Love In Disguise: Rebirth of the Heiress
Chapter 117

Chapter 117: Chapter 117

Mwanwhile....

The council chamber was draped in shadows, lit only by the flickering orange glow of the torches along the walls.

The elders sat in a semi-circle, their faces creased with age and suspicion. They murmured amongst themselves as Mia stepped into the room, her posture regal and commanding. The long, dark dress she wore swept the floor as she moved, making her look like a queen walking into her court.

"Lady Mia," Elder Connell greeted her, his voice gravelly. "What brings you here at this hour? We assumed this meeting was about more urgent matters."

"Oh, it is, Elder Connell," Mia said smoothly, her lips curving into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "I’m here because we can no longer turn a blind eye to the chaos my stepson, Dave, has brought upon us."

The murmurs rose into a low hum, the elders shifting in their seats. A few exchanged glances, skeptical but intrigued. Elder Soren, the sharp-eyed wolf who often challenged authority, leaned forward.

"What are you implying, Lady Mia?" he asked, fingers steepled as his gaze bored into hers. "Dave has built alliances and fortified our power. Are you saying that’s changed?"

Mia’s eyes flickered, a spark of satisfaction gleaming in their depths. "I’m saying that Dave’s methods, his secrecy, and his relentless pursuit of his own goals have put us all at risk. He hides behind masks, both literal and figurative, while his shadow army causes whispers among our allies. He is leading us into danger, and it’s time the elders take notice."

A sharp intake of breath came from one of the elders to the left, an older man who looked up with furrowed brows. "The shadow army?" he echoed. "We’ve heard rumors, but none confirmed."

Mia stepped further into the circle of elders, placing her hands on the cool stone table. "Confirmed or not, we can’t ignore that our position has been questioned. If we don’t act now, it won’t be long before Dave’s ambition becomes a noose around all our necks."

Elder Connell’s eyes narrowed. "And what do you propose, Mia? You suggest we strip him of his authority without proof?"

Mia smiled, the expression sharp and cold. "No. I suggest we ensure that proof finds its way to us. Dave’s authority is built on trust he no longer deserves. We need someone who will bring stability, not more shadow and silence."

Soren’s eyes glistened with interest, though a hint of caution remained. "And who do you have in mind, Lady Mia? Yourself, perhaps?"

"Of course not," Mia said, her voice like honey dripping with false modesty. "But there are others in this pack who could be guided to take up the mantle—Alex, for instance. He understands the intricacies of leadership and would be more transparent."

An elder with a silver beard, Elder Fenwick, scoffed. "Alex? The man is reckless. Why trade one enigma for another?"

Mia’s lips tightened, but she kept her composure. "Recklessness can be tempered. Blind ambition, like Dave’s, cannot. You all know what happened to those who trusted him once before. Do you want to wait until history repeats itself?"

The silence that followed was heavy, each elder lost in their own thoughts. Soren finally spoke, his voice cutting through the tension. "We will not make any rash decisions, Mia. But we will consider this... warning."

Mia stepped back, eyes flicking from one elder to the next, gauging their reactions. "That’s all I ask," she said, inclining her head slightly. "Consider what’s at stake. I trust you’ll make the right decision before it’s too late."

The elders watched her as she turned and walked out of the chamber, her expression calm, but inside, triumph simmered like a secret flame. She had planted the seed, and soon it would grow.

In the hallway, she nearly collided with Alex, who had been waiting in the shadows, listening. He smirked, pushing off the wall with a nonchalant shrug. "Impressive, Mother," he said, sarcasm dripping from his words. "I didn’t know you had such a talent for weaving doubt."

She arched an eyebrow at him, her smile tight. "I’m doing what needs to be done. You should be prepared, Alex. If the elders decide to move, you must be ready to step in."

His eyes narrowed, the playful facade slipping for a moment. "And what if they don’t move fast enough? Dave’s not stupid. He’ll see this coming."

Mia leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Then you make them move, Alex. Stir the waters if you must. But do it quietly. If this fails, there won’t be a place for either of us in this pack."

Alex’s grin returned, but it was colder, sharper. "Quietly. Understood."

Mia turned away, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. The pieces were in place, and soon, even Dave’s relentless obssession wouldn’t be enough to save him.

****

Angelica stood in her dimly lit study, the glow from a single candle casting deep shadows across her sharp features.

Papers were strewn across her desk, maps, letters, notes scrawled in hurried handwriting. The room, once pristine and orderly, now reflected the chaos swirling within her mind. She could feel control slipping through her fingers, and the sensation was intolerable.

With a sigh that trembled, she picked up a worn piece of parchment, running her fingers over the intricate symbols inked on it. The spell, if used, would leave no room for hesitation or failure. A single misstep could turn everything she had worked for into ash.

The sudden creak of the floorboards made her spin around, heart thudding. A figure appeared in the doorway, tall and cloaked, with eyes that glimmered under the flickering candlelight.

"Why are you skulking in the dark, Angelica?" Mia’s voice, smooth and cutting, reached her first.

Angelica’s lip curled slightly. "Mia. What an unexpected... interruption."

Mia stepped further into the room, her gaze sweeping over the disarray. "Things are moving faster than expected, I see. The elders are whispering, and the pack’s future is shifting beneath our feet. Are you prepared for what comes next? Just like you wanted? "

Angelica tightened her grip on the parchment, her knuckles whitening. "I am always prepared," she snapped, her voice cold. "Unlike you, I don’t underestimate what’s at stake."

Mia’s smile was thin, mocking. "And what, exactly, are you preparing for? You’ve already gambled your life on this girl, this so-called daughter of yours. What more can you risk?"

Angelica’s eyes flared, the depth of her desperation barely masked. "You don’t understand, Mia. Clarissa isn’t just leverage. She’s the lynchpin, the keystone to everything. If I lose her..."

Mia tilted her head, interest flickering in her eyes. "If you lose her, what? Are you afraid of losing your place, or is there something more? You’ve always been vague about that, Angelica."

"I told you..."

"Yes, yes, descendant if the gods. So you have said." Mia rolled her eyes.

Angelica turned back to her desk, eyes searching the parchments and the delicate vials arranged meticulously. "It’s not just power, Mia. It’s survival. If Clarissa awakens to her true potential without my control, she’ll destroy us all. The prophecy speaks of balance, of fire and shadow. If she chooses the wrong path..."

"Then we push her toward the path we choose. What’s your plan?"

Angelica took a deep breath, a cruel smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I’ll ensure she remembers where her loyalty lies. There’s a ritual, dangerous, but effective. I’ll bind her to me in such a way that even her most powerful instincts can’t break free."

Mia crossed her arms, skepticism lining her features. "And how do you intend to get close enough to enact this ritual? She’s hidden away, surrounded by Erebos. Dave is already closing in, and the witch—"

"Leave the witch to me," Angelica cut in, her eyes narrowing with sudden fire. "I have my own leverage there. What I need from you is to keep the elders on edge, make sure Dave is too occupied to interfere."

"You make it sound so simple."

"It’s anything but simple," Angelica replied, "But I have no choice. We’re out of time."

Mia regarded Angelica for a long moment before giving a slight nod. "Very well. I’ll handle the council and keep Dave off your scent, but you better make sure this works. If it doesn’t, we’ll be dealing with far more than just a failed coup."

Angelica’s eyes flickered with a mix of determination and dread as she rolled up the parchment, tucking it carefully into the folds of her cloak. "It will work," she said, though whether she was reassuring Mia or herself, she wasn’t sure. "I’ll make sure of it."

Mia turned to leave but paused at the doorway, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "If this goes wrong, Angelica, you won’t just lose control. You’ll lose everything. Including your head."

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Angelica alone with the flickering candlelight and the weight of her gamble.

She glanced at the vials on the table, each one filled with the essence of ingredients most would never dare use.

Taking a deep breath, she reached for a small, silver-edged dagger, the first step in a ritual that would bind power and fate.

Her hand shook as she whispered to the empty room, "For the sake of what’s left, I cannot fail."