Sasha
I paced the luxurious guest room Kieran had assigned me, my mind racing. The plush carpet muffled my footsteps, but it couldn't quiet the storm of thoughts in my head.
Everything had happened so fast - escaping the Hell Cells, stumbling into Havenpack territory, and now... this.
Aligning with the Devil?
I traced the pattern on the wallpaper with my index finger. My thoughts were lost. Just yesterday I was in the dank prison but the next day I'm a guest at the rival pack..
This is so simple...
But I knew better than to let my guard down. This room, for all its comforts, was still a gilded cage.
A sharp knock at the door made me jump. Before I could respond, it swung open to reveal two burly guards.
"The Alpha wants to see you," one growled. "Now."
My heart jumped into my throat and started pounding fast.
"Is there something wrong?" I tried asking but was shut with a shout.
"Just follow us." The guard yelled.
What could Kieran want?
Had he discovered something?
Many thoughts danced in my head as the guards pushed me through the corridor and escorted me back to his office.
When I walked in, I knew something was terribly wrong. Kieran's yellow eyes glowed with barely contained fury. He came towards me like a predator about to kill.
"You lied to me," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
I blinked, really confused. "What? No, I-"
"Silence!" he roared, making me wince. His hand shot out and he gripped my chin painfully as he forced me to look into his eyes. "You're not some outcast niece. You're Blake's daughter. His heir!"
Blood was pouring from my face. Blake's what? Now?
Daughter?
Where did he hear that bullshit!??
"How did you-" I started to ask but he cut me off.
"It doesn't matter," Kieran growled. "The important thing is that you came to my territory under false pretenses. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't rip your throat out now."
My head was racing. This shouldn't have happened.
How could he have discovered my identity this quick?
More importantly WHO changed my identity.
Then it hit me like a punch in the gut. Blake.
Of course. He must have noticed my escape and that I had fled, he knew that I might seek refuge with his enemies.
So he set a trap and changed my identity as bait.
Rage flared inside me, hot and bright. Even now, miles away and in denial, Blake was still using me.
He was using me as a pawn in his twisted games.
Well, two could play in that game.
I let my shoulders drop and allowed real tears to fill my eyes. "You're right," I whispered. "I'm Blake's daughter. Or…was."
Kieran raised an eyebrow, a flash of curiosity tempering his rage. "Explain."
I took a shaky breath and spun my story. It wasn't completely untrue - the best lies always contain a grain of truth. I told him about being adopted, about the return of Blake's long lost daughter. Of rejection and imprisonment.
I watched Kieran's expression change as I spoke. The murderous rage was gone, replaced by a calculating flash that was almost worse.
"Why didn't you tell me from the start?" he demanded.
I laughed bitterly, the sound escaping my throat. "Would you believe me? The long-lost heir story, rejected and imprisoned by her own father? It sounded too fantastic, even to me."
Kieran let go of my chin and stepped back to examine me. I could almost see the wheels turning in his mind and recalibrating his plans.
"You do realize," he said slowly, "that you have given me the perfect weapon against Blake. His own daughter, a testament to his cruelty."
Fear shot through me. I didn't consider this angle. "I won't help you hurt my pack," I said quickly.
Kieran smirked. "Your pack? The same pack that trashed you?"
I lifted my chin and channeled every shred of defiance I could muster. "There are good people out there. Innocents who don't deserve to suffer."
He circled me like a shark smelling blood. "What about those who deserve to suffer? Your father? Caleb? The… Tina, who set you up?"
I let my resolve waver, knowing he would see this as a weakness to be exploited. Sure enough, Kieran used his advantage.
"Join me, Sasha," he murmured, his voice a seductive purr. "Help me take Blake down and I'll make sure only the guilty pay. You will have your revenge and the innocents you care about will be spared."
My mind turned. It was dangerous territory. If I agreed too quickly, he would be suspicious. But if I refused outright, I would lose all the leverage I had.
“You have a choice,” Kieran continued. "Join me willingly or remain my prisoner. Either way, you will not leave Havenpack."
I narrowed my eyes and feigned reluctance. "And if I refuse to help you at all?"
His smile was full of teeth, predatory and cruel. "Then I'll use you as bait to lure Blake here. One way or another, you're the key to my revenge."
I shuddered, it wasn't quite an act. The thought of someone using me as bait, dangling in front of Blake like a worm on a hook, made my skin crawl. But I had to play it safe.
"I'll help you," I said quietly. “But on one condition.
Kieran raised an eyebrow. “You're not really in a position to make demands.
"Maybe not," I agreed. "But you need my cooperation. So hear me out."
He nodded, curiosity getting the better of him. "Go on."
I inhale deeply, bracing myself for what's to come. "I'll tell you." I gulped.
"I'll tell you everything I know about the Raven Pack's defenses, my unc- about Blake's weakness and plans." I cleared my throat.
"I'll even testify against him if it comes to it. But in return, I want you to say that innocent pack members will be protected."
Kieran considered my offer, his yellow eyes boring into mine. I held my breath and prayed he would take the bait.
He finally nodded. "Very well. You have my word. The innocent will be spared."
Relief washed over me, not entirely feigned. “Thank you, Alpha.
"Don't thank me yet," he warned him. “You are still my prisoner until I am sure of your loyalty.
I nodded, trying to look resigned. "I understand."
My mind raced as the guards led me back to my room. I bought myself some time, but I was walking a tightrope.
I was walking on fire, and I knew it. Because one wrong move and I'll be send to cell or turn into one of his monsters
Back in the guest room I was once in, the little sanctuary of my gilded cage.
I throw myself in the luxury bed, feeling tired. It's been two days since I've laid down.
I lied to the demon Rogue not once but - several times - and somehow survived to tell the tale.
But how long could I continue to play this game?
I closed my eyes and imagined Blake's smug face. He thought he had tricked me and used my identity to turn Kieran against me. But I turned the tables and used his own trap as a springboard.
A grim smile appeared on my lips. Blake always underestimated me. He thought I was just a pawn in his game. But I ended up as a passive piece on someone else's board.
It was time to become an independent player. And if that meant teaming up with the devil rogue Alpha Kieran.
I'll be teaming up with the devil I didn't know, against the devil I knew... Then so be it.
And when finally sleep overcame me, a thought echoed in my mind...
"Let the games begin.”