CHAPTER 456: ENEMY WITHIN

Leviathan stood at the edge of the clearing, his jaw clenched tight as he watched Jasmine being escorted away by Alpha Hunter’s men.

She moved slowly, cautiously, wrapped in her cloak like a ghost drifting between guards. No chains. No bruises. No rough hands.

He scoffed.

What a joke.

She was supposed to be a prisoner, not a guest. And yet there she was, treated like some precious relic. Not even a slap across the face. Not even a damn collar.

He wanted to spit.

What made her so special?

He’d seen better wolves chained and dragged for less. He’d brought her in, after all. He’d tracked her scent. It should’ve been his glory. His prize.

And yet the Alpha barely acknowledged him. Spoke to him like a nuisance.

The stupid whore was supposed to be shared amongst the men.

He was supposed to have his fill before he was done and handed her out to others.

Not that she would be treated like a Queen.

A low growl rumbled in his throat.

Fine.

If they wanted to treat her like royalty, then let them.

But he wasn’t going to sit and watch it happen.

From the shadowed edge of the treeline, Leviathan whistled low and sharp. Moments later, a large owl swooped down from a nearby perch, its eyes shining gold in the fading light.

Leviathan tied a message to its leg with practiced hands, sealing it with his own crimson wax.

"Fly fast."

The owl took off silently, disappearing into the darkening sky.

Let them coddle their precious little princess. He would make sure she was dealt with the proper way—through betrayal, lies, and blood.

He watched until the owl vanished into the horizon, his expression darkening.

"You’ll wish you were chained when I’m through with you," he muttered under his breath. "You’re not walking out of this, girl. Not this time."

~~~~~~~

Deep beneath the marble halls of the North Citadel, a fire roared in a hearth carved with ancient runes.

Uther stood by the flames, the scroll from Leviathan in his hand. He read it twice. Then a third time.

He smiled.

"Perfect," he murmured.

Who could have known that goddess would be by his side?

Why was fate so good?

Jasmine captured?

This was too rich!

He was grateful that he had retained his ties with the savages now look how it had come to his advantage.

And Xaden....

Well the bastard was still missing and nowhere to be found.

That was what the letter said.

He walked to the far wall and knocked once—hard.

A panel slid open, revealing a secret corridor lit with violet lanterns.

He entered without hesitation and descended the spiral steps until he reached a small, circular chamber filled with sweet smoke and serpent symbols.

A woman stood at the center, cloaked in crimson, her dark hair pinned in a crown of glass.

Princess Cherry

And the last woman in the realm one would ever wish to disturb.

Her eyes snapped to him as he stepped forward.

"Do you value your tongue, Uther?" she asked in a voice that was all sugar and blades. "Because disturbing me without cause is how men lose it. I have so much dealing with for you to add to any nonsense."

She wasn’t really here as usual.

Just a sort of spirit of hers that she used to travel across.

Uther bowed slightly. "I bring good news. Of Jasmine."

At that, her interest piqued.

Her fingers paused mid-incantation, and she turned fully to him. "Jasmine? That little whore and my favorite grand niece."

"More than that," Uther said. "She’s been captured."

Princess Chery smiled, wicked and slow. "Oh... well done....."

And then she chucked.

A soft chuckle that said she was delighted. "By Who?"

"Alpha Hunter," Uther replied. "He has her in his pack."

"Well, it’s about damn time someone did something useful." Chery stepped closer, her heels clicking against the stone floor. "I assume she’s been... handled?"

Uther’s lips twitched. "Not quite."

She narrowed her eyes. "Explain."

"She’s not harmed," he said carefully. "Not even chained. Apparently... she’s pregnant."

The smile died.

"What?????"

Uther held up the letter, letting her see it for herself. "With Xaden’s child."

Chery’s expression twisted into revulsion. "You mean to tell me that slut managed to wrap her legs around him before we could end her?"

"It appears so."

"And you didn’t fucking know this?" She demanded of him.

Of course he knew.

But he had been so busy pursuing his interests that he hadn’t told her.

"I didn’t." He lied.

Cherry would kill him if she knew he had known.

Chery turned away, her cloak sweeping behind her like blood on the floor. "Disgusting. That girl was always more trouble than she was worth."

"And it seems that Alpha hunter knows a thing or two about her. My source told me that he was keen on some power."

"Power?" Chery sneered. "Please. Her power’s a stain—something buried and broken. But bloodlines... bloodlines complicate things."

She paced for a moment, her fingers curling and uncurling. "Killing that girl has been so fucking difficult. I’ve killed monsters. But a stupid unshifted imposter. She keeps escaping."

"I thought the same," Uther said. "So I was thinking why don’t we try something else."

Chery’s brow lifted. "What do you have in mind?"

For the first time she was interested in heading his opinion.

Uther leaned in slightly. "We frame her. Make it look like she orchestrated the kidnapping of Xaden. Turn the wolves against her. If she’s seen as a traitor... Turn Xaden against her. Since we can’t kill her. We can get rid of her."

"They’ll kill her themselves or perhaps worse." Cherry finished, her voice purring with delight. "Much cleaner than our hands ever being caught."

"Exactly."

Chery tapped her long nails against her chin. "And what about Leviathan?"

"Give him gold. Tell him Anna will pay him directly."

At the name, Chery stilled. "Anna."

"My niece and Xaden’s sister. Loyal. Vicious. Angry. And easily manipulated. She wants Jasmine gone, perhaps more than either of us do."

Cherry was quiet for while.

"You’re much smarter than I thought you are Uther." Cherry said. "I stand corrected."

"So how will you get Anna to know about all of these?" She asked him.

"I’ll find a way." He assured her.

"This just might work." Cherry said. "If you succeed. I would make giving you this pack seamless and smooth. You would have everything you’ve ever wanted."

Uther bowed. "You’re too kind your majesty."

And in a puff of smoke she was gone