Chapter Nineteen
LUCY
All my years of being raised as a rogue, the ideology we’ve always had were that we rogues had equal rights as well as other wolves. That was why we always went to war with other packs, to prove a point. Hearing Cade’s desire to kill the Alpha came as a surprise, all we’ve always wanted was to win our spot as members of our various packs not to ignite more reasons to be seen as outlaws.
“Kill the Alpha, else I’ll let everyone know about what you did,” Cade said.
I could sense the greed in him, he wouldn’t want the Alpha dead if there was nothing in it for him. I was curious to know what it was so I asked.
“Why do you want the Alpha dead? Is there something in it for you?”
“The Alpha already has enemies amongst his elders, those that want him out of the way. He has been given a year to find his mate or else he would be dethroned,” he said.
I now understood why he was adamant about me being his mate, knowing it was against the law to be with a rogue like me.
“That’s not enough reason for him to give up the throne, killing him is the only way to get him out of the way.”
“What’s in it for you?” I asked curiously.
“I’ll become the new leader of the pack,” he said, grinning from ear to ear. “Look at the brighter side, Lucy, you’ll get your revenge and also become a member of the pack again. You’ll have anything you want, you’ll be free again.”
As much as the offer was tempting, I felt obligated to my mate. I had to warn him of the plot against him and at the same time make Cade believe that I was going to do as he had said.
“Fine, I’ll do it but on one condition,” I said.
“Name your price, child.”
“I won’t only be reinstated as a member of the pack but I will be given a notable position too,” I said.
“Consider it done, just do as you have been told,” Cade said and turned to leave.
“That throne was mine to begin with,” he murmured.
I heard the words he whispered and couldn’t wrap my head around them. How could the throne be his when he was a rogue? Maybe there was something he was yet to tell me, I thought. Whatever it was could wait, finding a way to sneak into the pack was all I could think of.
Early the next day, I set out to meet my mate. Knowing the consequences of being caught, I disguised myself and walked in through the main gate that led to the palace.
“Stop right there!” a stern voice said from behind me.
“Relax, Lucy, you can do this,” I kept muttering those words until he got closer.
“Intruder, who are you and state your business here,” he said. His stern voice complimented his looks, he pointed his sword at me.
“I’m here to see your Alpha, he is expecting me. Tell him it’s Lothar’s relative from Lamia’s pack, and he will understand. I mean no harm,”
“We’ll see about that. Bound her, and wait here for my orders,” he said to the other guards. I was bound in chains and made to sit on the floor while he went to meet the Alpha.
Shortly after, he returned and led me into one of the quarters where Lothar and Chris were waiting for me. I sensed that they weren’t pleased to see me but that wasn’t my concern at the moment, he needed to know every information about his safety.
“Why are you here, Lucy? Don’t you know the risk of coming here,” Chris snarled at me.
Of course, I knew, I thought.
“I know you need me as your mate to keep the throne so I’m here to strike a deal. I want to know why my father was kicked out of here, why he was killed.” I said.
I wasn’t expecting him to agree to it but he did which came as a surprise to me. He offered to find out everything I needed to know.
“You don’t have to be by my side as a mate, I can rule without one. They can’t take the throne away from me simply because I don’t have a mate,” he said. Now, I wasn’t expecting such a response from him.
He probably got over the idea of me being his mate and it made me feel uncomfortable. I was supposed to be happy about it but I wasn’t yet. I pretended not to care.
“That’s fine by me, mate. By the way, someone wants you killed so don’t trust anyone until you find out who it is, not even me,” I said.
“What are you talking about and why are you telling me this? You would be more than glad to know that I’m out of your way for good,” he said.
“Find out what you need to know about my father. You know where to find me,” I winked “See you around.”
I returned to the pack and went to meet Cade to learn more about his plans. He was discussing with others and asked me to wait outside until they left.
“Come on in, Lucy, what do you have for me?” he asked.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
“I should be asking you that, what are your plans?” I asked too.
“As I said, Kill him. If you can’t, lure him here and I’ll do it myself. You have to keep this between us, no one must know about our plans, not even my son,” he said
“He deserves to know your palms, you can’t keep it away from him,” I said.
“Do as I say, young woman. Nathan is weak and doesn’t have the balls to do anything.”
I scowled and left his chambers. On my way to my hut, I met Maverick who seemed to be in a bad mood walking towards me, not like he was ever in a good mood nor had a smile on his face. He was one grumpy piece of shit I hated with a passion.
“Traitor! I see you’ve found favor with our leader, I hope you know what you’re doing. You seemed to have forgotten all that I told you, it’ll be fun to see you crumble,” he sneered.
I recalled what he had told me, about how the life of my mother and I could be in danger. He could probably be bluffing or just trying to get me scared but I had to tread with caution.
“Thank you for the advice, dickhead, I can handle myself just fine,” I growled.
“Do as you please, don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he scowled and left.
The only place for me to meet with Chris without us getting caught was in my father’s hut out in the woods that was if he would show up. I visited there daily hoping he would show up but he didn’t so I gave up.
I packed up to return to the pack never to be seen around here when he showed up at my hut. A part of me was happy to see him, he was beginning to grow on me and I wasn’t comfortable with it, being around him or anyone else would distract me from obtaining my goal.
I resisted the urge to stare, but without staring I could feel the aura of his presence, it was soothing. So many thoughts ran through my mind, lustful thoughts. I became disgusted with myself and left the hut before I embarrassed myself.
“Let’s go for a walk, I want to show you something,” I said and led the way to the deeper part of the woods that led to the cliff, my safe place.