Deception

Deception and retribution.

Maria's POV

In front of him, I was being kind to her. I even asked him to let her dine with us, not because I was happy, but because I wanted to prove to her that her mate belonged to me. But why?

Why wasn't everything going the way I wanted? I even pretended to be sick. I was frustrated that my attempt to win Alex's sympathy had failed. Why weren't things going as planned? Was this due to her? It was all because of that damn girl. I didn't see why he had to make her stay with us. She came here to steal what was rightfully mine—the queen's throne.

"My queen, are you still thinking about that nasty girl?" Miranda asked me. She was the maid assigned to me by Alex. She was a loyal maid, and what I like most about her is that she could easily be manipulated. It was time to show off my best acting skills. The thing I knew how to do best. I started tearing up.

"What else can I think of if not her?" I wailed. "Miranda, can you stop calling me your queen? I am y