Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Deckard
If Amica claims she was served the Blonding Drink, when the drink is only served by the priest after the bonding rituals are complete, then someone is playing a dangerous game. Bria, perhaps. She’s been trying everything to push us together, and Amica nearly fell for it.
Yesterday, I fought the hardest battle of my life. I’ve fought and won countless wars, but Amica is my greatest opponent. Last night, she bested me with the weapon of sexiness. Thank the goddess for that divine intervention the knock from Mary.
Bria will have to answer for this. I need to know what she’s plotting. And then there’s Mary. I’ve been keeping too much from her. She’ll start to think I don’t trust her, and I can’t have dur.
“ Can I talk to you for a minute?” Mary’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. I sigh, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me.
“Privately, in your room,” she insists, emphasizing the last part like it’s non–negotiable.
“Wait,” I tell her, raising a hand. “I need to see Brin first
Before I finish the sentence, the elder herself crosses my path. Timing or luck–I don’t care.
“Elder Bria, a word.” I call out, my voice firm, leaving no room for refusal.
Is there a problem, Alpha?” she asks, stopping in her tracks, her expression feigning innocence.
Her clueless aci won’t work on me. Not today.
“Oh yes, there’s a problem!” I snap. “Tell me about the little stunt you pulled yesterday? Don’t you think you’re a bit too old to be playing childish
Bria’s eyes widen slightly, but she masks it quickly with her usual composed facade. “What game or stunt do you speak of, Alpha?” she asks, her gaze shifting brielly to Mary as though seeking an ally or distraction.
“The Bonding Drink!” I bark, stepping closer, my anger barely restrained. “Why did you serve it to Amica in her room before the ceremony even started? And what did you put in it? Don’t play dumb with me, Bria. I know you’re one of the few people with access to that drink, so tell me what the hell did you do p>
Her expression falters, but only for a moment “The Bonding Drink? Alpha, it was never served. It remained with the priest the entire time, and we packed it all up after the ceremony didn’t happen yesterday,” she replies, her tone calm but defensive.
“So on whose order was the Bonding Drink served!” I roar, my voice echoing down the hallway.
“Hold on, Alpha,” she says, raising a hand in an attempt to placate me. “Let us call the maids who were in her room yesterday. They should know something p>
She hurries off and soon returns with three maids trailing behind her. They stand in a nervous line, avoiding my gaze,
“Did any of you see the Luna take a Bonding Drink yesterday!” 1 demand, my tone sharp and unwavering
Each of them shakes their head vigorously, one by one. “No, Alpha, the first stammers.
“We didn’t see her take any drink like that,” another chime in, her voice barely audible.
The third maid wrings her hands and adds, “The only thing we saw was water, Alpha. Nothing else p>
Their denials pisses me off–Somebody is lying, and I intend to find out who,
“ So who then served her?” 1 thunder, glaring at the maids. “I know one of you is lying, and if I find out who it is, I will have your heads!” My voice booms, leaving no room for doubt about the gravity of my words.
Before I can press them further, Mary steps forward and grabs my arm. “Deckard, please,” she says, her voice softer but firm. “We don’t know what the truth is yet. How are we even sure that someone here served that drink to her p>
She pulls me toward my room, shuts the door beland us, and locks it
“Deck, ” she says again, more gently this time, “please tell me what’s going on so we can put our heads together and resolve this. Her face shows nothing but sincerity, and for once, I consider the possibility of trusting her with the truth.
1/2
Chapter 28
1 sigh heavily, pacing the room for a moment before I finally relent.
I explain the events of the previous night–the inexplicable state Amica was in, my suspicions that someone tampered with the Bonding Drink, and my belief that Bris might be behind this in a twisted attempt to force Amica into bearing an heir for the Bloodbane pack.
Mary listens intently, her arms crossed and her brows furrowed in thought. When I finish, she shakes her head. “Hmm, I don’t believe Bria is the mastermind here, my Alpha,” she says cautiously. “ What if Amica took whatever it was herself? What if this was her way of solidifying her place in the Bloodbane pack? Think about it–since she arrived, all she’s done is pull stunts to get your attention. This could be another one”
I narrow my eyes at her, unsure whether to accept her reasoning or dismiss it outright. “You think she’s working alone?” I ask.
“Possibly,” Mary says, her voice low but firm. “Or she could be working with Bria. Either way, she might be more desperate than you realize.” Her words settle in the room like a heavyweight.
“Did you even try to ask her if she remembers anything?” Mary inquires sharply.
I sigh heavily. “She doesn’t remember anything,” Ladmit
Her lips curl into a knowing smirk. “Of course. How convenient, isn’t it? My Alpha, please, don’t forget who you’re dealing with. She’s not some Hive, innocent woman you stumbled across. She’s an adulterew–a woman whose Indiand had to sell her off for her sins. And even then, that punishment was too lenient. In fact, he might have done her a favor by sending her to the most powerful Alpha in Blackwater City p>
Her words sting, but I can’t deny there’s truth in them.
Mary steps closer, her voice lowering but growing more intense, “Do you really think she’d let herself he cast out from under your protection without a fight! I wouldn’t She knows her position here is temporary, so she’s doing everything in her power to secure it. Can’t you see? She’s trying to get pregnant, Deckard! A child would tie her to you permanently and solidify her place in the pack p>
I swallow hard, reviewing her accusations.
“She’s playing you” Mary continues, her tone dripping with disdain. She knows exactly how to manipulate you–how to use her body, her desperation, and her charms. And it’s working
The flashes of last night come rushing back, unbidden and unwelcome. Amica’s pleading eyes, her soft, desperate whispers begging me to stay, to give in to her. The way I foolishly obeyed her, unable to resist the pull she has over ine.
I clench my fists, the weight of my mistakes bearing down on me. for far too long
Mary is right—Ansica isn’t innocent. She never has
been. And I’ve been blind to
She knows no man can resist her–least of all ine, the Alpha of the Bloodbane Pack. Her face, her body, every curve perfectly sculpted to tempt Soft, supple, and irresistible. I catch myself almost biting my lip as flashes of last night invade my thoughts–how she made me feel, how hard it was to deny her. But then I snap back to reality.
I can’t let this continue. I’ve gone solt on Amica, and it’s clouding my judgment. I’ve strayed from my path, allowed her presence to destabilize me. This cannot go on. If I don’t act now, she’ll leave an indelible mark on my life and my pack–a mark that could bring ruin. Once she casts her permanent shadow, ir be too late. She will have done irreparable damage.
Thank the goddess for Mary. She’s opened my eyes to the truth. Amica will now face a version of me she’s never encountered before. Whether she’s acting alone or has conspirators, I’ll ensure every one of her plans crumbles. She’ll have no choice but to flee from my pack,
“Please, Mary” I say, turning to her with seriousness in my tone. “Keep the details of this between us. I don’t want this to become gossip –it’s too embarrassing for me and for the pack p>
She smiles warmly, placing her hand on mine. “Of course, my love. You know you can always i Whatever’s on your mind, you can confide in me. My only purpose is to serve you, iny Alpha”
trust me. Please, don’t keep things from me again.
Her arms wrap around me in a comforting hug, and for a brief moment, I feel the weight on my shoulders lighten. Mary is my ally, my confidant With
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