Chapter 24
Kael’s POV
I stood by the window, watching the clouds roll in. The sky was gray and heavy with the promise of rain. It matched my mood perfectly. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, and I forced myself to breathe slowly. I couldn’t let my anger take over. Not yet.
“You’re too quiet,” Valric, my wolf, growled inside me. “You hate her. Just say it. Just end it.”
“Not yet,” I muttered under my breath. “I need to be smart about this.”
Valric snarled but didn’t argue further. He knew I was right. Bursting out in rage wouldn’t do anything. Not with someone like Roxanne. She was careful and manipulative. Always playing the sweet and perfect girl.
But I knew better now.
I picked up my phone and called her. My voice was calm. “Hey, Roxanne. Are you free today? I thought we could talk about some engagement plans. The decorator left the catalogue with me. I figured we could go through it together.”
There was a pause, and then her voice lit up. “Of course, Kael! That sounds so romantic. I was actually
hoping that you would call. Should I come over?”
“Yes,” I said, forcing a smile into my tone. “Also, there are a few more things we need to choose. Table
settings, flowers… I want to know what you prefer.”
“You’re so thoughtful,” she cooed. “I’ll be there soon.”
I hung up and stared at the phone in my hand. My skin crawled just from talking to her.
“You’re lying to her face,” Valric said.
“She deserves worse,” I replied, my voice cold. “You saw what she did to me.”
Valric growled in agreement. “Just don’t screw this up. I want her to be badly humiliated.”
I turned and moved quickly. Time was short. I went to check on my mother first. She was in the kitchen,
humming softly as she stirred a pot on the stove. The smell of herbs and meat filled the air.
“Perfect,” I whispered to myself. “She is distracted.”
Then I climbed the stairs and walked straight into my parents’ room. I went to the large wooden closet and pulled open the third drawer on the bottom right. My mother always kept her favorite jewelry there. She thought no one noticed. But I did.
I found the diamond necklace easily. It was elegant and delicate, glittering even in the dim light of the room. It was my mother’s favorite. She wore it at every formal event.
“She’ll notice it’s missing,” Valric warned.
1/4
Chan 14
“That’s the point,” I whispered and slid the necklace into my pocket.
125 Points
I left the room quickly and went to my own. My heart was racing, but I kept my expression calm. I lifted the edge of the bed and reached for the box I had hidden there since I was a teenager. I placed the necklace inside and shut the lid tight.
Now, I waited.
Roxanne arrived an hour later. I heard the knock on the door, and I forced myself to take a deep breath. Then I opened it.
She stood there in a light pink dress. Her long curls were bouncing as she smiled up at me. Her lips were red and glossy. She leaned in and kissed me.
I had to force myself to kiss her back.
It felt wrong and disgusting.
But I didn’t let it show.
“Hey, babe,” she said sweetly. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” I lied. “Come in.”
She started heading straight toward the stairs.
“Wait,” I said and caught her hand. “Before we go to my room, my mom wanted to talk to you. She said she
had something important to show you.”
Roxanne blinked. “Oh? What is it?”
“Some dress designs. She mentioned it a few days ago. Let’s go see her first.”
I led her into the kitchen. My mother looked up. She was surprised but smiling at us.
“Roxanne! It’s been a while.”
“Luna Grace,” Roxanne said warmly, going over to hug her. “You look lovely today.”
“Flatterer,” my mom chuckled. “Kael said you were looking at dresses for the ceremony? I saved a few I
thought you would like.”
I watched them closely. My arms were crossed over my chest. My mother seemed pleased. If only she
knew the truth. If only she knew what Roxanne had done.
“She played all of us,” Valric said darkly.
“Not for much longer,” I answered silently.
They scrolled through the pictures on her phone. I chimed in here and there, pretending to care. After a few minutes, I placed my hand gently on Roxanne’s back.
“Come on, let’s go up. We still have a lot to look at.”
She nodded and followed me upstairs.
Once in my room, I let her sit on the bed while I pulled out the catalogue.
$79 Points
“You’re going all out for this,” she giggled, flipping through the pages. “I love the red and gold theme. It’s so
regal.”
“It suits you,” I said. I wanted to gag on the words.
She turned to me, her eyes wide. “Do you really think so?”
“Of course. You deserve the best.”
Inside, Valric growled. “This is painful.”
“Shut up,” I told him. “Just a little longer.”
We spent the next hour looking at flowers, lights, dresses and music options. She talked and laughed,
tossing ideas around. I played my part perfectly. I was nodding, smiling and pretending to be excited.
Every time she touched my arm, I had to hold back the urge to flinch. Every time she called me “babe,” I
wanted to scream.
But I didn’t.
Because this plan had to work.
Finally, she stood up. “I should get going. I have an appointment with the tailor.”
I walked her to the door and kissed her again. My lips felt numb.
She left with a happy smile. She was thinking that everything was perfect.
Once she was gone, I let my shoulders drop. The mask slipped off.
“I feel sick,” Valric snarled.
“Me too,” I whispered.
I went back to my room and opened the box. The diamond necklace was still there. It was shining like a
silent witness to what I was about to do.
I took out my phone and dialed the number.
“Meet me at the alley behind the coffee shop,” I said. “I’ll be there in five minutes.”
Then I hung up and stared at my reflection in the mirror.
This was it.
The beginning of the end for her.
