Mated to the Mad Lord

Chapter 349: Betrayed

"The contract stipulates..." Violet hissed under her breath, her eyes burning with renewed fury waiting to be unleashed, even as Lady June easily interrupted her with a shrug.

"...that I heal him! Which I did! Cure him? What am I, a God?" She scoffed, making it clear that it was something she could not do.

"Do you know how long he had been carrying whatever sickness he had? If your magic was better you would be able to see it with your own eyes!" she berated her.

"You said you could! That was what you said!" Violet insisted, an aghast expression on her face as she stared at Lady June, stunned to see her act as though the terms of their contract hadn’t been clear.

Even more, Violet realized that by using the word heal, Lady June had somehow circumvented the terms they had previously agreed upon.

Her eyes were wide with shock and annoyance as she stood before her, brimming with anger, while Lady June stared back at her with complete ease. There was a look in her eye that said there was nothing Violet could do about it, which only seemed to infuriate her further as she opened her mouth to speak one last time.

"I’m done!" she declared, shaking her head as realization settled in that she had aligned herself with a true devil—one that couldn’t even keep her own part of the deal.

"This contract is over! I’m done with you!" she said, meeting Lady June’s eyes with a determined gaze of her own before turning around to leave right then and there.

She could always find another opportunity to speak to Cain, but at that moment all she wanted was to leave.

But she had just turned around to do so when she heard Lady June whisper words under her breath—words Violet didn’t care to understand as she continued to storm off, only to suddenly gasp.

She fell to one knee, her hands clutching at her chest as raw, undiluted pain coursed through her body in a way that instantly brought tears to her eyes. It was all she could do to stop herself from screaming or ripping into her hair.

It was that painful.

And just as quickly as the pain came, it disappeared.

Footsteps passed beside her and came to a stop directly in front of her. Violet looked up to see Lady June standing there with a smug expression on her face.

"The contract stands. That much I made sure," Lady June said with a wild smile.

"You will learn under me and do my bidding. Failure to do that, and I will make you wish you were dead!" she threatened outrightly as she bent her knees until she and Violet were eye to eye.

"...I will kill Cain and rip out his sick but still beating heart and make you watch as I eat it!" she said—and what was more alarming was the way her eyes made it clear that she meant every single word.

She slowly straightened, beckoning for Violet to do the same.

"Hurry. Don’t dirty your dress! The meeting has started, and we need to stand before the Lords," she said with a soft smile that never reached her eyes before heading inside.

Violet knew better than to remain outside.

Recalling the pain she had just experienced was torture enough. And with it came the realization that for three months she had been living with a devil—one she had somehow considered her mother.

One who had just shown her her place.

And it was right beneath her.

Violet’s hands shook at the mere thought of how she had been deceived, and how easily she had fallen for it.

Still, she had to compose herself. She wiped away whatever remnants of anger, pain, and frustration remained from her face until there was nothing left but a blank canvas.

She stepped forward to stand behind Lord Eldric, exactly as Lady June had instructed, ignoring the way her heart cracked when Cain didn’t spare her even a glance.

His attention was fixed on the woman beside him, whose hands he continued to hold throughout, never once pulling away.

Enough to almost make fresh tears form in Violet’s eyes.

It had barely been three months, and while she had been thinking of him, he had already hurried to find another woman to replace her.

Hiding the trembling of her fingers, Violet was furious. The feelings within her boiled, even as she calmly contained them.

"The reason why we’re gathered here is very simple!" Lord Eldric began, speaking as he usually did at the beginning of every meeting—something most of the Lords disliked but had long grown used to.

"To ensure that all our territories are under control and free from duress by the vampires. We band together as one, to ensure that regardless of fear or intimidation, we as Werewolves retain our territory!"

He spoke with a flourish, and all the Lords paid attention, fully aware that there was something he was slowly building toward.

"I believe that to further ensure an even more stable territory, and to prevent internal chaos or confusion, a King is necessary!" he finally declared, leaning closer to the table with an intense gaze as he slowly looked around, ensuring he met each and every one of their eyes.

Either in challenge—or in search of support.

"It is said that the best way to prevent chaos is not to defend against its possibility, but to completely neutralize it before it grows!"

"The vampires have always been a thorn in our flesh, and I believe that the best way forward is to wipe them out," he continued, his expression grave.

"For that reason, I propose a WAR!"

The Lords seated around the table couldn’t even pretend to be surprised as he went on.

"...One that would be led by a Werewolf King. One who would help us take back what we are owed!" he finished, his voice rising with determination and retribution.