Chapter 101
Liliana The mirror didn't recognize me. And, honestly, neither did I. I tilted my head left, then right, squinting at the face that stared back. The woman in the glass wasn't the Alpha's daughter who'd once run these halls. She wasn't the girl banished and branded a murderer. She wasn't even Liliana Crossfield anymore. "Too much?" I asked, tugging on a strand of deep auburn hair that fell heavy against my shoulder. It felt strange and itchy, like it was trying too hard to belong on my head. Gerald leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed, studying me like I was another one of his tactical puzzles. His expression gave away nothing, as usual. Just that steady, assessing look of his. "You don't look like you," he said at last. "That's the point." "Gee, thanks," I muttered, rolling my eyes. The auburn wig was only the start. Beneath it, Gerald's conChapter 101 Liliana The mirror didn't recognize me. And, honestly, neither did I. I tilted my head left, then right, squinting at the face that stared back. The woman in the glass wasn't the Alpha's daughter who'd once run these halls. She wasn't the girl banished and branded a murderer. She wasn't even Liliana Crossfield anymore. "Too much?" I asked, tugging on a strand of deep auburn hair that fell heavy against my shoulder. It felt strange and itchy, like it was trying too hard to belong on my head. Gerald leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed, studying me like I was another one of his tactical puzzles. His expression gave away nothing, as usual. Just that steady, assessing look of his. "You don't look like you," he said at last. "That's the point." "Gee, thanks," I muttered, rolling my eyes. The auburn wig was only the start. Beneath it, Gerald's con
Chapter 100 Liliana The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon. But the training field buzzed with activity already. Fists slammed into dummies, thudding loud. Instructors barked sharp orders. Sweat mixed with dust in the air. And that faint wolf musk hung around everything, you know. Daliah sparred with Rita way over on the edge. They moved fast and precisely, like blurs. Landen had come back from his quick mission. He stretched his arms out, shaking off the stiffness. Mad still wasn't back, though. His absence hit me like an old bruise I didn't want to poke. I was swinging at a dummy when the air changed. Felt it right away. Gerald. Didn't even need to look. His gaze weighed heavy on me. I lowered my fists slowly. Heartbeat picked up. He'd promised details on Tony's coronation plan. Part of me dr
Chapter 99 Cassandra The ride to my father's pack dragged on forever. Or at least it felt that way; I had been on the road for a day and a half, and even though Gerald had insisted I take a plane, I had decided not to. I was not the biggest fan of heights. I stared out the window of my car, the tinted window making everything outside blur into streaks of green and brown trees. My hands were clenched up tight in my lap. Nails digging right into my palms. Finally, the car pulled up in front of the packhouse. My private investigator was already waiting for me outside. He was leaning against his SUV, a pair of sunglasses framing his eyes. He looked unassuming as always, wearing simple clothes that would make him as inconspicuous as possible. "Walk with me. I don't want anyone listening. in," I said, approaching him.
Chapter 98 Liliana's POV The week for Tony's coronation arrived sooner than we were prepared for. The fact that my evil stepbrother was taking my throne without remorse sent me into a state of psychosis, but controlling my anger was paramount if I wanted to do things well. My brother, whom I once loved, had become a thorn in my flesh, and yes, I had spent two months hating his guts, and rightfully so, but it didn't mean that all the memories we'd made growing up were completely gone. Ultimately, I sought an explanation for his actions. That morning, as I stepped out of my room and down the stairs, I couldn't help but notice the pack house buzzing with unusual movement. Maids rushed down the hall, pulling trunks and boxes along. I glanced out the window to the courtyard, and a black SUV stood outside, and leaning against it was Cassandra. She was talking on the phone and also managing to direct the maids on where to put her boxes. A bit of hope stirred in my chest. It felt sm
Chapter 97 Liliana Gerald's lips were rough and demanding against mine, taking and needy. My lips against his was submission, surrendering to him. I was moaning his name, my body trembling with each touch or graze. I was drowning in him. A part of me told me to stop, that this was wrong, but I couldn't stop and didn't want to stop. "You belong to only me, Liliana. Nobody else." Gerald said and claimed my lips. We hadn't even kissed when the sound of someone knocking at my door jolted me awake. I had only been half asleep, but the sudden jolt almost sent my heart flying. I groaned, irritated that I had just had a sex dream about Gerald. I had been thinking about him in a very nonsexual way when I had fallen asleep. The door opened before I could stand up. Tabitha walked in, holding a present in her hand. "What's that?" I asked, still trying to ward off the remnant of sleep left in my body. "Good morning, mistress."She smiled, walking towards me with her usual big smile
Chapter 96 Cassandra I'd had enough. Everywhere I turned, there she was, Liliana, floating about like she'd been born with the right to Gerald's attention. Laughing at the wrong moments. Training like she belonged in boots that cost a fortune. It made bile rise in my throat. She wasn't supposed to be here. Not in his house, not in his thoughts. So I decided to stop simmering and do something. Find a thread. Pull it. Unravel her. That's how this sort of thing worked, right? People always thought power came from bright speeches and grand proofs. I knew better. Power liked small knives in dark places. When she left for the training ground, I waited two heartbeats and moved. Hallways were quiet, too quiet, and I liked it that way. I walked like I owned the place, shoulders back, with the kind of slow confidence that keeps servants from opening their mouths too wide. Her room smelled faintly of lavender. It niggled at me; lavender was for people who wanted other people to think th