Chapter 6

“What do you mean she’s still alive? I gave you a simple instruction. Kill her!”

Ezekiel watched Vivian march the length of the warehouse. It was one of the empty ones belonging to the pack. It was the one place Vivian always chose to meet him since it was so far out of town and away from the others.

As soon as Noah and Caleb kicked him unceremoniously out of the building, he had gotten into his car, drove off, and called her on the way. He had reserved his information telling her instead that he had a matter of great urgency he had to discuss and she had chosen the warehouse. She was a beautiful woman but her heart was colder than ice. He had known her as the young girl growing up with his little niece. They were best friends. Or so he thought. Until Lance.

“Didn’t Lance tell you? He killed her himself. I held her down and so did Axel and the rest of us.”

She spun on her red-heeled shoes. “You all are wretched incompetent men! All of you are useless as hell!” she suddenly stopped pacing and glared angrily at him. “Has Lance heard about this?” she asked.

“I’m sure he hasn’t. He would be calling your phone nonstop by now if he had don’t you think?”

She grudgingly agreed. “Well make sure he doesn’t.”

Ezekiel cocked his head to the side. Finally, there was a crack in the frigid bitch. A line appeared beside her mouth. He allowed himself a small smile. “Are you worried he will go running into her arms?”

She chewed her nails absentmindedly before answering his question. “Yes, I’m worried. I think he regrets killing her.”

“We did our best to convince him that she was supposed to die.”

“But she wasn’t. She wasn't supposed to die and he cannot know that.” Vivian sighed angrily. “How many others were there when she came in?”

“Everyone. She had Noah and Caleb kick me out.”

“Where are they now? Noah and Caleb?”

“They left. I don’t know about the others but if my guess is correct they have told the rest of the pack. We may need to have a meeting with everyone.”

“We will do that but only when I say so. For now, make sure no one tells Lance about this. I’ll tell him myself. Also,” she added with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Get rid of Noah and Caleb, I have a feeling they won’t be on our side.”

Ezekiel shook his head at her. “For a human you sure have a lot of guts ordering me around. Don’t forget your place…”

“And don’t forget the brain behind these plans!” she yelled at him. “You are my partner here, Ezekiel. If you let me down I’ll kill you myself.” Her smile turned cynical. “Don’t forget our little secret, Ezekiel. It will destroy you.” She swung her blonde hair over one shoulder as she assumed a serious expression. “Besides, you have no right to point your finger at me you’re just as guilty as I am. Now leave me, I need to think.”

He watched her return to pacing thinking how selfish she was and how far she would go to get whatever she want.

And truly Vivian was a bitter woman. She was born to an alcoholic mother and never knew her father. Her mother’s countless on-and-off boyfriends were all the fathers she knew. One day, as if by some divine intervention, her drunk, irresponsible mother had given up drinking and decided she could do better for her daughter. Tessa had found a job working as a housekeeper for Ezra Storm. It was about the same time Vivian started school. One day she had picked up Vivian after school and could not find a babysitter to watch her until her shift was over so she had brought her to the mansion. There in the mansion, a lonely Maggie who had lived all her life in the company of her father and his men finally met Vivian and both girls became best friends. So close that Maggie revealed her secret. She was no ordinary human, she was a wolf, the sole heir to Dark Storm Enterprises.

At first, there was no envy just genuine friendship but as both girls grew Vivian began to envy Maggie’s life. Why couldn’t she have been born to a wolf father? And as the years went by deep hatred began to take root. Maggie was the prettiest. Maggie the richest. Maggie the popular girl in school. It was always Maggie Maggie Maggie.

Until the one thing that changed her life.

Lance.

Maggie had confided her fears about Lance to her at age 18. She was worried Lance was an old, ugly man who would whisk her off from her family and be a cruel husband to her. But Lance had been anything but that. Like the other boys before him, he had eyes only for Maggie and everyone could see that the idea of getting married to her excited him. This was the final straw for Vivian. She couldn’t take it anymore so she hatched her plan. She would take everything from Maggie. And she would start with Lance. It had taken years mostly because Lance had returned to school and when he visited it was only to see Maggie and take her out to dinner, lunch and wherever else. But when she finally succeeded there was no going back.

Vivian went to stand before the window looking out into the stretch of land outside the warehouse. The wheels of her fate were in motion now, there was no going back.

She was done tapping her foot impatiently. If the spoiled bitch was back from the grave she would only dig her a new one. She left the warehouse and rushed to her car. There was no use wasting precious time, she will find Lance and tell him.

**

“Is there anyone I can trust?”

The workers lined up in the CEO’s office glanced at one another before turning to Maggie seated in her father’s chair. She seemed to be talking to herself. Paper works of her father’s properties were spread out on the desk but she couldn’t look at them, not without thinking about her situation. She had workers at her disposal but she had no friends. If she wanted to take over she needed people she could trust by her side but who could she trust when even her uncle was part of her enemies?

Vivian.

She would call Vivian.

“I need a phone. Is there anyone with a phone here?”

The workers continued to stare at each other until one of them stepped up to give her his. As soon as their hands made contact a charge of powers ran from him into her. Looking up she found herself staring at Caleb.

Maggie rolled her eyes. “I fired you.”

“You are not safe, ma’am. Ezra Dark Storm was a strong man. You think as his daughter your life is not at risk?”

She laughed. “The rest of you leave." As soon as they were gone she turned to him, tapping her fingers on the desk. Caleb, the night my father died I died with him. The moon goddess brought me back to life. This is the chance I need to avenge my father’s death. If they killed me once and I was reborn they will try again and I will still come back until I am done with them.”

“Then let me serve you like I served your father. Ezekiel is right. You are a woman. The pack will tear you apart before you even begin your revenge.”

“What’s in it for you?”

“The question is what's in it for you? You have my loyalty.”

“They will come for you, Caleb.”

“I swore to die protecting your father and I will do the same for you. You need someone on your side. Let me help you.”

She considered his words. She wanted to work alone. The fight was hers after all but she wasn’t stupid. He was right. She was only heir to her father’s business and not his title as Alpha. She needed all the support she could get. She didn’t trust Caleb but she would make do with him.

“Fine. If you insist. I need to find my ex–fiancé.”

“From what I overheard he will be at the Red Light district tonight. He was supposed to be here to replace your father as Alpha.”

Maggie laughed. “Alpha?! Over my dead body. He will be at the club then?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Good. She will meet him there.