Cayden’s POV
I was in the middle of an important discussion with Tori when that blasted maid showed up. Marcus had the audacity to send her to summon imdiately. I, an Alpha of my own standing, was not about to be ordered around like so common underling. The nerve of him!
As I stord around the corner, I saw the maid scurry out of the dining hall. She quickly bowed her head in my presence and moved aside as I entered the dining hall, my eyes scanning the place for Marcus. To my great surprise, it was Sophia who awaited instead.
I looked around the dining hall, trying to fathom if this was so kind of sick joke. It didn’t take long for to notice the angry scowl on Sophia’s face, and I knew right away that this eting was not going to be pleasant.
"Where is Marcus?" I asked in a flat, cold tone. I hoped this girl wasn’t stupid enough to continue with whatever ga she was playing. I had far more important matters to attend to than deal with her nonsense.
"He isn’t coming," she snapped back, causing my eyebrow to arch in annoyance. "I had to make up an excuse to get you here so we could talk."
I had no patience whatsoever for Sophia. I had no desire to marry her in the first place. The only reason I was even considering this union was to secure that crucial alliance around the port channel, which was strategically located between the two continents. Other than that, she ant nothing to .
"I do not answer to you," I growled nacingly, glaring at her with eyes that could pierce steel. "I have vital affairs to handle, and these pointless antics of yours are taking away from my duties as Alpha."
Her eyes widened briefly at my tone, but then narrowed again, a sign of her own defiance.
"You an like bedding your breeder, right?"
Her crass and completely uncalled-for comnt about Tori nearly pushed over the edge. In an instant, I was right in front of her, a deep, rumbling growl escaping my throat. The sound reverberated throughout the dining hall, making the air thick with tension. My arms shot out and landed on the wall on either side of her, effectively trapping her.
I could sll the fear emanating from her, and a strange sense of satisfaction washed over . This woman was playing a dangerous ga, and if she didn’t watch her step, she would surely get burned.
"Don’t you ever ntion her again," I said with absolute clarity, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
I pushed back from her and started making my way toward the door. But of course, she couldn’t let it go.
"Seriously?" she exclaid, her voice filled with more emotion than I expected. "I’m trying to work sothing out with you. Do you really think I’m happy about this loveless marriage we’re being forced into?"
I turned to face her, my expression unchanged. "Well, aren’t you? You’re after power and status, aren’t you?"
My sarcastic remark only served to fuel her anger, and I knew in that mont that I had hit the nail on the head.
"I will not be made a fool of," she hissed through gritted teeth. "You may have had your fun with her before our arrangent, but she has no place now. I am more than capable of bearing your heir–a legitimate one at that."
Once again, Sophia was treading on extrely thin ice with her words.
"What I do in my private ti is my own concern," I replied firmly. "You will never have my heir. Do you understand ?"
Deep down, I knew that once we were married, I would have to fulfill my marital duties and there was a chance she could conceive. But I refused to think about that right now.
"You don’t have a choice in the matter!" Sophia yelled, her face turning red with rage. "I will be your wife, and I demand to be treated better than you have been treating so far."
I gave her a disdainful sneer, looking down at her with a dangerous glint in my eyes. I could see her recoil slightly, and I knew she recognized the threat in my gaze.
"Let make one thing perfectly clear," I said slowly and deliberately. "I do not want a mate, and I will never treat you as one. Alliance or not."
I watched as her anger continued to build, and I couldn’t help but wonder if her father would ever find out about this little outburst. But knowing Marcus, he probably wouldn’t care. All he was after was the alliance; his daughter’s happiness was clearly not a priority.
"How could you do this to ?" she scread in that irritating tone of hers, which only made want to get away from her even faster. I turned my back on her and made my way toward the dining hall door. "I can change the alliance!"
"No, you can’t," I sneered as I opened the door. "Your father made this deal, and he sold you for his own gain, not yours. Learn to live with it, like I have."
Just as I was about to step out, Sophia, in a fit of rage, lunged toward , her face contorted with fury.
"You heartless brute!” she shrieked. “You think you can just discard like this? I’ll make you pay!" Her hand swung toward my face with full force.
Swiftly, I caught her wrist in a vice-like grip, my eyes blazing with anger.
"You stupid woman, how dare you attempt such a thing? I warned you before, and I’ll say it again. One more move like this and you’ll face the consequences you can’t even imagine."
I tightened my hold for a second, making her gasp in pain, then shoved her hand away. Without another glance, I strode out of the room, leaving her seething and cursing behind .
***
Caroline’s POV
I had decided to visit the dining hall in search of a quiet corner. Little did I know that I was about to walk into a chaotic and explosive situation.
As I entered the dining hall, I imdiately sensed the tension in the air. My brother had just stord out, leaving Sophia fuming with anger. I couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle under my breath. It was quite a sight to behold.
I picked up the book I had brought with and tucked it under my arm. As I started to make my way toward an empty table, Sophia’s eyes caught sight of .
"Where did you co from?" she snapped, her voice laced with irritation. I couldn’t help but smirk at her rudeness.
"First of all," I replied with a smile, "maybe you should make sure an area is clear before you decide to have a secret eting."
Sophia snorted in response, crossing her arms over her chest and rolling her eyes. "Oh, please. What are you even doing here if you’re not spying on us?"
I held up my book for her to see and gave her a look that said ’Isn’t it obvious?’.
"Reading. Or maybe you’re so ignorant that you think dining halls are only used for secret rendezvous."
A wave of fury washed over Sophia’s face, and before I knew it, she was striding toward , clearly looking for a fight. She had obviously forgotten that I was the one who had bested her in training at the academy two years ago.
"Do you really think you can talk to like that? I am going to be your Luna."
I burst out laughing. "No, not yet, and I don’t think you will ever be. If you honestly believe you can win my brother over, you’re just being pathetic and delusional."
"What is it with all of you and that filthy breeder? She is nothing!"
Sophia really was a pitiful character, and in a way, I did feel a bit sorry for her. I suspected there was so reason behind her cold-hearted and gold-digging behavior, but that was none of my concern.
"To you, maybe," I said calmly. "But if you marry my brother, you’ll have to accept Tori as well. She’s not going anywhere. So, you better be prepared for the reality of the life you’re getting into."
I gave her a final smile and then turned to leave. I couldn’t wait to find Kas and tell her all about this crazy encounter.
As I was about to exit the dining hall, Sophia called out to once more. I stopped in my tracks and turned around to see her staring at with that sa dangerous smile I had co to loathe.
"Caroline, why don’t you ask your brother whether he can keep his breeder or not? He gave his word to the queen."
My heart sank. What on earth had Cayden done? I stared back at her, feeling a rush of anger boiling up inside .
Sophia smirked maliciously. "Also, you might be right that I can’t win his heart, but don’t forget that once we’re married, I will be the Luna. You and I both know that you’ll have to do as I say. If my life isn’t easy, then believe , I won’t make it easy for any of you!"
"You can try," I said through gritted teeth and then stord out of the dining hall.
However, I knew that what she said was unfortunately true.
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