VIOLET
Cold blue eyes peered into mine. I could feel the anger emanating from him as he stared at me. Every fiber of his being radiated betrayal. Handcuffed, bound, I was forced to stand tall as the icy anger from his gaze pierced through my chest.
"I can explain, Mason," I stuttered. Maybe that was a stupid thing to say at that moment, or maybe not. But I knew I owed him an explanation.
"I trusted you. I took you in and made you a Pack member, gave you a job, and all I get in return is being spied on, Luna?" His voice was breaking as he spoke. I couldn't tell why, but I knew there was more to it than just betrayal.
"I swear, I'm not a spy. I'm... just—"
"Take her back," he commanded, his voice quivering with rage. His hands were fisted. Disappointment was etched in his face as he spoke.
I knew he hated me now, but I had zero intentions of spying. Those were just allegations Rhoda had come up with.
Hans looked at me with hatred in his eyes, then led me back to that cold, empty room.
Ironically, isn't it amusing how my life turned overnight? From a Luna, to a member of a pack, and now a prisoner?
"You'll stay here until we have received a response from Adrian. He is just so stupid enough to send his Luna of all people," Hans confessed.
My heart gave a leap. They sent a message to Adrian? He doesn't even care about me. Adrian can't meet me here. It's worse, it's just like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
I watched as Hans shook his head, then walked away, leaving me to my fate. I was doomed. My Grandmother, is she fine? I should have listened to her.
I sat there, staring at the petite room. It wasn't a dungeon at least, and the bright light from the tiny window made it seem like it was a little room aside from the fact that it had only a mini chair, like a room for detention.
Minutes passed. I slept and was woken up by the creaking sound in my room.
I jolted, my eyes awake, and wanted to scream, but before I could mutter a word, strong hands wrapped around me, covering half of my face, my nose and lips included. It was like I was suffocating.
My breath hitched in my throat. Panic coursed through my veins. I couldn't say a word. I felt a wave of nausea wash through me, my system felt numb, and I suddenly felt like fainting. I was dying. My baby.
I smelled death; it was just a second away from me.
Suffocation. Nausea. My body felt numb, my mind reeling, darkness closing in on the edges of my vision. Death, I knew, was near. Just a breath away.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't keep you safe, baby," I thought, as I weakly rubbed my stomach, hoping to soothe the tiny life within me. But my strength failed me, and then my eyes closed, giving heed to the call.
---
MASON
From the onset, I knew there was something wrong about Violet, something mysterious about her. Even my wolf had sensed it.
Now, I know better. It's ridiculous to think Adrian would come up with his Luna's death just to send her to my pack to spy. I knew there was something amiss immediately Hans told me the Luna of the Silvermoon pack was dead. I knew she was too young, and the math doesn't sit properly well.
What could be his reasons though? I had thought Adrian was a smarter man. I mean, who would see the lion's den and jump right into it?
Something was just odd about it all, but not until he gets my message. Then I'll place things right.
Violet was pretty, no doubt, or perhaps charming, because I was having feelings for her. I had fallen for her and was stupidly hoping I could be the father of her child, if she doesn't have one. I had thought she was Aria, but maybe I'm blinded enough to not see that Aria was dead.
Betrayed, yes I was. Angered. Give it a name. I was damned upset. She betrayed me. I would have had her head sent as a message, but I don't know what was holding me.
"Alpha, Adrian is here," Hans reported.
I let out a chuckle. It was true then, that he sent his Luna. Silvermoon pack is just an inch away from being mine. Maybe it's mine already. I laughed out as I moved a chess piece and knocked off the king.
"Let him in." Hans gave a light bow as he headed outside... And just almost immediately, the door opened, revealing who I was expecting.
"Long time no see, Adrian," I snickered, watching him. He looked so desperate.
"Cut the chase, Mason. Where's she?" he inquired. His expression was unreadable, but I could tell he was fighting his demons, or perhaps his demons were fighting.
"Not too soon, Adrian. You know you don't rush a hot meal to avoid being burned. You take it slowly and savor the moment."
He walked closer to me, his height towering over me. He was one hell of a tall man.
"I don't care whatever you want, Mason. Just let me see her!" he growled, his eyes red like they were sparking fire.
"Sounds like it, man. You know what I always want," I sneered as I sat down on the couch. Of course, he knows I wanted his pack. I wanted power, and I won't stop until I've achieved that.
"I can't give you my pack, Mason. It's in my lineage. Passed down from my ancestors, and I'll pass it on to my children. But I'll offer you something nice, thirty percent of the Wolfe Empire."
Thirty percent of the Wolfe Empire was all I needed to get to the top. Seizing his pack was nothing compared to having a thirty percent share. But seeing how desperate he looked, I had to take charge of the situation. Power is for sure one nice thing to have on your side.
"Sixty percent or nothing!" My tone dropped with a tinge of finality. I watched as he contemplated for a while.
"Fine, let me see her first," he agreed.
He must be really desperate. I pointed at the sofa for him to sit, but he didn't budge. What a lover boy.
I signaled Hans to fetch her, and seconds later he appeared, his face apprehensive.
"I can't find her!"
Adrenaline surged through my veins, hot and powerful, like a river of fire. My wolf snarled within me, sensing the danger that loomed.
Adrian's eyes, cold and calculating, bore into mine. "What do you mean, you can't find her? Where is she?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
Adrian paled, realization hitting him like a freight train. "What have you done to her, Mason?" he growled, his voice a feral whisper.
"I assure you, I have done nothing."
The chessboard before me seemed to mock my situation, each piece a possible player in this deadly game. But I was no pawn. I was the king, and I refused to be checkmated.
"Hans, search the entire territory," I ordered, my voice sharp as steel. "Leave no stone unturned."