Ambition

Ava tapped a finger against her lips, pretending to be deep in thought. Inside, she was thrilled. Finally, an opportunity to prove she was more than a glorified chess piece in this testosterone-fueled game. If she played her cards right, she wouldn't just survive, she'd thrive.

She met Lucas's intense gaze and leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs with the air of someone who had just figured out how to hack the system. "Leon is losing his grip on his pack members," she began. "He's surrounded himself with Bloodhound wolves. It's like half of them moved in the second he married the Alpha's daughter."

Lucas's expression darkened. Good. She had his attention.

She continued, "The Gamma, the Beta, and everyone in his inner circle aren't even Crimson Wolves. The original pack members are starting to resent him. He's weakened their identity. They feel like strangers in their own home."

Lucas tapped his fingers against the wooden desk. "Go on."

"If you can get an original pack member with influence on your side, offer him a position, bribe him, hell, seduce him if you must, you can turn the Crimson pack against their own Alpha." She smiled. "The best way to destroy a kingdom isn't from the outside; it's from within."

Lucas's lips curled into a smirk. "And you're certain this will work?"

Ava leaned forward. "I'd bet my sweet ass on it."

Lucas let out a low chuckle. "I have no idea if your ass is sweet or not."

Ava blinked. Then grinned. "Did you just make a joke, Alpha Raventhorn?"

"I have my moments. Now all we need is an excuse to get inside Crimson Pack."

Ava tilted her head. Then she arched an eyebrow. "You haven't signed the contract yet, have you?"

"What contract?"

"You know… the one that exchanges me for peace." She rolled her eyes. "You have the perfect excuse to visit Crimson Pack yourself."

Lucas let out a slow exhale. "So I schedule a visit." His voice dropped into something low and dangerous. "And while I'm there, I start whispering in the right ears."

Lucas studied her for a long moment, something flickering in his expression.

"What?" she asked.

"I wonder what you would be like with your wolf." His voice was almost thoughtful. "Formidable."

Ava snorted. "Awww, are you getting soft on me, Alpha Raventhorn?"

Lucas leaned in. "My little virgin," he murmured, "I am only warming up to you."

She tilted her head up at him. "Good to know."

Lucas straightened. "Now off you go. You don't want to keep Gamma Kade waiting."

"Yes, boss."

Lucas watched Ava disappear out the door, something hot and unsettling twisting in his chest.

She was dangerous. Properly groomed, she could become as vicious as he was. Ruthless even. If only she had her wolf…

She annoyed him. Her vulnerability annoyed him, but her resilience pulled him in; it tempted him to test just how much heat she could take before she screamed.

He had to focus on destroying the Crimson pack; there was no time for distractions. He had a score to settle, and settle he would. The High Council be damned.

*****

Ava had barely stepped into the training grounds when she heard Gamma Kade's familiar deep voice.

"You're late." He tossed her a wooden training sword.

"Do you ever exchange pleasantries?" Ava muttered.

"Try to hit me."

Ava swung. Kade blocked it.

She swung again. He blocked it.

This went on for what felt like hours. The man was basically an unmovable brick wall with arms. At one point, she lost her sword, and he scowled like she had personally offended him.

"Again."

They went again. And again. And again.

Until she couldn't move anymore.

*****

By the time she made it to her room, she was ready to collapse. The bathtub was a dream come true. She sank into the hot water with a sigh, letting it soak away the exhaustion and bruises.

Then the itching started.

It was a slow burn at first, a little tingle on her arms and legs. Then it escalated. Within seconds, it felt like she was rolling in a pit of fire ants.

"What the hell?" She grabbed a sponge and scrubbed.

By the time she stumbled out of the bathtub, she was clawing at her own skin. "Help!" she screamed.

The maids burst in.

"Oh my God! Ava, stop scratching!" one of them cried.

"I CAN'T!" she shrieked.

"Get Madam Nelly! Now!"

The other maids bolted.

Ava writhed. "What the hell is happening to me?!"

"Have you been in the forest today?" the maid asked.

"No!"

"Then how—?"

"WHAT IS IT?!" Ava practically growled.

"The devil's beans." The maid swallowed. "You must have come in contact with it."

"Oh, fantastic! And what, pray tell, is the cure? Unicorn tears? A blood sacrifice?"

Before the maid could answer, Nelly stormed into the room.

"Oh my God!" she gasped. "How did this happen?!"

"Hell if I know!" Ava snapped. "I took a bath and voila."

"Go call Doctor Mary! Now!" Nelly ordered.

As the maid scurried away, Nelly turned to the others. "Get everything from that bathroom—towels, soaps, shampoos, throw it all out."

Ava froze. "Wait. You think someone did this to me on purpose?"

Nelly swatted her hands away before she could scratch again. "Sweetheart, this is what happens when you make enemies."

Ava's stomach dropped. "Enemies?"

Nelly gave her a knowing look. "You didn't think the other concubines were just going to sit back and watch you steal the spotlight, did you? You should have hidden your little wins. Kept them to yourself. You don't rub it in their faces."

Ava wanted to laugh, but her throat felt tight. It was happening again. Everywhere she went, she was destined to suffer at the hands of others. No matter where she was, she was cursed.

And she was getting really, really tired of it.