Chapter 216: She Never Saw It Coming
Thirty-five minutes later, Ken pulled up to the gate and honked. The gatekeeper immediately opened the gate and the garage door, allowing him to drive in.
The engine cut. Doors opened.
Arianna stayed in the back seat.
Lyn’s gaze flicked to her, then to Ken as he stepped out first. She followed him down.
"My heart... you’re really leaving her here?" she asked.
"Yes," Ken said, already walking toward the entrance.
Lyn paused a second, then turned her head toward the garden.
Vireya and Anya were lounging on the chairs. She lifted a hand.
"Over here girls," she called.
They were up immediately, moving fast across the grass.
"Take her to her chamber," Lyn said, brushing past them.
"Alright ma’am," they chorused.
Brooklyn didn’t wait to see it done. She don’t need to.
Stairs took her two at a time.
Inside the chamber, water splashed somewhere behind the bathchamber door.
Lyn slowed as she reached it, then joined Ken in the bathchamber as she got herself ready to sedate him. She has been with him for over a month and she has understood how his sexuality works.
She let her hair fall loose, running a slow hand through it before misting it with rose perfume. She lingered for a moment, then smoothed Mrs. Thompson’s feminine scent over her skin, in no hurry at all.
She stepped into pink lingerie, adjusting it with quiet confidence.
Ken didn’t look away.
A slow smile stayed on his face as she moved across the chamber, his eyes following every step.
"Going somewhere, or are you just trying to seduce me?" Ken teased.
She smiled. "Why would I need to seduce you? You’re already my mate."
She climbed onto the bed and turned her back to him.
His fingers slid into her hair, slow at first, then lingering as he leaned in closer. His hand brushed against the soft fabric of her lingerie as he shifted nearer.
She turned fast.
One push, and he dropped back onto the bed.
"Oh... I didn’t see that coming," he groaned, half-laughing.
She held him down, eyes sharp. "I’ll kill you tonight."
"Kill me, my heart," he said, breath uneven. "I want to die in your hands."
Her laugh came out low and mischievous.
"No, I won’t kill you," she said, her lips curving into a mischievous smile. "Besides, you’re a lot more fun alive."
A few minutes later, Ken’s breathing settled into a slow, even rhythm. Certain he was fast asleep, Lyn quietly sat up and waited for Emma’s call.
---
At exactly 10:30 PM, Emma’s video call came in.
"Hi, Luna Emma," she said with a grin, like she enjoyed the title every time she used it.
"Where is Ken?" Emma asked.
Lyn tilted the screen.
Ken was already out cold.
Emma’s eyes widened. "Oh my Goddess—Lyn, I didn’t say you should actually kill him!"
"I didn’t kill him," Lyn said, barely holding back a laugh. "Just a little overdose of his sedatives. He passed out immediately."
Emma burst out laughing.
Lyn followed, and their laughter filled the chamber—loud enough to bounce off the walls, while Ken didn’t move at all.
"Alright, just hold on while I call Elara," Emma said.
A moment later, Elara popped into the call.
"Hi, Lyn," Elara waved.
Lyn smiled and waved back.
"Where is Bernard?"
"At his house. I’m at the palace." Elara leaned back in her chair, sighing. "Emma, the estate is so lonely... goosh."
"Don’t worry, I’ll come home soon when my alpha is ready."
"We can’t wait to see you guys. Don’t forget my gift," Elara said.
"And mine too," Lyn added quickly.
Emma leaned in. "Okay, guys, let’s get into it."
Elara straightened a little.
"Elara, you said Arianna moved in with Ken and Lyn. I called, I confirmed it. I want her out of that house. Can you go there and tell her to leave since Lyn and Ken couldn’t?"
Elara shook her head. "No, I can’t go there."
"I would’ve come down to England, but Brandon hid our travel documents," she said, dropping back into her seat. "And every time he goes to take a bath, he locks me in."
Elara blinked. "I thought he’s the one bathing you?"
"Yeah," she muttered, tugging at her sleeve. "But I stopped bathing with him. That’s the only time I get out now... just to walk around the resting den hallway."
"Resting den?" Lyn and Elara said at the same time.
She shrugged lightly. "We moved. I just don’t even know where anymore."
Lyn turned to Elara.
They both broke at the same time, laughter spilling out.
"Guys, come on," Emma said, trying to stay serious, but her smile gave her away.
"Emma, her father is your father’s best ally," Lyn said, glancing up.
"I know." Emma’s voice stayed flat.
"Lyn, I told you what to do. Just do it," Elara said, arms folded.
"The former president called Ashley... asked for permission. He called Ken too."
Emma’s head snapped up. "And Ken?"
"Nothing. We couldn’t say no to him."
Emma pushed her chair back slightly. "I should go there myself and throw her out."
"Emma." Lyn reached out, catching her attention. "Elara said she’s got a better way. Hear her first."
All eyes shifted.
"Elara... what’s the plan?" she asked.
Elara tilted her head, thinking. "Set a trap. Use what she can’t resist."
Lyn frowned. "And what exactly does she like?"
The chamber went still.
Then Emma let out a short laugh, shaking her head.
"You’ve known her for over a month, and you still don’t know what she’s obsessed with?" Elara asked, staring at Lyn.
Lyn lifted a shoulder. "Sex?"
"Elara pointed at her. "Exactly. She loves good-looking guys. Cook her favorite food and give her one to stare at."
"No, Elara." Emma shook her head immediately. "Lyn just moved into the pack. She doesn’t know any guys there, and I’m not encouraging her to start talking to random guys because of Arianna Grant. Give us another idea."
"I never said she had to talk to anybody." Elara grinned. "I already know the perfect guy. Tall, handsome, and completely clueless."
"Okay, now I’m lost," Lyn said.
"Skylar." Elara leaned back. "One of the best-looking guys I’ve ever seen. Females practically line up around him. Has he been by since you moved there?"
Lyn shook her head. "No."
"Perfect. Invite him to dinner. Problem solved."
Lyn narrowed her eyes. "Elara, are you sure he won’t—"
"He’s harmless." Elara waved a hand. "The only thing you need to worry about is getting him to stop talking."
The three of them burst out laughing. "No way," Emma said.
"I’m serious," Elara said between laughs. "Once he starts, even the moon goddess can’t shut him up."
"I will tell you why I suggested him later," she laughed again and Lyn wondered why she kept laughing.
"Elara, is he back in the States? I saw him and his sibling at my royal mating," Emma asked.
"They left immediately after the royal matebond," she replied.
"Alright Lyn, are you going to do what Elara suggested?"
"Just a dinner with Skylar and you are good to go," Elara insisted. She knew them very well. Since she and Brandon spent most of their puphood days in the High Fang’s house, she must have had one or two encounters with Skylar, Ken’s cousin, and his sibling Liora.
"Good, we are going to have another conference call by this time tomorrow for an update. Lyn, we need positive feedback," Emma said.
She knew that family well. She and Brandon had practically grown up at the High Fang estate. Between all those winters running through the halls and getting into trouble, she’d crossed paths with Skylar—Ken’s cousin—and his sibling, Liora, more times than she could count.
"Brooklyn," Emma said, leaning closer to the screen, "when are you inviting Skylar to dinner?"
Brooklyn hesitated.
"Tomorrow."
"There we go." Elara snapped her fingers.
Emma wasn’t completely sold on the plan, but Elara looked far too confident to ignore.
"Good," Emma said. "Same time tomorrow, we’re having another conference call."
She pointed at the screen.
"Lyn, I expect good news."
Lyn groaned and dropped her head into her hands while Elara laughed even harder.
"Me too," Elara said with a small nod.
"Alright guys, I think we should rest," Emma added, easing back slightly.
The doorbell kept ringing without pause.
Arianna’s voice cut through from outside. "Ken! I need you right now, honey. I’m ho..."
"See?" Elara pointed at the screen. "I told you. She’s obsessed with sex. At this point, it’s practically part of her."
Emma snorted.
Brooklyn rolled her eyes.
A second later, Emma burst out laughing.
Elara doubled over, laughing right along with her.
Brooklyn stared at both of them, unimpressed.
"I don’t see what’s so funny," she muttered.
That only made them laugh harder.
"Ken, please... I’m burning up," Arianna called from outside.
Brooklyn squeezed her eyes shut.
"Oh, for goddess’ sake."
She stormed to the door and threw it open.
"Go back to your chamber!" she snapped. "You hate the matebond so much, right? Then you should hate what comes with it too!"
"You don’t get to decide how I live my life. I can do whatever I want, and you have no say in it..."
"Shut it, you crazy ass," Brooklyn snapped, pointing toward the door. "Go back to your chamber."
Emma and Elara exchanged a look, rolling their eyes as quiet laughter slipped out between them.
On the screen, Ken lifted his head at the sound.
Emma’s finger moved first—disconnect.
Elara followed immediately.
The call cut off.
Ken’s brows pulled together.
"Wait—"
The screen went dark before he could finish.
Silence snapped into place.
Arianna froze in the hallway, one hand still on the doorframe.
Even her breath seemed to stall.
Then—
A scream ripped through the silence.
Inside the chamber, Brooklyn didn’t move.
Neither did Ken.
Comments