Chapter 4: Derek's Betrayal.

Serena’s POV

 

What was going on? I felt the blood drain from my face as I tried to wrap my head around everything. Father was no longer the Alpha? How could it be? I couldn’t wrap my bead around it.

 

My first reaction was to call Cynthia to ask what was going on, but then an image of her face flashed through my mind, wrapped in Derek’s embrace. A lump formed in my throat and I dropped the phone.

 

I had to get to the hospital quickly, I wasn't going to find out anything here I thought, putting the car in drive.

 

Different thoughts swirled in my mind as I drove, each worse than the other. Pack politics was brutal, if Susan was right I had no idea What could've happened but it wasn't good. Father had been the Alpha since I was a little girl, what could've happened? I swallowed hard.

 

I turned on the radio, the silence got too much and almost immediately a female voice came over the speakers, her words made my heart sink. Oh no!

 

“… the feelings of the public towards the recent upheaval is tense but it's hard to say. Alpha Cassdal had been in power for over 20 Years now and…” they were talking about father I realized and I turned the volume up. F

 

“According to reports the Alpha was plotted against and ousted from his position by high-ranking members of his pack and we have a surprising name for the person leading this move,” the presenter sounded doubtful. “The name of the person is Filimo Derek, he used to be a…” the radio presenter droned on but I'd already zoned off, my body stiffened in shock.

 

Derek? An explosion set off in my head as the presenter's words ripped into me. Derek was behind this? I felt a pang of guilt rip into me as I tried to process the news. That was why Susan had ripped into me saying I was the one behind everything.

 

I ran a hand through my hair, my lips trembling as I tried to keep my tears at bay. Everything Father had worked for in his entire life was gone! We were losing it all, and it was all because of someone from the inside. Derek! My chest felt heavy from the weight of the news and my thoughts stagnated.

 

Derek must have connived with corrupt council members to do this. His words from earlier echoed in my head. “Winds of change are going to blow Serena, and I'll be at the center of it.”

 

He’d betrayed us I thought. He was going to take over, people would begin calling him the most powerful Alpha in the region! That was how Pack's worked, the strong called the shots.

 

My heart felt heavy as guilt and disbelief flooded into me. I couldn’t believe it! How could I have been so dumb? He was a thief, a cheat, a traitor, and a liar! He had ruined us all, and it was all my fault!

 

I was the reason father was dying! The thought broke my resolve and tears filled my eyes.

 

Without thinking I quickly dialed his number on my cell phone, the line rang twice before he picked up.

 

“Hello darling,” Derek's cold mocking voice brought bile to my throat and I could barely suppress the urge to throw up. “Are you calling to congratulate me on my new position?” Derek chuckled, his laughter made me narrow my eyes.

 

“You heartless bastard!” I snarled, rage bubbling within me.  “Why are you doing this? How could you? After everything I did for you,” I screamed, spasms of pain shooting through me as I spoke.

 

“No,”  Derek answered, sounding unconcerned. His voice lowered dangerously, “I won’t stop, Serena, until I take every single thing you own,” he paused. “Including you.”

 

What! Despite myself, I felt a chill crawl up my spine at his words, his threat was evident. He would do it I thought, dread settling in my belly. He wasn’t joking, he would destroy us.

 

My eyes teared at the thought of Father, whose life or death was uncertain at the moment and my heart tightened. “Please Derek,” my voice broke, and helplessness sprouted from deep within me.

 

“Your father did the same to the Alpha before him,” Derek cut off my sobs with a cold voice. “You think he's any better than me?” He snarled, his voice rising. “But for the sake of old times, I'll make you an offer. It's up to you to decide,” Derek chuckled slightly.  

 

“An Offer?” My eyes narrowed as I tried to read into his vague words. Despite myself, a small seed of hope sprouted within me.

 

“What’s the offer?” I’d finally arrived at the hospital and I parked in the parking lot, I could see the bright lights coming from the hospital. I hoped Father was okay.

 

There was a pause on the other end of the line, I waited with bated breaths. I could hear the smirk in his voice when he finally spoke. “Be my mistress, Serena.”

 

“What!” I froze, my mind going blank. Derek's words completely threw me off balance.

 

“Be my mistress, Serena, and fulfill all my needs.” His words filled me with disgust as he spoke. “Now that you know my true relationship with Cynthia, there’s no need to hide from you anymore. Cynthia’s father was the biggest sponsor in the coup against your father,” Derek's words made me stiffen in shock.

 

Cynthia’s father was also behind this? I felt a stab of betrayal for only the second time this evening. Cynthia’s father was Father's beta, indeed if Father was overthrown, it made sense that his beta must've been involved. Why didn't I think of this? I felt a suffocating feeling press against my chest.

 

“I’ve asked Cynthia to marry me, but I still want you too, so stay with me as my mistress and Cynthia will be my Luna. Everyone wins.” Derek continued, the smugness in his voice made me want to puke. How arrogant was he?

 

I couldn’t believe it. He was a sick twisted man! How did I ever fall in love with such a monster?

 

“Screw you, Derek!” I screamed, blinking back tears. “I will never be your mistress. You'll regret everything you're doing,” I screamed at him in fury.

 

“Damn you,” Derek cursed, anger radiating through his voice. “ So be it Serena, this is just the beginning. I will destroy every single hope you have until you’re begging on your knees to be my mistress. This is just the beginning,” he snapped before ending the call.

 

I trembled as tears streamed down my face.  

I couldn’t believe all this was happening to me. I'd unleashed a monster upon my family, “What have I done?” I whispered, pressing my face on the steering wheel.

 

Derek's last words echoed in my head and I had the feeling that things were far from over.