Chapter 4 Poison

The pack's estate was bathed in a faint light as the moon hung low in the sky. It was one of those quiet nights that would lull anybody into a delusion of serenity. However, tonight was everything from quiet for Minaj. She could feel the tightness in her chest, coiling like a spring about to break.

She had been watching, waiting, and studying for the last several weeks. The time has come. Everything would come together tonight.

Minaj walked silently over the chilly stone floors to the kitchen. She was familiar with the route, including the secret corners, the servants' quarters, and the hallways. Her thoughts were clear and intent, she moved with purpose. Getting close to Cassian was no longer the only goal of this. Her future was at stake here.

The evening feast, a simple supper for the pack to commemorate the change of the seasons, had already been prepared by the servants. Naturally, Niki would be present. Cassian as well. And it would occur at that point.

She discovered the chef, an elderly lady called Lyla, in the kitchen, discreetly setting out food trays on a neighbouring counter. Minaj gave her the type of grin that stopped short of her eyes.

"I just wanted to make sure the wine for tonight's feast is ready, Lyla," she added quietly. It is appropriate that we make use of the unique vintage that I brought from my most recent trip to the southern boundaries.

Lyla blinked in astonishment as she glanced up. "Minaj, that's a lot of wine. Although it's a special occasion, I was unaware that you have a vintage.

With a little twinkle of delight in her eyes, Minaj nodded. Indeed, it is uncommon. I believed that would be the ideal finishing touch.

She extracted a vial from a little purse at her side, the liquid within glistening with a dark, almost iridescent colour. The way Minaj clutched it and the way her fingers curled around it as if it were a weapon she had been waiting to use seemed to go unnoticed by Lyla.

As she moved behind the bar, Minaj said, "The wine is already set up, but just to be safe, I'll take care of the final touch."

Distracted by something else, Lyla nodded absently. Minaj quickly uncorked the bottle of wine and poured a substantial quantity into a cup, but she missed it. The poison was an uncommon and deadly mixture that had no taste or smell and worked quickly. Minaj had taken care to make it seem to be an accident, something that could be written off as an unexpected sickness.

With a smirk on her face, she skilfully mixed the poison into the wine by gently swirling it around. It was a methodical procedure that she had mentally rehearsed several times. No space for mistakes. No second chances.

Minaj scooped up the glass, her fingers calm despite the excitement pulsing through her veins, and gave Lyla one more look.

---

When Minaj entered the opulent dining room, Niki was already sitting at the head of the table. She could see her seated next to Cassian in her proper spot, the Alpha's attention briefly diverted to the pack's affairs. If only Niki knew what was about to happen, she would have seemed calm and collected.

Minaj never took her eyes off of Niki's as she moved with a deliberate, languid elegance. When she arrived at the table, she placed the poisoned cup in front of Niki without saying anything.

The ensuing quiet was oppressive, the atmosphere heavy with unsaid stress. As Niki sat across from Minaj, Minaj's eyes lingered on her, seeing the little flicker of doubt in her eyes. Was there suspicion? Or was it just Niki's typical uneasiness, the subdued susceptibility that Minaj had mastered?

Cassian grinned at Niki and glanced up, his eyes heated. His voice was kind and worried as he said, "Are you feeling well, love?" He was always focused on her, attending to all of Niki's needs and every word. Minaj couldn't conceal the intense envy that sprang inside of her when she saw how at ease and ideal that couple was.

With a calm voice and a slightly shaking hand, as she reached for the cup, Niki said, "I'm fine." Preoccupied with her internal conflict, she took a drink while glancing between Cassian and the other pack members.

A small grin tugged at Minaj's lips as she watched. It wouldn't take long, she realised. Niki would go into a deep, uncontrolled slumber as the poison worked its way through her system. It would be too late by the time anybody realised what had occurred. Because of the poison, it would seem to be a natural death-possibly a sudden sickness, which is typical of weak people. No one would doubt it. Not for Niki.

Despite the typical laughs and conversation throughout the lunch, Minaj's attention remained fixed on Niki. She saw as Niki's countenance changed subtly, first with a faint blush to her cheeks and then with slower, more deliberate motions. Her fingers briefly clenched around the cup, then relaxed. A terrible excitement rose in Minaj's breast as she could almost taste the win. Niki would be out of the way very shortly.

As the full impact of the poison set in, Niki's eyelids fluttered. She let out a little gasp and placed her palm to her mouth as if she were suddenly feeling queasy. Cassian saw right away.

"Niki?" His voice was worried, and his protective instincts took over as he moved closer and hovered his palm over hers. "What's the matter? Are you ill?

Niki made a feeble attempt to grin, but her face was losing its colour. "I believe... Her voice was feeble as she said, "I just need to lie down for a moment."

Cassian's chair scuffed the stone floor as he sprang to his feet. With a worried tone, he added, "I'll take you to your room." Simply remain with me. Most likely, it's nothing.

Niki blinked as if she was having trouble focusing, and she shook her head. "No... It is just mild vertigo. I'm confident I'll be OK.

However, her legs gave way under her as she attempted to rise, and she fell back into her chair, her face becoming even paler. In an instant, Cassian was there to grab her before she could fall all the way.

"Ask for assistance!" As Cassian's order echoed down the hallway, a number of pack members hurried forward, their voices becoming panicked as they hurried to help Niki.

Minaj watched the action play out in front of her while leaning back in her chair and keeping her hands folded neatly in her lap. She could hear the pack's terrified cries for a healer and the flurry of activity. She did not, however, relocate. She didn't have to.

No one would suspect her in the confusion. Nobody would believe that she was the source of the poison. They would never consider the possibility that Niki would fall prey to anything so calculating and cold.

Minaj gave herself a little, contented grin as they rushed to take Niki out of the hallway. It was finished. Waiting was the only option left.

With Niki's passing, one era would come to an end and a new one would begin. She would be on Cassian's side when he turned to face her. The only one who would understand him would be her.

And Niki... Niki would just be a terrible victim of a horrific turn of events.

---

Even as the night went on, Minaj knew it was already finished. Now that everything was moving, she would not be stopped by anything.