I pressed my lips into a thin line. It had only been three days, barely long enough for my hand to heal. "No. He's getting what he deserves. He'll be out in four days."
She nodded. "I thought you'd say that. Can you just go down there and tell him Ivy and the baby are doing good? Ivy wanted to make sure he was still alive."
"She's not going anywhere near him." Blaine knitted his eyebrows into a frown. "Sophia is your daughter too, shouldn't her safety matter as well?"
"It does. I love all my girls equally. But Sophia is an Alpha. She'll be fine." She waved him off. "I know you won't do it for Ivy, but could you do it for me?"
"Are you even going to ask how her hand is?" Blaine stepped between Mom and I, a protective stance Alphas took when their mate was in danger. "You came up and grabbed it with no hesitation."
Her eyes widened. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I forgot about that, with everything going on. It should be healed by now, shouldn't it?"
"It should, but it's taking her longer to heal than usual," he said.
I sighed and put my other hand on his shoulder. "I'll go down to the cellars and interrupt his torture to let him know that his wife and baby are okay." I turned toward my mother. "I can assure you, he's alive—just suffering."
Blaine snorted.
Mom gave a small smile. "Thank you, sweetheart, I appreciate that."
The woman didn't understand sarcasm, at all, but she knew I would do what she asked, anyway.
"Excuse us, we have matters that need our attention," Blaine said as he put an arm around my shoulders and maneuvered me toward the office. "You don't have to talk to him. You don't have to do anything your family says, Darlin'." He paused with a defeated sigh. "I wish you'd understand that."
I shrugged off his arm and faced him. "I know, but they're my family. Before Nolan, we were all close."
"That's a toxic thought. Family shouldn't walk all over you. You're an Alpha. I'm sure your wolf gets pissed every time they try to order you to do something. There's a reason for that, it goes against our nature to be bossed around." He reached for me and cupped my face.
"I'm not being bossed around. I'm just doing my mom a favor." I leaned up on my toes and kissed him.
He groaned. "We'll talk about this more later. But, if you must go down to the cellars, I'm coming with you."
"Of course," I said as we reached the door to the office. I smiled at him and placed my hand on the knob.
Xavier and Olivia sat in the chairs facing the desk. She was shaking, and I could smell the fear all over her. Xavier's hand rested on her thigh.
"What's this about?" I asked as Blaine and I sat across from them.
"Liv told me everything about her past and why she came here. Sophia, it's not her fault. Just hear her out, please." His fingers drummed against the desk which was something he rarely did.
I gave a terse nod and set my attention on his mate. "Olivia, please explain yourself." I folded my hands in front of me to keep a semblance of control. "Because from what I gather, you seem to be a traitor to our pack. I sentence traitors to death by torture in our cellars. However, since you are Xavier's mate, I'll hear you out and then decide."
Blaine grunted beside me. "She's a lot more generous than I am."
Olivia's lips quivered. "A-Alpha's, I am so sorry. Alpha Lockhart sent me here. My orders were to infiltrate the Maxwell pack and befriend the Alpha."
I sucked in a sharp breath. I knew it.
"What were you supposed to do after you befriended her?" Blaine asked. His eyes darkened and his hands clenched into fists. He looked murderous.
She shifted her gaze to the desk. "K-Kill her a-at any opportunity."
Blaine growled. His body shook with rage. "You would kill my mate?"
I turned towards my mate who was about ready to rip her head clear off. "Baby, it's okay. Blaine, look at me." I grabbed his face and got so close that our noses touched. "I'm okay. She's not trying to kill me."
He released a heavy breath. "No one will get the chance to kill you," he said through gritted teeth.
"Nobody will kill me. Let's let her finish, okay?" I kissed his forehead and felt his body deflate.
We turned to face them again. She looked petrified and Xavier's hold on her tightened. They knew how territorial Alphas were. Any threat to harm a hair on their mate's head and they would be dead.
"Tell us everything and leave nothing out."
"Alpha L-Lockhart wants you out of the way. He's been gaining more and more members from taking over small rogue packs around the state. He feels entitled to the land in between your territories and as he gains even more members, he wants your land too. He said he would take over your pack to do so. Your death is a way for your pack to be thrown into chaos and for him to take advantage of that." She paused and caught her breath. "B-But I don't want to kill you. You're so nice and you're my mate's best friend." She sniffled. "I told you everything I know about his plan."
I placed my chin on my hands and hummed. "What did you say your last name was?"
"I-I didn't." Her eye contact wavered.
My eyes narrowed. "Olivia Lockhart, I presume?"
She let out a sob. "Y-Yes, Alpha Maxwell."
"I'm not surprised." I shook my head. "Alpha Lockhart would only send someone he trusts for a task so big. Why not his sister?"
She glanced up at me with tears in her eyes. "I promise I'm no threat to you. I love Xavier. I wouldn't cause harm to him, you, or this pack. I promise. I'll do whatever you want."
I stared at her hard.
