From Bait to Queen: The Rejected Mate's Destiny

Hayley POV:

A scream tore from my throat. I launched myself at Karina.

She stepped aside easily and shoved me. I flew into the wall, cracking my head.

"Dean!" she shrieked, faking terror. "Help! The mutt is crazy!"

Dean appeared, filling the doorway. He took in the scene: me, bloody, and Karina, acting terrified. Again, that sweet, sickly scent wafted from her, seeming to cloud the room. Dean didn't check for truth.

He grabbed me by the throat, lifting me off my feet. "I give you shelter, and you attack my mate?"

"She killed Patches," I choked out.

"It was a pest!" Dean roared, slamming me back. "Clean up this mess."

He pointed to the overturned water bowl. "Use your tongue."

I looked at him, horror freezing my blood.

"You act like an animal, you drink like an animal," he said.

I lowered my head. I grabbed a rag instead, scrubbing silently. Dean watched, satisfied, then wrapped his arm around Karina. "Come, baby. Let's get your nails fixed."

They left.

I sat in the mess. My burner phone buzzed.

New Message: Tomorrow night. The Gala. Get the Blue File from his study. Coordinates for the mines. That is your ticket out.

I waited until evening. I crept into Dean's study. The safe combination was his birthday. Narcissist.

Click.

I found the Blue File. Illegal silver mining operations. Treason.

"Alpha, heading back up," the intercom crackled.

Panic seized me. I couldn't take the physical file; he'd notice. I pulled out the burner phone and snapped rapid-fire photos of the coordinates and offshore accounts.

North 45, West 72. Account Cayman 8890...

The elevator chimed. I shoved the file back, spun the dial, and dove under the heavy oak desk.

Dean walked in with Karina.

"Does it feel better?" Dean asked, his voice tender.

"A little," Karina sighed. I saw her red heels stop right in front of the desk. "But Dean... that girl. She's bad luck."

"She's useful bait," Dean said, sitting in the chair above me. "Once the rogues are wiped out, we can send her to the mines."

My blood ran cold. The mines were a death sentence.

"Promise?" Karina asked, climbing onto his lap.

"I promise. You are my future. She is nothing."

I clamped my hand over my mouth to stifle a sob, listening to the man created for my soul promise to murder me.