Alpha Prime: Her Retribution

Chapter Forty Five

As we stepped into the garage, Delilah let out a deep breath, relief etched across her face.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice soft but sincere.

I shot her a smile.

“Don’t mention it.”

The two of us headed for my car, the morning’s tension fading slightly with every step. As we drove to the Consulate, Delilah seemed to grow more at ease, the weight of her family’s expectations temporarily lifted. But as much as I wanted to move on from the clash with Jacob, I couldn’t shake the lingering suspicion surrounding Kamilla. Her presence was unsettling, her words like poisoned honey, and Jacob’s blind loyalty to her gnawed at me. Just as I pulled up at the Consulate, Delilah turned to me, her eyes curious.

“Ms Adelaide, I really don’t want to be the reason you and Prime fought”

I took a moment before answering, eyes still fixed on the Consulate’s towering facade.

“You’re not the reason Delilah, Jacob… he needs to get his head out of his ass,” I finally said, my voice laced with resolve.

“Is this about Kamilla?” she asked, my grip on the steering wheel tightened.

“I don’t trust her and I’m going to find out what she’s hiding. Because whatever it is, it’s affecting our pack—and Jacob, more than he even realises.”

“But she seems so nice, I mean she stood up for you.” Delilah argued, I sighed, knowing I wasn’t getting anywhere with her. Kamilla had the entire pack wrapped around her fingers and it was nauseating. As we stepped out of the car, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever she was planning, whatever game she was playing, it was about to end. She might have charmed others, but I wasn’t one of them.

Not by a long shot.

I led Delilah into the Consulate.

“Woah, this place is massive.” She whispered, I glanced at her, smiling softly at the look of awe on her face.

“You haven’t seen anything yet.”

We made our way up the stairs to my office, several maids and officials, stopping to bow at me. I pushed open the door to my office and walked in.

“Woah…”

I settled down behind my desk, powering on my computer.

“I think it’s finally settling in.” she said, walking to a side table and picking up one of the picture frames.

“What’s finally settling in?” I asked.

“That you’re not just a Luna Prime but also an Alpha Prime.” she explained, making me laugh. The door opened and Liam strolled in.

“Good… what’s that smell?” He inquired, his nostrils flaring. I raised a brow, my eyes meeting Delilah’s confused ones.

“What smell?”

He sniffed the air once more, approaching Delilah as he did, she let out a squeak, stumbling back as he crowded her.

Is she his mate?

No, that’s impossible, they have met before.

Noticing the uncomfortable look on Delilah’s face as he continued to sniff at her.

“Liam, I didn’t bring Delilah to my consulate to have you sniff her like some bloodhound.” I stated. He let out a low growl before taking a step back.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me, but the scent, it’s around her and my wolf is responding to it.” he explained, I could see he was tempted to sniff her again.

Magnus?

Yes Prime? He replied.

Are your daughters around? I inquired

Yes, is anything the matter?

No, I have a guest here and I am a bit busy, I was wondering if they could give her a personal tour round the Consulate.

Oh, of course, I’ll send them up right away. I explained

Thank you.

“Liam” I warned as he inched closer to her.

“I’m sorry” he said, raising his hand as he took a couple of steps away from her. I sighed and turned to Delilah who was eying him, a slightly weirded out look on her face.

“I apologise for my cousin’s behaviour, I swear he doesn’t normally go around sniffing people.”

Liam scowled at me but offered her a smile.

“I really don’t.”

There was a knock on the door and Liam walked over to open it, revealing Magnus’ two daughters. They walked in and curtseyed.

“Good morning Alpha Prime Adelaide.” They chorused, I smiled at them.

“Good morning Hope, Good morning Lauren. Can I entrust you with a very important task?” I asked. They glanced at each other before nodding.

“Yes, Alpha Prime.”

I smiled and glanced at Delilah.

“I have some work to do, do you mind if Hope and Lauren give you a tour of the Consulate?” I inquired.

“I don’t mind.” she said, her eyes darted to Liam before she turned to me. I nodded and watched as they dragged her out, already telling her all their favourite parts of the Consulate. I watched Liam stare at her as the door closed.

“Do you think she came in contact with your mate?” I inquired.

“Possibly, no scent has ever affected me like this.” he replied, sitting down and running a hand over his face. “She probably thinks I’m some freak.”

I laughed at his words.

“Oh most definitely.”

“Since when do you even bring pack members here?” he asked, I shrugged, flipping a file open.

“Her mother was being overbearing and I decided to save her from going on what would have probably been a disastrous blind date.” I explained.

“That makes sense, so any progress on the Kamilla issue?”

My mood darkened as he mentioned her name.

“I’ll take that as a no.”

I let out a frustrated growl

“She has the entire pack wrapped around her finger and there is so much going on…” I trailed off as I remembered the previous night

“What is it?” Liam asked, frowning at my silence.

“I saw her with Samara last night, they were talking about the braew and Kamilla gave her some seeds, something about them giving the braew its vibrant colour.”

He sat up at the piece of information I had just shared.

“You think Samara is in it too?”

I paused, remembering how kind Samara had been to me but then again, people could be very cunning and pretentious.

“At this point, I can’t say but it looks like it. If only I could get my hand on the seed.” I replied.

“Any idea how you’re going to do that?” he asked. I pursed my lips.

“I’m going to break into Samara’s home and get the seed.” I answered. Liam let out a chuckle and I raised a brow at him.

“What’s so funny?”

“You’re probably the only Alpha Prime, well apart from Mont Blanc who has an extensive criminal record.” He pointed out.

“And Eda decided to put us together…” I mumbled.

“So what else is going on, you said there was a lot going on?”

I sighed.

“There’s a creature in Yellowstone that is attacking the animals, animals are turning up dead, drained of blood with no wound.” I whispered, Liam’s eyes widened.

“What? What sort of creature could do that?” he asked, I shrugged.

“I have no idea but a pup said it was pretty fast.”

“That’s strange.”

“You know what’s stranger?”

He shook his head.

“This started before Kamilla showed up, like the day before she came, and she was acting very suspicious when we found out there was a witness.” I continued.

“Okay, something is definitely not adding up.”

“I know right” My phone beeped, letting me know it was time for my meeting.

“Alright, I’ll see you later and could you please not go sniffing Delilah?”

He rolled his eyes.

“I’ll try not to.”

I shook my head, picking up the file before making my way to my conference room where Magnus and the business partners were waiting.

“Good morning gentlemen, shall we begin?”

***********

By the time the meeting ended, it was already noon and I wanted nothing more than to curl up and sleep. I never thought a meeting could take so much out of me.

“Some days are like that.” Magnus said, noticing the fatigue on me. I sighed

“Heavy is the head that wears the crown.” I mumbled, chuckling softly. “I always wondered what my papa meant when he said that, but now I know.”

Magnus smiled, patting my shoulder slightly.

“I heard Lauren and Hope are having a picnic with Liam and Delilah, you could go unwind before your next meeting.” He suggested.

“Do I have time?”

“Yes, an hour and a half.” He answered, glancing at his wrist watch. I nodded and handed him the folder before making my way to the back exit. I walked through the garden, inhaling the scent of trees and flowers, my ears picking up on conversation and laughter. I got to the middle of the garden and they had set up an outdoor picnic table.

My eyes landed on Delilah, noting the ease and happiness on her face, it warmed my heart. She was showing Hope something on her phone which she pointed at Liam and Lauren. Liam looked up as I approached them.

“How was the meeting?” he asked.

“Long.” I answered, taking a seat.

What about the scent?

it’s worn off. He replied, I nodded, smiling as Lauren poured me a glass of lemonade.

“It’s freshly squeezed.”

“Thank you.”

I took several sips before letting out a satisfied sigh.

“Just what I needed.”

I sat next to them.

“So what have you all been up to?”

Delilah looked up at me.

“Hope and Lauren showed me the Consulate, this place is really beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

My lycan and I couldn’t help the swell of pride we felt at her compliment. The Consulate of an Alpha Prime is considered to be a show of strength which is why every Prime made sure their Consulate was in top shape… well except for Jacob. My mind going back to his Consulate in Europe and how derecript it looked.

Stop thinking about him.

“And Delilah is teaching me how to take pictures by tweaking my phone camera.” Hope piped in.

“Oh yes, she is such a talented photographer.” Lauren added in. I could see the blush on Delilah’s face and I bit back a chuckle.

“She really is.”

“Speaking of photographs, Adelaide you actually need an official portrait, I’ve received emails from the liaison office in Washington and the Consulate in the other continents regarding this.”

I pursed my lips, I wasn’t a fan of having my picture taken, that had stemmed from pretending to be dead to the world for years.

“Delilah, how would you like to take my official portrait?” I asked, her eyes widened and she spat out her drink, choking slightly.

“What? M-me?” She stuttered, grabbing a napkin and cleaning herself.

“Yes, you take beautiful pictures.”

“B-but this is an official portrait, what if I mess it up? I mean there are more talented and experienced photographers out there.”

“You really are selling yourself short, Delilah, your pictures are amazing.” Hope argued.

“Exactly, besides, are you really going to say no to an Alpha Prime?” Laura asked, arching a brow. Liam and I shared a glance as we watched the two girls gang up against Delilah and her insecurities.

“No, I just… I don’t think I am good enough.” she whispered, fiddling with her shirt. I reached over and placed a hand on hers.

“It’s fine Delilah, you can think about it, if you still don’t think you are confident enough, then we can work something out instead.” I suggested, she nodded, shooting me a grateful smile.

“I still think you should take the Alpha Prime’s official portrait.” Hope grumbled, making us laugh.

********

We got back to Yellowstone late in the night. I dropped Delilah off at her house.

“Thank you for today, I had so much fun.” she said.

“I’m glad to hear that and Delilah?”

SHe turned to me.

“Yes.”

“Think about my offer.”

She bit her lip and nodded.

“I will.”

I smiled and watched her get into the house before driving off in the direction of the cottage. I parked and walked into the house, gasping slightly when I saw Jacob seated in the foyer.

“Welcome back.” He said, getting to his feet.

“Thank you and don’t worry Delilah is safe in her house, I made sure of that.” I replied as I brushed past him, his hand shot out and wrapped around my wrist.

“What I said this morning about anything happening to Delilah was out of line, I would like to apologise.”

I turned to him

“Is that the only thing you are apologising for?”

His brows knitted.

“WHat are you talking about?”

I sighed and pulled my wrist out of his grip.

“Good night Jacob.”

“I am going on a trip in a week's time.” He said his words, stopping me in my tracks. I turned to him.

“A trip?”

Alarm bells rang in my head.

“Yes, with Delilah and her men.”

The Resurgem.. They are going to go get it… whatever it is

“And what is this trip about?” I asked, crossing my arms

“It’s under wraps.”

I scoffed.

“Of course it is, you trust another but not your own mate, it says a lot about you.”

Hurt flashed in his eyes and a part of me relished in the fact that I could inflict some pain on him.

“It’s not that easy, Adelaide.”

“I really don’t care anymore Jacob, do whatever you want.”

With that, I continued on to my room, closing the door behind me and pressing myself against it. My heart beating rapidly within my ribcage.

Whatever plans I had for exposing Kamilla had been thrust forward, I had to act fast because one thing I was sure of is that there was no way I was going to let Kamilla get her hands on the Resurgem, whatever it was, I didn’t trust her with it.