Chapter 60

Sadie It's been a week since the truth finally came out, and I've been trying to keep busy just to keep my mind from racing. When everything first happened, I thought the main target was Alec. I was sure that some other alpha had something to do with it—that this alpha wanted to weaken Alec. What better way to do that than to get his mate to reject him? Alec is the strongest and most powerful alpha in existence. He has allies, sure, but he also has many enemies—alphas who want the kind of power he has, who envy his success, and who covet his lands, pack, and business. Not all the alphas who are allied with him actually like him. They're allied with him because they have no other choice. Those alphas wouldn’t blink twice if there was an opportunity to take Alec down. If there were a sure way to destroy and weaken him, they would do it in a heartbeat. These are the reasons why I thought he was always the target. But why, though? Before my powers manifested, I was literally nobody. The only connection I had was being best friends with the alpha’s sister. I was at the bottom of the food chain with nothing to offer. Why would anyone target me? Unless— “Nyx, is there any other person who knows about my powers?” I asked her as I shifted in my chair. I was in my office, trying to do all I could before we went scouting. King, Raven, and I usually did this every two weeks to gather more information on the hybrids. It also gave us the chance to eliminate some of them. “Why do you ask?” she replied lazily, as if she didn’t care in the slightest. “Because it just hit me. Why would someone want to target and set me up? Unless they knew exactly what they were doing and wanted me dead.” I mean, think about it. Why would anyone want someone seemingly insignificant dead? They knew setting me up like that would lead Alec to believe I was the culprit. This would then lead to my imprisonment, a trial, and ultimately, my execution. Why would anyone want someone seemingly weak and insignificant dead? Unless that person already knew that I wasn't as weak as everyone thought. Unless the mastermind already knew about the power I possessed—power that had yet to awaken—and they were trying to stop it from manifesting. “There is one other person who knows who and what you are,” her voice pulled me from my musings. “After what Calvin said, I suspect who orchestrated this whole thing, and if she’s the one, then her actions aren’t because she wants you dead, but most likely because she wants revenge.” "Revenge? Revenge for what?" I responded incredulously. I never did anything to hurt anyone—ever. I didn’t like hurting other people’s feelings; it made me feel horrible. So why would anyone want to take revenge on me? “So, are you going to tell me why they would want revenge?” I asked her, even though I already knew the answer. “Nope… Not right now, anyway.” Nyx and her secrets. Sighing, I stayed quiet for a while, feeling frustrated with her evasive answers. What was with the secrecy? Can’t she just tell me what I need to know? “You said there’s one other person that already knows who I am, right? Well, let’s count out the Moon Goddess since she knows everything. That leaves the other wolf—the other Alpha Female you told me about,” I stated, realization dawning on me. “Yes. She’s the only other person who knew of your powers before they awakened,” came her reply. I wanted so much to ask her why this other woman would want revenge on me, but I held back. Knowing Nyx, she wouldn’t spill the beans until she felt the time was right. Standing up, I walked toward the corner of my office, where my coffee machine was. I was running low on energy and needed a boost. I wasn’t one to take naps, but at this point, I might just need one. I could barely sleep at night with my mind racing. I was so damn tired, given that I was running on only two to three hours of sleep every night. I was just brewing my nectar when my office door opened. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. His unique scent alerted me to his presence. Even if I couldn’t smell him, the bond energizing between us every time he was near me was enough to confirm his identity. "I didn't take you for a coward, Sadie," he drawled in that deep voice I hated so much. "You’ve been avoiding me." It's true. When I couldn’t get rid of him, his pack, and his sister, I resorted to avoiding them. He thought I was a coward, but I called it self-preservation. Being near them brought back terrible memories that I had been trying my hardest to forget Being near them and seeing them brings back terrible memories that I've been trying my damn hardest to forget. It's not just once or twice that I've lost control of my powers because seeing them dredged up a particularly painful memory. I couldn’t risk destroying my pack house or hurting my people, so until I could gain control of my powers, I resorted to avoiding them. "What do you want, Alec?" I mutter, not even turning around. "As you can see, I am very busy, and I don't have time for your tantrums." "I just want to talk," he replies. There is something in his voice, but I just can't figure out what it is. I finish brewing my coffee, then I add milk and sugar. Once that is done, I take my cup and head to my seat. After settling in, I take a sip of my coffee, sighing in contentment. "There is nothing to talk about. Absolutely nothing," I tell him after placing my cup down. On a serious note, what did he expect us to discuss? Unless he had a time machine and could go back to undo what he did, then there was nothing at all to talk about. "That's where you're wrong. There is the subject of Aspen and our mating," he says, pulling the chair opposite me and sitting down. It annoys me that he would sit down in my chair at my office without even asking. Choosing to ignore it, I take a deep breath before speaking. "I'm tired of repeating myself, Alpha Alec. We have nothing to discuss when it comes to Aspen because she’s my daughter, not yours. And as for our so-called mating, I already told you I don't want to be mated to you." Don't you just get irritated when you have to repeat the same thing over and over again? When someone can't get a freaking hint? "I'll go to the council if I have to, but I want to be in my daughter's life," he growls in a threatening tone. He should have realized that I'm not the same Sadie I was back then. I don't get easily fazed. I smile. "You'll do well not to threaten me, Alpha. As for the council, go ahead. Then we can tell them how you tortured me while I was pregnant. We can also add how you wanted to kill me even after I told you I was pregnant. For good measure, we can mention the words you said to me. I have a witness, and I'm sure your company has CCTV footage they can use to verify my words. Let's see whose side they'll take." When I'm done, I lean back in triumph as I watch his face morph from complete shock to anger. "You can't f**g do that," he hollers, standing up before he starts pacing. "Sure, I can," I drawl. "We can even take it up with them concerning our mating. I'm sure they'll understand why I simply can't accept you as my mate, given the cruelty you've shown in the past." In fact, it's something I've been contemplating for the last couple of days. Nyx and I decided that if he doesn't willingly accept the rejection, then we will take it up with the council. "Please, Sadie," he pleads, shocking me to the core. I recover quickly and smirk. "The all-powerful Alpha Alec pleading. This is a sight to behold. If only I had a camera to capture this moment." Something shifts in his eyes, and his jaw tightens just as his hands clench into fists. He was about to say something when his phone began to ring. Taking it out of his pocket, he looks at the screen before glancing back at me. He holds up his finger in a sign for me to hold on. Taking my cup, I roll my eyes at him. What an arrogant bastard. "Hello," he says into the phone. There is a minute of silence when, all of a sudden, the air becomes charged. "What?" he bellows furiously, as his angry energy fills the room.