Chapter five

SWEET REVENGE.

XENIA'S POV.

I shouldn't be a mess in my second life after the first was filled with hatred and manipulation. My past life's traumas still fuel my hatred, and the turmoil within me is palpable.

I stood in the garden, surrounded by a riot of colorful flowers, my gaze lingering on each bloom. A sly smile spread across my face as I savored the sweet taste of revenge.

A gentle breeze rustled the flowers, and I caught a whiff of a familiar scent. My head snapped up, my eyes scanned the garden, and that's when I saw him. Rico. My mate, My enemy.

He stood across from me, his eyes locked on mine, a mixture of fear and defiance in their depths. I could sense his uncertainty, his doubt, and it only fueled my determination to strike out at any time.

I took a step back, his eyes locking onto mine. Feeling the bench behind me, I sat down, crossing my legs, and my gaze drifted to the butterflies flitting around the flowers. My heart racing, I stared at him in stunned silence.

“Xenia, I've been searching the Palace for you,” he said, motioning for him to sit beside me.

I ignored him, my anger igniting a fire within me. I laughed mockingly, imagining the satisfaction of banishing him to the underworld with just a flick of my wrist. I summoned my inner strength for a quick escape.

“Rico, I'd rather be alone than waste my time on your words that grate on my skin,” I said, my voice dripping with disdain. I smirked, tossing my hair over my shoulder, and turned to leave.

Rico's eyes narrowed, his face darkening with anger. "You think you're so much better than the slaves in the pack, don't you, Ariana?" he sneered, his voice low and menacing.

"You think you can just walk away from me, after everything I've done for you by fully bonding you to myself as a mate?"

I turned back to face him, my heart pounding in my chest. "You've done nothing for me, Rico," I spat, my voice is venomous.

"You've only tried to control me, to manipulate me. But I'm not afraid of you anymore."

"You should be afraid of me, Ariana," he growled, his voice dripping with malice.

"I am the most powerful Lycan, you're just a weak werewolf, and I will not be ignored." He warned.

I stood my ground, my heart racing with fear. But I refused to back down. "I am not afraid of you, Rico," I repeated, my voice steady. "And I never will be again."

With that, I turned and walked away, leaving Rico's anger and threats behind me. I knew that I had taken a dangerous step, but I was ready to face whatever came next, my second return was for vengeance, not to be controlled.

I stormed out of the garden, my anger palpable. I dared Rico to keep staring, my eyes flashing a warning. But before I could take another step, I suddenly collided shoulders with someone. I glared up, and it was Freya, my eyes blazing with fury.

“What's wrong with you? Are you seriously blind to my anger?” Freya's shrill tone startled me, and my anger towards her surged. I hated her more than ever.

"You're still as reckless as ever, I see," Freya said, her voice dripping with disdain.

"You never could control your temper, Xenia, when did you get here?"

I growled, my hands clenched into fists. "And you're still as manipulative as ever, Freya. You always have to push my shoulders, don't you?"

Freya smirked, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Someone has to keep you in line, Xenia. And it might as well be me."

I snarled, my anger boiling over. "You're not my keeper, Freya. And I don't need your help to control my temper."

Freya raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Really? Then why are you still standing here, instead of going after Rico like you so clearly want to?"

I hesitated, my anger faltering for a moment. Freya was right, as much as I hated to admit it. I will still stand here, instead of going after Rico like she has assumed.

"It's none of your concern whether I go after him or not. Rico is not a choice I need to make, got it? I asked, my eyes flashing with a knowing glint.

Rico has a choice to make, unlike you, who's just a disposable refuge. I spat, and tried to walk away, but felt a grip on my wrist, and she yanked me back, her eyes blazing with anger, 'Don't you dare speak to me like that!'"

"You're being unreasonable, Xenia," Freya said, her voice tight with anger. "I'm his girl, and you should remember that." But her words sparked a fit of laughter from me, and I burst out laughing.

"Who tied you two together, Freya? I gestured dramatically as if waking her up. "Wake up, sleeping beauty. You're just his mistress, not his true mate." I corrected her.

I couldn't apprehend the look on her face, it gradually turned bright red with anger, she took a step closer to me, her voice low and even.

“You have no idea what you're talking about" she spat, "Rico and I are meant to be together. We are Destined for each other.”

I burst out laughing again, unable to contain my amusement.

"Destined for each other? Do you mean like fate or something? You know, you shouldn't think this far, Freya. Rico can have us both, for all I care, but he's mine, as is my right by tradition."

" You think you can just claim him like a prize,? You think you are entitled just because of some ancient traditions?” she chuckled, taking a step backward, her gazing darting back and forth with urgency.

I shrugged, still smiling. “That's exactly what I think, Freya. If you don't like it, that's your problem.” I said, glancing ahead, and brushing past her, leaving her shocked.