Chapter 178

“That is a terrible idea,” Bethany says, not holding back. “What could you even hope to gain by doing that? Best case scenario, Leah has no way of delivering the message. Worst case, Samuel lures you out somewhere and has you killed.”

“He won’t kill me,” I say. Despite his threats, he cares for me, I’m sure of it. Besides, my life has value to him even if he doesn’t, in how much Caleb likes me – or how much Samuel perceives Caleb to care for me.

Truthfully, I don’t think I mean all that much. I’m someone relegated to the sidelines of Caleb’s life, not a main player. If Samuel truly wants someone to hold for ransom or trading power, he would be better off kidnapping Annabelle.

Not that I would wish such a thing on her.

“You have no idea what he’ll do,” Bethany says. “You’ve confided in me that you never expected he could betray the pack enough to become leader of the rebellion, yet he’s done that. What makes you think you are right about him in other ways? How can you be so confident that he won’t kill you?”

“He believes Caleb would negotiate for my release,” I say. “I’m sure of it.” That alone would keep Samuel from killing me.

Bethany is not as easily convinced. “Then you put Caleb in a precarious position.”

“I don’t mean anything to Caleb,” I say. “I’m just another member of his harem.”

“You are favored.”

“Even so.”

“Harper. Did something happen last night?” Bethany asks. “Did Caleb say something to you?”

“It doesn’t matter what he said,” I tell her, even though it’s a lie. I’m absolutely heartbroken. Last night was a glimpse into my future. Caleb would always choose Annabelle first, as he should, really, since she would be his wife and mate.

I’m only in the way, just as Annabelle told me many times in the past.

I thought I’d be strong enough to stay, to watch the man I love marry another. But that was before I considered the children.

How hollow would I feel, an outsider, watching Caleb and his family, while I am confined to ever living on the edges of his life.

I’m not fatalistic, I don’t want to die. But I need to be more useful in life than this.

If I can convince Samuel to make a trade – my life for Tristan’s – perhaps I could feel like I’m accomplishing something more than just being a warm bed for the Alpha King.

I want to have purpose. I want to serve Caleb, but I want to stand for something too. In this way, I can. In this way, I can do the best for my pack, my kingdom, and my king.

“I don’t like the look in your eye,” Bethany says. “You always look like that right before you do something dangerous…”

Glancing at Bethany’s wounded shoulder, I decide not to involve her this time. She would follow me into everything, I’m certain, as a good friend would do. But after what happened last time, I will not risk her again.

“I’m going to talk to my sister,” I say. “You are going to stay here.”

“But –”

“I’m sorry, Bethany. I will have the guards confide you if I must,” I say. It’s a harsh action, a betrayal of our friendship, but her protection is of the utmost importance to me, and I will no longer endanger it.

Bethany’s face grows tight, but she doesn’t try to fight me. Instead she lowers her gaze. “You are making a mistake.”

“Maybe. But it’s my mistake to make.” I’ve had so very few opportunities to act in my own favor lately.

Even if I’m driven by a broken heart, I will do what’s right here and now.

Leaving the room, I walk slowly down the hallway, checking behind me several times to make sure Bethany isn’t following me.

At the stairwell, I’m convinced she listened to me this time and stayed behind.

Taking a strengthening breath, I descended the stairs down to into the deepest bowels of the capital. Everything is darker and cruder down in the dungeons – by design, I am certain. It lends a certain eeriness to the space, as well as making it extremely unwelcoming, as a jail should be.

No one wants to be down here in the dark.

Leah’s space, at least, is well-lit and well-maintained. On her desk, I see she’s been given new books. They tower so high now, I could say that she has her own library.

Presently, she’s sitting on a soft-looking armchair, reading a book. She’s about halfway through and concentrating hard. She doesn’t spot me right away.

“Hello, Leah.”

At the sound of my voice, she tilts her head, clearly reacting to me, but she still doesn’t acknowledge me, her eyes remaining on her pages.

“Leah,” I say again.

With a sigh, Leah marks her place in her current book and closes it. Then, she looks up at me, annoyed, but slightly less so than the last time I visited.

“What do you want, Harper?”

“I have a proposition for you.” All through the night, I’ve thought about ways to convince Leah to even attempt to reach out to Samuel on my behalf. My biggest hurdle, at least in the delivery of the message, would be convincing Leah to do so at all.

“Oh?” She doesn’t bother standing. At this point, I feel like her lifting her head to acknowledge me is as much effort she is willing to put into this conversation.

I suppose she’s at least willing to speak with me.

“I need to get a message to Samuel,” I say.

Leah laughs. “And you think I have the power to do something like that?”

“You are still his wife.”

“In name only,” Leah says. “He doesn’t talk to me.”

“As the rebellion leader’s wife, you will be well-regarded among their ranks. I’m sure you could find a way to deliver a message.”

I watch her face closely as I say the words, searching for any hint of surprise. If she hasn’t been speaking to Samuel, then she wouldn’t know he’s the rebel leader. This will all be new to her.

Instead, she just hums vaguely. She knows, then, and has likely known for some time.

“I’m not asking for a favor. I have something I can offer you in return.”

“What’s that?” Leah asks.

“I can help get you out of here.”

This time Leah’s face does show her surprise: her eyes widen, her brows lift high on her forehead.

“You would not,” Leah says. “This is a trick.”

“It isn’t,” I tell her.

“What would your message even be?” Leah asks, clearly still skeptical with the scoff in her voice. “What would be so important that you’d be willing to risk your position with your precious King?”

“The rebellion has taken Tristan, Caleb’s Beta prisoner,” I say.

“So?”

“So, I’m willing to offer a trade for his release.”

Leah narrows her gaze. “You’d need something very important to trade for someone as valuable as the King’s Beta.”

“I have it,” I say. I think. “I’m willing to trade myself to the rebellion in exchange for Tristan’s release.”

“Absolutely not!” booms a familiar, angry voice.

Turning, I see Caleb storming towards me down the aisle way.