am some docile animal he can pet and control. I have to maintain that image, at least in the meantime.
"I know how to be invisible, Princess. I've had years of practice." There's a hint of bitterness in her voice that reminds me of all the times she's been overlooked, dismissed and treated as less than human because of her Omega status.
"Mia?" I call as she heads for the door. "Thank you. For staying with me. For believing in me."
She smiles, and it transforms her usually worried face. "You're the only person who's ever treated me like I matter, Princess. I'd follow you into hell itself."
I can't help but smile at that. Indeed, she went to hell with me in my past life. This time, I won't drag her to hell with me.
I'll save both of our asses.
Alone in my chambers, I move through the room, checking for listening devices or spy holes. In my past life, I had discovered three hidden passages in these walls—two led to the main corridors, one led directly to Graham's private office.
I find them all exactly where I remember.
I'm examining the third passage, hidden behind a false panel in the wardrobe, when I hear footsteps in the corridor.
From the sound of the boots, I can tell it's from someone holding high power in the pack. They are headed towards my room.
My heart rate spikes.
Why so soon?
Mia hasn't prepared the herbs yet.
A knock sounds before the door opens without waiting for my permission.
A man in formal pack regalia enters. It's not Graham himself, thank the Moon Goddess.
I recognize him as Viktor, Graham's beta.
From what I know of him, he is cruel and efficient, probably why Graham made him his beta.
"The Alpha requests your presence for dinner.” Viktor announces, not bothering with pleasantries. His eyes rake over me in a way that makes my skin crawl. "He wishes to… become better acquainted with his newest treasure."
Treasure.Not a person but a treasure, a property!
"I'm honored by the Alpha's invitation," I say, keeping my voice steady and submissive. Everything in me wants to tell this bastard to go to hell, but that's not the game I am playing. Not yet. "What time should I be ready?"
"Sunset. Wear something…" he pauses, his smile turning predatory, "…appropriate. The Alpha appreciates beauty."
He leaves without another word, and I barely resist the urge to slam the door behind him.
- Writer
