Chapter 21

~Sophia~

“What the hell were you thinking?!” Liam’s voice roared.

I stepped back, feigning tears, immediately lowering my head. “I-I’m sorry-”

Secretly, I scowled at him, my face hidden, pointed to the floor. So what if I had ordered the seafood platter instead of the charcuterie board for the banquet tonight? It wasn’t my fault the visiting Alpha was allergic to shellfish!

Okay, so maybe Liam had specifically mentioned that the guest was allergic, but what am I supposed to do, remember everything he tells me?

He treats me like his Luna, even though we aren’t married, piling responsibilities on my shoulders as if I know how to run a pack. Even if I wasn’t hiding the fact that I’m not from a pack, he should know I wouldn’t know the duties of a Luna.

Besides, this wasn’t the life I signed up for when I sought Liam out. I wanted the easily manipulated man I first met, who fawned over me like some sort of prize.

I thought back to the forest 5 years ago，where Liam knelt before me, pouring his heart out to me, a ring in the palm of his hand. He gave a very convincing speech for why I should be his mate, including the fact that we were fated mates.

Any other girl would have fawned over him, he was attractive enough, sure, but back then, he had nothing. He was too weak to even stand up to the other Alphas. How could I want to be with someone like that?

But, look how far he’s come. He’s gotten so much stronger. He’s made himself Alpha King, and finally became the man I deserved. Or so I thought.

When I sought him out, he was more than willing to throw Grace aside just to get together with me. We shared many passionate nights and long walks in the forest under Grace’s nose. Liam was lovestruck.

It used to be so easy to get him to do what I wanted. Now, he hardly looks at me.

It’s all Grace’s fault! Ever since she left him, he’s been distant and cruel. He doesn't appreciate anything I do for him or the pack, even though I don’t have to.

Everything had gone according to plan until the Lycan King showed up. Grace wouldn’t have been able to get as far as she did without his help. What were they planning?

The only way to keep my plan on track is to stop Grace, and to do that, we have to get her away from the Lycan King.

I suggested to Liam we go after someone close to her, and he seemed to finally listen for once. He’s gone off again, making sure I’m no part of the actual planning.

Whatever. As long as he finally gets over her, that’s all I care about.

~Third Person~

Beta Samuel cautiously stepped around the corner, peering over dark bushes. It was night, and the moon barely illuminated the ground. He had heard a strange noise on their border when he was patrolling, and went to investigate.

It could very well be just a rabbit or some other animal, but with the pack’s recently declining numbers and Liam’s scandals, Samuel wouldn’t be surprised if another pack decided to make their move against the Nightshade pack.

Looking over the bushes where he heard the noise, he saw nothing. Samuel sighed to himself, frustrated. Liam was his friend and ruler, and he hated to see him decline so quickly. He had been a good, strong man…

What happened to him?

Why had he betrayed Grace and driven her away? He became cruel and bitter after Sophia showed up, but there had to be a reason deeper than that. Sophia’s presence alone didn’t seem like enough to make Liam betray Grace.

After looking around the area and finding nothing, Samuel turned to head back, when he saw a dark figure flash out of the corner of his eye. His vision went black.

~Grace~

I lay on my bed, writing in my journal when my phone lit up with a message. Sophia.

Rolling my eyes, I put it back down. Liam had texted me at least a hundred times within the last couple hours, and now she was texting me too? As if she cared. Liam probably asked her to, since I wouldn't respond to him.

I continued writing, trying to remember where I left off. Right…, Alex showed me the indoor pool today. This castle was so luxurious, anything you could think of, he’d probably have it.

Alex, of course, insisted we go swimming, but the thought of us both being in our bathing suits, alone…

My face turned red. It was a bad idea. Besides, we don’t want any reason to break our contract, not when we’re so close to taking down Liam.

My phone buzzed a couple more times, and I snatched it off the bed. What is it?! It’s late, we should both be sleeping!

I open my phone, ready to turn it off entirely when I glance at a text Sophia sent.

“Please, it’s urgent, I need your help!”

I was curious, but was sure it was likely just a ruse to get me to look at her messages. Oh well, it couldn’t hurt to see what the rest said.

“Beta Samuel has been kidnapped and Liam has gone missing! Please help!” The top message reads.

I stared at it, shocked. Was this true? I hadn’t heard from Liam in the last hour or so, but I figured he just gave up texting me…

And Sophia wasn’t capable of doing anything useful on her own. If it were true…

My heart sank. There’d be no one left to protect the pack!

I shot out of bed, throwing on some pants and a coat. I had to get to Samuel! If a neighboring pack had kidnapped him to use against Liam-!

Shuddering at the thought, I shook my head to get the visual out of my mind. I needed to be focused right now.

Alex didn’t need to know about my rescue mission, he likely wouldn’t let me go, anyway, claiming it would be “too dangerous.”

I peered out of my window, looking down the wall. It wasn’t terribly high up, but it would definitely hurt if I fell.

Nervously, I scaled the wall, making sure I had a firm grasp. Luckily, the old stones stuck out far enough to give me good leverage on the way down, and I reached the bottom, wiping my hands free of dirt.

I wouldn’t have time to walk, I needed a vehicle.

Luckily, Alex was nice enough to allow me to transfer my bike from the Nightshade pack to here, after I threatened him for wanting to lock me away in his dark castle and keep me from leaving.

It wouldn’t be quiet, but it would be fast.

Walking it out to the gates, I gave a glance behind me. Only a few dim lights could be seen through the windows. Most everyone was asleep… I just hoped Alex was one of them.

Hopping on my bike, I tore down the road.

I really had no idea where to start looking, but Sophia said Samuel was last seen headed for the Nightshade’s border. I wonder what he was doing out there, this late at night.

Parking my bike along the side of the road, I looked out into the forest. If I cut through here, I’d run into the Nightshade border, and I could do a perimeter check, and hopefully find clues.

I sighed, pulling my coat around me as I trekked forward.

Stopping a couple of times along the way, I would listen. I was sure I heard footsteps next to me, but every time I looked, there was nothing.

“It’s just your paranoia, you need to stay focused,” I told myself, heading deeper into the woods.

Snap!

A branch broke behind me, and I whirled around. I was sure someone was there!

Before I could get a look, something went over my head, and everything went black.