LILA

Darius was visibly furious now even though he was attempting to maintain composure. His hands curled into fists on the table and a muscle jumped in his jaw.

"That bitch," he spat. "I knew it. She always had a demonic side hiding under that innocent act."

"I thought as much," I agreed, nodding sympathetically. "I do not think Alpha Corvin knows very much about who she really is. I feel obligated to help him see the truth." I paused. "And I think you might know something that could be useful."

Alpha Darius bit his lip and hesitated, conflict playing across his features. "I don’t know. I am not sure about this. You know Alpha Corvin can be very cruel and I do not want to end up on his bad side."

"I promise you won’t," I assured him, reaching across the table to place my hand over his, allowing my finger to gently graze his. "I just need something to make them see who she truly is. To protect my future pack from someone so manipulative."

He was silent for a long moment, wrestling with whatever loyalty he still felt toward pack secrecy versus his desire for revenge against the girl who had humiliated him in front of everyone.

Revenge won.

"Amaris lived a truly uneventful life apart from the punishments my father administered," Darius started slowly. "She never dated anyone, never had relationships."

So the slut really is not lying about being the virgin saint, I thought with disgust. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"However," Darius continued, and I felt my attention sharpen because that word meant he was about to give me exactly what I came for. "There was one incident right before Alpha Corvin reached out about purchasing her. My father had offered Amaris to one of his friends for pleasure, as payment for a gambling debt."

I leaned forward, my heart racing with anticipation.

"The next day the man was found dead in the guest room where they had been together," Darius finished. "Amaris claimed nothing happened between them, that he died of natural causes before he could touch her. But I call bullshit on that story."

"Are you saying she killed him?" I asked, letting shock color my voice even though internally I was calculating how to use this information.

"I am saying the timing was very convenient," Darius clarified. "And how else would a healthy man in his prime just suddenly die? My father covered it up because he did not want Alpha Corvin to know she might not be the innocent virgin he was paying for."

"Are you saying she is no longer a virgin?" I pressed, needing absolute clarity.

"She claims she is," Darius shrugged. "But I believe she is lying. Something happened in that room and someone ended up dead because of it."

This was better than I had hoped for. Not just potential evidence that Amaris was not the pure innocent girl she pretended to be, but possible involvement in a death that could be framed as murder if presented correctly.

"This is unbelievable," I whispered, making my voice breathy with shock. "Thank you for trusting me with this information. I promise your name will never be mentioned as my source."

I stood and smoothed down my dress. "Can you send me all the details about this man who died? His name, the circumstances, anything that might be documented?"

Darius stood as well. "Yes of course. I hope my service here will be rewarded with an alliance between our packs."

I smiled and the expression was calculated to promise everything while committing to nothing. "I will put in a very good word for you with my father."

We exchanged a cordial nod and Darius walked out of the bar, leaving me alone with my triumph.

One mission down, one more to go.

I turned my attention to the bartender who had been watching our entire interaction while pretending to clean glasses behind the counter.

Carlos.

I walked over slowly, letting my hips sway in a way that made his eyes track my movement hungrily.

"Carlos," I greeted him with a smile. "Did you receive my message?"

He nodded and set down the glass he had been holding. "Yes Lady Lila, I did."

I leaned against the bar and made sure the neckline of my dress shifted just enough to show the upper curves of my breasts. "What do you say?"

Carlos’s eyes dropped to my breast licking his tongue before jerking back up to my face. "You know Cole is my friend. Why do you want me to snitch on him?"

Because I was sending Cole to dig into Victor’s background and I needed to dig into Cole’s secrets to maintain the upper hand in our arrangement.

Because information was power and I never let anyone have more power over me than I had over them.

Because Cole thought he could get to have me just like he always wanted when really I was using him for so much more but will never let him have me.

I did not say any of that out loud.

"I am sure Cole has told you about the fun he has with me," I purred instead, leaning closer until Carlos could smell my perfume. "I will make you part of that fun."

His eyes went wide and a slow smile spread across his face. "I have always wondered what it would be like to be in your circle."

"Invite me to your fun and I will give you what you want," he offered, sounding casual but his voice betrayed how badly he wanted to me to agree.

"And how do I know what you have is worth such pleasure?" I challenged him.

He leaned across the bar until we were only inches apart. "Cole has a big secret. Much bigger than the one he has with you."

What could that be?

My mind raced through possibilities. What secret could Cole be hiding that was more significant than our sexual arrangement? What leverage did he have that I had not already discovered and he never mentioned despite his acclaimed loyalty to me.

I smiled at Carlos and let the expression turn predatory. "Okay. I will extend you an invitation to join. But make sure what you give me is worth it."

Carlos’s grin widened. "Oh it will be more than worth it, Lady Lila. I promise you that."