9| Bed of Lies

DOMINUS MARUTO 

“Hello, Uncle!” 

I turned sharply, my mind racing in wonderment. How did he enter my house? No, he's coming down the stairs in my clothes and shoes! How was it possible for the swine to enter my room?

“I'm back as I promised you, Uncle! Who missed me? Unlike someone, I keep my promises!” Deklan threw his hands up, showing off my cufflinks and diamond wristwatch. 

He wore my most expensive jewellery, my best blue sky blue shirt and black pants. The way the material clung to his body and fit him perfectly as if they belonged to him made me feel betrayed. How dare he!

“You seem to show up like a weed that grows where it's not wanted these days. I'm not surprised, your father always nosed around and that's what got him killed.” I said, taking a bite of the food I was served while my eyes searched his face.

For a second, his face creased in resentment, but he has gotten better at hiding his emotions, so he laughed and joined me at the dining table. He picked up a fork from the table, stabbing it into my plate of chicken and dumplings, he took a chicken wing and waved it at my face.

“Weeds are important too.” He scoffed, digging his teeth into the meat. “Don't forget that.” He dropped the fork loudly and walked out.

None of the guards tried to stop him as they would anyone who dared speak to me disrespectfully. Nobody dares talk to me in that manner and live to see the next day, but Deklan had scared the wits out of the guards that their worthless lives are now more important to them than taking him down.

“Someone get Cena!” I thundered, pushing away from the table in anger to pace around my sitting room.

Deklan Mario is getting on my last nerve and it's not going to end well for him. I have always known that he would want to hunt down the person who murdered his father and disclose the truth about my father's downfall, and that was why I had him locked up twelve feet underground. If he could break free and escape, still looking like a young prince who has never had to suffer, he would be a threat. 

“I need you to get a trustworthy spy to tail my nephew,” I said once Cena walked into the room. 

I stood by the window now, sharpening the edge of a dagger with a small grindstone. 

“Yes, Dominus.” He responded, then came closer to speak in a lower voice.

 “One of the guards reported that the twin Alphas of the Crystal Moon Pack came to pay Cedar a visit. You mentioned that a messenger had delivered the council's demand to see her. Do you not think it is wise to let her go?

“I don't know what to do with all these turn of events! Everything should have worked out and I wouldn't be bothered about her if she'd survived, but look where I am because I underestimated her powers. She is not ordinary, and I can't let her out of my sight until I get what I need from her.”

“Well, that's true, but still…” Cena paused, clearing his throat when a guard announced that Cedar was back.

“I will handle it, you don't have to worry about anything. I don't need those men walking freely about my land when I'm yet to accomplish my goals. Make sure that you will be on the lookout for them and don't hesitate to arrest anyone trespassing. Even if they're the twin Alphas, track them down.” I gave him an easy pat on the shoulder and he nodded before turning to leave.

“I want to have a word with you.” Cedar walked up to me, glancing at Cena to acknowledge his presence before staring daggers at me.

“Is this about the council's invitation? If it is, forget about it because I will never give you the chance to escape.” I went to sit back down, and she joined me at once.

“I don't wish to go back to Crystal Moon Pack, but the council is not deceitful, if they said it has to do with my parents' execution, then it has to be.”

“Are you trying to tell me that you're so precious that even the twin Alphas would come to invite you themselves? You didn't tell me that they find you so special which was why they tried to kill you.” 

“What are you trying to say?” Her eyes flashed dangerously at me before she turned her face away and curled her hands into fists.

 “You lied to me. And you want to doubt me? Such a jerk!” She stood, walking around me to go upstairs.

“If you must go, then I will come with you. I also want to know the kind of place my luna comes from.” I cleared my throat, stopping her in her tracks. “Be back down in two minutes, meet me outside if you truly want to answer the council's call. This grace lasts for today,”

“He who kills by gun doesn't engage in gun games, my father used to say.” She shook her shoulders and briskly ascended the stairs.

“Get the cars ready, we are going on a trip,” I said, snapping my fingers at one of the guards on watch.

It didn't take up to a minute and Cedar was running down the stairs in black pants and a leather jacket. She tied her hair in a ponytail and covered it with a red scarf. I don't know what that means, but I do know that a hair tie is a reminder about something. 

Maybe it's a plea for her pack to remember that she belongs elsewhere now and they must keep their promise of not hurting her.

“I would have preferred you dressed like my wife and not a teenage girl planning to elope with her secret lover,” I said as we walked out the door, getting the first blow of the wind. 

I halted when I caught sight of a white hair.  A lady was kneeling in front of the main building, her wan face made it hard for me to recognise her. Her lips were dry and her pale blue eyes were bright with unshed tears.

Sammy.

I heard Cedar gasp beside me, almost bumping onto my back and clearly caught by surprise by the unexpected presence. 

“Do I deserve this cruelty? What did I do that you pay me back with wickedness?” She lifted her head, meeting my gaze at the same time tears rolled down her cheeks. 

“What more do you need this disgusting power for if you can't even protect me and our…”

“Don't you dare spit nonsense!” I cut her off, heaving at the way I had to hold my breath to stop myself from going over to her. 

“Dominus, please! Stop all of these already! For the sake of your…”

“Guards, take her away! Anyone who lets her into my house again will pay with their life!”