Chapter Two Hundred and Three
ALEXANDER’S POV
It was almost unnerving how similar she had looked to Kaida. Her voice sounded so much like hers–I had hesitated, and in that moment of weakness, Cynthia escaped.
It all made sense now. I could recall that incident. When Kalla had walked into the room, looking all seductive, I had given in so easily. And then–she ‘d lifted the dagger to my chest. I hadn’t realized it wasn’t her. For a fleeting moment, I had even thought the weapon was just another tease.
But then she’d stabbed me, and too late I realized something different about her–something I hadn’t picked up on earlier. Her eyes. They were different, not because they weren’t the same grey I knew, but because it felt like they belonged to a stranger, not the woman I had known and fallen for.
Kaida had taken the blame, but of course, she could never have done such a thing. She’d never have gone through with it, and I couldn’t believe I was just realizing that now.
“It’s not your fault. Cynthia excels at those kinds of mind tricks,” Kaida said to me, her eyes scanning me–she only needed one glance to know exactly what was on my mind.
“I could have ended her–I mean, I knew that wasn’t you, and yet…”
Kadia walked towards me. “Everyone makes mistakes, but this is the closest we’ve come to actually breaking through to her. She always seemed so untouchable. How did you pull that off? How did you even know it would work?” she asked.
I thought back to the incident. I had walked in on her threatening Kaida, and I was mad, but as for the ‘how‘–I
had no idea how I did it.
“I guess I just knew.”
She shook her head. “You’re something else. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t shown up when you did.”
The thought that she would constantly remain in danger till Cynthia was dead bothered me. I had to do something,
and fast.
“Alpha, the rogue leaders are here to meet with you,” Austin announced.
A small smirk tugged at my lips.
The rogue leaders hardly ever visited packs; their rule was that anyone who sought their presence had to come to them, not the other way around.
They were arrogant, prideful creatures who hated being kept waiting, and that’s exactly what I was going to make them do.
“Let them know I’ll be available to speak with them in two days.‘
“But Alpha…” He cut himself off. “Of course,” he corrected
If they really needed to see me, they’d wait. And if they were too impatient, they could leave,
Another knock came at my door, and irritation flared within me. Since my return, I’d been receiving a steady stream of visitors, and while it was expected, there was a limit.
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+25 BONUS
Chapter Two Hundred and Thre
It was Keith, Ronan, and a few of the former council advisors I had cut off from the council.
Keith stepped forward, taking on the role of their spokesperson.
“Alpha, we are glad to see you again. When the Luna informed me that you would be back, I didn’t believe it. But here you are.
A lot has changed since you left.”
“I noticed, but all good changes I see.”
Keith nodded in agreement. “I’ve come to apologize. I didn’t believe in the Luna; I didn’t think she had what it took to rule us all, and I was wrong. But I left the council only because I was loyal to you. I see now that I was mistaken, and I intend to make things right.”
“You opposed my mate’s rulership,” I replied coldly. “In fact, you went so far as to organize rebels. Loyalty had nothing to do with it–greed, perhaps.”
“Forgive me, Alpha. We are all here to plead for your forgiveness, and we hope we could be welcomed back to the council.”
“It’s not my forgiveness you should be seeking, and as for the council, it no longer exists.”
