Chapter 3 Cold demeanor

Ophelie

I reined in my emotions, and forced a smile. "Everyone has heard of the strongest Alpha in the entire werewolf race." I bowed my head. When I straightened up, the frown on his face had given way to an arrogant smile.

"What's your name?" He asked.

"Oph–" I opened my mouth to say, but quickly corrected myself. "Adele, my Lord."

"Adele," he repeated. "And how old are you?"

"Twenty-three." I replied, my anger almost choking me. There was nothing I wanted more than to suck the life out of him, then burn his body a hundred times over. But I knew I couldn't be reckless. I'd been given a chance by the Spirit goddess, and I was going to get my revenge.

He was about to continue speaking, when my face turned red, and I feigned illness. "My Lord, I'm already weak from my journey down here. If it pleases you, may I rest tonight?" I injected the right amount of fear into my voice.

As expected, he nodded. "Alright. There won't be any room for excuses tomorrow. You may leave. The maids will show you to your room." He said dismissively.

When he wasn't looking, I glared at him, then hurriedly left the room. A maid was waiting outside. Her face was emotionless, and she asked no questions, instead turning around to lead the way. We'd barely began walking, when someone blocked our path. She was a beautiful woman, her features ethereal. Her lips however were tightly pressed against each other. The maid beside me lowered her head in a bow.

"You're the maiden Alpha Loic picked during the mate selection?" She asked, her tone hostile. I was taken aback. I was certain I'd never met her before. In my past life, and present one.

"Answer me." She demanded.

I nodded. "Yes. I am Adele." I introduced.

She sneered. "Keep your name to yourself. I have no interest in learning about a lowlife like you. I came to give you a fair warning." Her eyes narrowed, as she closed in the space between us. I stood my ground.

Probably surprised by my lack of reaction, the annoyance on her face doubled. "Do you know who I am?" She questioned.

"I don't." I replied. I was being honest.

Her fury mounted. "Fool!" She rasped. "I am Alpha Loic's woman. And I'd advise you to know your place. Your only job here is to bear a child for the Alpha. If you ever overstep your boundaries, I'd kill you myself." She threatened.

"Overstep my boundaries?" I repeated in a cold voice. I'd never been the one to let others step over me. And I wasn't going to start now. "Is that the Alpha's orders?" I retorted.

She slapped me, the crisp sound echoing in the hallway. "How dare you?"

I chuckled softly. "Are you threatened by me?"

Her chest heaved, and she looked ready to explode. I gave her no room.

"I'm tired, and I want to rest. If there's nothing else–" I gestured at the maid who had a horrified expression on her face, her body trembling.

"Did I permit you to leave?" She pulled me back, her hand holding mine firmly. "Listen carefully. I have the power to make your stay in Sanctum a horrible one. Do well to stay out of my way, else..." she let the word hang.

"Is that a threat?" I asked, my face closing up. Her lips curled up in a mirthless smile.

"Why'd I threaten the Alpha's breeder?" She crossed her arms.

"You didn't stop me just to utter a few words, did you?" I asked.

She laughed. "Smart. I like dealing with smart people. I want you to leave." She ordered.

"What?"

"Leave Sanctum. You're not fit to be anywhere close to Alpha's bed." She sneered once more.

"Is that right?" I questioned. She had to be joking. If I left Sanctum, I'd have no way to avenge my death and enact pain on Alpha Loic. I'd not leave until I was done. "And if I refuse?" I asked.

"You can't. If you don't leave, I'm going to make you." She warned, and strutted down the hallway.

The maid was still looking horrified when I turned back to her.

"You talked back to Astrid?" She whispered in a shaky voice. I rolled my eyes.

"What? Is she a divine being?" I mocked.

"You don't understand. Astrid is the Alpha's woman. She is the soon-to-be Luna. If she orders for your execution, the only one who can save you is the Alpha." The maid explained.

"Thank you for your concern. Lead me to my room." I requested. The maid shook her head, but said nothing more.

My room wasn't as large as the Alpha's, but it was bigger than the room I had in my previous life. This one was painted in a warm tone of purple and white. The bed was queen-sized, and the floor was covered with a furry rug. I rushed to the oval shaped mirror, and gasped when I saw my face. Adele was beautiful. Her eyes were chartreuse green, and her long platinum hair fell down her shoulders. Her face was almost flawless but for the dark circles beneath her eyes. Her body wasn't bad either.

"Not bad, not bad," I muttered, turning around to examine her body properly.

"Can you stop turning around? I'm feeling dizzy." A soft voice said. I jumped.

"Who's there?" I asked, looking around warily.

"Oh, stop being silly. I'm inside you." The feminine voice said again, and my brows shot up.

"Inside me?" I frowned.

"That's right. My name is Clio. I'm your wolf." She introduced, and I gasped.

"But that's impossible. Adele had no wolf. Even if she did..." I paused, feeling guilty at my thoughts. If she had a wolf, the wolf would have died with her. It made no sense that hers was still alive and kicking.

"Adele had no wolf. Well, I was supposed to be her wolf, but unfortunately, the poison suppressed me, making me unable to move. I don't know the details, but I'm sure your soul swap with her finally loosened the shackles binding me." Clio explained.

"You know that I had a soul swap with her?" I asked in surprise.

"Duh. Of course, I do." She replied in a tone that made me picture a wolf rolling its eyes.

I recalled her words, and frowned once more. "You said something about poison. What do you mean?" I asked.

Clio was quiet for a moment. "Adele was being poisoned by her mother. The poison wasn't meant to kill her, but me. Her wolf. The night she died, I was supposed to go along with her, but your soul saved me." She divulged. I swallowed.

To think there'd be such a mother in the world who'd poison her daughter's wolf, and poison her daughter to death.

Disgusting.

"I agree." Clio said.

"You can hear my thoughts?" I questioned.

"I can. I won't blame you for not knowing. You haven't been a werewolf before, have you?" Clio asked.

I didn't respond. "I wonder what Cayla and her daughters' motives were for killing Adele." I mumbled instead.

"Isn't that obvious? To allow either of her daughters to take Adele's place. Adele was her father's favorite before his death." Clio said, and I nodded. I read that from her memories.

I sank down on my bed, exhaustion setting in once more. Even though I never knew Adele, her death was the reason I was now alive. And I was going to avenge her death too. The world had no place for scums like Cayla and her daughters.

"Can I see you?" I asked.

"You can. Will it in your mind, and say, 'I wish to see Clio.'" She instructed.

I did just that, and found myself in a lush forest with low mountains around. Clouds hung up in the sky. Close to where I was standing was a huge white-furred wolf. Her eyes twinkled.

"You're Clio?" I breathed.

She shook her body, perhaps aiming for a shrug. I chuckled. Clio was a pretty yet domineering wolf. The aura she gave off was strong. She approached me, and lowered her head to nudge my chest.

"You're beautiful." I whispered.

"I know." She replied, and I laughed.

"I wish to return." I requested, and the world before me blurred. When it cleared once more, I found myself sitting on the bed, in the same position. "Wow." I breathed.

"Impressed, no?" Clio giggled.

I didn't respond. I raised my hands, willing my powers to return. Nothing happened. Perhaps sensing my sadness, Clio took on a softer voice.

"You can become a demon once more." She said.

My eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yes." She sounded sad.

"How?"

"You have to kill me." She whispered. I froze.

"Kill you?"

"Yes. That way, your powers as the Demon Queen will return." She divulged.

"You know that I'm the Demon Queen?" I gasped.

"I can read your past memories too, Queen Ophelie." She replied.

"I want my powers back, but I can't kill you." I shook my head. I'd barely known Clio but I felt a close bond between us. It was–

I didn't know how to explain it, but I liked the wolf.

"That's the only way." I heard her say.

My shoulders drooped, and I was crestfallen. This was all the fault of that bastard.

"I won't kill you, Clio." I assured her.

"You won't?" She asked, her voice skeptical.

"I won't."

"Thank you. For your safety, I think it's best to pretend that your wolf is still dormant." She advised. I nodded. That was my intention too.

I stood up and went over to the window, watching the stars. After Loic's death, I'd return to my position.

The door opened, cutting through my thoughts. I whirled around to see Margot standing at the entrance with a look that could kill. She was still putting on the robe she'd been wearing.

"How did you get in?" I asked in a calm manner.

She scoffed. "I just had to tell them that I was the sister of the Alpha's breeder. You're enjoying this, aren't you? After everything Mother did for you, is this the way to repay her?" She walked fully into the room.

"I don't understand. Did I force the Alpha to choose me?" I asked, a hint of amusement in my voice.

She burst out. "Shut up! You're going to go back to the Alpha, and tell him you're unfit for this position. Then you'd tell him to choose me or Marlowe." She crossed her arms as if daring me to say otherwise.

The previous owner of this body would've cowered in fear. In her desperation to win her sisters and mother's favor, she'd turned into their puppet. I almost cringed at her memories, but at the same time, I felt pity for her too.

"Are you mad?" I retorted, still remaining calm.

"What did you just say?" Margot's eyes widened.

"Oh, I can see you're equally deaf. I'll repeat my question. Margot. Are you mad?" I asked.

"When did you start talking back to me? Who gave you the guts?" Finally regaining her voice, she snapped.

"I should be asking you that question. After all, you're the one who barged into my room, threatening me. I ask again, are you mad?" I leaned against the window sill, watching her.

She walked towards me, hand raised in preparation for a slap.

"You won't dare." I spat coldly, and she froze in place. Fear crossed her eyes for a moment, then it gave way to anger. She moved back. "Mother must know about this. It seems your new status has made you forget your place as an Omega. I'll be back." She threatened.

My calm demeanor vanished, and I straightened. "I will be waiting."

She regarded me for a moment, as if debating if she should hit me or not. Then she turned around, and breezed out of my room.

I remained in my position after she was gone. "Clio," I whispered. "The battle has begun." A cold glint crossed my eyes.