Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

HAILEY

"I can be your mate for appearance until you get your inheritance" I offer. However, I didn't think he was taking the bait, I could feel his disinterest against my skin.

When he turned to leave, I panicked and used the last card on my sleeve.

"I know about your mate's disappearance and I can help you find her" I blurted, hoping it'd interest him.

To my relief-- and maybe horror, he turned around and held me in place, choking me. God, was he strong. The way he held my neck, if it wasn't for the moon goddess's grace, maybe I'd have died a second time.

"What do you know about Alanna?" He tightened his grip on my neck, forcing me to speak.

"There's no way you'll get an answer out of me when you keep choking me" I croaked but kept a straight face, it was quite difficult but I needed to impress him. Even with his hands wrapped tightly around my neck, I still had a sharp mouth. I was crazy but the wine made me brave and I knew it.

But my craziness had paid off as I saw a glint of recognition and respect pass through his eyes.

Thank goodness, he finally let me go and I struggled to catch my breath. Any second later, I'd have been dead meat.  I try my best to regain composure as quickly as possible so he won't see me as weak. No Alpha would want to form an alliance with a weak wolf.

"Where's Alanna?" He asked again, clearly desperate for an answer. 

I knew that his mate, Alanna, was missing in the woods and her disappearance was somewhat linked to Tristan but I didn't know where exactly she was.

"I don't know where she is," I replied truthfully, trying my best not to provoke him, "but I can help you find her."

"Don't fucking lie to me!" He roared and I put in my all to not flinch or scramble away. There was no denying that he was an Alpha.

"I swear that I'll help you find your mate only if you help me with my revenge. Let's join forces." I rambled, hoping he'd believe me. I didn't have the strength to be choked again. I then offered by hand for a shake.

"I don't care about your mate and his lover. I can find my mate on my own" he said, latching onto what I now identified as pride and arrogance.

"My mate is involved in your mate's disappearance" I divulged and as expected, I hit the target.

He stared at me for a while, studying me. His scrutinizing gaze was like a laser on my skin and I fought the urge to shield myself and wrap my arms around myself.

I opened my mouth to speak but because I was already tipsy from the wine, I swayed but he didn't make an attempt to hold me.

I look up and study his features. He's perfect. His dark hair is tousled just enough to be sexy without being bed head messy. His strong chiseled jaw is a perfect harmony to his cold, gray eyes. He looks fierce, and at the same time, gentle, confusing me all the more. I really can't get a read on him.

I raise my hand to caress his face but he grabbed my arm and pushed me away "Don't you dare touch me" 

He stared at me condescendingly and with a final huff, he strode out.

The moment he was out of sight, I slumped on a chair nearby. I hadn't even begun my revenge and I was already a failure. How was I supposed to succeed when I wasn't able to convince Alpha Carter to work with me?

I sighed and put myself together. I was done being a failure. I'd re-strategize and come back stronger.

As I walked to my room, a door on the corridor opened and the two people I despise the most, emerged, both looking flushed with shallow breaths. They looked like children who had just been caught with their hands inside a cookie jar.

"Hailey..." Tristan called out, sounding nervous. He was clearly surprised to see me and he tried to look for an excuse to salvage the situation. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in bed?"

"Yes," Maya chimed in with her high pitched voice. "The doctor said you should stay in bed for at least three days. You shouldn't be on your feet. Are you okay?" She said and approached me in a bid to support me but moved away to avoid her touch. Annoyance flashed through her eyes but she quickly masked it.

I stared at the two people before me and let out a deep sigh. Not long ago, I'd have thought they genuinely cared about me and I wouldn't have hesitated to give it all for their happiness. But now as I looked at them, I felt nothing but pure unadulterated hatred.

"You didn't come to see me" I ask Tristan, looking directly at him so as to not miss even the tiniest reaction he'd let out.

"I was busy with work" it came out smoothly like he had rehearsed the like several times. No wonder I didn't suspect a thing, they were both very good actors.

"But you had the time to take Maya to the ball" I prompted and as expected, he was taken by surprise.

"It's not like that--" Maya began to speak but I cut her off harshly.

"I wasn't speaking to you." I eyed her. "Only speak when you're spoken to. Do you understand?"

"But--"

"Do. You. Understand?!" I enunciated every word for emphasis so it'd throw her thick skull into her empty head.

She frowned but answered nonetheless, "I understand"

"Hailey, don't talk to her like that." Tristan cautioned me like a big brother. If it were before I was reborn, I'd have apologized immediately and promised not to do it again but not anymore.

"Why won't I?" I questioned Tristan. "As much as I can remember, she's an omega and I'm the daughter of an Alpha so I can speak to her however I please. Isn't that how it is for us?"

"But she's your friend" He just wasn't giving up, was he?

"Is she?" I raised my brow in questioning and looked straight at Maya. She looked away, unable to meet my gaze. I didn't give them the chance to come up with some silly lie and I walked out.

"Don't let her get to you.." I heard Tristan say and Maya snickered. "Only for a short while till we get rid of her for good."