MAGNUS POV“Let's talk about this: What is Alexa still doing here?“The direction the conversation took completely blew my mind. I stood there, speechless. I didn't know what to say to that.“You have nothing to say? I knew it!““Knew what? I was just surprised.““Surprised that I was able to figure it out?““Audrey, what? What is going on? I know you have all the right to be mad at me for standing you up, but you keep talking about things I don't understand. I don't like how much you're working yourself up. It can't be good for our baby.““Our baby? This baby is mine.“ She declared. She wrenched her hand free from mine before storming out of the room.I stood there for a minute to take in what just happened.An hour later, Mane entered my office.“My Alpha.““Mane.““Did Luna take it well? I'm sure she can't be angry at you for long.“She's not only angry, Mane. She was completely irate.““What? She didn't believe you.““I didn't even have a chance to explain the things that happened
ALEXA'S POV“I have decided that you are free to go.“ He dropped the bombshell, and I felt my world rock a little bit. I was starting to enjoy myself.“No.“ “What? What do you mean, no?“ I didn't know I said that out loud. He looked confused.“I…”“You don't want to leave anymore? You seemed pretty devastated when I told you that you couldn't leave just last week.“ He was starting to get suspicious. “I thought you'd be happy to hear that you can leave now.““That's not what I meant, Alpha.“ I tried to stall him.“What do you mean, then?“An idea popped into my head. “I said no because I'm not leaving without my friend.“ “Oh.“ He looked impressed. “That is very thoughtful of you, Alexa. I can see how much you've grown in the months you have been here.“ I was impressed with myself, too, and I couldn't deny the shiver of delight that went through me when he praised me. No matter how badly he treats me, I know I'll never not have feelings for this man in front of me.“Thank you, Alpha
AUDREY'S POVLater that day, after I met the women and they all went back to their houses, I didn't want to return to the pack house, so I wandered around the pack.I came onto the path that led to my father's house. Shakily, I took a step closer until I was close enough to the door. I stood there for a long time, working up the courage to open the door.When I did try the lock, it was locked. Very firmly. I was disappointed and trudged back to the pack house because I thought I'd be able to see some of my old paintings.I was even going to sleep in there. Some sort of way to get away from Magnus. I was not ready to hear his explanation. Might never be.The house was quiet when I got in, with only the guards at their strategic location. I climbed up the stairs. I wanted to go into the kitchen, but I feared I was going to hear something more unpleasant.“Baby.“ Magnus jumped up as soon as he heard me enter.“Magnus, please; I just want to sleep.““But I want to clarify some things to y
ALEXA'S POVI hurried back to my room after I assured Jaxon that I was definitely going to get it done tomorrow. So I was securely back in bed before Johnny came back. He grunted in satisfaction, and I gave him a little wave.I was excited for my new plan. This is me taking back my power. This is me refusing to let anyone use me as a pawn or as a second chance.The next morning, I woke up bright and early. All the men in my life wanted Audrey. Well, they could go to her in death! If they really wanted to, they should go take her from the cold clutches of death.I had my bath. Put on a nice gown with little pockets attached to it to hold both poisons. I hummed an excited tune as I made my way to the kitchen.“Good morning, Johnny.“ He grunted. It seems like the only language he understands. “Your shift is over.“ I told him. Today is the day I leave this godforsaken pack. I was done trying to compete with Audrey for my brother's affection and for the love of my life. I win!“Good mor
AUDREY'S POV“You promise to tell me why you're so angry with me?““Yes,“ I promised.“Good. Let's dig in.““You can have the pancakes.““How generous of you, baby.“ He laughed. “If I'm eating the pancakes, then I'm having the juice.““What, no? It's my juice.““It's only fair.“ I pouted. “If you share the pasta, then I'll share the juice.““No way. You know what? You can keep the juice. It's just going to ruin my taste buds after having the meatballs.““Suit yourself, baby.“ We are in silence after that.“Are you sure you don't want any of the juice? The pulp looks extra chewy.“ He smirked at me.“I'm not sharing my pasta.“ I said defiantly as I hogged it closer.He drank every drop, and I glared at him. “What a bully!““Now I'm a bully?“ He laughed. The next thing I knew, he was on the floor.“Magnus.“ I whispered and rushed to him. He was convulsing, and he was jerking around the floor. Then he was foaming at the mouth.“Magnus!“ I yelled and shook him. I ran out of the room to get
AUDREY'S POV“Elsa, is that right?““Yes, my lady.““Who squeezed the juice, then?““My Luna, I…” She stuttered, and I narrowed my eyes at her.“The Luna asked you a question, didn't she?“ Mane boomed.“I…I prepared the food, but I didn't squeeze the juice.““You know who did?“She kept quiet and said nothing. I blew out an exasperated sigh.“Take her.“ I motioned to the guards. “Lock her up until she's ready to talk.She willingly went with them, which made me wonder who she was protecting.“Are you okay?“ Mane asked me when the whole ordeal was over.“I don't know.““I know this must be hard for you to hear, but you're going to be doing the Alpha's work until he wakes up.““What?““Yes. By tradition, since his accident was so sudden, he didn't ask anyone to step in for him, so it falls on you.““Oh Goddess.““It's nothing scary. You just approve and sign everything he does on a daily basis. We leave the major decisions until he wakes up.“We were discussing the deferment of the thro
AUDREY'S POV“Get to the point, please!“ I snapped at the poor physician, but I was exhausted.“Sorry, my Luna.“.“It's alright.““Now the most active poison of the two is Renesse. Renesse is a drug used to gently remove premature babies.“My eyes widened.“The other one is used to kill, basically. It's called death's kiss. It was a small dose, but when combined with Renesse, it becomes formidable.““I see.““Thankfully, the Alpha has extraordinary stamina. That's why he didn't get killed, plus Renesse didn't work on him.““Thank you, physician.““You can go now.“He bowed and left.“Now we know for sure that the poison was meant for you, my lady.“ Mane said.“And the person who did this for sure is Alexa.“ He nodded. “I want to see her as soon as she gets here.We went back to planning and strategizing. It was really exhausting.A knock came on the door. “Come in.““Beta Mane.“ A guard came in. “We bought back Lady Alexa.““Good.““Let's go, Mane.““Shouldn't we just bring her here?
JAXON'S POVI was starting to get antsy. Alexa should be here to give me good news. It was morning already.Did she get caught? Did she chicken out? Did she panic at the brink of the moment?More importantly, was Audrey safe? Did something go wrong with the poison? There was no way. I prepared the exact dosage needed to flush out the baby safely.When I could take it no more, I slipped out of the house. I wore a hat to conceal my hair, then wore a hoodie over it. I couldn't risk getting identified.There was so much movement that I couldn't see or grasp what was happening. I took out my binoculars to see into the house.I saw a physician go into the house. That was a good sign. Meaning she was able to slip the poison in, but where was Alex? I figured out that she was trying to wait it out. Also, where was Magnus? In the room with Audrey, that makes sense. I smiled and packed the binoculars when I spotted a movement. I zoomed in the closet, and... Audrey? She should be in bed mournin