Page 69 of Pack Kasen: Part 1

She bursts out, “You weren’t killing her and…” Her voice trails off as she realizes what path she’s headed down.

It’s one no one lives for long because I’ve killed them before they’ve finished walking it.

“Go on,” I tell her mildly, “You were saying something about how I was failing in my role of Alpha and you decided to act in my stead.”

“That isn’t what I meant.”

“Then whatdidyou mean, Marisa?”

She looks nervous for the first time. “I did it for the pack.”

“No.” I lean toward her. “You did it for yourself. You fabricated a reason to get me and Finan away so you could throw the chain over the railing, loop the end around the top and hang Kat because you were jealous.”

She looks at me. “Kat?”

Shit. That dream has fucked me up more than I realized.

Even Finan is looking interested in my response.

“You know who I meant,” I snap. “Don’t try to change the subject.”

She opens her mouth, but I’ve had enough of this conversation. Killing shifters isn’t easy. We’re resilient and we’re strong. We are powerful healers, but some things will kill us. A broken neck is one of those things.

My jaw tightens as I sit up in my seat.

“You’re on cleaning duty for the next two weeks. You will also be helping with the cooking, though that will involve peeling potatoes or whatever task they give you.” I pierce her with a stare. “Those who work in the kitchen enjoy it. You will not bitch,complain, or do anything to make their jobs any harder because you hate it. You will clean the pots, you will do any task they tell you to do, and you will do it at once. If I hear even one whisper of a complaint about you being difficult, you’ll be cleaning out the toilets with a toothbrush for a month. Have I made myself clear?”

For a dominant and proud wolf like Marisa, kicked down to the role of cleaner and cook is a punishment like no other. She probably would have preferred I killed her than being forced to serve lower ranked members of the pack after spending three months occupying one of the highest positions in the pack: my lover.

Her face goes red, then white, then red again. “Aren, I?—”

“Have. I. Made. Myself.Clear?” I bite out.

She nods.

“You can leave.”

She turns away and reaches for the door. Her hand is shaking. Not through fear. I know Marisa. Anger is making her hand shake.

Her anger is nothing compared to mine. If she knew how hard I’m holding my wolf back, she would know how lucky she was to be walking out of here alive. My wolf doesn’t want her to live. Neither do I.

Before she walks out, I do something I should have done long before now. “And collect anything you’ve left behind in my rooms before you report to the kitchen.”

Her back tenses, but she doesn’t respond.

The door closes behind her and I sit back in my seat, releasing a quiet sigh along with the last of my tension. Could I have ended things between us in a kinder way? Maybe.

But after what she did, I don’t have it in me to be kind.

I get to my feet.

Finan opens his mouth.

“Don’t,” I say. “I’m going to eat my lunch. Today is not the day to push me with your thoughts, Finan.”

He holds the door open. “I was going to say it’s a good thing for everyone that you finally ended things with her.”

I frown. “Everyone?”

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