CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: END MY LIFE

IVAN’S POV

"You don’t mean that," she whispered.

"Actually, I do." I turned then, staring her down. "For years, you tortured my mate. For years, you treated her worse than dirt. You crushed her spirit, her soul, her body. You despised not getting your way so much that you took out your rage on her with your abusive, cancerous ways—and now, despite the evil that rots deep within your empty soul, she still heals you. I had my doubts, but it’s evident that ever since Maeve came into Ash Creek, you have done better than you have in five years. And even then—despite how generous she’s been in extending her skills to the last person who deserves them—you still plot behind her back like a witch.

"You stole her happiness five years ago, and to this day, you remain relentless in coming after her. So yes, I fucking mean it when I say you’re the worst person I’ve ever met. I should have seen just how cancerous a woman like you was five years ago. The only reason you still breathe and say my name with such entitlement is because we share the same blood. But by the Goddess, don’t test me, Lydia. I will show you that I am still very much made of the same rot as you."

The life drained from her face, paling until she was almost a dead husk in her own skin. For a second, her lips parted, yet no words came out.

Then, in true Lydia Cross fashion, she raised her neck in indignation, in pride, in a scowl.

"I see Serena wasn’t lying—you really have let that woman sink her claws into you." She smiled, surprisingly. Then laughed. "Ah, but you should know better than to underestimate me, son. I am relentless, like you said. And I love getting my way a little too much—I never give up. Not unless you intend to take my life. Which, I advise, you must do if you want to stop me. Because as long as I live, Maeve will not rule my castle. Neither will she control my son. Don’t take me for a fool like Serena. We both know I am far worse."

I scoffed. "It seems Maeve was right—you truly have lost your mind. Go back to your chambers, Mother. I don’t know what you think is going to happen, but if you must know, Maeve and I are set to reject each other, so leave her out of whatever evils you have in mind."

"You mean even after two failed rejections? Please, I am not naive. I hear your wolves are refusing the severance. You’re the only one who doesn’t seem to see the makings of what’s going on."

"And what is that?"

"Maeve’s master plan to take over Ash Creek, of course. Think about it—her son, her refusal to reject you, her stringing you along like a lost puppy, her little gimmicks and games! She told me herself too—and she tried to kill me!"

My lips stretched in a smile. "If I were Maeve, Mother, you’d be dead by now. And yet somehow, you’re not. That tells me all I need to know about her."

Her jaw ground together, almost shattering. "You’re a stubborn man, but you must see reason. I am not crazy! Maeve has an evil plan! You need to fuck another woman and get over this lustful pull to her! Every great Alpha had his concubines and mistresses—even your father. I let him have his toys, and that is precisely why we had such a successful marriage."

I snorted. "Wonderful. It’s good to know I come from a lineage of scum."

"A lineage of powerful scum! There’s a difference, my son. We are the ones on that throne for a reason."

"Right. Go to bed, Mother. I have a migraine, and you’re not helping. I am no healer, but even I know it’s a bad idea for a woman in recovery to be chasing after pack drama like a headless chicken. Put all that energy into healing. I should probably increase Maeve’s pay if you’re already causing this much trouble." I chuckled to myself.

Mother did not find it amusing.

Rather than leave, she drew closer to me.

"The only thing she deserves is—" The words died in her throat, then she frowned at me, eyes zeroing in on my face. Her expression fell apart in a way only I had seen on Lydia Cross. "My darling boy, you don’t look so good. Have you not been sleeping? Or eating?"

I stiffened but drew back with a dismissive eye roll.

"I am fine. I am not the subject here."

She frowned. "I heard about the outburst in the woods during the last severance." Her eyes softened. "Are the rumors true, son? Are you... are you..."

"Going mad?" I scoffed out a mirthless sound. "It seems so."

"Oh, dear." Horror gripped her, but so did worry. "B-but no. We’ve never had a family history of feral alphas. I don’t believe it. My sweet son is not going mad. They are the mad ones for thinking a remarkable man like you is feral."

I laughed then. "Thank you for the reassurance, Mother. But I assure you that I am, in fact, losing my mind—your little gift with a slashed neck should have proven that, should it not? But you have nothing to worry about. I’ll have the rumors sorted soon."

She sighed then, the light in her eyes still dimmed. She tried to smile, but it felt forced.

"I am glad you have the situation under control. It is my wish that you’ll always have your guards up now. I have been around long enough to know when a rumor is pushed specifically to disrupt an alpha’s reign. This must be Maeve’s doing—it began not too long after the failed rejection, did it not?"

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "Not this again."

Her eyes narrowed to icy slits.

"Am I the only one with a working brain around here? Everything started to go up in flames since she arrived. More spies have been spotted by pack borders, according to my Intel. I was declared mad, even when I’m perfectly fine! My head is bald! The doubt on your fitness for the throne, the delay and disruption of your coronation! I might be old, but I am a Luna for a reason! You may not be able to see it right now, but she’s up to something much larger than either of us can fathom. She started the rumor on your wolf, I assure you."