Charlotte pushed the doors of her chambers open, the doors slamming against the walls.

She walked straight through, the maids inside bowed to her as she approached.

’’Get out!’’ she blared and they fled quickly with the speed of light.

Dominic entered the room, his jaw clenched. He brushed his fingers through his hair.

Charlotte’s chest rose and fell, her hands trembling at her sides.

She turned to the vanity mirror, and in an instant, her arm swept across it. Everything scattered across the floor. The jars of perfume broke on the floor, the liquid spilling across the ground.

Dominic stood still, watching his mother.

’’How did this happen?’’ she asked. ’’How did we lose to that woman’s son again? How will Gwenivere not leave me alone even from her grave!’’

She screamed, Dominic rushed to her side, and held her still.

’’Mother, calm down.’’ he said.

"We were so close!" Her voice cracked on the last word, and she lowered slowly onto the chair.

Her eyes wandered, "What happened? How could she live?"

Her fingers curled against the wood.

Dominic stood quietly, and then he walked to the center table and poured water into the cup and brought it to her.

’’Have some water, mother.’’ he said. ’’It’ll calm you down.’’

Charlotte stared at the cup and then she took it and drank, placing it back on the table.

’’What went wrong?’’

Dominic sat down, his gaze narrowed as he thought.

’’We need to find out who that girl is.’’ she said. ’’There’s something wrong with her, and I must find out.’’

Dominic shut his eyes, ’’It’s too late now.’’ he gritted his teeth.

’’Even if we killed her, Rodrigo would not give up the seat easily.’’

Charlotte drew in a long breath through her nose and let it out slowly, as she tried to calm herself.

’’Of course, I knew he would not just let you have it. I just wanted to destroy his relationship with Eloise. Knowing him, he would have done something drastic which would force her hand, and she would have no choice but to support you.’’

Dominic stared at his mother.

’’This has disrupted our plans mother. ’’ he said. ’’How do we get our hands on the Vothraki without the seal?’’

Charlotte stilled, her hands clenching.

’’We cannot risk Rodrigo regaining his memories,’’

There was quiet in the room, as Charlotte stood.

’’We have to take appropriate measures. Now it has come to this.’’

Dominic’s eyes darkened, his jaw setting. He was quiet for a moment, his hands loosely clasped between his knees, and then he looked up at her.

"Since he will not step down peacefully." He paused, holding her gaze. "We have no choice."

Charlotte’s hands dropped from her temples as she stared at her son.

"My dear brother," Dominic said, his voice dropping low, "has to die."

...

Nina placed food on a plate and passed it to Ruri.

’’Eat,’’ she said, a smile on her lips.

Ruri smiled. ’’Thank you,’’ she said, taking the plate of food from her.

She dug into it and ate. Nina smiled and filled a glass with water and placed it in front of her.

’’So, Rodrigo, has he always been like this?’’

’’How?’’ Ruri asked, her eyes wide as he but into the lamb meat.

’’You know, like he’s so cold and detached.’’

Ruri shook her head, ’’No, he was very bright and kind when he was little. We used to play together, the both of us and Seven,’’ she paused, her expression falling.

’’Until his father’s death. He was only eight then.’’

Nina leaned closer, ’’What happened?’’ she asked, her heart picking up beat.

’’How did his father die?’’

Ruri leaned in, ’’Don’t tell anyone I told you. It’s forbidden to talk about it,’’

Nina nodded, her hands clenched the side of the table as she waited.

’’The late Alpha and Rodrigo were returning from__’’

’’My Lady,’’ A voice called, cutting into the discussion.

Nina raised her head to see the body guard she’d seen with Ruri on the wedding day approaching. She cursed under her breath.

His eyes glanced at her for a fraction of a second, and he turned to Ruri.

’’The Matriarch asked for you, Now.’’

Ruri pouted. "Shit, what does she want now?’’ 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

She turned to Nina, ’’I’m so sorry, Grandma has a temper. We would catch up some other time.’’

She said, gulping the water, and standing up.

Nina glared at the guard, cursing him under her breath. She looked back at Ruri and forced a smile. ’’Sure, next time.’’

Ruri waved, and she held the guard’s arm as they left.

Nina gritted her teeth.

The guard was making her hate him the more. Why the hell was she cozying up to the guard?

He had barely even regarded her.

Nina rolled her eyes as she picked up an apple and bit into it.

At least she got something.

They were returning from somewhere and he was probably murdered.

Nina frowned.

So how did he get the Vothraki?

His father couldn’t have given such an important book to him at eight years old?

Nina brushed her hand through her head.

Moreen came running. ’’My lady, the Alpha’s quarters has been cleaned up, and your things have been moved in.’’

Nina sat up. ’’And the Alpha?’’

’’He returned just now.’’ she said.

Nina’s eyes widened as she sprang to her feet, running off.

’’My Lady, you cannot run!’’ Moreen screamed after her.

Nina stopped by the doors, and she breathed, arranging her hair before she pushed it open.

He was nowhere to be found.

She walked in, crossing to the closet, her feet came to a stop as her eyes landed on him.

He was standing with his back half-turned, his fingers working the buttons of his shirt. He hadn’t heard her come in. The shirt fell open down his chest and he reached to pull it from his shoulders, when he turned and found her standing there.

Nina’s eyes dropped before she could stop them.

His chest was bare, toned in a way that made heat creep up her face.

She should look away.

She didn’t.

Her gaze dropped, down the center of his chest, along the lines of his stomach, down to-

’’What are you doing?’’