Chapter 16

SHIKTA.

"She is in the squalid keep," I said with so much amusement that it felt so wrong.

I've never been so proud of my Alpha as I am today.

"That serves her right. I am certain she would enjoy the company of those monstrous rats in there," Zendaya, a young girl I can call my confidant, said with a laugh while applying oil to my hair.

I and Zendaya have been close for years now, since the day she and her mother came into the pack, seeking refuge. I protected her from bullies as I was older than her.

She takes me as a big sister and I see her as a little sister, even though we both satisfy the Alpha in bed.

One of the reasons I chose her is because she does not intend to fight over the Luna position with me. Unlike the other mistresses.

She acknowledges the fact that I am her superior, and she keeps it that way.

With that, she can keep on enjoying favors from me.

"But do you think it's enough to guarantee my position with the Alpha?" I asked, hoping for reassurance.

"I think the Alpha loves you, Shikta. There is no doubt about that. He treats you better than he treats any of us. You have the upper hand."

Oh, Zendaya! She knows how to boost my confidence. One of her many qualities that I admire alot.

I blushed. Really hard. I stared at my reflection in the mirror before me, and her words made my beauty come alive. I felt beautiful again.

"Luxuria is only a cursed girl. I heard so. She was never loved in her pack, even by her own father and siblings. Why do you think she can keep the Alpha when she knows nothing about how to love and be loved?"

Zendaya continued as she weaved my silky, dark hair into braids. A hairstyle Alpha Parthe likes to see me on.

"But the Alpha is not a man of love. He is a man of strength and intelligence. That is what keeps him. I am scared Luxuria has all of that." I voiced out my worry.

"I can't tell since I have not set eyes on her yet. But I can assure you that the Alpha will never stoop for someone like her when he has you by his side. Stop worrying about it," Zendaya said, and I heaved a sigh.

"I have a plan," I said to her. I am not one to leave certain things to fate and chances. "Just to be very certain, I have to eliminate her. She poses too much threats to all I have ever worked for."

Zendaya's eyes widened, her hands frozen mid-braid. She stared at me in shock, her usually calm expression replaced by something far more fragile—fear.

I know she has never known this side of me, but who cares? It is a game of power, and only the strongest can thrive.

"What?!" Zendaya said in a desperate whisper. "You can't do that. The Alpha... Nothing is ever hidden from him! He'd kill you." Zendaya panicked and broke off, her gaze darting to the door as if Alpha Parthe might storm in at any moment.

Poor girl. So pathetic.

I shook my head and smiled.

"Relax," I smirked, turning my head to meet her wide-eyed stare in the mirror. "You're acting like a frightened rabbit. The Alpha won't know. He'll never find out."

I turned in my seat slightly, resting my hand on her wrist, which trembled beneath my fingers. "You forget, little sister, that I am no ordinary woman. I'm a witch. And I know exactly how to make someone disappear without raising suspicion."

She swallowed hard, her lips parting to protest, but I silenced her with a wave of my hand.

"Listen carefully, Zendaya," I said, my voice low and dangerous now. "I have a poison. It's slow, delicate... impossible to detect. A drop at a time in her food, that's all it will take. It will start small—fatigue, dizziness. Her body will weaken, little by little, until one day, she simply slips away. No one will ever suspect foul play. It will look like... a natural death."

Her mouth dropped open, and she shook her head, horrified. "But Shikta... she is the Alpha's fated mate. If anything happens to her—"

"The Alpha is stronger than a mere mate bond!" I snapped, gripping her arm tightly enough to make her wince. My voice dropped to a hiss.

Zendaya flinched, her eyes wide with fear. "But... fated mates are different. What if—"

"I don't care what you think about fated mates!" I growled, releasing her arm abruptly. "Fate won't protect her when she's weak, sick, and dying slowly. She's just a girl, cursed or not. And once she's gone, the Alpha will forget her. He always does."

"He won't." My tone softened, a dangerous smile curving my lips. "I've planned this carefully, Zendaya. The poison will act so slowly that no one will connect it to anything unnatural.

She was hesitant, but I knew I could sway her. Leaning back in my chair, I let my voice drop, low and deliberate. "You'll be of help to me, you know. Your mother oversees the maids in the kitchen, doesn't she?"

Zendaya stiffened beside me, her hands faltering in my hair. "Yes... but... what do you mean?"

"It's simple. Luxuria's food comes from the same place as everyone else's, whether she's in the dungeon or not. Your mother controls that. And you..." I leaned closer, dropping my voice to a near-whisper, "You will ensure that the poison gets into her meals. Every day. One drop at a time."

I watched as the realization hit her, the fear creeping into her features. But fear wasn't enough to stop me. I needed her compliance, her loyalty.

"You'll befriend her," I continued, my voice firm. "Once she leaves the dungeon, you'll stay close. Gain her trust if you have to. But you will make sure the poison reaches her. Slowly, carefully. No one will ever know. It will seem like a natural death."

"But why me?" Zendaya's voice trembled, her confidence shaken. "The Alpha—he'll know something's wrong if I get close to Luxuria. He'll kill us both."

"Don't be ridiculous." Shikta's eyes darkened. "The Alpha doesn't care who tends to her. And you'll befriend her, of course. Play the role of the concerned friend to gain her trust. You can do that, can't you?"

Zendaya swallowed hard, looking down at her hands. "And if I refuse?"

Shikta's smile faded. "Then you'll lose more than just the Alpha's favor. I've kept you by my side for a reason, Zendaya. Don't make me regret it."

Zendaya's face paled further, her eyes wide with disbelief. "But... Shikta... I am scared. If the Alpha finds out, he'll kill me." She was on the verge of tears.

"The Alpha won't find out," I interrupted sharply, my eyes narrowing. "I am a witch, Zendaya. I know my craft well. And when this is over, Luxuria will be out of the way, and the Alpha... the Alpha will still be mine, and you will get the reward I promised when I become Luna."

I knew that would do the trick. She's been looking forward to the promise I made to her, and I intend to keep it as long as she remains loyal to me.