Defying the Rogue Alpha-Chapter 13: Game

Ava strutted into the dining hall. The moment she stepped in, the room quieted.

The concubines, who had been giggling and whispering just seconds ago, suddenly found their plates, nails, and the wallpaper incredibly fascinating.

Lily met her gaze first briefly. A flicker of regret flashed across her eyes before she looked away.

"How are you feeling now?" Nelly asked.

Ava picked up her fork. "Right as rain," she replied smoothly before popping a piece into her mouth.

Then, just as she finished chewing, she casually dropped the bomb.

"I would like to have a personal maid."

The shift in the room was instant. The tension was so thick it could be spread like butter over her pancakes.

Sarah let out a scoff.

Nelly tilted her head. "It's not unheard of, but why?"

Ava set her fork down and met Nelly's gaze.

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"Well," she began, "it appears some people are out to get me. And I'd rather not have another 'devil beans' incident. Would we?"

Sarah's grip on her fork tightened—subtly, but Ava caught it. The betrayal was practically steaming off Lily, who stared at her plate.

Ava leaned back slightly. "Et tu, Lily?"

Lily winced but didn't meet her eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Oh, honey. You do.

Nelly sighed and turned to a nearby maid. "Zari, from now on, you will attend to Ava."

Zari bowed. "Yes, ma'am."

Ava smiled. "And you will attend to only me."

Sarah's fork clattered onto her plate slicing through the air. She pushed back her chair, the sound grating against the floor like nails on a chalkboard.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" she seethed. "Do you think you're the queen of us?"

Nelly rubbed her temples. "Sarah—"

"Oh, go to hell, you old hag!" Sarah snapped before spinning on Ava. "You and Nelly are plotting, aren't you? You think you can make her Luna?" Her laugh was sharp. "Keep dreaming."

Ava didn't even flinch. She simply drizzled more honey over her pancakes, as if Sarah's meltdown was merely a mild inconvenience.

Sarah's hands curled into fists. "You're nothing but an inconsequential plaything to the Alpha. A wolfless slave."

Ava sighed. "Tell me, Sarah." She tilted her head. "What do you think the Alpha will do when I tell him about what happened to me yesterday?"

The room plummeted into silence.

Ava let it stretch.

"Ah," she said, "you didn't think of that, did you?"

Sarah faltered for a second. A tiny fracture in her armor.

Lily looked like she wanted to dissolve into her chair.

Sarah slumped back down, still furious but now caged by her own miscalculation.

Ava took another bite of her pancake. "Delicious."

Nelly set down her coffee mug. "Now that everyone has put their claws away, can we enjoy breakfast?"

Ava smiled and rose gracefully. "Actually, I'll finish mine in my room."

Zari, already on cue, picked up her plate and followed her out.

Once they left, Nelly turned to the two remaining women. "I have never seen such astounding stupidity."

Lily winced. "I—"

"No, shut up," Nelly interrupted. "I treated you both like sisters, and this is what you do? Instead of welcoming whoever the Alpha favors, you act like feral strays. Idiots." She turned her sharp gaze to Lily. "And you—I expected better from you."

Lily whispered, "I didn't do anything—"

"But you allowed it," Nelly shot back.

Lily shut up.

"And Sarah?" Nelly leaned forward. "Are you really betting that the Alpha won't figure out what happened?" She smirked. "Because we both know he will. And when he does... Moon Goddess help you."

Sarah remained silent, seething.

Nelly sighed. "You should both go to Ava and grovel at her feet."

Sarah spat, "Never."

Nelly shrugged. "Suit yourselves." She took a sip. "A bunch of stupid bitches acting like pups."

*****

Later...

Ava sat in front of her mirror, her skin still irritated from the rash she'd scratched raw the night before. Zari worked gently, applying a soothing face mask.

But Ava's thoughts weren't on her skin.

Her body felt different.

Kade had done something to her.

Every nerve was hypersensitive, every movement sending heat curling through her lower belly. Her dress brushing against her nipples made her bite her lip.

The worst part?

Touching herself wouldn't fix it.

Only one thing would.

She squeezed her thighs together, but that just made it worse.

A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.

Zari stepped back as Lily walked in hesitantly.

Ava arched a brow. "What do you want?"

Lily swallowed. "I came to apologize."

Ava tilted her head, letting her squirm.

"I let jealousy get the best of me," Lily admitted. "I wanted him to look at me the way he looks at you. But that's no excuse."

Ava tapped her fingers on her knee. "So does that mean you're not jealous anymore?"

Lily hesitated. "No. But I'd rather have peace."

Ava studied her.

Then, she smiled. "Fine. I'll forgive you if you help me with something."

Lily blinked. "What is it?"

Ava patted the chair beside her. Once Lily sat, she gestured for Zari to leave the room.

Leaning in, she smirked.

"Tell me, Lily. How does one please the Alpha?"