Katarina POV:
I stayed in my room for two days.
Alessandro thought I was sulking. He thought I was broken.
I was working.
I didn't need to drill holes in the walls; I wasn't an amateur. I used the security override codes Mark had 'accidentally' left in the file to activate the dormant surveillance nodes in the East Wing.
I sat in front of my laptop, watching the feeds.
Camera 4: The Kitchen.
Aria walked in. The shy, stuttering girl was gone. She walked with a swagger.
"You!" she pointed at a young Omega maid. "This soup is trash. It's cold."
"I'm sorry, Miss Aria, I can heat it-"
Aria slapped the bowl out of the maid's hand. Hot soup splattered over the girl's apron.
"Lick it up," Aria sneered. "That's what dogs do, isn't it?"
The maid started to cry, bending down to clean the mess. Aria laughed and kicked the girl in the ribs.
I recorded it. Save to Folder: Evidence.
Camera 2: The Alpha's Study.
Alessandro was pacing. Aria was sitting on the desk, swinging her legs.
"The Elders are asking questions about the five million, Alessandro," he said, running a hand through his hair. "My father is furious."
"Tell him it was an investment," Aria said, examining her nails. "Or tell him to mind his own business. You're the Alpha, aren't you? Or is your daddy still in charge?"
Alessandro stopped. "Don't speak about my father like that."
Aria hopped off the desk. She walked over to him, softening her face instantly. She became the victim again.
"I'm sorry, baby. I just hate seeing you stressed. You're so strong. You deserve to do whatever you want." She kissed his chest. "You saved me. Remember?"
Alessandro deflated. The savior complex kicked in. "I know. I know."
The door to my bedroom burst open.
I slammed the laptop shut.
Alessandro stood there. He looked disheveled.
"You've been in here for two days," he said. "Get dressed. The Rossi Pack is hosting a dinner. We have to go."
"I'm not feeling well," I said coldly. "Perhaps Aria can wear the Luna's sash tonight? She seems to enjoy my jewelry."
"Stop it," he snapped. "You're coming. I need you to... I need you to look perfect. Like usual."
"Perfect," I repeated. "That's all I am to you. A prop."
I stood up, walking toward him. "You know she's lying, Alessandro. You know her parents aren't dead. I found her records. They live in Ohio. She has credit card debt. She's not a tragic orphan."
Alessandro looked away. "I know."
I froze. "You know?"
"I know some of it is... exaggerated," he admitted. "But she had a hard life, Katarina. She needs me."
"She is manipulating you!"
"She makes me feel needed!" he shouted. "You? You don't need anyone. You're perfect. You're rich. You're strong. You never cry. You never ask for help. Being with you is like being with a... a mirror. It's exhausting."
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a cruel whisper. "You don't need me, Katarina. But she would die without me."
I stared at him. The man I had loved since I was sixteen.
"You are pathetic," I said. "You don't want a mate. You want a pet."
His phone buzzed. He checked it. His face softened.
Aria: I'm scared of the thunder. Please come hold me.
It wasn't even raining.
"I have to go," he said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He tossed it onto the bed.
"Wear that tonight. It's an apology."
He left.
I opened the box. It was a silver bracelet. Thin. Cheap. The kind you buy at a mall kiosk.
"An apology," I scoffed.
I threw the bracelet into the trash can.
Then, I sat back down at my laptop. I plugged in a USB drive.
I pulled up a new audio file I had intercepted an hour ago. It was a phone call between Aria and a contact named "Rico."
Audio Playback:
Aria: "He's such an idiot, Rico. I have him wrapped around my finger. He spent five million on a necklace! I'm going to pawn it next week."
Rico (Male voice): "Good girl. Get the cash. And the codes to the vault. Then we leave."
Aria: "I know. I just have to get rid of the Ice Bitch first. The saddle didn't work. I need something stronger."
I gripped the USB drive. My knuckles turned white.
"You want something stronger, Aria?" I whispered, my eyes glowing a faint, icy blue. "I'll give you something stronger."
Next week was the Alpha Summit. Every leader in the region would be there.
It was the perfect stage for an execution.
