Chapter Three

Randall's POV

A sigh escaped my lips as my eyes fell on the portraits of my father hanging on the wall of my study.

When I was younger, I used to stare at those portraits with pride, admiring everything about him — his strong jawline, his hands that barely fit into his shirt, that fire in his eyes and the confidence he wore like a crown.

Years after his death, I still couldn't stop doing that. For some reason, I always felt his watchful eyes gazing at me through those portraits.

But now, those pictures didn't inspire me. They haunted me.

They reminded me that I was yet to fulfil the promise that I made to him at his grave.

Justice.

Retribution.

Revenge.

Juan opened the door and walked into my study, bringing me out of my train of thought.

“Alpha,” he bowed, his voice cutting through the silence. “The Rogues have been captured. Our men have them tied up at the Pack Square,” he announced.

I didn't even look at him. “Not now, Juan,” I muttered, waving him off. 

When he left, I downed the glass of wine on my table in one attempt. Then I shut my eyes and let it burn through my chest— a much-needed distraction from the gnawing pain in my chest. 

Susan walked into the room beaming with smiles. “There you are, my love,” she purred, moving towards me like she used to. “I've missed you. I've been searching all over for you.”

Before now, I would have smiled back and shifted a little so she could come sit on my lap. But now, it felt different. I had no desire to be around her anymore. 

Still, I tried to force a smile but I couldn't. Getting my hands on Alpha Max was all I could think of. I thought of different ways that I could make him suffer but none of them stuck quite as much as I'd have loved. 

“Baby?” She called out, a puzzled look on her face. I had drifted off into my thoughts once again. 

“I'm sorry. It's just—” I sighed. “I've finally found the weapon that I've been searching for so long to make my dreams come true.”

I thought she'd look excited but she didn't. Instead, her forehead creased in a deep frown. “Lyra?”

I nodded. “With her, I can lure her father to come to this Pack and fight us,” I explained. “We wouldn't even have to step an inch into their Pack and when they arrive, we'll be ready.”

She sighed, tapping her finger on the table with her eyebrow raised. “Or we kill her?”

I looked up sharply. “Huh?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “If you kill that bitch, her father will feel the exact pain that you feel. Even more, perhaps. It'll drive him mad and he'll get reckless. He'll come at us but we'll be more than ready for him.”

“You want me to kill her?” I asked, gazing at her in disbelief. “But she's innocent.”

“Innocent?” She scoffed. “Being that bastard’s daughter is guilt enough in my books.”

Before I could respond, the door slammed open, and a guard burst in, panting with heavy breaths.

“Alpha,” he bowed quickly, struggling to catch his breath. “It's Princess Lyra…”

“We have no princess here,” Susan interjected, but I raised a hand to shush her.

“What about her?”

“She fainted in the dungeon,” he disclosed. “The Pack nurse has arrived to revive her but she remains unconscious.”

“It's alright. Tell the maids to give her some food and water once she wakes up,” I instructed. “Lyra must never die.”

He bowed his head and walked away. 

*What was that?” Susan fumed, spreading her arms. When I remained mute, she grabbed the glass cup on the table and smashed it against the wall. 

She slammed a hand on the table, blowing hot air from her nostrils. “Why do you still treat that woman like a princess? I thought you rejected her already. Do you want to sleep with her?”

I rose from my seat, seething with anger and dashed across the table to her. Grabbing her by the neck, I pushed her to the wall and she squealed 

“Don't you ever speak to me in that manner,” I bellowed, glaring at her. “You will not suggest something like this ever again.”

“But am I wrong?” She arched her brow, grabbing my hand and trying to push it off her throat. 

Was she wrong?

That pull I felt when I first saw Lyra wasn't gone even after the rejection. 

Even as I found her trying to escape the Pack and asked the guards to lock her up, I could still feel it. That smell. It was so strong it nearly suffocated me and my wolf wouldn't stop trying to break free. 

“You cannot afford to be seen as weak, Randall. You must show strength, especially now,” she advised. “Your people want to see a leader who is willing to avenge their late Alpha, especially the Elders. Imagine what they'd say if you treated that bitch well after she tried to kill your maid.”

“I am not weak!” I growled, slamming my fist against the table.

“Then prove it,” she said softly, a smile playing on her lips. “Prove it by teaching that girl the lesson that she deserves.”

She stepped closer and touched my chin but I moved my head to the side. “Don't tell me you've fallen in love with the enemy… Have you?”

“Just one more word, Susan. One more and I will rip your head off!” 

“Susan?” She chuckled. “Isn’t it supposed to be Suzy?”

She clicked her tongue and nodded. “This is the Randall that I've been waiting to see. Angry. Ruthless. You must hold onto that hate that you have for her family.”

She placed a hand on my arms, gazing into my eyes as she spoke. “You must seek justice at all costs, Randall. Even at the cost of her life. You cannot let sentiments stop you now that you're this close.”

She kissed my cheek and walked away but as she got to the door, she glanced over and asked, “Are you going to deny your parents justice… for her?”