37 Great Plan
Lily POV
As soon as Drake leaves, I make my way over to Grant, whose eyes are focused on me. “Grant, can we talk in the kitchen?” He nods silently, and follows me out of the room. I turn to him. once we’re alone. “Grant, I want to thank you for all you’ve done to help me get here. You sacrificed your safety and time to help me and for that I will always be grateful. I appreciate you agreeing to come with me to find Drake even when it didn’t benefit you.”
His face remains impassive as I speak, and I wonder if I should have waited to say anything. “I appreciate that, Lily, but I’m sure that’s not the only reason you asked me to come in here out of Liam’s earshot.” “You’re right it’s not. I’ve noticed that you seem to have developed some feelings for me. As much as I’m flattered, I’m sure you understand that my heart belongs to Drake. Finding your mate is a feeling that I can’t even describe. You’ll understand when you find your own mate that your heart belongs to them completely.”
As much as he tries to hide it, I see a pang of sadness flash in his eyes. “I understand that more than you’ll ever know, Lily. Whatever feelings I have for you are mine to deal with. I knew that this mission would result in you finding your mate. I had no doubt that it would be successful because you are amazing and strong,” he says.
“Any wolf or elf is the luckiest ba**ard alive to be chosen by the goddess to share his life with you. All I want is for you to have the perfect mate, because that’s what you deserve. I wanted you to find a man that wouldn’t let his own feelings of inadequacy make him hurt you.”
“Grant, I don’t understand where all of this is coming from. We have only ever been friends and, honestly, outside of training we have never really been close. Everything you’re saying sounds like you regret your past mistakes. Have you found your mate? Did you do something.
to lose them?”
Sadness and regret flash in his eyes. “Lily, we need to get to the cells. Something’s wrong,” Ariel says. Grant starts to open his mouth, but I cut him off. “I’m sorry, I need to go. I just need you to understand that I only see you as a friend and that isn’t going to change. I love Drake.” He nods and I move past him.
As I step back into the living room, Liam’s questioning eyes meet mine, but I don’t stop to let him ask questions. Ariel’s anger and fear are pushing me as I make my way through the castle. As I approach the door that leads to the cells i see the guard is lying on the floor unconscious. My heart starts to race as I move down the stairs. The distant sound of voices
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37 Great Plan
lets me know that David is no longer alone.
When I get closer I hear Jared and Myra’s sister’s voices. I freeze when I hear her say David’s name. She knows that it’s David in the cells. “We can’t let them escape with him,” Ariel says. I quickly link Liam before I step further into the hallway. “Since it is likely he’s completed his bond, our only hope is to kill the Red Wolf. Losing her will definitely break him. The Elders
already believe he’s useless and now that the prophecy is complete, killing him won’t affect
your throne,” she says.
Ariel pushes to the surface, hearing her threaten Drake. “That seems like a perfect plan.” Their
heads all snap toward me. “What the f**k are you doing down here,” Jared asks, his voice
laced with anger. I take a step closer, suppressing Ariel’s growl. “I’m here to make sure that
you don’t succeed. To make sure that you’re punished for all you’ve done.“Jared throws his
head back and laughs like I just told him the funniest joke he ever heard.
“You think a weak little elf like you can stop me from doing anything. Just because the king
f**ked you doesn’t make you special” he says. A growl from behind me startles us both. I turn
just enough to see Grant and Liam come to stand behind me. I turn back to Jared, who looks
like he’s finally caught up after hearing the growl. “The Red Wolf” he says like he can’t believe
it as he stares at me.
A smile spreads across my face at his realization. “You f**king little b**ch. You have ruined
everything. I won’t let you hurt David. He was always meant to be king and I won’t allow you to
take what is rightfully his,” Magnolia says, as she steps out of the cell to stand next to Jared.
My eyes move from her to David, who looks like he just saw a ghost. “It’s ironic, isn’t it David?
You invited me to the castle. Led me right to my handsome mate, which ultimately landed you in this cell. How does it feel to know that your disgusting desires have ultimately led to your downfall?” Anger flashes in his eyes, but he makes no move to step out of the cell. I turn back
to Magnolia.
“You couldn’t be more wrong. David is pathetic and was never worthy of being king. He killed
his own brother, tortured his own nephew, and abused an elf he prophesied to love.Liam
growls this time as he stares at David. “For all he has done, he won’t be leaving that cell until
my mate decides to end him.”
“You really think a little girl like you and these two pathetic wolves can stop me? I may not be
Elven royalty, but I’m strong enough to deal with the three of you no matter the color of your
fur mutt,” Jared says. Despite his words, I can see the fear in his eyes. “Actually, I don’t need
anyone’s help. Since Magnolia seems to know so much about the prophecy of the Red Wolf
she should know I am far from a weak little girl.”
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“Having said that, I think that Liam should have the honor of giving you the beating you
assuredly deserve after all you have done to his sister.”Jared’s eyes are comical as my words
register. I quickly link Drake, asking him to bring Myra to the cells and telling him why. Not
needing to be offered twice, Liam quickly slides his bracelet off, handing it to me.
He takes a step toward Jared, who without warning, launches himself at Liam. Grant takes a
step toward them but, I quickly place my hand on his forearm to stop him from interfering.
Despite the size difference, I know Liam can deal with Jared. I immediately pull my hand away
after feeling a strange warm sensation where our skin just touched. I have no time to think
about what I just felt as a grunt catches my attention.
I turn in time to see Liam take a punch to the stomach. After two more punches from Jared,
Liam gets the upper hand with a kick to Jared’s knee that has him crumpling to the ground. I
notice Magnolia out of the corner of my eye trying to move closer to the wall, trying to escape.
I quickly take a step to block her path. She knows she is no match for me.
She quickly retreats, and I focus back on Liam just as he straddles Jared and punches him
repeatedly in the face. Jared is no longer moving. I watch as he extends the claw on his right
hand before he grips Jared’s throat. Blood begins to trickle down his neck and onto the floor.
“This is for all the pain you caused my sister and Drake,” he says before he rips his throat out.
He scrambles to his feet and turns to face me. His eyes meet mine as tears flow down his
cheeks. He isn’t crying for what he just did but because of all his sister endured. Liam is one
of the best men I know. I hate the guilt I see in his eyes. I take a step toward him pulling him
into a hug. He may not be my father, but he is my family, even if he isn’t my blood.
Drake POV
Hearing Lily’s voice in my head both excites me and has me freaking out a bit. When she asks
me to bring Myra to the cells because Jared and Magnolia are there, I won’t lie, I’m worried. I
know she has powers, and she is strong, but Jared and David are ruthless. My heart is racing
at the thought of her alone with them. I can’t lose her.
She is everything to me. I would give up becoming king to keep her safe. Why the hell is she
even in the cells? I couldn’t wait for Vincent to arrive. I headed out of my office with Jasmine
hot on my heels. Once I found Myra, we made our way down into the cells.
My heart rate starts to slow the minute I see Lily is safe. As soon as I reach her, I pull her into
my arms. I look up to see Jasmine checking Liam’s hands. I smile when I see Jared dead on the floor. I would have liked to have been a part of ending him, but I’m glad he’s gone.
I was hoping we could keep up the charade with them a little longer, but it looks like the cat is
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out of the bag. “How could you help this ba**ard after all he’s done. He killed my son and here you are trying to help him. What happened to you to make you betray your own family,” Myra screams at Magnolia.
Magnolia’s laugh has a shiver running down my spine. “You and your son mean nothing to me. You are no sister of mine. Hell, I wish David had never bothered with that worthless b**ch,” Magnolia says, pointing to Jasmine who is in Liam’s arms. Liam growls and goes to step away from her, but she holds him tight. “She never deserved David. He was meant to have a real queen, not the beloved of a worthless slave.” As the last word leaves her lips, Myra’s fist connects with her face.
Magnolia lands on her a** as blood runs from her nose. I fight the urge to laugh when Myra grabs her by the hair and throws her into the cell next to David’s. “You’re right about one thing. We aren’t sisters. In fact, soon you won’t be anything at all. You are going to get a front row seat to watch Drake end that pathetic pr*ck, and then I’m going to make sure you join him you treacherous b**ch” Myra says.
