Chapter 179
Janet looked down at Harperâs dead body.
A sweet sense of revenge surged up in her body.
This woman had been her nightmare since childhood. Even to this day, she still carries some lashing scars on her back left by Harper.
Now, finally, she ended her own nightmare.
And it feltâ¦so fucking awesome.
Janet cupped some snow to rinse off the blood on her blade.
Her shoulder was grabbed by a large hand the next second. And her body was spun around forcefully by Daran.
Daran looked into her eyes. His face was full of some heavy emotions: shock, anger, and even sorrowâ¦
ââ¦It was you?â he asked in a trembling voice.
Janet looked away from his face and looked down at her own feet, âApparently so.â
âWhy did you say anything!â
Daran raised his voice abruptly, his furious roar echoing through the silent forest: âI thought it was Harper! And that is why I treated her so nicely for years! If I knew that it was you, I-â
âYou what?â
Janet let out a snort, âYou would treat me better? You would hold me dearly as your mate? You would not leave me to the rogues when I was kidnapped?â
âYES!â Daran snarled, his eyes bloodshot. âBut most importantly, IâI would realize my feelings towards you sooner!â
Just think about how many years he had wasted.
He married and mated with the same person who saved his life, whom he first fell in love with.
But he didnât know about that back then.
He even once blamed the Moon Goddess for arranging Janet as his mate when his mate should be Harper, whom he thought was his lifesaver.
Yet everything was wrong.
Everything was fucked up.
His life was ruined by this imposter Harper.
If it werenât for Harper, Janet would still be his Luna. And they would still be in Riverside Pack now, happily married.
âWhyâ¦Why didnât you tell meâ¦â he asked, slightly choking, feeling a mist of tears in his eyes.
Janet rescued her wrist from Daranâs grip, an indifferent look on her face.
âWhat you feel is not love.â She said coolly, âGratitude? Guilt? Maybe. But definitely not love.â
âOf course it is!â
âNO. Itâs not!â her gaze became sharp, âYou said that you loved me in Crimson Fortress. But later on, you still handed me to Harper to have her torture me! I donât care how jealous you were at the time, that is not how you treat the person you
ve!!
Daranâs body became stiff.
He stood on his spot as snowflakes continued to fall on his shoulders, shaping him into an ice sculpture.
Janet took in a deep breath, âYou are a cold, possessive, and ruthless man, Daran, someone who lacks the ability to love. We can never be together, even without Harper in the picture.â
ââ¦What would it take for you to believe me?â Daran asked in a hoarse voice.
Janet wanted to tell him that there was no such thing.
But then she paused.
âHarper begged you to spare her life in exchange for her favor to you. I saw you hesitated.â Janet stared at him, âThen let me offer a similar deal: if you agree to give up on this Werewolf King nonsense, I will reconsider us getting back together. How does that sound?â
Daranâs breathing became rough. He looked frustrated.
âWhy do you need me to give up so badly?!â he hissed through gritted teeth, âIf I become King, I can better protect you-â
Janet felt a sudden flash of anger as she shouted back, âSHUT UP! Stop using me as an excuse for your own ambition! You are just a powerâhungry monster! PERIOD!â
âJanet-â
âAnd this is exactly what I am talking about!â Janet talked over him, âYou say that you love me, but you always give up upon me for your fucking power! A man like you deserves to die alone on that fucking throne!â
She held the blade up and pointed at Daranâs chest.
âThe next time I hear you say that you love me-
Her body, along with her voice, was trembling with rage.
â-I will slit your throat just like what I did to Harper.â
A deathly silence fell upon them.
They couldnât hear anything else besides the gushing wind and their own labored breathing.
Daran didnât say anything. He simply stared at the blade that pointed at his chest, his eyes full of sorrow.
âGood,â Janet said, her breath a pale mist in the air. âNow let us head back. We still have to deal with Lance.â
She shifted into her wolf and started running towards the tower.
Moments later, she heard the sound of paws from behind.
Daran had caught up with her.
When they got back to the tower, Morgana and Kass were still trying to get Layla to talk.
Morgana walked up to greet them as soon as they came in through the door.
âHarper?â Morgana asked.
âDead.â Janet said briefly, âAny progress with Layla?â
Morgana shook her head, âThis womanâs mouth is tight. She refuses to give us any information.â
Janet frowned.
âBut my soldiers are gathered downstairs. They all take orders directly from me.â Morgana said, âI can ask them to siege the city and search for Lance street by
street-
âNo, it takes too much time. Lance might get away.â
Janet walked to Layla and met with her watchful eyes.
âSo here is what is going to happen.â,
Janet said to her in a freezing voice:
âIf you keep your mouth shut, by the time we find Lance, which will happen sooner or later, we will take our sweet time with killing him. We will pluck his tongue, gouge his eyes, skin him alive. Make sure that he goes through a painful suffering that even makes death seem like a mercy-
âYOU COLD BITCH!â Layla roared her eyes slits of rage. âYou go rot in HELL!!!â
Janet clamped her jaw and silenced her forcefully.
âOr, alternatively, you give us his location, and I can guarantee a quick and painless death.â Janet said, âIt is your call.â
Laylaâs chest moved rapidly in rage.
âYou know that your boss is over,â Morgana said with her arms crossed in front of her chest. âBetter let him die with some dignity. Donât you think so?â
Layla gritted, ââ¦But how can I trust you?â
âI give you my word,â Janet said solemnly.
Layla still looked hesitated. Her eyes traveled to Janetâs back, where Daran was
standing.
âYou donât need to look at him. I make the call here,â Janet stressed.
ââ¦I stand with Janet on this,â said Daranâs deep voice from the back.
Layla closed her eyes.
After a long pause, she said, shakily, âI asked the King to hide himself⦠When I find a
way of escaping, I will give 3 long howls to the moon, and he will know it is my signal to him and come out to meet with me.â
âGreat.â
Janet stood up and yanked Layla off the ground, âCome with us and lure Lance out. We will give him a painless death, as promised.â
They escorted Layla down the tower and went to the courtyard together. This place had a large, open area, a perfect spot for ambush.
Morgana ordered her soldiers to hide among the fallen walls and ruins before Lance turned up.
âShall we include the Lycans in this?â Kass asked Janet, âI saw Westin and his men wandering around the East Wing.â
âNo,â Daran said icily without hesitation.
âI kind of agree with Daran on this one.â Morgana shrugged, âI donât feel like sharing our victory with the Lycans.â
When everyone had hidden properly in the shadows, Janet nodded at Layla.
Standing alone in the seemingly empty courtyard, Layla took a deep breath and let out 3 long howls to the moon.
Everyone waited in the strained silence, holding their breath, waiting for Lance to show up.
After what felt like an eternity, light footsteps came from the distance, gradually approaching.
A lean figure emerged from the darkness and stepped into the silver moonlight. Janetâs heart skipped a beat seeing his shadow on the ground.
It was Lance.
He came!
ââ¦Layla?â
Lance stopped warily by the courtyardâs entrance and looked around the place.
Although the courtyard looked empty to him, the eerie silence still sent a chill down his spine.
âYes, it is me, My King,â Layla answered.
âAre you alone?â Lance narrowed his eyes, sounding skeptical.