Page 37 of Silence Falls a New Alpha
Chapter 25
Ignorance is Cunning
Derrick’s POV
It had been a few weeks since learning of who Damian was. Jace and I have been working away on the medical side to prepare for Damian’s feeling that we will be attacked soon. Honestly, it makes sense, why wait too long after losing your only spy? The twins have made it known to interrogate everyone thoroughly in hopes of finding Tagon’s partner, but they weren’t successful. Of course, there were still rumors that Tagon had help and the entire pack now knows that Damian is a werewolf king but respects his wishes to leave the throne empty.
“Hey handsome.” Jace said as he walked into the office with lunch kissing me on the cheek. He knew how to cheer me up, food.
“Hey babe.” I couldn’t help but smile as he sat down across from me.
“So, what’s on the agenda today?” Man was he eager to get back to studying, not that I’m upset, it's just I’ve never met someone who finds poisons so interesting like Jace does. Some would call it strange, but I call it my lover trying to impress me.
“Wolfsbane.” I shook my head as he stumbled backward. We worked our way through every poison known to hurt us werewolves and I made sure to save the wolfsbane for last since it has been used against us before. I tossed a book at him as I smirked.
“We will know everything there is about wolfsbane to include which doses are lethal and which aren’t. Well, should I say you will” He looked terrified and I simply laughed. I made sure from a young age to know the ins and outs of wolf’s bane and which apothecaries have it in North America. I’ve known since a young age how bad wolfsbane can cause damage and the body count it holds.
Jace’s POV
Thankfully when the twins interrogated me, they did so near Derrick. He managed to throw them off my trail rather easily with his head over heels love for me. Derrick refused to even hear anything negative about me, a true mate. I, however, only act to love him, which in the end won't matter because he will be dead along with everyone here. You’re supposed to feel so strongly for your mate and I find it disgusting that my mate is someone in this pack, regardless of how sweet and kind he may be. My closest friend for years now is dead and it’s everyone here’s fault. If things would have been different, I’m sure I could have loved Derrick like he deserves, but revenge sounds better.
“If wolfsbane is so hard to come by, why study it?” I was growing rather bored of attempting to act like an idiot in front of him. I know all of these poisons down to proper dosing for it to take time before effects show. This is why Damian is still standing, for now. The small doses I've slipped in his food since getting here won't show.
“Because when it is used, we need to be able to treat it right away.” Derrick said annoyed I would even ask, yes, my clueless mate fed into my ignorance. I had him feeding out of my hand thinking I’m some caring idiot with no medical experience.
“Besides on the east coast there is only one place that sells it.” Derrick looked at me with a sly grin. “Eastview Apothecary, and I just so happen to know the owners. A lovely couple.” Great. He knew exactly where the wolfsbane I’ve been using to poison came from. What he doesn’t know however is whether they are long dead, or will be. I made sure to not have anything to do with medicine in my last pack so no one would suspect me. Things went perfectly according to plan and I was never asked to even help out medically. Insider rogue attacks, killing their luna, forcing Bradley into a merge. It was perfect.
“That makes sense Der.” I went over and kissed him with an annoying passion the mate bond just had to force on me. It was awful having to feel these things for someone who I’ll help kill. They killed my best friend Tagon and yet no longer suspect me. Those damn twins may be an issue if they aren’t taken out fast, however, I was only instructed to slowly poison Damian. That’s where Tagon and I differ, I stick to the plan as instructed, even if my own mate is involved. Honestly, it hurt knowing that Derrick would die. I’ve never been happier than these last few weeks with him and I would greatly miss this warm feeling he gives me. However, I can’t lose focus now. I saw the time and excused myself, it was time for me to check in with Orion. Hopefully, we can get this over with soon. I was tired of being here. The sooner the throne is claimed by Katie the sooner we can rebuild the kingdom and force all of the packs in North America to submit. We are the only area without a monarchy, and it was awful.
Click. The door to my room locked completely as I sat on my bed. Thankfully my room was away from everyone, the twins included, so making this call will be easy. I exhaled deeply as I thought if this is what should be done. If I should kill Derrick or simply take him away by force if need be. I know he is loyal but the emotional spiral I will go down once he is dead sounds troublesome. When someone’s mate dies the amount of depression they take on can be overbearing. That’s one thing Damian still struggles with, but I know he won’t go and as a result, he will die at my hands. At least if I’m who kills Derrick, I can actually cope easier than if someone else does it and I don’t have closure. Ring ring ring. The moment of truth.
Orion:Hello?
Finally, he answered, I thought this was going to be sent to voicemail. Since Tagon died, he has been difficult to reach, which I understand as he couldn’t be sure who was calling. Damian had Tagon’s phone after all.
Jace:Crow.
A simple yet effective code word so that he knows who I am and that I’m not compromised. Hopefully, we can speed the process up some since I keep hearing Damian talking about the arranged marriage. Katie has kept to herself these past few weeks making sure to avoid even Dylan and Alexander. Her only company? The twins guard her door.
Orion:Jace, why are you calling me?
I knew he would be pissed that I called but he will miss his window to kill Damian at this rate. Soon the slow poisoning will start to show on bloodwork if I keep pushing it. For now, he is weakened but has been blaming fatigue on it. The stress of everything is taking its toll on him, and on the pack.
Jace:I feel it’s in our best interest to attack this weekend. The alpha is growing weaker and soon he will request blood work. I fear if I keep poisoning him it will finally show.
I can’t even hope to fake the bloodwork because Derrick would notice right away. Besides he would be who handled Damian’s blood work, not me. Since the twins already suspect me, it would be a giveaway that I was behind it. I wouldn’t make it out alive if this plan was ruined too soon.
Orion:We will make our move Saturday. Continue to poison him over the next three days. What of Katie?
Of course, his mind was always on Katie. He wanted her to be his and only his so that he may have a child then kill her taking the throne for his own. Sickening really when you think about it. However, none of my concern, Katie was an annoying whining bitch waiting for pity, so she gets what she deserves.
Jace:She’s not leaving her room. The twins have her guarded at all times.
Orion:No mate?
Jace:She is still set to marry.
Crashing and cursing were all I heard through the phone as Orion lost his mind. He was fixated on her so fucking badly and yet he hadn’t seen her since she was a mere child. The obsession with getting revenge on Damian was an interesting one but it's not my place to speak against it.
Orion:Be ready.
Click. Of course, he would hang up. I rolled my eyes at the thought of how awful this would go. Orion isn’t thinking this through. I grabbed some more of the diluted wolfsbane and made my way toward Damian’s office. The coast is clear so far as I walk down the hall and I hear nothing coming from his office. Cracking the door open I see no one is inside and make my way in. There is his glass of whiskey like normal. He has been an alcoholic since losing Rose. I put three drops in, stirred, and left. Soon you’ll see your mate again and your daughter will be alone in the world.
