Word Count: 2093

~Lavelle

I pace back and forth, wringing my hands together.

Mel sits on the edge of my bed, watching me, her head moving side to side as I do.

"You're clearly upset about it," she says knowingly.

I exhale slowly, twisting in the spot to resume my pacing in the other direction.

It's only been one night since Zyre told me he was backing off, that he wouldn't make any further indication that he wants to pursue something romantic with me. I barely slept, staring through the cloak of darkness, flipping between frustration at him and frustration at myself for caring so much about what he thinks.

"Upset isn't the right word," I mutter distractedly.

Mel looks down at my feet, as if she's concerned I might wear into the wood with my incessant movements.

"Oh really, what is then?"

"He's so confounding. I mean, why does he have to be so blunt?" I dig my hands into my hair, the strands curling into my fingers.

The moment the sun rose over the horizon, I sent summons for Mel. Like the excellent friend she is, she came here with little notice to hear me out on what I cannot believe is bothering me so much.

"I think he knows he's kept things from you in the past, and wants everything out in the open now." She shrugs. "How do you feel about him?"

"I hate him," I say immediately.

At least, I maintain that I hate him, but I'm not sure how true that is these days.

Sure, I struggle to accept that he killed Avi, and that I was in the room when he did it. I struggle to accept that he lied to me for so many months, stringing me along, making me think I could trust him.

But at the same time, he came to power here as any male might do if he wanted to become Alpha. It is the way of things, and he executed his plan flawlessly.

I understand, even if it bothers me, that he couldn't have told me the truth about his intentions. He is right in assuming I would have gone straight to Avi, even if he told me what his true intentions for me were.

To forgive him, though, would be to accept that there need not be any ire between us. It would force me to face the feelings for him that I cannot admit.

"There isn't any part of you that wants him?" Mel asks tentatively.

"Look, I won't deny that some traitorous part of me is attracted to him." I continue to pace, even if it's making me a little dizzy. "But that is as far as it goes."

It's a lie I hope my friend cannot see through.

Her eyes narrow upon me, and for a moment there's quiet as she watches my obsessive antics.

"Hmm," she hums low in her throat.

I stop abruptly, turning to face her. "What?"

"Oh nothing." She looks away, her lips pressed tightly together.

I venture toward her a step. "Mel."

She sighs raggedly, with her whole chest. It's as if the burden of what she's not saying is all that is keeping her upright.

"I'm just saying that it wouldn't be wrong if you did feel something, if what he said last night hurt you," she says quickly, like I might stamp on the words as they come out of her mouth. "I wouldn't judge you."

I scan her face for a moment, thinking.

I invited her here hoping she would warn me away from him, tell me he's dangerous and that I need to press down any attraction to him before it's too late. But Mel is never afraid to tell me her opinion, even if she knows I won't like it.

"I feel nothing for him, Mel. I mean it," I murmur.

She rolls her eyes, turning to rifle through her little bag.

"Fine, you stubborn girl." She plucks out a sealed envelope. "It's a good thing you invited me here. I've been meaning to bring you this letter that came to my house, addressed to you."

I take it from her hand with a frown. Who would address a letter to me but send it to Mel's house? My family technically still owns my old home, that I gave to my father's nurse...it should have gone there.

"Who from?" I warily inspect my name printed on the front, written in a sloping, elegant style.

Mel leans forward eagerly. "It doesn't say. Open it."

I shred into it, my curiosity flaring hot.

Inside is a folded letter. I take it out carefully, spreading it out so I can read the writing.

A gasp catches in my throat, my blood turning cold as I read the first few lines.

"Well, read it aloud won't you!" Mel insists urgently, trying to catch a peek of what's written.

The thin paper trembles in my hand as I slowly wet my mouth. This is the last thing I expected to receive on this day.

"Dear Lavelle Callowin, I feel compelled to write to you after what has transpired recently," I begin, my voice soft. "My name is Tavrik. I'm sure you are aware of my brother, who you are married to."

Mel's mouth pops open. "Holy shit."

"I'm sure the image of me has been entirely sullied in your mind. That is unfortunate, as I would greatly like to meet you, although I'm certain that is not what you want." I swallow, the words chilling me to the core.

"No shit." Mel rolls her eyes.

"However, you must know that my brother is a cold and calculated liar. He orchestrated a lie before he left my pack, in an effort to claim power. He has done so, and claimed you as his wife." I draw in a shallow breath. "I am aware that he claims I want an heir from you, and that I created a deal between Alpha Avi and I to facilitate this."

I can't help but shudder. I'm reading words dictated to me, from the very male who has haunted my thoughts each day since I learnt about his sinister plan.

I can practically feel him holding this very paper, crafting the letter with singular attention.

"If it's not true, then why would he be writing to you?" Mel questions sceptically, pulling a face.

"I don't know? Maybe he wants to salvage his reputation or something?" I can't even begin to process his intentions.

She waves her hand impatiently. "Keep reading."

"I can explain the truth to this whole matter to you in person, if you wish. We will have to meet beyond pack lines, though." I frown. That's not happening. "Please write back to me once you've decided you can trust me. Tavrik."

"He sounds pretentious," Mel mutters, and I'm inclined to agree.

There is something seriously off about this letter. His dark intent is hidden behind each carefully selected word.

This is a male who thinks one vague letter would be enough to draw me away from Zyre's protection. He thinks me so naïve, so foolish.

Zyre may not be entirely trustworthy, but he's been kinder to me than necessary. I know nothing about Tavrik other than the hell he has put my pack through.

"I should show Zyre." I fold the letter back up into a neat square.

"Hell yeah you should. Tavrik is trying to lure you out of safety so he can steal you." Mel wraps her arms around herself, disturbed.

"I'll be back," I tell her, before I head to the door.

I head straight for Zyre's office, where he usually is at this time in the morning. I wasn't planning on seeing him alone for some time after last night's conversation, but this letter will act as a good distraction.

His door is ajar when I reach it. The sound of a female voice gives me pause.

"I'm proud of you, you know." It's Elowen.

Creeping as quietly as I can, I press close to the wall before leaning over to see through the slight gap. Zyre is at his desk, head bowed, while Elowen is on the other side, hands planted in front of her, leaning close to him.

"You shouldn't be," he mutters, fingers gliding through his silken black strands.

Once again, I'm witnessing one of their private conversations. It's not ideal, but I'll just wait until they're done so I can address Zyre.

"You've accomplished a lot," she murmurs, her voice deep and comforting. "Don't let this silly matter hinder your mood. You deserve to feel happy."

There could be a number of things they could be talking about, but I get the feeling this has to do with last night. I rejected him, and Elowen is nearby to pick up the pieces.

"Would you be, in my situation?" He tilts his head up to look at her, emotion wreaking havoc in his dark irises.

Elowen leans a little closer. "I think if I were you, I would be grateful for what you have already."

I scowl. So much for her claiming I have nothing to worry about from her...

"You're right." Zyre shakes his head. "You're always right, El."

"I know." She leans off the desk, rounding it instead. "What would you do without me?"

He turns in his chair to face her, and my heart plummets into my stomach. I guess I care more than I thought I did, because I really don't want the pair to be together.

"I couldn't do this without you," he admits softly, watching her approach.

Pushing away from the wall, I hurry off down the hall, sliding the letter back into my pants. I can't stand around and watch whatever was going to happen between them.

Not after I thoroughly ruined my own opportunity last night.

I head downstairs, not entirely certain where I plan to go, when I catch Caroline in the main hall. I approach her cautiously, half expecting her to want to sleep away the day with the hangover I know she has.

She smiles tightly as I approach. She's clean, her hair is brushed and her clothing is tidy. It's the best she's looked in a long time.

"Hey sis, I'm leaving." She rests the small bag I gave her on the ground, which is no doubt full of my belongings.

"Oh...You're ready?" I frown a little. I thought I might get the day with her, to make sure she truly is doing okay, and that she really is going to use Zyre's money to do well with her life.

"I guess so." She rubs the back of her neck. "I'm sorry about everything. About last night, and about blackmailing you."

My brows rise. This might be the first apology she's ever offered me.

"I'm just happy you can start over," I admit, and I mean it.

"I won't squander this chance. I won't forget what Zyre is doing for me," she assures me sternly, and for once, I think I might actually believe her.

Distance from me, is what she needs. She needs to know I won't be there to pick her up when she's fallen. Maybe then she will be more careful about her actions, about who she chooses to be around.

"Make a life for yourself, then contact me. I'll come visit."

Surprise ripples across her features. "You will?"

"Of course," I say quietly. "You're my sister."

She looks away, then back at me again. There's silence, until she steps forward to hug me.

An oof of surprise rushes out of my lungs from the intensity of the embrace. I let my arms drape across her malnourished form, wondering if this is the last time I'll see her.

Despite all that has happened between us, the thought hurts. She is the last real family I have left.

When she pulls back, she clasps my shoulders tightly.

"You should let father die, and don't feel guilty about it." She shakes me a bit. "I mean it."

"Caroline—"

"Goodbye, Lavelle. Have a nice life." She pats my cheek, then backs away.

I watch her go, her bag swinging limply against her thigh.

🩵••🩵

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