The lost mate

Chapter 154: Liana’s move

Emily felt her chest tighten with a mix of disbelief and anger. The café around her blurred as she absorbed the magnitude of what Elara was saying.

"She tried to kill my family." Emily’s voice was barely audible, laced with a tremor.

Elara nodded, her expression sombre but resolute. "Yes, she hated Jennifer. She was always scared that Richard would leave her and take Jennifer as his mate. Once Jennifer was gone, she..." Elara paused, her lips pressing into a tight line. "She decided to eliminate her family as well but Richard didn’t let that happen."

"I still don’t understand," Emily managed, her voice hardening. "If Liana is so intent on keeping her secrets, why are you still alive? And why do you even care about warning me?"

"Because you deserve the truth, Emily. And because I owe it to Maddox and to Jennifer. They were both robbed of the lives they should’ve had. Maddox’s heart still aches for the woman he loved, the mate he was supposed to have."

"So you joined Jackson and tried to manipulate Damien into sleeping with Jessica ?"

Emily folded her hands and glared at her.

Elara’s face twisted, a mixture of defiance and regret flashing in her eyes. "What was I supposed to do, Emily? After everything Liana did, after watching my brother, Maddox, left broken and abandoned ? I had nothing left but revenge."

Emily’s gaze hardened, her voice low and cold. "So you thought manipulating Damien, trying to turn him against his own mate, was somehow justified?"

Elara shook her head, her hands clenching on the table. "You don’t get it. Jackson offered me an opportunity—a chance to weaken Liana’s hold. I didn’t care what it took—I thought if Damien could be lured away, I could break the loyalty that holds him to Liana. I thought maybe, just maybe, that would force the truth out of her."

Emily’s stomach churned. "Do you even hear yourself? You used people, manipulated lives, and you’re justifying it as some twisted form of justice. You’re no better than Liana if that’s the way you choose to act."

Elara flinched.

"Maybe you’re right," she admitted, her voice softening. "Maybe I’ve become as ruthless as she is. And I don’t care about it. You will help me expose her."

"And what if I refuse ?"

"Then you will face the consequences. Liana is not going to let you live peacefully. Mark my word."

Elara leant back, crossing her arms with a slow, deliberate smile that chilled Emily to the core.

"Consider it a reality check, Emily. Whether you choose to act or not, you’re already in the middle of this."

Elara’s smile faded, a flicker of irritation in her eyes, but she held her composure. "Suit yourself, Emily. But remember this conversation when Liana comes after you. And when she does, it won’t be me who’s left to pick up the pieces."

Emily rose from the table, throwing one last steely look at Elara. "I don’t need you to pick up anything, Elara. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself."

As Emily walked away, her mind churned with a mix of anger and unease. She could feel Elara’s gaze boring into her back, but she didn’t turn around. Outside the café, the cold evening air hit her face, clearing her head and grounding her. She stood there for a moment, taking a deep breath, then pulled out her phone, her thumb hovering over the contacts.

She could call Anne, tell her everything. She could go to Damien, warn him. But some instinct stopped her.

***********************************

Chris glanced at his phone, frowning slightly. He’d tried reaching Emily twice that morning, but she hadn’t picked up either time. She was usually quick to respond, even if just with a short text. He brushed it off, deciding he’d stop by and check on her later that evening, but the unease lingered in the back of his mind.

His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts and focused on the task at hand.

"Chris," Damien’s voice was brisk, all business. "I just got off the phone with the Alpha of the Thunderbolt Pack. I’ve arranged a joint training session. They’ll be bringing their beta and some warriors. They’re set to arrive in a week."

Chris’s eyebrow shot up. "Thunderbolt Pack?" He paused, absorbing the weight of the decision. "Did you consult your parents about this first? They might not take it well, you know."

There was a brief silence on the other end before Damien replied; his tone edged with defiance. "No, I didn’t. But this is my call to make, Chris. I’m next in line to be Alpha, and I need to start making decisions that strengthen our pack. Working with the Thunderbolt Pack could give us an edge."

"Are you sure this is the right move?"

"Yes," Damien replied firmly. "Things are changing, Chris. Our allies are going to look different from what they were before. We can’t afford to keep our options limited because of old grudges. The Thunderbolt Pack has skilled fighters, and they’re motivated to keep peace with us. It’s a smart move."

Chris sighed. As much as he wanted to advise caution, he couldn’t deny that Damien’s reasoning had merit. "Alright," he conceded, "if you’re sure about this, then I’ll back you. Just be prepared for some fallout. Madam Luna... she won’t take this lightly."

Damien scoffed. "I’m prepared. Besides, she has to understand that our priorities need to shift. I’m making this decision for the future of the pack, not to appease anyone’s personal grudges."

Chris nodded.

"Got it. I’ll see you at the compound later. And... I’ll check in on Emily, too."

"Good. Let me know if anything’s wrong," Damien said.

***********************************************

Peter waited silently as Liana thumbed through the photographs he’d presented. He had spent the past two days trailing Emily, watching her every move, and now his efforts were laid bare on Liana’s desk.

Liana held up a particular photograph, studying it intently. In it, Emily sat across from Elara at a small table in a bustling café. The angle of the photo captured both women. Liana’s lips curled into a tight, satisfied smile.

"Impressive work, Peter," she murmured, her voice smooth but laced with a dangerous edge. "I knew there was something... troubling about Emily’s recent behaviour, but to see her in conversation with lara..." She paused, allowing her words to linger.

Peter inclined his head slightly, hiding the hint of pride that flickered in his eyes. "Thank you, madam Luna."

She looked up, her eyes gleaming with a chilling calm as she placed the photographs back on her desk. "Elara thinks she’s clever, but she doesn’t realise that every move she makes just tightens the noose around her neck."

Peter nodded, choosing his words carefully. "Emily seemed... uneasy. I observed them for a while, and it looked like Elara was doing most of the talking."

Liana’s gaze sharpened. "Oh, I’m sure she was. Elara never could resist stirring the pot, especially if it meant putting ideas into other people’s heads. She’s a master manipulator, Peter, and it’s clear that she’s trying to reel Emily into her schemes."

Peter observed Liana’s reaction carefully, noting the satisfaction in her expression. "What would you like me to do next?"

Liana tapped her fingernails on the edge of the photographs, considering. "Continue monitoring Emily. I want to know if she contacts Elara again or if she shows any signs of... disloyalty." She paused, a flicker of something dark in her gaze.

"What about Elara ? Why didn’t you catch her ?"

"I tried, madam Luna, but she is very clever. She slipped through our surveillance, but I will make sure it doesn’t happen again."

Liana nodded, her eyes narrowing with determination.