CHAPTER FOUR: THE MEETING

Tatsumi’s Pov

Red wine pooled around the shards of glass like blood, staining the polished marble beneath me. My hands trembled, hanging uselessly at my sides.

I could feel every eye boring into my back.

Alpha Storm Thor stood in front of me like a Demon from my darkest nightmares, and time simply stood still.

No... this wasn’t supposed to happen, not like this, and definitely not here.

“You thought you could hide from me, little fox?”

His voice was exactly as I remembered it smooth, cold, and dripping with absolute authority. It was the voice that haunted my death.

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My throat seized, as if an invisible hand had wrapped around it. Every nerve screamed at me to run, but my knees were locked, rooted to the spot. I couldn't even manage a breath.

“Laurel ?”

That voice. It was higher, softer, and unmistakable. I turned my head halfway, and there she was, my worst nightmare in emerald silk.

Liora.

She was more radiant than before, clad in a stunning gown that hugged her figure. Her signature red hair cascaded in perfect waves, and her red irises were wide with a convincing look of disbelief.

I was looking at a friend turned traitor. My executioner.

She took a step forward, her face etched with what looked like genuine concern. “Is that really you?”

I felt a sharp, agonizing twist in my chest. What kind of cruel joke was this? Did she not remember carving the life from my body? Did neither of them recall the blood, the altar, the pure hatred?

Shit. Of course she doesn't. The incident hadn't happened yet for her. She was still in the role of the devoted best friend. I clenched my fists tightly, nails digging into my palms, using the small, grounding pain to keep myself from screaming.

Storm took another step toward me. His towering form cast a long shadow over my body. His eyes narrowed, scanning my face like he was trying to solve a puzzle he hadn't realized existed. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

His words weren’t accusing; they were confused, almost uncertain.

“You said she was gone. That she left,” he murmured, mostly to himself.

My heart skipped a beat, my breath caught in my throat. They really didn’t know. They never knew I was reborn. The very people who had murdered me were standing here, unaware that the girl before them was the victim they would soon kill. It was suffocating.

I kept my head bowed, hiding my trembling lips. I couldn’t speak. I wasn't supposed to. One word, and the illusion would shatter, confirming their suspicions.

“I think you’re mistaken, My Lord,” a palace guard intervened quickly, stepping between us. “She’s mute. Just one of the servants assigned to the South Wing.”

Liora’s lips parted in surprise. “Mute?” Her gaze swept over my body, then darted back to Storm. “But she looks so much like…”

“I know,” Storm growled, his eyes never leaving me. His tone dropped lower, raw with confusion. “She looks just like Tatsumi.”

I stiffened, every muscle locked.

A tense silence passed. Storm tilted his head, stepping even closer until I could feel the heat radiating off him. His unique scent; spiced cedar and pine filled my lungs, making my skin prickle. His hand reached out, fingers brushing my chin, and I jerked back violently, finally breaking the paralysis and stepping away.

He blinked, not in anger, but in something akin to shock. Was he intrigued? Before he could act on it, another guard hurried over.

“My Lord, the High Council is asking for your presence,” the guard said urgently. “You and Beta Liora are needed at the high table immediately.”

Storm held my gaze for a moment longer, and in that second, something dark flickered across his face, a hint of the cold Alpha I remembered.

Liora gently placed a hand on his arm, forcing him to move. “Storm, let’s go. We’ll figure this out later.”

His jaw clenched. He looked like he wanted to protest, but he relented, turning away with one last, lingering glance thrown over his shoulder.

The crowd began to flow again. The music returned. But I was still frozen. It was only when Maya, the kind servant girl who had saved me from Alpha Caius, grabbed my hand and yanked me violently away that I found my legs.

“Are you insane?” Maya hissed, dragging me behind a large curtain near the kitchen entrance. “Do you want to die? First Alpha Caius, now Alpha Storm Thorn?!”

I leaned against the wall, chest heaving.

“I didn’t plan it,” I whispered, my voice cracked and barely audible.

Jessy froze, eyes wide in shock. “You… speak?”

Shit. I had just confirmed her greatest suspicion.

I covered my mouth instinctively, my eyes pleading with her.

She stared, stunned into silence, then slowly nodded. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything. But whatever you’re doing, girl, you better be careful.”

I gave her a small, grateful nod. “Thank you… again.”

She looked like she wanted to pry, but a call from the kitchen pulled her away, and she vanished.

I slumped back, trying to regain my breath.

They sounded so friendly, so concerned. Was it possible she didn’t want to kill me? That she regretted what happened? Could she have changed?

No. I couldn’t fall for that deceiving warmth again. Not when the knife would be waiting. She was still faking her friendship.

Later that night, I wandered back to the servants’ quarters, trying to stay invisible. But I wasn't alone.

I felt it before I saw him. Storm.

He stepped out from the shadows like a panther. His dark crimson cloak swayed behind him.

“You.”

I stopped instantly.

“Who are you?” he asked quietly, approaching me.

I didn’t answer. My mouth was a tight, unresponsive line.

“Don’t play dumb. I know what I saw,” he said. His tone wasn’t angry; it was very curious, distrustful, but strangely, not violent. “You look like her. Laurel”

I said nothing.

“Who are you now?” he pressed.