THE COUP

Roland's face twisted. He didn't appreciate the way Zuri talked to him and gripped her hair even harder, which made her close her eyes in pain, but she was too stubborn to make a sound. She took a deep breath and fixed her expression, pretending that she was fine when she opened her eyes again and met her father's eyes through the mirror's reflection.

"What task?" Zuri asked coldly. She thought that moving to the Blackthorne pack would allow her to escape her father's clutches, but it seemed his claws were embedded too deeply for her to get away.

Roland's hand relaxed against her hair, he tied her hair up and brushed it gently this time, but he didn't immediately answer her question, instead he talked about an entirely different matter.

"You will be the one to deliver the punishment to that omega." Roland lifted his head and looked at his daughter. "You can do whatever to your heart's content."

"I am afraid Alpha Xaden will not agree to that." Zuri stopped herself before she scoffed. She had pushed her father too far two days ago when she learned about her miscarriage, but now, when her mind was clearer, she knew it had been really silly for her to let her emotions and rage get the best of her. "She is still his destined mate."

"He had rejected her."

"I rejected him too." Zuri reminded him. "And that omega still lives in this pack."

"You can ban her." Roland braided her long hair. "Alpha Xaden agreed that you would be the one to deliver the punishment."

This was news to Zuri. She raised her brows, silently asking for an explanation, but her father provided her with none.

"Chase her out of this pack, so there won't be any more problems like this in the future." He patted her head and then walked to lean his back against her boudoir. "You have to try for another child again as soon as possible."

He didn't even feel sad for Zuri's miscarriage, if there was sadness, it must be because he needed the baby to accomplish his plan and now that Zuri lost it, it set his plan back.

"What do you want from me?" Zuri wanted him to talk straight to the point, so she could be done with it quickly. She didn't want to talk about the baby. It felt so weird. The time between learning she was pregnant and losing the baby was too short. She was upset, but not nearly close to a mother, who lost their child.

It was only… uncomfortable to talk about the topic.

"Let's not waste our time and get straight to the point." Zuri stood up to be at eye level with her father, who had his back leaning against her boudoir. "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to spy on your mate. I want you to report everything that he is doing, no matter how small a detail it is."

"I thought you two are on good terms, why do you need me to spy on him?" Zuri narrowed her eyes. There was no such thing as a good relationship. They formed one because of the benefits that they could get from one another. "What do you mean by you will put me in the highest place?"

That piece of information didn't go unnoticed by Zuri.

"You will become the queen of this kingdom."

Zuri's eyes widened in shock. "Father! That's treason!" She hissed and looked around, afraid someone could be eavesdropping on their conversation. "You can't talk about that carelessly!" She lowered her voice, but her tone was harsh.

However, Roland looked as calm as ever, which made Zuri try to understand the situation she was in and when the realization hit her, she shook her head.

"Xaden is behind this? He wants to usurp the throne?" Zuri shook her head again in disbelief. "And you are going to help him?"

"If he succeeded and became the king, you would be the queen and your firstborn would be the next in line," Roland stated the obvious.

Zuri knew her father was always an opportunist, but this time he had taken it too far. Treason was a big crime. They could lose their heads for that.

And there was another big problem in all this.

"You planned a coup with Xaden, but you don't trust him."

"It doesn't hurt to be more precautious."

Zuri couldn't believe this at all. "You are playing a dangerous game, father."

"But, the final result will be worth it, child." Roland stretched out his hand and caressed Zuri's cheek. "You will become the queen and your son will be the next king. You will sit on the throne with him."

"I don't want the throne."

"You are his mate. There is no way out."

"Is that all you wanted to tell me?" Zuri asked, she swatted his hand away from her face. She was so pissed because Roland was right. She didn't have a way out.

"Tell me his every move, Zuri. We need to protect ourselves."

"You only wanted to protect yourself and gain profits for the pack."

"I am the Alpha, Zuri. I couldn't help it. And you, as my daughter, need to play your part right. This title is not free; nothing in this world is. You need to pay for the comfortable life you have."

"This life is far from comfortable, father."

"You will not say the same thing if you were born as an omega. Be grateful for what you have and make the best out of it."

And before Roland left the room, he didn't forget to remind her of something that caused Zuri's stomach to churn.

"Don't forget taking your medicine, Zuri. I don't want your illness to mess things up for me."

And two weeks later, Xaden came to her bedroom. They were supposed to sleep together, trying for another baby. The thought alone made Zuri sick to her stomach.