Chapter Four

Rapha's POV 

"Let me go," she hissed, venom lacing her words.

But beneath that fire, I could feel the tremble in her hands. She was trying so hard to seem fearless.

I let her go—but not before wrenching the blade from her grip and throwing it across the room. Steel clattered against stone, echoing louder than her heartbeat.

I grabbed her, put her in a chair, and tied her up, ignoring her screams.

Here I was expecting a bunny or two after I was told that there was a gift from Callum waiting for me in my room.

"Callum must really hate me," I muttered with a bitter chuckle, brushing imaginary dust off my shoulder as I took a step back. "Sending a pretty little assassin as a peace offering? I almost feel flattered."

"I'm not an assassin," she snapped, glaring at me like she wanted to rip my throat out.

I raised an eyebrow. "You tried to stab me the second I walked in. That sort of sends mixed messages, darling."

The way she tensed at that word—darling—was almost too easy. I guess teasing her would be interesting. But I tucked that away for later.

"You're lucky you're wearing armor," she said, defiance etched in every word.

I stepped closer, slowly, letting her feel the weight of my presence. Her chin lifted, stubborn and proud, but I saw the flicker of something else in her eyes. Fear.

"No," I said, my voice low. "You’re lucky I am."

She didn’t flinch. Brave little thing.

But I could smell the adrenaline rolling off her. She wasn’t as calm as she pretended to be.

Good. This was going to be interesting.

I took off my armor, revealing my bare chest. 

I saw her flinch as she stared at the scars on my body. 

But that wasn't the aim.

"What is this? A strip show?"She growled.

A chuckle escaped my lips. "You wish."

I didn't think Callum would go as far as trying to kill me just so he could get the lands back. I had to admit, that was both wicked... and impressive.

I put on a large black shirt with a cotton-like texture. If I were going to interrogate an assassin, I might as well be comfortable while doing it.

When I was done, I sat on the bed and stared at her.

"So, start talking. Who are you? And why did you try to kill me?" I asked, eyes never leaving hers. Then something came to my mind. "And couldn't you have found a better weapon? Must it be my letter opener?"

She stared at me, a confused look on her face.

"Is that what you're concerned about? About the weapon I used?"

"Shouldn't I be? I mean, if I were going to die, I might as well be killed with a mighty weapon. Besides Callum is a professional, so why would he hire such a lousy assassin—"

"I'm not an assassin!" She yelled.

I kept silent for a while, staring at her. At least she didn't deny being lousy.

"Great. Since we've gotten that out. Then tell me, who are you?"

It was her turn to remain silent. She looked away, ignoring my gaze.

I couldn't help but chuckle. But it was void of any humor.

"Listen here, darling," I said, my voice taking on a different edge. "I don't know what you've heard about me, but I would love to be clear on a few things. I hate being lied to, and I hate being ignored."

She didn't move. She just stayed still, still averting my gaze.

Now, she was pissing me off.

I folded my arms and crossed my legs as I continued. "Besides if you speak or not, it doesn't change a thing because I always get what I want. But it's better you speak now, or else I'll make sure to kill everyone related to you if I go through the stress of finding out who you are myself."

Her eyes widened as I said my last sentence. I heard her heartbeat fasten. It seemed she had people she wanted to protect.

At least she got the message that I wasn't bluffing.

She turned to me, panic evident in her eyes.

"Are you ready to tell me who you are and why Alpha Callum sent you?" 

She looked down. Weird. Were my eyes that scary? 

"Alpha Callum didn't send me," She said plainly. "I did it on my own. He only sent me as a gift to you, and I saw it as an opportunity to end your life"

I arched a brow. "Really?"

Now that was something that surprised me.

"Why would anyone want to hurt me? I mean, I'm an innocent wolf who can't even hurt a fly."

Well, that was a huge lie coming from someone who just went out to kill a few rogues. But that was because they attacked my Pack and hurt our pups first.

She laughed. "Yeah, right—" Then her eyes hardened. "We all know who you are. You're the Beast Alpha. The one who kills anything that crosses his path."

I was shocked. "Is that what people think about me? I mean, I don't kill anyone who doesn't deserve to die—"

"Then what did he do to you?!" She yelled, a tear escaping the corners of her eyes. 

I felt an ache in my heart. But I wasn't sure why.

"You killed him," She said, chuckling. "You didn't even give him a chance to fight back!"

A wave of silence enveloped us as her eyes glared at me, covered in a wetness that threatened to leave them.

"Was that why you came here?" I finally spoke up. "To kill the person who killed someone you love?"

Her lips curved into a smirk. "Isn't that something a good wolf is meant to do?—" The smirk vanished. "Kill those who kill their own?"

So that was it. That was why she attacked me. I couldn't say she did the right thing, but it was definitely something I would do if I were in her shoes.

I stood up, pulled out the dagger from my bedside drawer, and headed towards her.

She laughed out. "So that's it? You want to kill me like you killed him? Well, do it. I'll gladly die with him. But remember, someone else is going to do the same to you, asshole!"

She shut her eyes and lifted her chin, revealing her throat like a goat for slaughter. 

She deserved to be killed for calling me an asshole, but I ignored her.

I leaned forward, cutting the ropes I had used to tie her.

When I was done, I straightened up.

She opened her eyes, confused and shocked.

"Why didn't you do it?" She asked.

I threw the dagger at her, and then undid a few of my buttons. "This time, aim directly for my heart—" I pointed to the spot. "Make it clean, and don't hold back."

She looked from the dagger to me, unsure of what to do. 

"I... I don't understand."

"You said it yourself, as a good wolf you are supposed to hurt those who hurt your own," I said, stretching my arms. "Now, I'm giving you an opportunity."

She stared at me for a while, mouth slightly open before finally reaching for the dagger and heading towards me.

"What are you waiting for?" I asked. But she still didn't move.

I grabbed the dagger, her hand still holding onto it as I pointed the tip to my heart. 

A bead of crimson spilled from the opening the dagger caused.

"Hurt me," I muttered, "For your lover's pain... and heal.

Her hands trembled as she held the bloodied steel. Suddenly, she dropped the dagger on the floor, looking down.

"But why...why did you have to kill him," She said before raising her head and locking her wet eyes with mine. "Why did you have to kill my father? He didn't do anything to you. But instead, you killed him. You threw a poisonous dart at him. Why?"

I felt an urge to pull her into my arms and hold her, but I couldn't. 

But there was one thing I could do.

"I don't know who your Dad is, but if there's one thing I know it's that I'm not a coward, and I would never kill anyone with stupid sorcery like poison. Besides, I haven't hurt anyone from your Pack before or any other Pack. I have only killed rogues who attacked my Pack."

She stood still, as if replaying my words in her head.

"My Dad wasn't a rogue, nor was he capable of hurting others."

"Then, what makes you think I hurt him?"

"Because... because," She stammered. "Maybe he came into your Pack, and... you thought he was a bad person and hurt him."

I stayed silent for a few seconds. She was right.

"By any chance does he look like you?" I asked, curiosity lacing my words. "You know, green eyes and blonde hair?"

She nodded. I guess that was the answer I needed. But then a thought came to my head.

"By any chance is your father Alpha Callum's Beta?" 

Her eyes widened. "You know him? Do you remember hurting him?"

I raised my arms to calm her down.

"Hold your horses," I said. "I know him, but I have never, nor would I ever, hurt him."

Her legs went numb for a second, but then I held her. 

"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice a little above a whisper.

She ignored me, looking away. "Then, I guess I was wrong."

"About what?"

"Everything."

I stared at her, not knowing what to say. 

I had met her Father a few times. He was a handsome and brave man. He was ready to do anything to protect his Alpha and Pack.

I couldn't help but wonder who killed him and why.

But something bothered me.

"What makes you think I killed him?" I let the question that had been on the tip of my tongue out.

She blinked. But she didn't say anything.

Instead, she knelt, bowing to the ground.

"I'm sorry, Alpha Rapha," She said, trying to sound remorseful. "I'm sorry for coming into your Pack and trying to kill you. I deserve death and so much more, and..." Her voice faded for a second before returning. "You can take my life if you want."

My lips tipped into a smirk.

"Impressive, but you need to put a lot more effort into your acting if you want me to believe that you regret your actions."

She lifted her head, her eyes meeting mine. "I do. I really do."

She was right, she deserved death for her actions. But I couldn't bring myself to kill her. Not because I pitied her, but because I knew an asset when I saw one.

She was smart and bold. Plus, her information-gathering skills were impressive.

I mean, though I hadn't killed her father, one thing was certain. He had come to the Pack to visit someone a week ago, and I wanted to know why.

"Stand," I ordered, folding my arms. "I have a job for you."

She obeyed, straightened up. 

"What would you like me to do?"

I studied her for a second before speaking. "I want you to spy on someone."

"Who?" She asked, curious.

"My sister in-law, Megan."

She was shocked. But I didn't let her say anything.

"All I need you to do is gain her trust and gather information. That's all."

She didn't look convinced. Instead, she looked like she was going to chicken out.

I couldn't let that happen.

"It's not a big price to pay in place of your life, is it?" I said, sitting on the bed and crossing my legs. "So tell me, are you in or out?"

She stood there, not saying anything for a while.

Suddenly she went on one knee, bowing her head low.

"I'll do as you say—" She raised her head, her green eyes locking with mine. "Alpha Rapha."