Chapter 5: Maelis Rolkov

Moscow, Russia

Maelis Rolkov

“Twenty dead,” I said, placing the number between us like a verdict.

Across the polished desk, Alpha Viktor Damaris sat stiff as stone, restless and cornered.

The proud wolf of Volkov Ridge now looked more like a man sitting on his own grave.

I tapped my gloved fingers against the wooden desk as I asked, “Do you know what I hate most, Alpha Damaris?”

He blinked. “Lady.. M—Maelis?”

“Dishonesty.” I looked up, meeting his dark eyes.

He leaned forward, forcing confidence he didn’t have. “I swear, the mishap wasn’t intentional. The Americans--”

“--didn’t know where to strike until someone in your office gave them our route,” I cut in, “That ‘mishap’ cost us twenty men and a full shipment. Your shipment. Our shipment!”

His jaw clenched. “You can’t possibly think I--”

“I don’t think. I verify.” I said, bringing out a folder from my bag and sliding it across the desk. “And this? Verified. Unless you're trying to say your assistant’s signature on the cargo was forged. And the crest stamped on the falsified document was not yours. You betrayed your deal, Damaris.”

Viktor’s throat worked as he tried to speak. “Please, Lady Rolkov. I can correct this... I’ll double... no I'll triple the loss....”

“You had three months to correct it. Yet, you mess it up. You should know my Alpha doesn’t wait that long.”

My gaze lifted to meet his. “Neither do I.” I muttered, crossing my legs.

“Lady Maelis, I beg you. Don’t do this. Alpha Alaric and I, we’ve worked together for years...”

“You should have thought of that before selling our route for American gold.” I cut him off mid sentence, watching color drain from his face without blinking.

“Please just let me speak to him directly.”

“No,” I said, standing at last. “You’ll receive a termination notice in three days. Signed and sealed by the Rolkov estate. With it, your company and all shares tied to the Rolkov's will be revoked. Including any protection we afford your pack, Alpha Damaris.”

His eyes widened in horror, “No… you can’t do this to me… Lady Maelis... What am I supposed to tell my people? My pack will suffer. They’ll starve and lose their homes--”

“You should consider it mercy,” I said flatly, “We could take your estates now and burn what remains of your pack to the ground. And you’d die knowing you chose the ashes yourself.”

I finished, slow and cold, “Sign the papers in three days. It’s the easiest option.”

I turned on my heels and walked out of his office.

***

The elevator doors closed behind me with a soft hiss.

And I couldn't help but glanced at the mirrored walls which threw my reflection back at me, sharp eyes, painted lips that hadn’t remembered warmth in years. Somewhere, beneath the frost, a part of me wondered when I started looking more like my father.

“You know,” came a lazy voice from the corner, “you didn’t even let him offer you a drink this time.”

I glanced sideways to see Luka, my right hand and my most frequent headache leaned against the wall, his tie undone, dark hair falling into his eyes.

“He’s lucky I didn’t let Rosa finish the conversation,” I said. “And don't you know to look formal?”

“He’s going to run to the Americans again, you know that right?” he said, deciding to ignore my comment about his disorganized dressing as the elevator started moving.

“I’m counting on it.” I adjusted my gloves, eyes staring into the blank space without blinking, “The more desperate he gets, the easier it is to trace who he'll crawl to.”

“Do you even know what everyone says about you?”

I don't answer that. Only held my head high, but Luka, being his annoying self, went on. “They call you Maelis Rolkov. The Phantom of the North.”

“I know that,” I said evenly. Just as I know they also call me an unmateless bitch who hides her hideous face behind a mask. But the thing with people is, they only judge the weak. And,

“When you rule through fear and efficiency,” I said quietly, “you can’t afford sentiment. That’s how my father built his empire… and how I intend to keep it.”

The elevator chimed and slid open.

I stepped out first. Snow drifted through the glass hall, carried by the wind that always seemed colder in Moscow by this time of the day. My heels clicked softly against the marble as I made my way toward the waiting car.

Luka got in the driver’s seat and glanced at me through the mirror. “Where to?”

“Home,” I said, leaning back against the seat. My head rested against the leather, and for the first time that day, I allowed myself to breathe.

The past few nights had been hectic, tracing leads, and unraveling the betrayal that had started from the root. It had taken more from me than I’d care to admit.

The car glided smoothly through the road and It didn’t take long before the gates of the Rolkov estate came into view,

This had been my home; where I was born, well, until that time when I ran, even went as far as marrying an Alpha who's not from the motherland. All of which got me casted out until three years ago.

I stepped out of the car, the cold biting through my gloves. Then, like always, I lifted my chin and walked forward because weakness had no place within these walls.

I shrugged off my gloves and coat as soon as I'm inside the estate, handing them to one of the maids who hurried forward. All I wanted was a shower, maybe a drink, and a few hours to myself in my quarters.

But I didn’t make it past the grand staircase. When,

“Lady Maelis.”

The deep voice pulled my attention to the end of the corridor.

Ronan, Father's head of security was walking towards me, tall, broad-shouldered, his face looking striking as always, though, not in the delicate way of beauty.

He bowed slightly as soon as he got closer, “Alpha Alaric has returned and he requires your presence. Immediately.” he said.