Chapter 17

~Grace~

“Pack your things tonight, we’re leaving first thing tomorrow morning.”

Alex’s words echoed through my head as I stood in the kitchen, hands covered in flour. I woke up extra early to ensure I could bake for the pack before Alex whisked me away to his castle.

Alex was usually stern and commanding, but it surprised me how urgent he seemed that I moved in with him.

I mean, I had made a deal that I would live with him if he helped me expose Liam, and he has been helping, so far. It was about time I held up my end of the deal.

Besides, I certainly wasn’t going to complain leaving this awful house. I couldn’t stand to live another day with Liam or Sophia in the same living space as me.

I kneaded mixed cookie dough in a bowl, making chocolate chip cookies for the puppies in the pack, a ritual I would perform every Friday. I had yet to miss a day, but now…

I wonder if they’ll miss me or my cookies more when I’m gone.

As I thought about leaving, I was hit with a moment of sadness. This was my first time leaving the pack for an undetermined amount of time.

I really did love the Nightshade pack. This had been my home for years, and I poured my life into co-leading it.

If it wasn’t for Liam’s absurd and selfish choices, I would stay. I truly loved it here.

A noise from the doorway pulled me out of my thoughts, and I turned, catching sight of Sophia as she entered. She wore a bright yellow sundress, and her hair was pulled up in a ponytail.

She had a malicious look on her face, and she seemed in much better spirits than when she was on the floor in tears, at the banquet last night.

I turned away from her, steeling myself. I bet she’s happy I’m leaving. It gives her more alone time with Liam.

“Sorry for showing up at the banquet last night,” Sophia said, leaning against the counter. She looked out the window, and her words felt hollow.

I rolled my eyes, continuing to mix.

“You should be apologizing to everyone, not just me, Sophia,” I said harshly, and cast an intense glare at her. She couldn’t intimidate me, but I could intimidate her.

“You spread false rumors about me disrespecting the pack’s Omegas,” I continued, upset.

Sophia stared at the ground, visibly uncomfortable as she drew her arms around herself. She didn’t address my confrontation, however, instead pointing at my bowl.

“I can help you make cookies,” she offered, voice quiet.

I shrugged. Knock yourself out. Might as well start getting used to doing this, since it won’t be me anymore.

Besides, I was going to divorce Liam soon, anyway. If he took Sophia as his next mate, she would have to know how to take care of the pack. As Luna, it would be her responsibility to cook.

I stepped back, letting her take over. I began washing the dirty dishes that weren’t being used, sending occasional glances at Sophia to monitor her baking ability.

What was she doing?

Sophia turned her back to me, holding the bowl in a way I couldn't see it. Was this intentional?

I watched her pick up a container and pour an ungodly amount over the batch, and swiftly hide the container behind some other spices.

That bastard! She didn’t care about helping me or the pack at all, she only wanted another opportunity to make me look bad!

I chewed my lip in agitation, but kept my eyes on the dishes I washed so Sophia didn’t notice me staring.

“I finished the dough, I’ll put them in the oven, now,” Sophia told me cheerily.

“Thank you,” I told her, faking a smile.

She grinned at me, before scurrying out of the kitchen, clearly pleased with herself.

I let the tainted batch of cookies stay in the oven while I made a new batch. If Sophia wanted to make bad cookies, she could keep her bad cookies. Everyone else would enjoy my delicious cookies.

After all of the cookies were finished, I carefully separated my batch from Sophia’s, and set them on plates. They looked indiscernible, only I knew which cookies were bad.

Bringing them out to the courtyard, where the children played, I called for them to come get the treats. They all ran instantly toward me like a hungry flock of chickens.

I laughed, handing out cookies to the demanding, grabby crowd. I really would miss them.

Chewing on my cookies, all of the children cried out with enthusiasm how good they were and if they could have more.

“You can have another once everyone has gotten one,” I told them firmly, guarding the rest of the cookies.

Sophia, from across the way, watched me with obvious surprise.

I bet you wonder if your cookies ended up tasting good after all, huh? Guess your plan failed? Or do you think everyone was just being nice to me?

“Sophia, why don’t you try the cookies you made! The children love them!” I called.

Looking confused, Sophia slowly made her way over to me. I held one of her tainted cookies out to her, which she took, turning it over in her hand.

I could tell she was trying her hardest to visually find something wrong with it–anything to indicate that it would taste bad.

The children gathered around her, pleading with her to try it, insisting it tasted amazing.

Convinced by their pleads, Sophia reluctantly took a bite, and froze. I could see the realization on her face. It tasted awful.

But all of the children’s eyes were on her, watching and pleading with her to eat the whole thing.

With a grimace, she did.

Serves her right, trying to tarnish my name.

A beautiful, deep red luxury car purred as it pulled into the driveway, and Alex stepped out in a pressed, white dress shirt and a shiny leather jacket.

We caught eye contact, and he walked over to me, hands in his pockets, eyeing the stack of cookies.

“Have some,” I nudged him, handing him one of my cookies.

“I’m not a fan of sweets-” Alex started, but I gave him a sharp look.

Lowering his brows, he begrudgingly took the cookie out of my hand, nibbling on the edge.

“...not bad,” he said.

~Alex’s POV~

Thor wagged his tail, practically grinning.

“These are amazing! Have another!” He cried in delight.

Huh? Was this really Thor right now, or had he become possessed by something?

I was taken aback. Thor was typically more serious than I was, finding every opportunity to scold and make fun of me. But, here he was, happy as a pup.

This was the first time I’d ever seen Thor so elated.

I couldn’t lie, though. The cookies really were very good. Of course Grace was an excellent cook. I expected no less from a woman so divine.

As I watched Grace, I paused, suddenly feeling an urge to confirm something. I reached out, trying to sense Grace’s wolf, but there was nothing.