Alpha Prime: Her Retribution

Chapter Eighteen

“Ms Adelaide…”

I blinked, coming back to the present. Delilah was staring at me, a confused and worried look on her face. I sighed, tucking my hair behind my ears.

“Sorry… what were you saying?” I inquired.

“Are you okay?” She asked. “You look like you haven't gotten any sleep.”

I closed my eyes, massaging my temples. After last night's fiasco, I was exhausted, both mentally and physically.

“I'm fine.” I whispered, opening my eyes. “So for the food…” I trailed off.

“We finished discussing the food a while ago.” She mumbled. I let out a groan, pressing my forehead to the table.

“You know what? We're almost done, I'll handle the rest, you should get some rest.” She said, closing the book. I lifted my head, looking at her, a small grateful smile on my lips.

“Thank you Delilah.”

She gathered the planners and made her way out. I stared at the door, my mind going back to last night. Several questions swirled around my mind, I still didn't know how he noticed the poison…

My phone ringing disrupted my thoughts.

Liam

My finger hovered over the accept icon, I had no idea what I was going to tell him, that I had failed him and Silverstone, that Jacob was still alive. The call ended before my phone began ringing once more.

“Hello” I whispered.

“Adelaide! I was so worried when I didn't hear from you. Are you okay? Were you able to go through with it?” He inquired. I closed my eyes, fighting the tears of helplessness.

“Adelaide… hello?! Are you there?”

I swallowed hard.

“I…” I choked out.

“Addie, what's wrong?” His voice took a concerned tone.

“I'm sorry…” I whispered, my legs bouncing. I was barely holding onto what little sanity I had left.

“s**t… Addie, what happened? I'm coming.”

“No!!!” I cried out. “Just… please… send a car… I need to get out of here even if it is for a few hours.” I pleaded.

“Alright, hang in there Addie.”

He ended the call and I had no idea how long I sat there, my eyes staring at the doors. I had put all my hopes on that poison and my plan had failed. I felt lost, confused and helpless.

************** ***************** ******************

My phone rang, it was Liam again.

“There's a car outside.” He stated. I got to my feet, making my way out of the living room, down to the ground floor. I opened the front door and saw the car. I took a step towards the car when the guard stepped in front of me.

“I'm sorry Luna Prime but I'm under strict orders from the Alpha P…”

“Unless your Alpha Prime wants to come back to a burnt cottage and one less guard, you will do well to get the f**k out of my way.” I threatened. His eyes widened and I could feel the indecision coming from him. Ignoring him, I brushed past him and got into the car.

The guard watched helpless as the car pulled away from the house, down the driveway and out of sight. I leaned my head against the window, staring down at my fingers. I had no idea how Liam would react to me failing, closing my eyes, I fought back the tears, wishing I could just run away from all these.

***************** ********************* ******************

We arrived at the consulate and I made my way up the stone steps into the building. There were people bustling around, working.

“Alpha Prime.” A woman greeted, bowing. I forced a smile, making my way through the foyer.

“Adelaide!!!” I looked up to see Liam rushing down the stairs. My eyes watered at the sight of him and a small sob escaped my lips. He pulled me into a hug and I clutched at him. Without wasting a second, he moved us to the closest room.

“I'm sorry” I cried into his shirt, sobs and hiccups leaving me. “I'm so sorry I failed you and everyone else.”

“Hey… Addie, Addie, look at me.” He whispered, I shook my head, unable to meet his gaze.

“It's not fair… Liam, it's not fair. Why does he get to go scotfree after he took so much from us? After stealing nine years of my life? Why does he get to have me? How can he win? After everything he did to ruin my life.” I wailed. Liam kept quiet, letting me get everything off my chest. My heart ached, the festering wound in my soul felt raw and it burned.

“He can't win, he just can't.” I whispered over and over, sagging against Liam. He wrapped his arm around my body, hooking a hand under my knees before lifting me into the air and walked us towards a sofa. He sat with me on his thighs. He stroked my hair, letting me fully relax in his arms. My eyes drifted close and I forced them open.

“Sleep,” He whispered. “You're safe.”

My eyes fluttered closed and I let myself finally drift off to sleep.

***************** *********************** *******************

I let out a moan, snuggling into the soft fluffy pillow beneath my cheek. Yawning, I opened my eyes, before sotting up and looking around.

Where was I?

The room was dark due to the drawn heavy curtains but I could still see. I was in a large room on what looked like a four poster canopy bed. I pushed the blanket off me, scooted to the edge and got to my feet. The floor was covered by a carpet, I glanced at the wall, locating a light switch. I flicked it on and the room was bathed in a golden glow.

The room was even bigger than I had thought, with a large sitting area in front of the bed complete with a fireplace. There were five other doors and I wondered where they led to. The walls were covered with vintage blue flowers wallpaper, the ceiling was an ornate golden masterpiece. I walked over to the curtains and pulled the curtains aside, gasping.

The sun was currently setting, just how long had I been asleep?

I let the curtains fall back in place, looking around once more. One of the doors, the double doors, was opened and Liam walked in.

“You're awake.”

“Yeah… I can't remember the last time I slept this good.” I whispered, sitting on one of the light blue high back chairs.

“No surprise there, this is the Alpha Prime suite.” He replied, sitting opposite me.

“The Alpha Prime suite?” I parroted.

“Yeah, you're the Alpha Prime, it's only fair for you to sleep here, I brought you up here after you fell asleep.” He explained. I looked around the room, this time really taking it in. It explained why I felt at peace in the room.

“It still feels unreal…” I confessed.

“Being Alpha Prime?” He asked.

“Yeah… I mean, I knew I would have to take the mantle but it still feels strange.” I replied.

“Well if it makes you feel better, I think you're going to be an awesome Alpha Prime.”

I let out a laugh, shaking my head, I knew he was trying to make me feel better and as the laughter died away, I could feel the tension in the room.

“We don't have to talk about it.” He murmured.

“If we don't, it'll continue to eat us up.” I said, pulling my knees to my chest, resting my chin on my knees. “He was so close to drinking it, or maybe he was toying with me and he knew the moment the maid poured the bræw into his cup.”

Liam was quiet, brows knitted together.

“Agatha assured me it was odourless, hell I was there when she brewed it!!!”

“Do you think the maid could have told him?” He inquired.

“No, she was under my influence, she had no idea what I made her do.” I answered.

“Well then he must have figured it out somehow, maybe he has a special ability.” He suggested. My mind immediately went to several strange occurrences with him. Things that were unnatural for a lycan.

“He drinks human blood.” I whispered “and his eyes, they change colour, he… he has a way of manipulating thoughts.” A flashback of the incident before the dinner flashed through my mind and I had to stamp down the warmth that surged through me at the thought of his lips on my neck.

“Eda blesses lycans with different powers, maybe that's his powers?” He suggested. I shook my head, getting to my feet.

“I might have been dead to the world for years, unable to meet other lycans but drinking human blood, there's nothing right about that.” I stated, getting to my feet.

“Agatha said there was something strange about Jacob, I was stupid not to investigate it fully. Maybe, just maybe the way to bring him down is in his past…” I trailed off.

“What is it?” He asked.

“Where’s Papa’s office?”

“This way.”

I let him lead me out of the room, through what looked like a reception room and out of the suite. He took me to the second floor.

“Adelaide?”

We turned around to see Magnus standing by the stairway.

“Magnus, how are you?” I asked, stepping towards him.

“I'm well, Liam told me you were asleep.”

“Yes, I was exhausted and needed to get some much needed rest.” I answered.

“Alright then. Do you need anything?” he inquired.

“No, we're just heading to my father's office.” I replied, he smiled, nodding.

“Well then, you'll need the key. It's in my office, I'll be right back.” He turned to leave.

“Come on, let's go to the office. He can meet us there.” Liam whispered, nudging me. I followed him to an impressive set of dark wood double doors.

“I think Papa would freak if he knew where I was right now.” I said, tracing the design on the doors.

“Oh he'd freak and then definitely kill Uncle Pete and I.” He replied, chuckling. “Maybe choke Magnus out and drag you back to Europe to some unknown monastery.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that, my heart ached. I missed my parents terribly. I stepped away from the door as Magnus walked up to us.

“I believe this now belongs to you.” He uttered, holding out the key. I stared at it, it was the key to my Papa's office… my office. With trembling fingers, I collected the key and inserted it into the keyhole, twisting it until I felt the lock give way.

Here I go…

I placed a hand on the knob, twisting and pushing the door open. I stepped inside, holding my breath as I did.

Everything about the office reminded me of my Papa’s office back in Silverstone. I almost expected to see him seated behind the table, head bent, eyes on whatever document he was reading. My heart hurt at the memory and I had to close my eyes and gather myself for a moment.

Now was not the time for weakness.

I opened my eyes and walked deeper into the office, looking at the wooden shelves filled with books. There was a wall that had a picture of my father with smaller ones of him with different people placed around the bigger frame.

I finally turned my attention to the table, letting my fingers run along the length of the impressive table as I rounded it to the executive leather chair. I ran my fingers along the arm rest, glancing at Liam and Magnus who both had proud looks on their faces. I pulled the chair out and took a seat.

“So… how does it feel?” Liam inquired.

“It feels… okay? I really don't know how to explain it.” I confessed, staring at the table, there were several files to one side and an old desktop on the other side.

“Uh, Magnus, I’d like some tea please.” I requested, needing privacy to talk to Liam. He nodded and walked out of the office. Liam closed the door behind him, making his way over to me.

“This is one ancient computer.” He commented.

“Tell me about it.” I mumbled, powering it on, surprised it was even working.

“Maybe we can get some kind of information on Jacob from the computer, even if we don't, I need you to ask around but be discreet about it.” I instructed, he nodded. We watched as the computer booted before I clicked on the files icon.

Liam moved over to the files at the other side of the table, flipping through one, coughing slightly at the dust. I wrinkled my nose, holding back a sneeze.

“Adelaide, I think you might want to take a look at this.”

I looked away from the documents that were mainly accounts on Silverstone's steel and ore exports. He handed me the open file.

“These are missing persons reports.” I said, glancing at him before turning my attention back to the file. There were almost a hundred posters and reports of different people that had gone missing.

“Sorry the tea took so long.”

We looked up to see Magnus standing next to a maid who was holding a tray. He directed her to place it on the coffee table before she bowed and left.

‘Magnus, these missing persons reports…”

His smile disappeared and he walked closer to the table. Looking down at the different reports Liam and I had spread out.

“Are all these people from our continent?” I inquired.

“Yes, we received them from the other two diplomatic representatives' offices here.” He explained. I frowned, staring at the posters once more.

“How long has this been happening?”

“2 decades.” He answered.

“That was before my father's death, did he have any knowledge of this?” I inquired.

“Yes, he had me gather as much intel as I could, I sent it to him but never got a reply.” He said.

“What did you gather?”

“Other Alpha Primes’ consulates have also recorded a number of missing persons all over the world, except one.”

Liam folded his arms.

“Let me guess, Jacob Mont Blanc's?” he asked.

“You’re right.”

“So not only is he a murderer but he is k********g people. Why aren't the other Primes doing anything about it?!” I snapped, incensed.

“Well, not everyone can or cares to stand up to him.” Magnus replied. I let out a scoff, shaking my head.

“Unbelievable, when was the last report made?”

“Two weeks ago.” He picked up a poster. I stared at the middle aged blonde haired woman, Amelia Dubois, her name written in bold.

“Magnus, send someone to conduct an interview with the family. We can't keep losing our people, there has to be something we are missing, also forward me the email you sent my father about the Intel you gathered.

“As you wish Alpha Prime.” Magnus said, bowing. There was a knock on the door.

“Enter.”

A man walked in, a nervous look on his face.

“What is it?” Magnus inquired.

“J-Jacob Mont Blanc is outside the consulate and he demands to see the Alpha Prime.”

Liam and I glanced at each other.

Shit…

“Tell him I'll be right there.” I said to the guard. He nodded, bowing before leaving.

Remember our new plan? I mindlinked Liam.

Yes.

Good, once you have anything just let me know.

I turned to Magnus, who looked worried. He still had no idea I was Jacob’s mate and I would prefer to keep it that way for now. I knew all that would change once the banquet takes place. I had thought I would be able to avoid it but it seemed that wasn't going to work.

“Don't forget to send me a copy of the email.”

He nodded, I placed a hand on his shoulder, forcing a smile.

“It's alright Magnus, I'll be fine.”

He smiled and I headed out of the office, Magnus and Liam following behind, down the stairway to the ground floor. I wiped my sweaty palms on my trousers as I walked through the front doors. Jacob was leaning against a black Dodge Viper, hands stuffed into his pocket, legs crossed at the ankles.

I turned to Liam, hugging him before smiling at Magnus once more.

“Goodnight.”

I made my way down the stairs, stopping in front of him.

“What are you doing here?” I snapped. He tilted his head to the side, his eyes raked over me.

“I remember giving a certain guard clear and concise instructions that my Luna wasn't to leave the pack, now imagine my surprise when I come back and I’m told that not only did my Luna threaten to burn down my house and kill my guard, she also disobeyed my order.” He uttered. I folded my arms.

“Newsflash Jacob, I’m not yours to control. Your orders begin and end with the werewolves of your continent.”

“Is that so?” He mused before his hand shot out to grab my elbow, pulling me to him.

“What the f**k do you think you are doing?” I hissed, glancing at Magnus and Liam who were still standing by the doors.

“What do you think will happen if I were to do something to you right now? Do you think your guards will protect you? Do you think they have the guts to stand up to me?” He whispered, staring into my eyes. I tried to tug my elbow away but he tightened his grip.

“Stop this.” I said through gritted teeth.

“I don't think I will.”

“Adelaide?” I glanced to see a worried Liam about to come down the stairs when Magnus stopped him. The guards situated by the doors shifted uneasily, the air was tense and charged.

“See… your own guards are spineless, they can't even defend their own Alpha Prime, how embarrassing.” He whispered, twirling a lock of my hair around his finger. My blood boiled at his words and I jerked my head away.

“Did you come all the way to humiliate me? I never knew you were this jobless.”

He smirked, letting go of my elbow before opening the door.

“Get in.”

I glared at him before getting in. He closed the door, rounding the car and getting in. The engine purred to life the moment he pressed a button. I glanced at Liam as the car pulled away from the curb.

It's okay Liam, I'll be fine.

Yet something told me the night was just beginning.

**************** ***************** ********************

Where are you taking me?” I demanded, the moment we missed the turn leading back to Yellowstone.

“Don't worry pet, I have no intention of killing you if that's what you're worried about.” He replied.

“That doesn't answer my question.” I ground out. He chuckled, glancing at me.

“Patience pet.”

The car came to a stop in front of a jewellery shop.

“I trust you won't do anything before I come back.” He stated. I narrowed my eyes at him, forcing a smile.

“No promises.”

He got out of the car, and I watched as he made his way into the shop.

Just what is he doing?

I leaned forward watching as he walked up to the front desk where a frail old man was standing. I watched as they spoke, the man smiling and nodding at Jacob before bringing out a slim black box and handing it over to him.

Hmmm wonder what's in the box?

The man bowed and shook Jacob's hand before he walked out. I watched as he came back to the car and got in.

“Did you decide to take me from my consulate to accompany you on your petty errands?” I inquired, turning to him.

“No” He replied, turning on and putting the car in reverse before he drove in the direction of the pack. The drive back was a quiet one and soon we were walking into his cottage. I was about to head up the stairs.

“I'm curious” He began “How did you come across a poison like that?”

I swallowed the wave of panic I felt before turning to him.

“You know what they say about curiosity.” I quipped, turning back to the stairs when he grabbed my hand, the force sending me into his chest.

“What is your problem?!” I cried out, struggling out of his grasp. He pinned my hand behind my back, my other hand came up to hit him when he caught my fist.

“You will tell me where you got a poison potent enough to kill an Alpha Prime.” He ordered.

“Why? Afraid I’ll succeed next time?” I taunted, laughing. His eyes darkened and he tightened his grip on my wrists, I snarled at him, raising my knee only for him to move out of the way.

“Do you have any idea what a poison like that could do if it gets into the wrong hands?” He demanded. I glared up at him.

“I. Don't. Care. I'll die before I tell you where I got the poison from.” I snapped. He stared at me, frustration and anger etched in his face before realisation dawned on him. He loosened his grip on me, taking a step back.

“Swearing on your Primeship without a thought of how it would affect people around you. You really are your father's daughter, uncaring and self…”

The sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the room, my palm smarting from the slap. Jacob was silent, his hand moving to his jaw before he let out a dark chuckle. I took a step back, the light flickering dangerously before they went out.

Slapping was considered a grave insult to both werewolves and lycans and I had just done that. I found myself slammed against the wall, a pained gasp escaping my lips. I watched as red bleed into his dark eyes until they were a bright red and was the only illumination in the room.

“Make no mistake pet, just because you are my mate doesn't mean I'll allow you to insult me in such a manner.” He growled, pinning me to the wall. For the second time I felt fear as I stared at him.

“Do I make myself clear?” He demanded, I swallowed hard and nodded. “Good.”

He stepped back and the lights came back on. I moved away from him and made my way out of the room.

“Oh and pet?”

I stiffened, turning to him.

“This conversation is far from over”