Chapter 11: Serena’s Lies

Serena’s POV

Kieran was slipping through my fingers.

I could feel it.

He was distracted, restless. Ever since that night when he caught Evelyn sneaking out, something had shifted in him.

He wasn’t as cold, wasn’t as ruthless.

He was thinking about her.

And I couldn’t allow that.

Not after everything I’d done to destroy her.

Not when I was so close to making him mine.

The First Seed

I discovered Kieran seated behind his enormous mahogany desk in his office.

Gazing at the papers before him, he appeared worn out and rubbed a hand over his jaw.

Excellent.

I quietly closed the door behind me as I slipped inside.

I stepped closer and whispered, "You're overworking yourself."  "You must take a break."

He hardly looked up.  "Serena, I don't have time to relax."

I put my hands on his shoulders and stepped behind him.  At first, he tensed, but I worked out the knots of stress by gently kneading.

I muttered, "You'll burn yourself out."  "And for what purpose?  That betrayer?

He tensed up.

Bingo.

“She was trying to run,” I continued, my voice soft and coaxing.  “She didn’t even hesitate.  Do you know what that means, Kieran?”

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer.

“It means she was never loyal to you.  She was never worthy of you.”  I let my fingers trail along his shoulders, my lips close to his ear.

“You gave her everything,” I whispered.  "And she cheated on you."

His hands clenched, as I saw.  His wolf continued to struggle against his cruelty and hatred.

I had to exert more effort.

A Well-Planned Finding

I sneaked into Evelyn's small servant quarters that evening.

For a former Luna, it was a pathetic place that smelled of dampness and dust.

I smirked as I rummaged through her things.

I needed something—anything—that could fuel the fire.

And then, I found it.

A bundle of herbs, carefully wrapped in cloth.

I studied them as I picked them up.

These herbs were not your typical ones.

They were therapeutic.

They specifically addressed the symptoms of pregnancy.

My lips curled into a sly smile.

Oh, this was ideal.

I was already preparing my next move as I carried them back to my room.

The Last Attack

With the herbs firmly in my hand, I barged into Kieran's office the following morning.

“Kieran,” I gasped, feigning panic.

He glanced up abruptly.  "What is it?"

As I set the herbs on his desk, I allowed my eyes to fill with fictitious worry.

"In Evelyn's room, I discovered these."

He scowled.  "And?"

I hesitated, letting the tension build.  Then, with a soft, pitying sigh, I dropped the bomb.

"Pregnancy is the reason for their use."

Quiet.

Kieran remained motionless, not even blinking.

I moved closer, cautiously.  "Kieran, she's pregnant."

His hands flexed against the desk as he gazed at the herbs.  "That isn't feasible."

I cocked my head, doing my part flawlessly.  "Are you certain?"

He let out a ragged breath.

I knew what he was thinking.

If Evelyn was pregnant… it had to be his.

I placed a gentle hand on his arm.  “She’s been hiding this from you.”  I lowered my voice, adding just the right amount of venom.  “And ask yourself why.”

His nostrils flared.  His wolf, dangerous and unpredictable, was on the rise.

I leaned in and delivered the last blow in a whisper.

"Because you don't own it."

The room trembled as the Alpha Kieran's rage exploded from his chair.

My eyes widened as I staggered back.

Such a violent response was not what I had anticipated.

His chest heaved, his golden eyes glowing.  "That is untrue."

I swallowed, my mind racing.  "Kieran, consider it.  She was trying to leave.  What if she wasn't merely escaping you?  What if she was fleeing to another person?

He snarled and ran a hand through his hair.

I continued.

She has been moving stealthily.  concealing things.  And this now?  I gestured toward the herbs.  "Everything makes sense."

He balled his fists until his knuckles were white.

I muttered, "You have to face her."  "You must force her to be honest with you."

He remained motionless for a long time.

Then, slowly, a dark, menacing smirk formed on his lips.

"Oh, I will."

Excitement made my heart race.

Evelyn was done.

The Conflict

With angry steps, Kieran bounded into the servants' quarters, and I followed.

Inside, Evelyn was scrubbing like the submissive little slave she was while kneeling on the floor.

Her eyes widened as the door slammed open and she looked up.

Kieran grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet before she could respond.

"You have been deceiving me," he snarled.

Evelyn winced and her face turned pale.  "I—I have no idea what you're discussing."

He clenched his fingers.  "Well, I believe you do."

He thrust the herbs in her face after taking them out of his pocket.

"Explain this."

Her breath caught.

I witnessed the instant her eyes filled with fear.

She was aware of her capture.

I grinned.

She began, "I don't—" but Kieran snapped her off with a growl.

"Are you expecting a child?"

Quiet.

Evelyn opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

That was the only response he required.

Anger made his body tremble.

I moved closer, pretending to feel sorry for him.  "Isn't that not his?"

With her eyes blazing, Evelyn's head jerked toward me.  "You deceitful snake—"

Kieran gave her a firm shake.  "WHOSE IS IT?"

Her eyes filled with tears.  "You own it, Kieran."

There was a tense silence in the room.

I didn't breathe.

Then Kieran laughed and threw back his head.

It wasn't humor, though.

It was gloomy.

chilly.

deadly.

"You think I'll believe that?"  He shoved her back with a sneer.  "All you are is a liar."

When Evelyn stumbled, she slammed into the wall.  "I am being honest."

Kieran’s smirk vanished.

He loomed over her as he moved forward.  "I find you repulsive."

Her breath caught.

I gambled.

I whispered, "She was going to flee."  "To secretly have the baby."  That tells you everything you need to know, doesn't it?

Kieran's eyes became gloomy.

"Meeting of the pack," he growled.

Evelyn tensed.  "No—"

"Now!"

As Kieran turned and bounded out, I smiled.

Evelyn's eyes were full of panic and she was trembling.

She muttered, "You won't get away with this."

I grinned.  "Oh, sweetheart."

I lowered my voice so that only she could hear me as I leaned closer.

"I have already."

Then I left her in her terror and walked away.

Soon the whole pack would know.

When did they do it?

There was no way to save her.

Whispering in bewilderment, the pack gathered beneath the full moon.

Evelyn was in front of them, with warriors on either side.

Kieran's voice was piercing and lethal.

In this pack, Evelyn has betrayed us.

The crowd echoed with gasps.

His golden eyes blazed as he turned to face her.

"For her deceit, for her lies..."  His voice was like ice as he took a step closer.

"I revoke her title as my mate and my heir's mother."

Evelyn gasped in surprise.  "Please, Kieran—"

His gaze pierced her.

"You're not my Luna anymore."

Then he spoke the words that would end her life.

"You've been exiled."

The audience burst out.

Evelyn's knees gave way.

And I?

I smiled.

Because I had finally won.