Chapter 70
Chapter 70
+25 Points
Elder Gerald’s expression tightened as he processed everything his daughter had just told him. Then he asked, his voice low, “Maya… are you absolutely certain you can’t get a look at whatever picture was sent to Alexander’s phone p>
Maya’s eyes widened in alarm. She shook her head quickly, the hood of her cloak slipping slightly with the motion. “No, Father. I can’t. I told you–I only overheard part of the conversation. I didn’t see the phone, and even if I wanted to, how do you expect me to get near it?” She took a step forward, trying to make him understand. “I’m just a staff in the pack house. How can I possibly have access to Alpha Alexander’s phone? It’s always with him. Always p>
Gerald tilted his head, studying her. His silence made her ramble faster.
“Even if I were foolish enough to think about stealing it, it wouldn’t work,” she insisted, her hands wringing nervously in front of her. “He’s an alpha. His senses are sharper than any of us. His hearing is twice as sensitive. He would catch me before I even get within reach of his phone p>
Gerald stroked his chin, the frown deepening across his face. He hated being told something was impossible, but he had to admit she wasn’t wrong. After a long pause, he gave a short nod. “You are right about that. It would be foolish p>
Maya let out a sigh of relief, though it was short–lived.
“Still,” Gerald went on, pacing a slow circle around her, “that does not change the fact that we need to know what’s on that phone. We must see the picture. A ring with a wolf and three eyes–that symbol could mean everything, Maya. It could be the key to understanding what Alexander is looking for and use it to our advantage p>
Maya bit her lip. She didn’t like the hunger in his voice, the calculating glint in his eyes. “Even if you somehow got the phone, ” she said, “how would you unlock it? You’d need his password. Do you know it p>
Her father stopped pacing. A thin smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “No, ” he admitted, “but someone else might p>
Maya frowned. “Who p>
For a long moment, Elder Gerald said nothing. His eyes gleamed as he considered the idea forming in his head. Then, with a snap of his fingers, he spoke. “We need someone close to him…omeone who has access. Someone who would know his password too p>
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< Chapter 70
+25 Points
Maya’s heart skipped a beat. She shook her head instantly. “No. No, Father, that’s a terrible idea. Even if there were someone like that, why would they help us? Don’t you see? If they’re close to Alexander, that means they’re loyal. And if they’re loyal to him, then they’d only betray us the moment we asked. We’d be exposed. We’d both be in danger p>
Gerald chuckled softly, the sound making her sigh. “You underestimate me, child. Do you think I would suggest something so reckless without thinking it through? I am not speaking of his mate, or his sister, or his beta. I am not that foolish p>
“Then who?” Maya pressed, though dread was already crawling up her spine.
“Bella. ”
Maya blinked, staring at him in disbelief. “Bella p>
Gerald’s smile widened at her reaction. “Yes. Bella p>
“Father,” Maya protested, shaking her head, “how is that any better? What makes you think she would help us? She’s crazy, but she wouldn’t betray Alexander. And if she even suspected what you’re plotting p>
He raised a hand, cutting her off. “Listen to me. You told me yourself that Bella despises the Luna. That she loathes her, and that she wants her out of Alexander’s side at any cost. Did
you not p>
Maya shrugged. She had, in fact, told him all that. She remembered the hushed whispers she had shared with her father not long ago, recounting how Bella glared at Luna Faye with hatred in her eyes, how she seethed whenever the Luna walked into a room, how she never missed a chance to speak ill of her.
“Yes,” Maya admitted reluctantly. “I told you that. But that doesn’t mean she’ll help us. Father, can’t you see? The only reason Bella wants Faye gone is because she wants to take her place herself. She’s jealous. She wants to be Luna. So how could you possibly expect her to help you put me there? It doesn’t make sense. She would never agree p>
Gerald’s smile didn’t fade. In fact, it deepened, his eyes glittering with something close to amusement. “Oh, Maya. You sound so naïve when you talk like this. Of course I wouldn’t tell Bella that the plan ends with you as Luna. Do you think I’m a fool? No. I would tell her only what she wants to hear–that Faye does not deserve her place, that she is unfit, and that I need Bella’s help to bring her down. She will believe it, because it feeds the very fire already burning in her heart p>
Maya’s mouth went dry. Her father’s cunning frightened her. “So you’d use her p>
“Exactly,” Gerald said simply, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. “She will
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A Chapter 70
725 Points
help us, thinking it is her chance to finally claim Alexander for herself. And once Faye is out of the way… well, then we make sure it is you who steps forward. Not her p>
Maya shook her head violently. “This is insane. All of it. Too insane p>
Gerald’s eyes hardened. “Do not raise your voice to me, child. You cannot see it now, but I am laying the foundation of your future. You will thank me one day p>
But Maya couldn’t stay any longer. The longer she listened to him, the heavier the dread in her chest grew, pressing down until she could hardly breathe. Finally, she shook her head and stepped back.
“I can’t. I have to go back. If they look for me and can’t find me, they’ll become suspicious p>
Gerald opened his mouth to argue, but Maya didn’t give him the chance. She turned on her heel and rushed off.
“Foolish child,” Gerald said.
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