I am curious to know more about why his parents dislike him so much, but there is no time to ask, as I can see Lissa approaching.
“I have it covered,” I whisper to Martin. “Go to the alpha and luna and tell them it’s going according to plan.”
Martin nods and then silently disappears into the shadows of the approaching night.
Meanwhile, Lissa slows down her pace and strolls the last steps to the cottage in an almost enragingly cocky way. Her posture is strong, confident, and sassy… and I hate it. She needs to fall, and once she does, it hopefully will be like a domino effect. It will rattle at Harry’s and Donna’s reputations as well, because they loved Lissa and supported her. They wanted her as their son’s mate, as the future luna, and everyone in this pack knows.
I look at Ben briefly, noting how his expression is grim and determined. The kid wants to prove himself, and it’s time to let him. His mate has put her full trust in him. And not just her, his alpha put his faith in him as well. It’s a great honor, and it means he can prove to everyone that he can protect his mate. That he is not to mess with just because he is young or an omega, or both.
With that in mind, I take my phone, which is connected to the device Ben is carrying and start streaming it. Now it’s up to Ben to prove himself, and to Forest to make sure everyone hears it.
“You actually came,” Lissa says, going for a sultry tone. While I can’t see her expression fully, I know she is smirking. Sheknowswhat she is doing, and she is well aware that Ben did not have any choice, that he has to be here and placate her, or it might get his mate killed.
It makes me wonder… Did she, in the past, kill more people than her friend, or have them killed?
Ben just glares at her. “Of course I came. It’s not like I had a choice.”
Lissa just laughs. “Come on, Ben, you want it too, don’t you? Just look at me. I am so much better than your mate.”
“You are not,” he spits. “Elli is the sweetest person I have ever met. She is kind and funny and cares for her friends. She does not have a family, yet she grew up into this amazing person. She is so selfless that sometimes I am worried for her. She would give anything to help those she loves. She is absolutely everything.”
Lissa steps forward, reaching out her hand. I am worried she will put it on his chest and feel the device there, but to my relief, she touches his cheek. “And you would do anything to protect her, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes,” he says. “Or I wouldn’t be here. Just to be clear, though, I am only here because you threatened me. You are despicable. Nothing about you is in any way likable.”
She draws back. “What’s wrong with you?” she spits. “I am so much more than your silly little mate. What does she know about how to satisfy your needs?”
“What needs?” he snarls. “All Ineedis to be close to her.”
Lissa shrugs, her voice aloof. “You are just a lowly omega, just like her. There is nothing special about you.”
“Yet, you invited me here to force me to fuck you.” Finally, he said it out loud. Was it too early? Hopefully, she won’t dodge his statement. “Not that I find you in any way attractive. No one compares to my Elli.”
“Iamattractive,” she hisses. “You should be glad that I invited you here. Anyone should be glad.”
I grin. I was worried for nothing. Like a true narcissist, she reveals her nature the moment another person criticizes or belittles her. She is beautiful, and she knows it, but all of it falls apart the moment she shows who she truly is.
Forest’s parents must have noticed that she is a sociopath and would be very useful for their cause. Or maybe they didn’t even think that far ahead. They might have just seen themselves in her, especially Donna. As for Harry, I think he is much more fucked up than anyone else.
“Why would anyone be glad?” Ben asks. “None of us omegas ever approached you willingly.”
“You should feel honored, but if you don’t, I couldn’t give a flying fuck,” she hisses. “I don’t care what it does to your precious mate. Tonight, you are mine, and you will betray her with me. If you don’t, I will destroy her. It’s not the first time I’ve done it!”
“Yeah,” Ben says bitterly. “We know you are nuts. One couple even offed themselves.”
I fucking knew it!
I knew she would go much further than we thought she would.
Lissa chuckles. “Now you get it. What will poor little Elli do when she knows she’s lost you?”
Ben curls his nose. “You know what,” he says. “I’ll find a way to protect Elli without doing any of this.” He grins. “Who knows, maybe I already did find a way?”
“You know I could just kill you right here, right now,” she snarls. “And no one would question me. Who would believe someone like me could just kill another person? They love me! Everyone in this pack loves me. And once I get rid of the arrogant new luna, I will be the one to take over this pack,” she sneers. “I will just tell everyone you attacked me. It was self-defense, obviously. No one in their right mind would question me.”
“Are you sure everyone is that stupid?” Ben asks.
Fucking brilliant!
