Chapter Four

Ella pov

This day was when we were set to head back to Seattle and it hit me like a hard punch in my throat. 

Dreadhowl Pack territory was Vivi’s pack and it was one of the most fearsome in the region, ruled by her father, the Hybrid King.

In my past life I was too busy being a lovesick, dick-drunk idiot, blind to everything except Cole’s love and Vivi’s fake-ass hugs. 

Not this time, you backstabbing idiot.  

I'm not the same old person you used to know. 

This time I would walk into the viper’s nest with my eyes wide open and my claws sharpened.

This time, I would know exactly what is happening. 

Vivi tried to deceive me the second we loaded the bags and I caught it immediately.

“Ella, babe, I just got a call. Your brother said your mom is not feeling well. They didn’t want to ruin your vacation, but her health is pretty bad. We should head straight there…”

I flashed her the fakest and sweetest smile that I could muster. 

My heart twisted with fresh, heart-wrenching rage at how she had played me before.

I was not going to allow her to do that to me again. 

“Don’t worry about it, bestie. My dad is already handling everything. He has got the best healers in the land. So, my mum will be fine no doubt. ”

She refused to take that for an answer and she kept pressing harder. 

Her voice was filled with a fake worry and it was too easy to spot. 

“But Ella, what if it’s serious? You can't just dismiss it just like that. I'm sure we both don't want anything to happen to you mum. You are such a good daughter. You should really…”

“Drop it, Vivi,” I cut her off sharply, letting a flash of anger show through my grin. 

“What is your problem? I said no! And I mean every single word I said. We are going to your place first. I want to see where my favorite girl grew up. Girls stick together, right?”

Cole raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet as he didn't want to interfere in girl's matter.

That was the best decision he made anyway because I was also ready to throw words at him. 

Vivi’s jaw tightened for a split second before she forced a laugh. 

Deep down, I knew that she could not believe what was happening but she had no choice but to play along. 

“Of course, you are right. Girls stick together,” she agreed with me while flashing me a smile that didn't come from her heart. 

The drive was torture and every fake giggle from her felt like a sharp blade twisting in my chest. 

I kept replaying the past and the memory was so painful each time they flashed back. 

I saw how she had lured me home with that same lie, how I had rushed back to a perfectly healthy mom while she and Cole fucked like animals in some hotel. 

That was her silly plan.  Unfortunately, it didn't work this time. 

The betrayal still made hot tears to gather behind my eyes. 

I wanted to scream my lungs out. I wanted to rip her throat out right here in the car. 

But I smiled instead. I only had to be patient before I could strike. 

Right now,I was ready to murder her in cold blood but that act would make everything too quick.

When we finally pulled up to the Dreadhowl Packhouse, my breath caught in between everything. 

The place was a goddamn fortress of dark luxury. 

My eyes landed on a massive black stone mansion standing tall across acres like a gothic palace. 

The massive dark mansion had long spires that looked like they were piercing the sky and there were a lot of  red banners snapping in the wind. 

Gold-veined marble columns stood tall in the entrance, and the sheer size made my own packhouse back home look like a shabby dog house next to a king’s throne. 

Nobody needed to tell me how powerful this place was because power radiated from every angle. 

There were a lot of well armed guards in the right position and they ushered us inside without a word. 

The moment we stepped into the grand sitting room entrance, her father came to greet us. 

He was Alpha Alexander Knight,  the Hybrid King. 

Fuck me, the man was a walking sin. 

He was in his early forties but still, he was so stupidly fine. 

What was I even expecting? He was a hybrid anyway so his hybrid nature would slow his aging significantly. 

But damn! Holy heavens!

I could not take my eyes off him.

He was tall, dark haired with silver at the temples. 

His shoulders were broad and he had sharp, chiseled features that could make any ladies panties drop from across the room.  

He moved with a commanding dominance and every step he took screamed power that could crush hundreds of packs and bend the most powerful alphas to their knees.

He was sexy as hell and terrifying. 

My traitorous pussy clenched even as my heart screamed vengeance.

He pulled Vivi into a tight, affectionate hug and his massive veiny arm wrapped around her like she was his special prized possession.

“My little viper. You look so radiant as ever. I have missed you, princess,” he said, holding her tight and my stomach rumbled badly. 

Was that jealousy, I had no idea. 

Vivi melted into him, giggling and grinning from ear to ear. 

“I missed you more, Daddy. We have a lot to catch up with. Don't you think so?”

"Yes, yes. We do. I have a lot of time spared out for you," he answered and he straightened after a moment . 

I caught those piercing eyes that shift between deep brown and an unnatural amber as he locked into me. 

He extended his hand to me and I took it.

The world stopped immediately as I felt his firm grip.

Holding him sent a lot of  dark heat that raced up my arm straight to my core. 

I didn't know what was happening but time felt like it stretched between us. 

The atmosphere felt so thick and heavy while something ancient passed in that locked gaze. 

I could feel a dangerous curiosity and a spark of possession that made my wolf howl. 

It unsettled me to my fucking core, yet intrigued every broken and vengeful piece of me. 

My heart thundered fiercely as his thumb brushed once over my knuckles in a slow manner. 

All of it felt like a promise or a threat. 

Still, I could not breathe. 

He saw too much of me but I didn't mind because I wanted him to see everything.

When I finally pulled my hand away, I smiled politely at him. 

I tried to paint a perfect picture of a well-mannered young woman meeting her best friend’s father.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Alpha Alexander,” I mentioned but inside, my mind was a storm of heart-wrenching rage at Vivi. 

I was still grieving for my old naïve self and I could not afford to do anything stupid. 

I had come here with no plan beyond watching and observing the bitch. 

But standing in front of Alpha Alexander Knight, the most powerful Alpha in the region. 

The Hybrid King whose influence could shield me or destroy my enemies with a single word, I felt destiny clicked into place for me. 

I felt like I was finally heading toward my plan. 

This might just be another good opportunity for me and as always, I have to make good use of it. 

“ Him,” I thought to myself and Giselle purred in filthy agreement, but it had not been her voice first. 

It was the voice of the dead girl who had begged the Moon Goddess with her last heartbeat while her head rolled and her blood splashed across the execution block. 

The girl with no patience left for half-measures.

I was going to make him mine and mine alone no matter the cost. 

What better revenge than to have the bitch kneel to me as her stepmother. 

What better revenge than to have her own father wrapped around my finger?