Chapter 156: 156 - a mask
156
~Belinda’s POV
I stood up, my dress brushing softly against the floor as I moved closer to him. I placed my hand on his shoulder, squeezing it with just enough pressure to remind him of who held the power here.
"You will do it," I whispered, my eyes burning into his. "You will be seen with Lisa. You will make it look like she wants you, like she has already chosen you behind their backs. And when the time is right, I will tell you exactly what to do. Until then, you will wait. Quietly."
His chest rose and fell in fast breaths. "And if they kill me?" he asked in a broken voice.
I chuckled low, leaning closer until my lips almost touched his ear. "Then you will die serving me. Isn’t that better than dying as a worthless man who meant nothing?"
He closed his eyes tightly, a shiver running through him. I pulled back, pleased at the sight of his fear.
"You have no choice, Richard," I said again, my tone final, cutting off any further protest. "Now leave. I will send for you when the time comes."
He stood shakily, bowed his head, and left the room without another word.
When the door closed behind him, I burst into laughter. Wicked, sharp laughter that filled my room. Oh, how sweet it would be to see Lisa fall. To see the looks on the triplets’ faces when they thought their precious jewel was soiled.
I sat on the edge of my bed, a slow smile spreading across my face as Richard’s words echoed in my head. He was scared. Good. He should be. If he thought the triplets would spare him after learning of our secret, then he was a bigger fool than I imagined. He would do exactly what I told him to do—there was no other choice for him.
And Lisa... oh, poor little Lisa. Pregnant. The thought made me laugh, a low wicked laugh that filled the room. How stupid could she be? Carrying a child as though it would win her a permanent place here. She really thought she could use that pregnancy to bind herself to the Alphas? Pathetic.
"This will be perfect," I whispered to myself, my eyes glittering with satisfaction. "When Richard hovers around her, when the triplets see them together, all I’ll need to do is add a spark. A little whisper here, a little suggestion there. And her world will collapse."
The image was delicious, Lisa standing there, her face pale, holding her stomach, rying to defend herself while the triplets’ anger boiled over. And when her pregnancy was dragged into the open... oh, that would be the end for her. No one would tolerate her carrying a bastard child inside these walls.
I leaned back against the pillows and let out a soft sigh of pleasure. "Finally... finally, she’ll be gone."
Just then, one of my maids entered quietly, bowing her head. "My Lady, shall I prepare your bath? The Alpha from the neighboring pack will soon arrive."
"Yes," I said firmly, straightening my posture. "Run it warm. I need to look perfect."
The maid hurried away, and soon, the sound of water running reached my ears. Another maid stepped in with folded garments, curtsying as she entered.
"What do you have there?" I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly.
"Some gowns, my Lady. For you to choose from."
I got up slowly, letting my fingers trail across the fabrics she held out. Deep red silk. Midnight blue velvet. A pale green chiffon. All beautiful, all fitting for a Luna.
"The red," I said finally, my lips curving. "Bold. Powerful. Unforgettable."
"Yes, my Lady."
The bath was ready, steam curling out of the room like a gentle mist. I undressed slowly, letting the maids help me, basking in the moment.
As I sank into the warm water, I closed my eyes and let the heat soothe me. The maids worked silently, pouring oils into the water, massaging my arms.
"Make sure my hair is styled perfectly," I murmured. "Not a strand out of place."
"Yes, my Lady."
When I finally rose from the bath, my skin glowed, my hair gleamed, and when they slipped the red gown over my shoulders, I smiled at my reflection in the mirror. The silk hugged my curves, the neckline low but tasteful, the sleeves sheer. Power. Grace. Seduction.
One maid clasped a necklace around my throat, a glittering ruby that matched the gown. Another brushed the last strokes of powder onto my face, giving me a flawless finish.
"Let the game begin," I whispered, and swept out of the room with the maids trailing behind me.
I walked into the grand hall with my chin lifted, every step steady as my gown flowed behind me. The guards opened the wide doors and I was led inside. Damon and his brothers were already there, seated like kings on their thrones, the three of them side by side. And right before them was the visiting Alpha, dressed finely but wearing a mask.
He bowed his head lightly.
"My apologies, Alphas," he said in a deep voice. "I caught a flu. I didn’t want to cancel this meeting, but I thought it best to keep my face covered to avoid spreading it."
Kael nodded at him. Rowan’s eyes were watchful as always. Damon gave his charming half-smile and said, "It’s fine. Your presence is enough."
I smiled softly, walking straight to Damon’s side. He extended his hand to me and I sat down gracefully beside him. But then... my eyes strayed.
That was when I saw her.
Lisa.
She was seated in the far corner of the room, a a piece of papaer and a quill in her hand, her head bent as if she was too busy to even breathe. She was writing. Writing in my presence.
My blood boiled instantly.
What was she even doing here? Who asked her to be here? This was a meeting between Alphas and me as their Luna. Not her. Not some little nobody hiding in the shadows, pretending to be useful with her scribbles.
I clenched my fists in my lap, forcing my face to remain calm, but inside my chest it felt like fire. Damon sat beside me, his focus fixed on the masked Alpha, but my attention was fixed only on Lisa. Every time her pen scratched the paper, I wanted to scream. She shouldn’t be here. She shouldn’t even breathe the same air as me.