Defying the Rogue Alpha

Ava thought for a moment, searching her brain for the correct strategy. This was an opportunity to prove herself more useful than a plaything. She needed to carve her place beyond being a pawn for another alpha. If she played her cards right, power would be hers.

She met Lucas's intense gaze and leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. "Leon is losing his grip on his pack members," she began. "He's surrounded himself with Bloodhound wolves. It's like half of them moved in the second he married the Alpha's daughter."

Lucas's expression darkened.

She continued, "The Gamma, the Beta, and everyone in his inner circle are not Crimson Wolves. The original members of the pack are starting to resent him. He's weakened their identity. They feel like strangers in their own home."

Lucas tapped his fingers against the wooden desk. "Go on."

"If you can get an original pack member with influence on your side, offer him a position in your pack, bribe him, hell, seduce him if you must. You can turn the Crimson pack against their own Alpha." She smiled. "The best way to destroy a kingdom isn't from the outside; it's from within."

Lucas's lips curved into a smirk. "And you're certain this will work?"

Ava leaned forward. "I'd bet my sweet ass on it."

Lucas let out a low chuckle. "I have no idea if your ass is sweet or not."

Ava blinked. Then she grinned. "Did you just make a joke, Alpha Raventhorn?"

"I have my moments. Now all we need is an excuse to get inside Crimson Pack."

Ava tilted her head, considering. Then she arched an eyebrow. "You haven't signed the contract yet, have you?"

"What contract?"

"You know…the one that exchanges me for peace." She rolled her eyes. "You have the perfect excuse to visit Crimson Pack yourself."

Lucas let out a slow exhale, "So I schedule a visit." His lips curled into a predatory smile. "And while I'm there, I start whispering in the right ears."

Lucas studied her for a moment, something flickering in his expression.

"What?"

"I wonder what you would be like with your wolf." His voice was almost thoughtful. "Formidable."

Ava snorted. "Awww, are you getting soft on me, Alpha Raventhorn?"

Lucas leaned in, close enough that his scent filled her lungs. "My little virgin," he murmured, "I am only warming up to you."

She tilted her head up at him, "Good to know."

Lucas straightened, "Now off you go. You don't want to keep Gamma Kade waiting."

 "Yes, boss."

Lucas watched Ava disappear out the door, something hot and unsettling twisting in his chest.

She was dangerous. Properly groomed, she could become as vicious as he was. Ruthless even. If only she had her wolf…

She did annoy him. Her vulnerability annoyed him, but her resilience pulled him in; it tempted him to test just how much heat she could take before she screamed.

He had to focus on destroying the Crimson pack; there was no time for distractions. He had a score to settle, and settle he would.

Despite the High Council's warnings, he was determined to enlarge his territory, but the Crimson pack was personal. The council was full of weak old fools anyway.

*****

Ava had barely stepped into the training grounds when she heard the familiar deep voice of Gamma Kade.

"You're late." He tossed her a wooden training sword.

"Do you ever exchange pleasantries?" Ava asked.

"Try to hit me."

Ava took the sword and swung it.

Kade blocked it. Her speed and efficiency were increasing. She was learning fast. He blocked her every move, but he was a bit impressed. At some point, she lost her sword.

"Again." He scowled.

They went again and again until she couldn't move anymore.

*****

When Ava got to her room, she made her way into the bathtub to relax her muscles. She washed her hair of the sweat and dirt. But as she washed, she felt kind of prickly. It felt like everywhere was itchy.

She grabbed a sponge and started to scrub on the itch; soon it seemed like her skin was burning. She stepped out of the bathtub quickly, grabbing a towel to wipe the water off. It didn't help. She was scratching so badly, her nails were tearing into her skin.

She screamed for help a couple of times, and the maids ran in to find out what was happening.

"Oh my God! Ava, you have to stop scratching." One of the maids said.

"I can't!" They grabbed her arms to stop her, but she struggled. "What the hell is happening to me?"

"Get Madam Nelly quickly!" the maid shouted at the others. Ava struggled and screamed while the maid tried to hold her down.

"If you keep scratching, you will hurt yourself. You are already bleeding."

"What is it? What happened?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"Have you been in the forest today?"

"No!"

"How can this be?"

"What is it?"

"The devil's beans." The maid answered. "You must have come in contact with it.

"Do something!"

Nelly raced into her room.

"Oh my God!" She gasped as soon as she saw Ava's swollen and scratched body. "How did this happen?"

"Hell if I know."

"Go call Doctor Mary quickly."

The maid hurried out to do as she was told. 

"When did this happen?" Nelly asked.

"I was just taking a shower, and I began to feel itchy."

"Seriously, this is just juvenile."Nelly turned to the other maids. "Get every thing in that bathroom, towels, soaps, shampoos, everything and throw them out."

"You think someone did this to me on purpose?" She asked, reaching to scratch herself, but Nelly swatted her hands.

"This is what you get when you make enemies, Ava."

Ava stared wide-eyed at Nelly. "Enemies?"

"Sweetheart, you didn't think the other concubines were just going to sit back and watch you steal the spotlight, did you? You should have hidden your little wins. You should have kept them to yourself. You don't rub it in their faces."

Ava wanted to cry. It was happening again. Everywhere she went, she was destined to suffer at the hands of others. It didn't matter where she was; Ava could tell she was cursed.