Chapter 298: Dug Her Grave I
[Harper’s POV]
I showed up to the training grounds, ready to enact the next stage of my plan. I cheerfully warmed up, much to the surprise of the other wolves, who didn’t bother to hide their astonishment that I was joining them for today’s training session.
After all, it wasn’t as though I had shown up for training in the past few days. I suspected they all thought I was a powerless pencil pusher, despite managing to save Atlas.
Kyle hovered around me protectively, in case any werewolves thought of getting a sneak attack in.
"Kyle, you should warm up too," I muttered, pointing to the weapons. "Come on, there’s no need to hang around me like this."
After all, the main threat had yet to arrive.
Kyle reluctantly moved away, but he still kept an eye out. There was some mild discontented grumbling, but everyone settled down soon enough when they realized I was merely stretching. Most of them seemed vaguely accepting of my presence, if not slightly confused. Word had gotten around in the past few days about my deeds, and Atlas and his family had sung my praises to the sky.
It had done a lot to reverse their opinion of me, especially when contrasted with the deliberate incompetence of their own wolves.
I saw some upset looks at my presence, but it was hardly anything to worry about, especially with my heightened senses and strength. If any fool wanted to try their luck, they were in for a massive surprise.
Thankfully, everything was calm. That made Dahlia’s arrival all the more exciting, especially when she strode towards me with her hair and makeup expertly done, clad in a white tank top and jeans. She was the very picture of unbothered elegance, and one might have believed that if not for the angry snarl that painted her face the moment she caught sight of me.
"How nice to see you again," I drawled.
"You slut! How dare you show up here!"
Truly, Dahlia would never disappoint.
Everyone carefully gave us a wide berth as Dahlia stormed over to us without even a hello. I crossed my arms and stared down at her imperiously.
"How rude. Is this how Thunderstrike treats guests?"
"You’re not a guest, you’re a cheating homewrecker!"
"Watch your mouth!" Kyle yelled from behind me. "How can you be so rude to Harper?"
"Oh, what do we have here? Your new pet?" Dahlia scoffed dismissively as she gave Kyle a once-over. She curled her lips in disdain. "You certainly moved fast, but I’m not surprised. You’re someone that always needs a man to warm your bed, don’t you?"
"Kindly refrain from slandering me," I said primly. "If there’s anyone who was actually chasing after men, it’s you. Didn’t you end up in this state because you were so desperately panting over Damon like a bitch in heat despite having a mate?"
Gasps and giggles erupted at my words. Dahlia’s face purpled, but she gathered herself to point an accusing finger at me.
"Pot calling the kettle black!" Dahlia spat out venomously. "I can smell Damon Valentine all over you― inside you! I know what the two of you were doing!"
I pretended to blink in surprise. "You what? Dahlia, I didn’t realize I held so much of your attention. I’m flattered but I can’t accept your feelings, since I already have a mate."
"Don’t try to act all innocent! The servants saw you drag Damon by the hand to your room. Do you have anything to say about that?" Dahlia exclaimed, purposely raising her voice so that it echoed throughout the grounds.
Good to have confirmation her spies were still in the mansion.
"And are these servants right here with us now?" I tilted my head consideringly. "How do I know if you’re simply putting words in my mouth?"
I might as well get Dahlia to flush out her own spies. Of course, assuming that she took the bait.
"I’ll call her right now―" Dahlia’s face twisted victoriously as she jabbed a finger at her temples.
I didn’t need to wonder what she told them, for her mouth also opened to let me know. Wasn’t it nice of her?
"Gertrude, get to the training grounds immediately! You’re needed!"
I exchanged a discreet look with Kyle, and he sent a message to Darach and Milo. Guess we got them. While I waited for the spies to arrive, I stretched my muscles nonchalantly, much to Dahlia’s disbelief. I supposed she wanted me to break down and panic at the thought of the news of my supposed infidelity.
Soon, the werewolf responsible for spying on me arrived at the training grounds. She was dressed so blandly that they blended right into the background, and her face was so unremarkable I would never have been able to pick them up from a line-up. Dahlia had chosen her spies well.
Pity she had given her up just as easily.
Gertrude watched me in wary trepidation.
"Miss Dahlia, why have you called me over?"
"Tell everyone what you saw, Gertrude!" Dahlia demanded victoriously. "You saw this skank pulling Damon Valentine to her room, did you not?"
"Aren’t you putting words in her mouth?" I asked casually, "You just want her to say yes to your question."
Gertrude pulled herself up to her full height, offended by the implication that she could be manipulated so easily. "I daresay I trust my own eyes. I saw them―"
"Where?" I interjected. "How? What clothes were the woman and man wearing?"
Gertrude jolted at my aggressive questioning. "I..."
"That should be an easy question to answer if you indeed had seen me," I said. "I’ll ask you then― what was the woman wearing, was it a dress, or a skirt? What color was she wearing? Red or blue?"
"It was... it was a dress! Red!" Gertrude exclaimed.
Now I definitely knew she was bullshitting.
"Then the mystery woman you saw was definitely not me," I said simply. "I do not have any red dresses at all. Are you simply making things up?"
"It was from a distance and it happened so fast! So I couldn’t see clearly!" Gertrude shrieked. "I was in the next corridor! I saw you running! This woman did indeed pull Damon Valentine into her room!"
The field erupted into flurried whispers as Dahlia crossed her arms and crowed like a peacock. "I told you everyone, this woman is a slut that cannot be trusted! Keep an eye on your mates; she might be out to get them next!"
