GIA O'LEARY“Oh, hey. I was waiting for you.’’ Maddison forced a smile. She slipped her hand around Alpha Levi's arm, but it didn't last two seconds cause he yanked his arm away.He shot a glare at her, a disdainful one. “Never pull that with me again.’’ His voice held a daring warning.I didn't expect the way Maddison mellowed and quietly came to join us.I sighed. Distressed. Anxious. I really wanted to know what happened between them, why they got separated. The idea of having Maddison tend to Alpha Levi's therapy strangely didn't sit well with me. It was disturbing.Alan cleared his throat as t
LEVI EDELMANTheir screams added the most tension, leaving my heart in a stuff bend. I couldn't believe my eyes. What in the hell was Gia doing there, how long had she been eavesdropping on us?“What the fuck! Are you out of your mind?’’ Maddison screamed again, not helping to relieve matters at all.Gia seemed to notice my discomfort and rushed to me, running her hands on my chest.“Are you okay? Have a seat.’’ She tried to help me sit, but I didn't want to look weak before her.“I'm fine.’’ I didn't try to shove her off though. ‘‘What were you doing there?’’
GIA O'LEARYA gasp left my lips, shocked to my bones at the sudden turn of events. It had happened in a flash, and I'd never prepared to scale through such a position with Alpha Levi.With his face only inches away, his breath fanning my skin. My heart picked an eruption as the scent of his intoxicating cologne filled my nose.He looked equally shocked and stiffened beneath my butt. I swallowed, knocking my senses back in motion. I swatted my gaze from him and pushed my weight off his lap, but he pulled me back down midway, dropping me on himself once again.My eyes widened. Questioning.“How are you so innocent?’’ His
GIA O'LEARYThe meeting elapsed in a few hours. Unlike the way I had thought of it, it ended with smiles on my face. Aside from the part where I had to present Alpha Levi's speech to the crowd of highly respected persons in the hall, and the suffocating part where I realized Keegan's presence in the meeting, every other thing went smoothly.Some other Alpha's who couldn't make it to the meeting also had their Lunas represent them and they all welcomed me warmly without minding the fact that I was literally the youngest among them. They accorded me with equal respect and most of them asked after Alpha Levi too.I didn't tell them he wasn't well. Even if Alan hadn't briefed me beforehand on what answers to give, I'd have still to
GIA O'LEARY Dead silence befell the haze, shock crossing Alan's gaze as they met mine. But it quickly weared off his eyes, and he cleared his throat, shifting his gaze to the man who seemed rather puzzled. “What are you doing here?’’ Alan directed back at me. “I had to use the restroom. I lost my way back.’’ I swatted a glance to the man beside him. “And you, what are you doing here?’’“Oh. I came to have a word with my man here. Have you had your ice cream yet?’’ He straightened his shirt, stepping forward to leave. “I'm done with it. I'm pretty sure yours is an Ice river now. I got worried. I would have called, but I realised your number is not on my phone.’’ I noticed him stepping further away. “How did you get here?’’ He asked. The man remained standing behind him, almost as if he was uncomfortable with my presence. “You don't have to worry about me. I think he's waiting for you.’’ I said, waving my chin to the man. “You can finish up with him.’’“Oh, that.’’ Alan ruffled h
GIA O'LEARY My heart froze. My legs stiffened to my spot. Goosebumps covered my skin as the cold from the air conditioner in the room hugged me. It wasn't just about the cold from the air conditioning. It seemed an additional coldness emanated from him. I shuddered as his gaze lingered on my wet legs, slowly sizing me up with utilized efforts to leisurely take in every part of my skin, my curves through the towel, and my dripping face. What the hell was he doing in my room?!I followed his gaze as they left me to the floor. My heart literally burst at once, a gasp escaping my lips as I caught my panties lying helplessly on my dress. Just an inch away was my bra. “What the fuck are you looking at!’’ I screamed, rushed to the spot, and snatched them from the ground and away from his sight.Using one hand to hold the towel tightly against my chest, I shoved my other hand that fisted my underwear behind my back.“I heard you were back a few minutes ago. You didn't come to see me.’’ H
GIA O'LEARY I inched closer to her, sure to maintain a decent gap between us. I folded my arms in a manner that permitted her to go on with whatever she had to talk about. Her eyebrows ducked into a furrow, acknowledging me with a look that questioned my resolve. “You're going to stand and listen?’’ “I'm fine. Just go on with what you have to say.’’ I insisted stubbornly. Her presence was suffocating, I didn't want to spend too much time with her.“I'll make it quick then.’’ She stated. Just what I wished to hear. “What is your mission?’’ She blurted out, her lashes closing into a squint. ‘‘What?’’ I was completely taken aback.‘‘What is your mission in this mansion? Why is Levi keeping you here? Huh?’’ She barked. She didn't try to hide it from her mocking tone that I was nothing and simply a bait for whatever reason I was here. I knew that, but it still hurt so much, especially coming from her. “If I have a mission to accomplish, do you think it'd be appropriate of me to t
LEVI EDELMAN The traces of humour disappeared from my features, a thousand deeper thoughts crossing my head.I could read in her eyes now that they met my gaze, the level of seriousness that accompanied her voice. She seemed intense and focused, meaning every word that left her lips.“Of course, that is only if you're willing to let me help you. I obviously can't do it alone cause, like you just expressed, I know absolutely nothing. And I won't possibly know anything if you don't teach me to know it.’’ She added, breathing out heavily as she turned back to the railings. I almost couldn't believe my ears. What does she know, and how much did she know?I never mentioned to her that I faced any sort of crisis handling the throne in my condition. I never mentioned having enemies who wanted to rip me off my throne. Where was she getting all that from? Keegan the priest? Could this be related to what Alan discussed with me?Did she really know about her father working with some merchant
GIA O’LEARYI stared at her for a long time, trying to understand what she was doing.Something was wrong. I could feel it deep in my gut.“Stand up,” I said firmly.She looked up at me with wide, nervous eyes, but she didn’t argue.She got up slowly, dusting her palms against her dress like it could hide her guilt.I turned sharply and started walking toward my room, not even checking if she was following, even though I already knew she would.Inside my room, I shut the door behind us and turned to face her.“Talk,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “What are you up to?”Mia bit her bottom lip hard, her hands twisting together in front of her like she was barely holding herself together.For a second, she didn’t say anything. She just looked at me, her eyes filling up with something that almost looked like regret.“I didn’t mean for it to go this far,” she said, her voice shaking. “I swear.” Her voice cracked. I stared at her, my heart beating harder. I refused to reply to her
GIA O’LEARY The way Alan reacted when the herbs fell… it didn’t match. He got so angry, like he couldn’t control it. But when my herbs went missing, he barely reacted. He was too calm.I wasn’t a fool. I could feel it; something was wrong.Maybe Alan wasn’t as clean as everyone thought.I didn’t know what exactly he was hiding yet, but one thing was clear to me now.I couldn’t let Levi hand over his position to Alan.No matter what, he seems suspicious, and something must be wrong somewhere. That thought stayed in my mind the whole night.Even when I lay down, pulled the blanket over myself, and tried to close my eyes, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.I turned on the bed again and again, my pillow feeling too hard under my head. My heart kept beating fast, almost painfully, like it was warning me.You have to stop it, I told myself. No matter what it takes.I stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours.Sometimes I closed my eyes, hoping to fall asleep, but the moment I did, Al
ALAN WOODS I walked straight toward her and grabbed her arm, pulling her close before she could even think to run.She gasped and tried to pull back, but I didn’t let her. I tightened my grip, pulling her body harder against mine. I didn’t care how much she fought.I pressed her closer, grinding her soft ass against me.Her body stiffened right away, like she couldn’t believe what I was doing.“Let go,” she snapped, pushing against me with both hands, her voice sharp and angry.I loosened my hold just a little… but I didn’t really let go.I kept my hand wrapped around her wrist, feeling her pulse race under my fingers.She glared up at me, her chest rising and falling fast.I could see the fire in her eyes, the wildness that always drove me crazy.“You need to hear this,” I said, my voice low and rough. “Gia is up to something.” Her eyes narrowed, sharp like a blade.“You’re just noticing that now?” she said, almost laughing but with no humor in her voice. “That girl is a witch.” I
ALAN WOODSI could feel it. Gia was up to something.Either her sweet, innocent face, I could tell she was up to something. But I wasn’t going to confront her just yet. I needed to figure out what exactly she was planning.What really bothered me, though, was Levi, he was defending her, and that… pissed me off.“Are you really doing this?” I questioned, my eyes held his. “Just accept the fact that you’re wrong.” He replied coldly. I couldn’t recall the last time Levi pulled this cold attitude toward me. Was all this because of that Gia of a girl? My eyes darted to her, still crawling beside the broken cup, blinking eyes repeatedly. How I wish this little thing would not get on my tail? It won’t take more than a slip of a finger to get rid of her. But now, let's just go with the flow. “I need to speak with you,” I said, the words calm but firm, as I turned to face Levi. “Alone.”I could feel Gia's gaze on me, but I wasn’t ready to give her the satisfaction of what she wanted.
GIA O’LEARYAlan’s eyes flickered when I spoke. He didn’t expect me to say such, I could tell by the flicker in his eyes. But he quickly masked it up, clearing his throat. “The herbs are working,” he said. Calm. Too calm, which tells me something is wrong. “You’re just not paying attention.”I stared at him, so that was all he could come up with?I tilted my head slightly, watching him. He was avoiding eye contact now, his eyes darting to the back of me like he was looking for something. But I wasn’t fooled. My gut was screaming. Something wasn’t right. The herbs hadn’t changed a thing, and I wasn’t the one who was blind here.Still, I didn’t argue. I could’ve called him out, could’ve pushed, asked questions, demanded answers. But I didn’t. Because Alan was lying, and when someone lies, it means there’s something worth hiding. I just needed to wait. So instead of pressing, I gave a soft nod, playing along. “Maybe you’re right,” I said quietly, forcing a smile. “Maybe I just didn’t
GIA O'LEARY I was pacing the length of my room, my fists clenched, my jaw tight, the heat in my chest refusing to cool down, not even for a bit minutes. I wasn’t angry at Levi. Not really, it was Alan.How dare he? How dare he talk to me like that in front of everyone? How dare he talk to me like I was the one causing trouble?I let out a frustrated breath and threw the nearest pillow at the wall. It hit with a soft thud and dropped to the floor.The sound of it was followed by a gentle knock on the door. “Come in.” My voice was barely above a whisper. The door creaked open, and Maddison walked in like she owned the room, closing the door behind her as if that would trap me inside with her nonsense.“Not now,” I said sharply. “I’m not in the mood.”She didn’t move. She just stood with her arms folded, eyes fixed on me.“I won’t take long,” she said. “I just want to ask you something.”“Maddison, I said not now.” I rolled my eyes.“Respect yourself when I’m being respectful,” she
ALAN I didn’t understand it either.The ring… I saw Maddison wearing it just yesterday. It was on her finger the whole time. I remember because she kept fidgeting with it while we were talking. So how the hell did it end up inside the storeroom?I stood there for a moment, stunned. The pieces weren’t adding up. My heart was still pounding from everything. And Maddison? I turned slowly to her, already seeing the fire in her eyes.“You planned this?” she yelled, her voice shaking. “Did you plant it there? Did you do this to me on purpose?!”“What? No!” I said quickly, my hands up. “Maddison, I swear….I have no idea how that ring got there.”She was breathing hard now, her chest rising and falling like she was about to explode. “Don’t lie to me! Maybe this is your way of finally getting rid of me!”“For Goddess’ sake, listen to yourself….” “I am listening!” she shouted. “And everything sounds like a trap!”Her voice was too loud. Loud enough for anyone outside to hear.“Shut up,” I
MADDISONRedrine looked like she’d seen a ghost immediately she stepped inside. She hesitated before moving closer, like she was being dragged forward by some invisible force. She stood in the middle of the room, her eyes wide, hands clutched together. Her gaze flicked from Mia to Levi… then to me. And when her eyes finally met mine, I knew she was scared. Good. She should be. Because I was scared too.“Redrine,” Levi said, holding up the ring. His voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough to grasp. “Have you ever seen this ring?” He questioned. Redrine shook her head quickly, like her life depended on it. “No, Alpha. I’ve never seen it before.”If Redrine hadn’t seen the ring, then who could’ve put it in the Storeroom? I know for sure I wasn’t the one. I didn’t go to the storeroom with the ring. Levi’s face darkened. He took one step closer to her and lowered his voice, but somehow made it feel even colder. “If you’re lying to me, Redrine… I will not hesitate to kill you. Is th
GIA O'LEARY“Why are you asking such a question? I just told you I clearly don’t know what you’re talking about!” Maddison denies again. “I’m asking because this ring… It’s yours?” Levi’s voice was calm, but I could feel the tension in his shoulders. He was trying not to jump to conclusions, but even he looked like he already had one.Maddison didn’t answer. She just stared at the ring in his hand, frozen like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.I stepped forward. “Don’t waste your breath, Levi,” I snapped, not even bothering to hide the heat in my voice. “She’s the one who stole the herbs. That ring is proof.”“Gia, calm down. Let her speak.” He frowned at me, his voice soft but firm. I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to breathe through the anger rising in my chest. Maddison had played us all for fools. I knew it in my gut. She stood there, pretending like she didn’t understand anything. Pretending like the ring wasn’t hers.“Let me see the ring clearly,” Maddison final