CHAPTER 473: ANNA’S WAY

Anna’s room was dark, lit only by the dim flicker of candlelight.

The soft orange glow danced against the carved walls, casting long shadows that swayed like ghosts. Her reflection in the mirror was smeared and exhausted—eyeliner streaked like bruises, cheeks flushed with the sting of humiliation. The weight of the night hung on her like a second skin.

She sat motionless, dragging a cloth across her face with slow, deliberate movements, as if scrubbing away the memory of Erik’s disgusted glare... Fiona’s condescension... Nanny Nia’s veiled accusations.

But worst of all—Xaden’s silence.

That silence had cracked something in her.

He hadn’t defended her. Not even a glance.

It had always been that way. Jasmine cried, Jasmine stumbled, and everyone came running. She lied, and the world believed her. She breathed, and the Alphas knelt.

And Anna?

Anna was always just there—smiling, perfect, and utterly invisible.

But not anymore.

A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.

She didn’t turn. "Come in," she called dryly, already guessing who it was.

The door creaked open and closed again with a gentle click. She saw his reflection before his voice.

"Lovely evening," Uther murmured, his tone oily with familiarity as he stepped into the room.

Anna placed the cloth down and turned slowly toward him, her lips drawn in a tight line. "You said you’ve found a way to get rid of Jasmine."

She didn’t waste time. "I want to hear it."

Uther’s smile was thin. "And you will. But first—I need your word. What I tell you does not leave this room. No whispers, no hints, not even to your shadows."

She gave him a scowl, every bit the petulant, privileged brat she’d been raised to be. "You know I won’t say a word."

"Say it anyway," he pressed, voice quiet but firm.

She exhaled sharply and rolled her eyes, "Fine. I swear I won’t tell anyone."

Her voice carried the impatience of someone used to getting what they wanted.

But something about Uther’s stillness sobered her slightly. He was always calm. Always calculating. And when he was like this—she knew he had something real.

He nodded slowly, his expression unreadable, before walking back to the door. He turned the key in the lock—a click of finality—then moved toward her again with heavy, deliberate steps.

He poured himself a drink from the decanter on her side table and took a slow sip before finally saying, "Jasmine is still alive."

Anna froze.

Her brow furrowed, mouth parting. "...How do you know that?"

He raised the glass slightly. "A little bird told me."

"What?" Her voice sharpened, and she stood now, almost knocking over the chair behind her. "What do you mean she’s alive?"

"She’s alive," he repeated, savoring each word like fine wine. "Being held captive in Alpha Hunter’s territory. The same Alpha who led the ambush against Xaden."

Anna’s face drained of color, then flamed with rage.

"What?! That bitch is still breathing?"

Uther chuckled softly. "Yes, she is."

Anna stormed toward the fireplace and braced her hands on the mantel, staring into the coals like they could offer answers. "Why didn’t you tell me sooner?" she demanded.

"I just confirmed it." He said it so simply, like he hadn’t just torn her world apart. "I have someone—someone close to Hunter. They say Jasmine’s being kept in the east tower. She’s locked up, yes, but safe. He’s protecting her."

"Protecting her?" Her voice was shrill now. "The Alpha who tried to kill my brother is now guarding her like she’s some precious thing?"

He nodded. "He even demoted one of his own pack for laying a hand on her. Stripped him of rank. Turned him into nothing."

Anna spun around, pacing now. Her fingernails dug into her palms. "Of course. Of course she would find a way to make even him fall for her. She always does. They all do. Xaden, Erik, now this brute. What is it about her? What does she have that makes men turn into fools?"

Uther watched her, letting her rant. Then, in a low voice, he said, "That girl is dangerous in more ways than one. But she’s also useful. You don’t kill a threat like her. You use her."

Anna paused, breath ragged. "Use her?"

"She’s close to Alpha Hunter," Uther explained. "Emotionally. Maybe more. That gives us an edge. I said I have someone on the inside. We can meet him, pay him, make him look the other way. With the right plan... we could make it appear Jasmine was in on everything. That she orchestrated her own disappearance. That she helped plan the attack on Crescent Moon."

Anna’s eyes gleamed. "You want to frame her."

"I want to ruin her," Uther corrected. "Not just destroy her body. Destroy her name. Her legacy. Make her untouchable."

Anna laughed—a short, sharp sound. "She’s already hated. If we do this right... the council will never let her return. The people will never forgive her. And Xaden—"

Her expression hardened. "Xaden will never look at her the same."

"She’ll be a traitor," Uther said simply. "Not a victim. Not a captive. A traitor."

Anna’s heart beat like thunder in her ears.

This was it.

The moment she’d been waiting for.

She turned slowly toward her uncle, her face calm again, eyes colder than ice. "I want to meet your insider."

Uther raised a brow. "Now?"

"Yes." She didn’t blink. "If I’m going to do this, I need details. I want to know the layout of Hunter’s grounds. I want to know who guards her. I want to know what she eats, when she sleeps, where she hides her things. I need loopholes."

"You’re thinking like a strategist now," Uther said, pleased. "But be warned. This insider—he’s not... polite. And he’s got his own reasons for hating Jasmine."

"Good," Anna said. "We’ll get along just fine."

Uther studied her, then finally gave a slow nod. "I’ll arrange it."

"Do it soon," Anna said, returning to her vanity. "I’ve waited long enough. If we’re going to strike, it has to be clean. No mistakes. No room for sympathy."

She picked up her brush and dragged it through her hair in smooth, even strokes.

In the mirror, her eyes met her own reflection.

Cold. Determined. Beautiful in a way that was almost cruel.

This wasn’t over.

It was just the beginning.

And this time—Jasmine would not survive it.