47. Mila

Chapter 47

Mila

F rederick isn't dead after all.

He is alive, and my head is still reeling over the news.

We're all gathered in the living room, Lachlan and Oliver comforting me on my left and right.

He was my old superior, a ghost from my past—one I'd thought I'd escaped. Sure, he may have been the lesser of two evils, but he still had a hold over me.

Yet if it weren't for his scheming ways, I never would have met the pack.

He used me as a pawn so he could get closer to one of Lily's most loyal soldiers—an Alpha with whom she once held serious sway.

He was also aware of her special interest in Oliver, and he planned to use it against her.

The former Beta Governor may just be what we need to overthrow Lily. The only downside; he is a prick and we can't trust him. Not really.

As I said, the lesser of two evils, but he's the only trump card we have.

Any day now, I will be getting that call from Lily. I can just feel it looming on the horizon, and I have been on edge for days.

Gryphon has given me advice, and he has even written me a script.

I just hope I don't blow it.

No matter what, I must not lose my cool. We may have just found the one thing to defeat her, and I can't give myself away.

Gryphon is massaging his temples, eyes closed as he thinks of a strategy.

Barret has been back for an hour. I thought he had been gone an awful long time, and it turns out he had gone on a secret mission without telling us.

No doubt for the best, but still…

I had been worried.

Yet I didn't scold him about it, though. I am not going to be that Omega.

Barret currently lounges on the chair, leg draped over the arm as he nurses a tumbler of whiskey. He said he needed it after seeing a man who we all thought was dead.

His skin was as white as a sheet when he arrived, and I wanted to go over and comfort him, but I was in too much shock.

Oliver runs his hand up and down my arm, gazing up at his Alpha. "So, any plans yet?"

"I'm thinking…" Gryphon rasps back.

I resist the urge to get up and soothe him too, but I am glued to my seat. Even if I wasn't in shock, I don't think I'd have the nerve.

Things are still pretty tense between us.

I'm just about to offer a suggestion when my phone rings. My heart stops when I spot that private number.

Shit.

Lily was kind enough to give me back my old phone after she'd confiscated it, and how sweet of her. I will have to remember to thank her when I next see her.

Which may be sooner than I like.

I meet Gryphon's eyes, and his jaw is clenched. He gives me a nod and I take a deep breath, rising to my feet.

I have to take this call in private. Otherwise, Lily will be suspicious.

In the end, I find a closet.

May make it seem more convincing for her.

Sometimes, I still think she can see me from somewhere, like an evil queen in a fairytale story, watching me through her magic mirror.

I shudder at the thought.

I'm not going to be the helpless princess in this story.

So, I answer the phone, clearing my voice. "Mila speaking."

Silence. Then my heart freezes when I hear her voice.

"Hello, Mila. Long time no see."

My teeth chatter, and I swallow, going over everything Gryphon told me.

Breathe evenly. Don't let her sense the fear in my voice.

He's well-versed when it comes to dealing with Lily after all.

"It's lovely to hear from you again, Governor."

"Likewise. So, anything to report?"

I stop a moment, trying to think of something to say about the pack that's not too incriminating.

I hate to do this, but Gryphon said it was fine. He said if I had to, that I only had to throw him under the bus.

Besides, he has already challenged her before, anyway. He recounted the story for me, and I had a lump in my throat the whole time.

He challenged her because of me…

"Gryphon appears to be losing confidence in your leadership, but not the others. They're as loyal to you as ever."

There. That's all I will say.

That was the script Gryphon told me, and it's almost humbling how far he will go to protect the pack.

I can almost hear the Alpha's purr of satisfaction over the phone. "Just as I feared… I can't say I am surprised. I had my reasons to suspect him."

Another bout of silence, but I keep my face a mask of natural calm. As Gryphon taught me.

"Anything else to report?"

I knew this question would arise, and I must keep my tone neutral.

"No. Nothing, Governor."

She doesn't pry any further, and I really hope she can't see me right now because I have sweat dripping down my temple. My heart is pounding too.

"Well, when we next speak, Mila. I suspect you will have more to report next time."

She cuts off, and I breathe a huge sigh of relief, taking a moment to reorient myself.

Even when she's not in the room, she's terrifying.

The closet door opens about twenty minutes later, and it's Gryphon.

His face is a mask of stone, but his eyes are burning with passion.

How long has he been standing outside the door?

I try to smile up at him to break the tension, but my legs have turned to jelly. I can't get up.

Finally, he kneels to my level, placing his hand on my shoulder. His fingers squeeze, and I close my eyes, feeling the anxiety ebb at his mere touch.

"It's over now, Mila."

Is it, though?

While I don't think she suspected anything, I just have an awful feeling…

We don't speak for a time, and I wonder why none of the others arrive.

I suspect Oliver encouraged Gryphon to be the one to comfort me, and I'm grateful to him. I don't know what I would have done without his guidance, and he has become somewhat of a friend these past couple of days.

Soon, he rises to his feet, extending his hand to me, and I let him pull me up.

He doesn't smile or congratulate me, but I know he is impressed with me. Even as he leads me back to the others.

They're all waiting eagerly for me when I arrive. Lachlan scoops me up in his arms and cradles me on the couch, whispering sweet nothings.

Oliver and Barret gather around me too. Lachlan and Barret purr.

Gryphon leans against the mantel, keeping his distance per usual.

Oliver cups my cheek. "You did well, Mila."

I sigh, closing my eyes against his touch. Lachlan's purr vibrates beneath my ear, and I just focus on the sound.

Barret purrs above me, stroking my head.

I just want this to all be over.

I want to see this war with Lily come to an end.

I want my pack and my happy life, and I am going to do everything I can to get it.

So, I glance up at Gryphon, telling him my half-baked plan. It's a start at least.

"Enlist Frederick. Get him on our side. It's time everyone knows what Lily did."

That she framed his death.

Hopefully, they will lock her up after this.

That's if she hasn't already spread her poison far and wide.

People are afraid of her, but not for long. Hopefully.

It's time to let the world know how corrupt she is.

Then we can all find happiness.