Chapter Thirty Three

LUCY

I paced back and forth in my small, dimly lit room, my mind spinning with a plan I had concocted to outsmart Cade. The moon's pale light filtered through the window, casting an ethereal glow on my face as I plotted my next move.

I called Nathan into the room. He entered the room cautiously, his eyes locked with mine, searching for any hint of my true motives.

"Have you told your father about Chris and I?" I inquired.

"No, I still think this is a bad idea, Lucy. Think about it," he said.

"What are you waiting for? Tell him," I urged, my voice steady but tinged with determination. "Tell him that I am mated to the Alpha he despises so much. Let him know that I have joined forces with Chris, gained his trust, and have access to his inner circles. This way he will believe that I am on his side and use me to further his evil plans."

Nathan's expression shifted from confusion to disbelief. "Lucy, are you serious? You want me to tell my father that you are mated to his enemy, not just his enemy but an enemy to all of us. You know he hates the alpha with every fiber of his being."

I nodded, my eyes shimmering with sorrow and determination. "I know, Nathan but that's the only way to gain your father's trust completely. Once he believes me, I would be able to dismantle the Hallowed manes pack and protect our people," I lied.

Nathan studied my face intently, searching for a trace of deception. "I thought you loved Chris. Are you truly deceiving him as well?" he asked.

"I've indeed developed feelings for Chris but it's only the stupid mate bond thing, it doesn't change the fact that his pack is the reason why I don't have a father today," I said, flickers of pain passed through my eyes.

Nathan remained silent for a moment contemplating the weight of my words. Slowly, he nodded in agreement. "Very well, Lucy. I will deliver your message to my father. I hope this plan of yours works and remember, if Chris discovers your true intention, the consequences would be dire."

As Nathan left the room, my mind raced with the intricate steps of my plan. I knew that Cade's trust was a fragile foundation and a dangerous weapon. If I played my cards well, I could manipulate his moves, steering him to the path of destruction I had set for him.

I continued to pace around the room waiting to be summoned by Cade. I heard the door open and rushed to see who it was at the door, I scowled when I realized that it was just my mother.

"You look like you were expecting someone else," my mother said, her gaze fixed on me. "Where the hell have you been all day? You keep getting me worried sick all the time, be responsible for once."

"I'm responsible, you're just too distracted to see it. I was spending time with my mate, you told me to get acquainted with him and that's what I'm doing," I grimaced.

My mother's face beamed with excitement, she held my hands and pulled me to the bed. "Has he finally accepted you as his mate? What is he like? Rumors have it that he is very charming and women of his pack drool over him."

My cheeks flushed as she spoke. Truly he was beautiful and his smile was breathtaking. I couldn't believe I was having such a conversation with my mother. "Mother is this topic inappropriate? You shouldn't be asking me things like that."

"Look who is suddenly shy to talk about her love life with her mother. I'm more experienced and I can give you free tips to make him think of you alone," my mother teased.

I rolled my eyes in disgust. "Mother! Enough with this nasty talk and by the way, he already has eyes for me alone so I don't need your help," I pouted.

"I see you took the charms from me. So when do I get to meet him?" she asked.

"I don't know, can we drop the topic now? You're making me uncomfortable," I said, rushing out of the room before she began another round of teasing.

"Just the person I was hoping to meet," Maverick said, approaching me. "Cade sent for you, he asks that you come to his study now."

About time, I thought. I grinned as I made my way to see him.

Cade stood in his study, his strong features etched with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion as I entered his room. The air crackled with tension, both of us aware that a pivotal moment was about to unfold.

"Lucy," his voice rumbled, his tone laced with a blend of caution and intrigue. "Nathan informed me that you have something important to share."

I met Cade's gaze head-on, her eyes shimmering with a complex mix of emotions I had to fake. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation that would seal my fate. "Yes, Cade. I have information that might alter our course and strengthen our alliance."

Cade's eyebrows furrowed, his intense gaze never leaving Lucy's face. "Go on, then. I'm listening."

With each word, I carefully measured my tone, attempting to strike a balance between sincerity and deceit. "Cade, just as Nathan had informed you, I need you to know that I am mated to alpha Chris whom we all despise. I have joined forces with him, gained his trust, and have access to his inner circle."

Cade's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and anger flickering in their depths. "You're mated to him? That's impossible! You know how much we loathe him in this pack and everything he stands for. His pack destroyed our families, your family. As your father's friend, I can't allow this."

Lucy nodded her expression a mix of remorse and determination. "I understand your hatred for him, Cade. I hate him too but this is the best way to defeat his pack. You need my help, that's why I've taken this risk, infiltrating his ranks to gather information and protect our pack."

Cade's anger simmered, but curiosity exuded into his voice. "Why should I believe you? How can I trust that this isn't some ploy to deceive me?"

I burst into laughter. "Cade, you know how much I hate the hallowed manes pack, do you think I'll forgive them simply because of a stupid mate bond after what they did to my father? This is my final chance of getting my revenge on every single one of them."

Cade's face softened slightly, his grip on his emotions wavering. "If what you say is true, then prove it. Show me your loyalty, your commitment to our cause."

I took a step closer to Cade, my eyes brimming with determination. "I will, Cade. I'll do whatever it takes to prove my loyalty. I'll feed you information, disrupt his plans, and ensure our pack's survival. But we must proceed with warning. Any mistake could reveal our true intentions."

Cade's gaze held mine for a moment before a smirk showed on his face. Finally, he nodded, a glint of trust mingling with his suspicion. "Very well, Lucy. I will give you a chance to prove yourself. But remember one false move, and there will be consequences."

My heart swelled with relief. I had gained Cade's trust and the delicate dance of deception had begun. I knew I had to navigate it flawlessly to protect both her love for Chris and my mother.

As we parted ways, our fates intertwined by a web of deceit, I couldn't help but wonder if my plans would work smoothly. The path ahead was treacherous, but I was resolved to see it through, for the love I felt for Chris.