CHAPTER 29: GATHER WITNESSES

Nikki blinked, momentarily stunned by his harshness, then frowned. "I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking," she muttered under her breath, voice barely above a whisper.

Eberhard exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You never think before you speak," he said, his tone low but firm, heavy with disappointment. "Just because the hallway’s empty doesn’t mean no one’s listening. With our kind’s hearing, you should know better."

Nikki bit back a retort, jaw tightening, a faint flush creeping up her neck. Lyra and Lena exchanged uneasy glances but wisely kept silent, heads slightly bowed.

They had only a few feet to the Alpha’s door when Eberhard suddenly stopped, forcing the others to halt abruptly. Lyra almost collided with him, but Lena’s quick reflexes caught her arm, pulling her back just in time.

"Father?" Nikki asked, her brows knitting in confusion. "Why are we stopping?"

Eberhard didn’t answer right away. His gaze stayed fixed ahead, unreadable, his expression shifting as though something had just clicked in his mind. Then a slow, tight smile spread across his face. "I got a better idea."

The girls exchanged wary looks, curiosity flickering in their eyes. Better idea? Lyra thought. Better than reporting that traitor right now? She wondered what he could possibly mean.

Eberhard turned toward them, his eyes sharp. "You two," he said, motioning to Lyra and Lena, "I don’t think following us to the Alpha’s suite is a good idea. I have something else I want you to do instead."

Both girls frown, confusion flickering across their faces. "Something else?" Lena asked carefully, unsure if she should sound curious or concerned. "What could that be, Sir? "

"Will it help with our plan?" Nikki asked, her voice more interested now than cautious.

"Of course," Eberhard replied, pleasure softening his voice. He looked suddenly younger, as if scheming suited him.

Nikki tilted her head, studying him. It had been a long time since she’d seen that look on her father’s face. It was the look he wore when he was certain of victory. Her curiosity sparked instantly. "What might that be, Father?"

He did not answer her question. Instead, he shifted his attention back to Lyra and Lena. "Go help your mother gather the pack," he said flatly.

"Gather the pack?" Lena echoed, brows furrowed in confusion.

"Yes," Eberhard said, his tone sharpening. "We need to block every possible way the Beta might try to help her. Ellie has always been a thorn in my plans. I won’t let him have his way this time." His voice hardened with grievance.

He stepped closer, lowering his tone. "Tell your mother to gather as many pack members as possible. Bring as many as possible, I want witnesses."

The realization hit the sisters almost at once, their confusion vanishing. "Oh," they said together, their expressions shifting from uncertainty to eager understanding.

Nikki, however, kept glancing between their faces, still lost. "How will that help?" she asked, her tone half-defensive, half-curious.

Eberhard’s eyes flicked toward her with a stare so sharp it made her stiffen. For a long moment, he simply looked at her, wondering if she was truly his daughter. How could someone be this slow?

Nikki shifted awkwardly under his glare, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Lyra stepped in before the tension thickened further. "Once a lot of people witness the bitch’s act," she explained, keeping her tone cautious, "not even the beta can save her. No one will accuse us of framing her when the whole pack sees it themselves."

Nikki blinked, then her lips curved into a grin. "Oh. That’s wonderful."

Eberhard shook his head slightly, disappointment flickering through his eyes. If only I had married the woman I wanted,

he thought. Maybe I wouldn’t have ended up with such a slow daughter.

"Go," he said curtly to Lyra and Lena. "Gather as many members as you can."

"Yes, Sir," Lyra said quickly, bowing her head. Lena nodded beside her, murmuring, "We’ll do it right away." Cheeks flushed with the rush of being useful. They both turned and hurried off down the hall, Nikki watched them go, an eager smile playing at her mouth.

Eberhard’s gaze followed them for a moment before he shifted his eyes to Nikki. "You," he said, voice low but firm, "come with me."

They reached the black double doors of the Alpha’s suite. Eberhard reached for the handle and twisted it firmly. It didn’t move. His jaw tightened.

"That stupid beta..." he hissed, voice low but dripping with venom.

Nikki frowned, stepping closer. "It’s locked?"

Eberhard ignored her, lifted his hand, and rapped hard on the door. The sharp sound echoed down the hall. "Ellie," he called, his tone commanding. "Open up. The Alpha has granted me free pass to come and go as I please. How dare you lock this door?"

He leaned closer, his lips curling in irritation. The nerve of that boy. Always standing in the way. Eberhard clenched his fists, a dangerous thought flickering through his mind. He’d have to find a way to get rid of the beta too. Once Ellie was out of the picture, there’d be no one left to oppose him.

When no sound came from the other side, he knocked again, this time louder, his voice rising with anger. "Ellie, don’t make me repeat myself! Open this damn door now before I lose my patience!"

Still nothing.

Nikki shifted impatiently beside him, crossing her arms. "What’s taking him so long?" she whined.

Eberhard turned sharply, glare snapping to her. "How will I know?" he snapped.

Nikki flinched at his tone, her lips pressing into a pout as she stepped back. "I don’t even know why you’re always snapping at me," she muttered, voice low but tight with frustration. "I’m angry for you too, you know. We’re supposed to be on the same side, not fighting each—"

Eberhard shot her a brief, cold glance that silence the rest of her muttering. His jaw flexed, muscle ticking with restrained irritation, as he turned back to the door.

His knuckles curled, rapping against the wood again — each knock louder, harder, angrier. "Open this damn door," he growled.