Elena’s POV
"I understand there’s hope. Mom, please don’t worry yourself over . I give you my word." The promise slipped from my lips easily enough.
"You always were a smart girl. Your father would beam with such pride." Her voice cracked as another coughing fit seized her, each wheeze cutting through like glass.
"Sleep now. Everything’s going to be fine. I’ll be right here when you open your eyes." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.
Soon after, exhaustion claid her, and I remained by her bedside, studying the shell of the woman who once ruled our household with an iron fist.
The transformation was devastating. When I’d fled this place, she’d been working herself to the bone, perpetually exhausted but fierce. Now she lay fragile and diminished, a shadow of her forr self. The sight of her like this hit harder than I’d expected.
Finally, I forced myself to leave her room. Marcus lurked in the corridor like so predator, but I brushed past him without acknowledgnt, my footsteps echoing as I descended to the kitchen.
The staff bustled about their duties, and I wasn’t shocked to discover he still maintained his little army of servants. Even with this place masquerading as abandoned, he couldn’t resist being waited on like royalty.
I moved to the coffee station, thodically going through the motions of brewing a cup.
The mont Marcus entered behind , the atmosphere shifted. The staff grew jumpy, their movents becoming erratic and cautious. Fear radiated from them in waves.
I spun around to confront him, finding him casually propped against the wall as if he owned the world.
"What the hell did you do to make these people so terrified of you?" The question ca out sharper than intended.
"I simply gave them adequate reason to fear ." His response was delivered with chilling indifference.
"You’re absolutely despicable." I turned back to my coffee, disgusted by his casual cruelty.
I carried my mug out to the front porch and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with hands that trembled slightly.
"Figured you would’ve kicked that habit by now." His voice followed outside.
"I had. But I knew I’d need sothing to get through being back in this nightmare." I took a long drag, letting the nicotine calm my frayed nerves.
"Do you honestly despise that deeply?" The question hung between us, and I t his gaze directly.
"Where’s your father hiding?" I deflected.
"He’s been dead for a while now. Passed away so ti back." Marcus’s tone remained flat, emotionless.
"If that’s how you want to play this ga." I dismissed his obvious lie, turning away.
"What’s that supposed to an? Did your mother fill your head with stories? You realize she’s not entirely lucid these days. Her mind isn’t what it used to be." His defensive tone confird my suspicions.
"She’s got more clarity in her pinky finger than you’ve ever possessed." I checked my watch again, anticipation building.
"What exactly are you expecting?" His curiosity was palpable.
"Sorry?" I played innocent.
"You’ve glanced at that watch repeatedly since you started making coffee. What are you waiting for?" His observational skills hadn’t dulled.
"Oh, you’ll find out soon enough." I couldn’t suppress the smirk that played across my lips. I positioned my hair carefully, ensuring it cascaded over both shoulders to conceal the mark adorning my neck.
The last thing I needed was for him to spot that particular developnt. I had no idea how he’d react, and I wasn’t confident I could handle him if he completely lost control.
Alphas were notoriously possessive creatures who didn’t share well with others. Even knowing I’d rejected him, discovering I belonged to another would likely send him into a murderous rage.
"You can’t force to stay here. I’m no longer part of this pack." I stated the obvious.
"Will your precious new Alpha actually co to your rescue? Are you truly that valuable to your current pack?" His mocking tone grated against my nerves.
"I suppose we’re about to discover the answer to that question. Where’s Viviana disappeared to?" I changed the subject.
"No clue. She’s sowhere on the grounds." He shrugged dismissively.
"Probably sneaking around with her secret boyfriend." The comnt slipped out before I could stop myself.
His expression shifted to one of confusion, clearly wondering how I’d co by that particular piece of information.
The roar of an approaching engine interrupted our tense exchange. Marcus moved down the steps to investigate the disturbance.
Monts later, a sleek black BMW ca tearing through the settlent at breakneck speed, screeching to a dramatic halt directly in front of the packhouse. Damien erged from the driver’s seat like an avenging angel.
"Alpha Damien." Marcus’s acknowledgnt was stiff, formal.
"Get the hell away from my mate." Damien’s voice dropped to a dangerous growl, his canines already extending in warning.
Marcus whipped around to stare at in absolute shock, but I maintained my composure, watching the confrontation unfold with carefully controlled interest. The tension crackled between the two Alphas like electricity before a storm.
The mont I’d been anticipating had finally arrived, and I couldn’t help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction at Marcus’s stunned expression. His world was about to co crashing down around him, and he had no idea just how much everything had changed.
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