CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

With that, he's gone.

Has it been three days yet... It surely hasn't been, or wait...

'Does that really matter?' My wolf bluff. 'We only need to make a choice, and ensure that whatever you do, Hendrix is safe.'

'What? That's such a good advice, and I feel threatened.'

'You should.' She mocks. 'You got him in a nasty state. And you can't be mean to let them get to him like that. Even though he can't stand a chance against them, he deserves a fair fight.' She scolds.

Again, I get reminded of my reality. For about a moment, I was blinded by anger towards the Beta, forgetting about this whole nightmare... a pretty distraction somehow.

I begin pacing about, now too confused to act.

'Your time is counting. So you know, you have less than an hour.'

'Shit! Shit! Shit!' I lament.

Terrified, I practice my breathing exercise, hoping it works even though it's for a minute.

Sadly, it doesn't.

Right, a bath may help. I hastily take off my gown, almost stumbling over. I turn on the tap and allow the tub to get filled up.

How's Hendrix? Is he still helpless?

'How about did you choke him from the concoction?' My wolf sighs.

"Jeez, Goddess!" I cry. "I'm sorry, alright?" I plead, exhausted from her pettiness. "I deserve it, okay? If he survives this, I would never raise a hand on him... So please, at least spare me a sane moment."

It goes mute.

"Jeez!" The over-pouring water snaps me back to why the hell I'm here in the first place. I turn on the tap hastily, step into the overly-filled tub, and insert myself deep and fast.

Water splashes all over from the impact.

I bite down, trying not to scream from the venom of the icy cold water. I do deserve whatever I'm getting, I try to get myself to focus.

I clutch myself in my arms, my rich black hair adorns my shoulders. The water is now a dirty mix of my sweat, mud, and my blood.

For the umpteenth time, I cry. The memories of old come to mind, it has me taking sword classes from my papa, I was beautiful, full of vigor, and mostly, at peace.

And just the journey of being a leader has sniffed it all, leaving me wretched and broken. If only I'm not saddled with such fate, if only all these can be surreal.

Thirty minutes. My subconscious reminds me.

If I choose the throne, I get to be stuck with Dante, but if I choose to save Hendrix's life... that's if he isn't dead already, I get to not be with Dante, and risk my pack, and that includes Hendrix, he would be their first target.

I sigh.

Quivering, I wash away my dirt and hoping my filth too. Sobbing silently, I continue scrubbing, until my skin feels sore.

"Argh!" I yell, both out of frustration and pain.

Still shaky, I get off the tub, and out. My hair falls flat on my back, drenching me still. I take the bath towel from the hanger and wrap myself in it, roughly mopping myself dry before wrapping it on my hair.

Getting into the room, I find something comfortable and slip in, expecting the Beta anytime soon.

There's a soft knock on the door, as though the person is contemplating not coming at all.

I don't respond.

It opens regardless, and I turn to see Sasha, with a pale face and confused expression.

"Good day, my lady." She greets politely.

I give her silent treatment, that should be enough words.

"My Lady, are you okay now? Do you want me to do anything? Anything at all?"

"Yeah," I speak up for the first time. "Leave me the hell alone."

"But my Lady..." She stutters. She surely wasn't expecting that.

"Can you please let me think?" I sigh. "Look, I appreciate your concern, but it won't change a thing."

"I could..."

"I'm good, Sasha. How about you come give me a massage later?" I demand, not wanting to discard her in a rather sad manner.

"I would very much love that." She brightens up. "And after that a meal, you've barely eaten."

I nod, forcing a smile, I don't see her giving up anytime soon. "Have it your way."

With a wave, she leaps away.

It feels good having someone so caring on your side, one who knows the value of all these tough sacrifices.

Yet again, there's a knock on the door. I guess it's Beta Xavier, it definitely can't be Sasha, she wouldn't knock like she placed a roof over my head.

"Come in." I say, determined to face reality once and for all.

The door opens and he walks in, proudly.

"Good day, Lady..."

"Save me those pleasantries. Not needed in the slightest." I wave him off.

"If you so desire that." He obeys. "I guess you already know why I'm here." He begins. "So, what would it..."

"You gave me three days to respond, even though you don't have the right to. And you stand here to force a response from me?" I scoff.

"Lady..."

"Shut the hell up!" I thunder. "I will watch you try." I dare.

He sighs, his hands twitching like he's refraining from launching an attack on me.

I scoff. I dare him to, and get a taste from the source of my vileness.

"The elders wanted a response, and I..."

"You should caution them!" I object. Instead, he puts a check on their incessant demands, rather he's on my neck as though he vows to be loyal to them before me.

"You know there's barely anything I can do." He defends. "Not like it would change anything." He bluffs.

"I've always known my papa made the worst choice choosing you as his sidekick." I growl.

"I bet we're not working smoothly because of Hendr..."

"Never you say his name." My jealous wolf rears its head. "Don't test me."

"Pardon me." He stops. "Can we just get this over with? I'm beginning to get uncomfortable."

"I choose Dante." I reveal. In no time, I will still be faced with these options, and I surely don't want to see his incompetent face for as long as possible.

"What?!"

I ignore him. "I choose whatever the option is with Dante." I reiterate.

"Lady Natalie, you can't be serious. Perhaps what you said about Hen..." he trails off, remembering my stern warning. "about him being your mate is right."

"Believe what you choose to." I tell him off.

"No, that's unheard of. I'm your Beta, and I won't allow it." He stutters. "Even though you choose Dante, it's only a matter of time, and everyone will turn against us if the rumor of your bond with the human boy gets out."

"Till then." I reply bluntly. "And for record's sake, be aware your days as my Beta are numbered." My voice is cold as ice.

He remains mute. Perhaps thinking of all the benefits I will be ripping off him.

"I won't let you get us in trouble. Whether or not you pick Dante, the human boy must die."

My lupine instinct kicks in at will, as I half-shift, my fierce claws now out, ready to cause another chaos, a rather blissful one. My eyes are crimson, and I shoot Beta Xavier a deadly look.

I'm not in freaking control... My wolf is in full possession, my slutty and overly protective wolf.

I growl, sending chills down his spine and everyone around the vicinity.

"I dare you to lay a hand on him, and face my wrath. Anyone that as much as touches a strand of his hair, will be ruined."