For the first time, I wasn’t entirely sure who Grace really wi
Chapter 68: Desperate Schemes.
Chapter 68 Desperate Schemes
(Grace’s POV)
The buzzing of my phone reverberated in the quiet room, even after I hastily ended the call with Thomas I pressed the screen down onto the bedside table, trying to quell the shiver that
through me
My fingers trembled slightly a sign of how deeply his threats rattled me. My heart raced. Thomas was growing bolder More restless
Before I could properly steel myself, a deep voice from the doorway sent a fresh jolt through me
My head snapped up. Alexander stood there, leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed and his amber eyes sharp, scrutinizing every detail my reaction. His tone wasn’t loud, but the suspicion it carried threatened to chip away at my fragile composure. How long had he been standing there? My stomach clenched
“Oh I blurted quickly, forcing a small, shaky laugh That? It’s nothing really I waved my hand dismissively, even as my body betrayed me with a slight tremor “Just some mischievous wolf spreading rumors. I told him I’d bring in the authorities if he didn’t stop
Alexander didn’t say anything at first. His gaze didn’t waver, pinning me down like a hawk studying prey. The silence stretched painfully long, and the pressure bore down on me. My pulse thudded loudly in my ears. I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to channel my fear into the persistent pain simmering from the poison
Really? Alexander said finally, his voice calm, but his expression hard. “That’s all it was?”
I nodded weakly, letting my shoulders slump as if in exhaustion. “Yes just a little misunderstanding.
yes narrowed slightly at my avoidance, making my skin crawl. He didn’t believe me, not entirely. I could see it in the tight set of his jaw in the way his gaze flicked toward the phone on the table.
dont like when people he to me, Grace” he said, his voice dropping lower.
The warning in his words sent a cold chill down my spine. I swallowed thickly, my throat dry. My hands instinctively curled around the blanket, and with a soft, pitiful whimper, I let my body sag further into the bed. Every movement was deliberate.
“know” murmured, my voice cracking slightly. My eyes burned as I tried to summon tears–not that it was hard. My body, frail and wracked with
pany made the act of looking pitiful all too easy “1 didn’t mean to worry you. Alexander. I just… I didn’t want to add to your burden.”
His brows furrowed at the word “burden” The edges of his anger dulled just slightly–just enough for me to press further. I played on his guilt, on his protective instincts that had always been my shield against his wrath
The let you down haven’t 171 continued, my voice soft and trembling. Slowly, I dropped my gaze to my lap, my hands twisting nervously in the
I just wanted to handle it without bothering you. But…. 1–*
“Stop,” Alexander cut in abruptly, raising a hand. My breath hitched. For a moment, I thought I’d gone too far. But then he let out a heavy sigh, rubbing a hand down his face in frustration. His shoulders slumped slightly as he sat down beside the bed, the weight of his presence making the mattress dip
“Grace,” he muttered, glancing back toward me. His tone softened just enough to drive away the worst of my panic. “You know you don’t have to deal with anything alone. If someone is bothering you, you tell me. You don’t get to keep secrets–not from me.”
“I won’t,” I whispered, nodding quickly as if my agreement could cement his trust again promise.”
He studied me for another long moment, but the edge in his gaze had dulled. He didn’t trust me entirely–that much was clear–but he cared too
uch to push further. For now, his doubts were buried beneath his concern for my well being
I leaned back weakly against the pillows, letting out a small sigh My body still ached from head to toe, and every movement felt like dragging heavy chains. But I couldn’t focus on the poison now–I had to direct the conversation, keep his mind occupied with something else.
“Alexander,” I began hesitantly my voice light and careful, almost as if speaking too loudly would shatter the room’s fragile calm. He tilted his head toward me, his sharp amber eyes locking onto my face
Chapter 68 Desperate Schemes
“Yes?” he prompted, his tone guarded.
I hesitated, letting my hand drift to my temple as I pretended to gather the energy I barely had. I was wondering would it be possible for me to
leave here soon?”
“Leave?” he repeated, frowning.
I nodded slowly, careful to show just the right amount of hesitation. It’s just.. the smell of all these herbs. It’s suffocating sometimes. And the healers..” My voice trailed off purposefully, as though saying more would take effort I didn’t have.
Alexander frowned deeply glancing around the room. I knew what he was thinking–how much effort and time had gone into ensuring this space was as comfortable and private as possible. But I also knew he’d misunderstand my words as dissatisfaction rather than manipulation
“You need the best healing environment possible,” he said flatly.
“Yes, I know,” I murmured softly. “And I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Alexander. But I can’t help thinking.. that maybe the seaside mansion you’re trying to acquire would be better suited. It’d be private. Quiet. The air would be fresher there”
He stiffened slightly at my words. My heartbeat quickened as his expression darkened. His gaze flicked away from me, but his jaw was tight his
posture rigid.
“I’m still working on it,” he muttered, his tone clipped.
My chest tightened, though not from the poison this time. What was taking so long? I had depended on his promised success–leaned on it as a
Meline for my survival in the pack. Without that mansion, where would I stand?
“But I hesitated, maching out to timidly touch his hand. His gaze snapped back toward me, and I quickly pulled my hand back as though retreating
from a flame. I mean, couldn’t we move forward with it? I feel like it would make such a difference. The seaside view alone would-
“Grace” he interrupted sharply, his eyes narrowing. “I told you. I’m working on it.
The edge in his tone stung, but I nodded obediently, lowering my gaze and shrinking back into the bed. “I understand.”
I bit my lip, trying to muster more sympathy from him. Alexander wasn’t an easy man to handle when he felt cornered, but I knew how to shift the
winds in my favor if I could just keep him focused on Scarlett.
“Alexander,” I began again, my voice trembling slightly with feigned hesitation. “Do you think. I could see Scarlett?”
The silence that followed was icy and immediate. His amber eyes darkened, his glare sharp enough to pierce stone.
“And why,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous, “would you want to do that?”
My hands fidgeted nervously against the blanket, though I tried to keep my expression innocent and timid. “just feel like there’s been a misunderstanding. About everything. Especially at that Territory Council meeting,” I added carefully, watching his reaction.
his arms across his chest, leaning back in his chair as his gaze bore into mine.
His glare didn’t ease entirely but his posture shifted slightly. He folded his arms “Misunderstanding?” he repeated, skepticism clear in his tone.
“Yes,” I said, nodding weakly. I adjusted my position on the bed, wincing as though the effort strained me. I think… perhaps she misunderstood my intentions And Daniel’s… actions might have made everything worse.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed, his suspicion written all over his face. “And you think apologizing will fix things?”
“I just want to clear the air, I said with a small, fragile smile. For the pack’s sake.”
His silence spoke volumes. His jaw worked, clenching and unclenching as he thought.
“She won’t meet with you,” he said finally, shaking his head.
“Maybe not, I conceded meekly. “But I have to try. For the good of the pack.”
Alexander scoffed, though his rigid posture softened slightly. His protectiveness toward me was still intact, even if shadowed by his doubts.
The moment Alexander stepped out of the room, my breath rushed out in a shaky gasp. My hands pressed against my pounding chest as I tried to center myself,
23
The plan was hanging by a thread, and I knew it. Alexander was only moments away from piecing together that something was horribly wrong.
Chapter 6 Desperate Schemes
als if on cue, my phone buzzed again I reached for
me on t
“Time’s running out. My child’s dying Pay up, or I’ll expose everything read the message from Thomas Ward
My hands tightened around the phone, my knuckles white. I could feel the walls closing in Thomas wasnt bluffing anymore–he was desperate Desperation made her volatile, and that made hem deadly
Tucking the phone beneath t
I would lose everything Including his protection
some sense of calm. But the lingering presence of Alexander’s suspicion weighed heavily on The connected the dots between Thomas and me.
