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“You wouldn’t have to do any of this if you didn’t open up the castle to those trashy dancers with your lead mistress at the helm!” she went on. “You know, it’s not too late to do something about her. We could have her taken care of?—”
I had heard enough. Before she could react or finish her disgusting sentence, I leaped from my chair, scaling the table and pinning my giant paws to her shoulders, knocking her to the ground. Odette shrieked, but I never fully shifted, allowing my hands to return to normal as I remained on top of her.
“You have pushed your last button with me,” I hissed. “You’ll pack your things and leave here tonight.”
Utter dread crossed the enchantress’ face as she began to shake her head, but I wasn’t budging. I’d endured her shit long enough.
“This is not a negotiation,” I snapped. “I warned you too many times, really. You are part of the reason that Maren left here in the first place. If not for you, none of this would have ever happened.”
“I’m sorry, Alpha!” Odette mewled. “I’m only looking out for you! That has always been my only goal!”
I fell back and rose to my feet gracefully as she scrambled to get her bearings, backing away with her hands extended. “Please, Nyx—Alpha,” she begged again. “Don’t send me away!”
“You didn’t think I would follow through?” I demanded through clenched teeth, fire dancing in my eyes. “You thought I would just let you keep running off your stupid mouth without any consequences? You have gotten far too comfortable and cocky in your role here, Odette. Well, you’ve finally gone too far.”
Visibly trembling, she dropped to her knees, cupping her hands together in a symbol of prayer, but I was unmoved. “I didn’t realize until this moment how much you truly cared for her, Nyx,” she sobbed, genuine tears falling down her cheeks. “If you really do love her, I won’t stand in your way. My only loyalty is to you and the kingdom! Please, Alpha. Don’t do this!”
Her tears made me uncomfortable, the streaks zigzagging down her usually hardened face. I’d never seen the enchantress like this, but she had done it to herself.
“You made your own bed, now lie in it,” I stated coldly, spinning on my heel. “Get out before I have you thrown out.”
“It’s not safe!” Odette called out desperately. “You can’t bring in a new enchantress now. You have no idea who you’ll get!”
My stomach tightened, and for a half second, I contemplated ignoring her obvious attempt to sway my decision. But I couldn’t. She was right. This wasn’t the time to bring in new staff, especially not one proficient in powerful magic. I had to stick with the devils I knew.
Slowly, I turned back around, half-expecting to see her smirking in her triumph, but the fear and remorse remained on her face.
“I’m willing to take that chance,” I lied.
She blinked rapidly, her gaze darting around like a terrified, trapped dear. A fired enchantress was not a title she wanted to hold. She wouldn’t work anywhere in Mystara again—as anything. No one would permit her within fifty yards of their children. She would be an outcast, a pariah.
“Please, Nyx?—”
“Alpha,” I barked.
“Alpha,” she corrected herself without hesitation. “I’ll behave. I won’t utter another negative word about Maren?—”
“Miss Maren.”
“Miss Maren,” she parroted without a hint of sarcasm. I had truly scared her into submission. “I’ll do the shroud of protection today!”
I studied her, weighing my choice for a long moment as she held her breath. I didn’t believe for a second that she could stay in line, but she really was the lesser of two evils—at least for the time being. If I brought in another enchantress, there was always a chance she could be a threat. At least Odette’s biggest infraction was her inability to keep her mouth shut.
“You’re being downgraded from your suite into one of the servant’s rooms,” I informed her. “You’ll sleep in the west wing now.”
She paled more but nodded eagerly, a glimmer of relief coloring her sooty irises. “Yes! I can?—”
“And you’ll be confined to your room when you’re in the castle,” I continued. “Unless you’re summoned or working with me or Maren, under the supervision of the guards,” I went on.
Her rosebud mouth gaped. “I can’t wander around?”
“Those are the terms. You’re welcome to leave the castle at any time. In fact, you’re free to get an apartment in the city if you like.”
“But the royal enchantress always lives in the castle!” she gasped.
“That’s your choice,” I told her flatly. “You will not enter my chambers unless you are called. And if I hear a whisper of you speaking against Maren or any of her friends, there won’t be another opportunity for mercy. Am I clear?”
“Perfectly,” she said stiffly, her eyes drying as the reality of my conditions set in. “I won’t disappoint you, Alpha.”
