Chapter 48

Alyson's POV

"What?" I exclaimed excitedly. Looking around a charming little apartment that Dylan has just presented to me. It had several rooms including a maid's quarter for Michelle. It would be perfect.

Dylan was smiling, "You can stay here as my trade associate with your own salary and apartment of course."

"That's amazing news!" I had wanted to stay under my new identity, especially after the elders announced that Ryan was an official Alexander and he had bought a mansion here.

"You're the perfect choice for it." He said. "It was actually Ryan's idea, so I can't take full credit. The Blood Bane's supply is technically his after all." He finished the last part in a hushed tone.

Clan Alexander did not know where Clan Harris derived their stash, and while they could likely find out if they looked into it, they had no reason to suspect anything of Clan Harris. They'd mostly shared a positive relation over generations.

I would have to thank Ryan properly later for such a brilliant idea. This job would give me purpose and an identity to live in Crowalt Pack.

We will have our moment.

Dylan cleared his throat to bring my attention back to him. "So dearest Alyson, I will leave for a while, but visit as often as I can if you or Ryan will entertain me as a guest."

"Of course! I wish you didn't have to go," I said, saddened to think of one of my greatest friends not always being there with me.

My sorrow reflected in his expression as well. "I can visit as often as I'm able. I will have busines to attend to here after all."

I nodded. We bid a sad farewell in which I hugged him tightly.

As soon as Dylan departed, I sent an invitation to Ryan requesting him. I knew he could find me even without specifics. The secrecy thrilled me, and I could hardly wait for his arrival.

Ryan knocked on my door under the shadow of night. I whisked him in, kissing him immediately, all the excitement from the day manifesting in how badly I needed him. He truly knew me now, accepted me with my past, and would help me against Jacob and Jennifer.

He chuckled between kisses. 'What's gotten into you?"

"I'm Dylan's trade associate, and this is my new home." I said, expanding my arms and spinning around the place. "it's so perfect."

Ryan was smiling at me, "I hope he didn't take all the credit."

"No," I said teasingly, "He gave you credit as well. He said it was your idea."

"I'm happy that you're happy."

I felt amazing. I was free to live on my own. I had my own job; I would have my own income and place to live. I was in the perfect position to strike down Jenifer and Jacob without them even knowing what hit them. He caught me as I twirled, and I laughed. His arms were so strong, I could feel his heart beating in his chest.

"Don't forget about me. Maybe someday, you could come and live at my place again," he beamed like I had hardly seen him, apparently my laughter was contagious to him.

"Not a chance," I said.

"Not as an employee or associate, but live with me as my mate," he said, looking gloomier while he still held me.

I lay my head against his chest. "Let's not talk about that again. We need to keep us a secret for now. You're an Alexander, they will not let you marry just some girl without Clan Clark blood."

"But you do have Clan Clark Blood."

"I don't want anyone to know. I will keep that a secret for as long as possible."

"They suspect it already."

"I know, but it does not mean I have to admit to it." The blood drained from my face. I buried it in his abdomen. "Jennifer may suspect it, but she doesn't know it."

"Will you at least consider it for after revenge?" He held me so tight like he was afraid to let me go. "Maybe it is better to keep us a secret for now, but not forever?"

I paused before saying, "Maybe. We have time to talk about all that later. It is a good thought though, I'll admit it… to consider what life might be after." But my chest tightened. I was still afraid and resistant as if being a free she-wolf would save me from betrayal. In reality, I hadn't hardly thought about what life would be after my revenge. I needed to focus, I could figure out how I felt after it was over

"What's your plan for now?" Ryan said with a sigh. "Outside keeping our relationship, a secret."

"Dylan doesn't know about this, and I don't think he can support it if he did. But we are the sole Blood Bane providers for Jacob and Jennifer. We have the best and they want the best. I want to start poisoning Jacob." I said.

"What?" he sounded surprised at first.

"It'll be subtle like he's getting sicker from the curse over time. They'll need Alpha candidates. Jacob should not be Alpha, you know this."

He tilted his head in consideration. "That's true."

"I've yet to find out who is his blood provider since I know it is not my sister. They must be doing something bad." I continued, and it felt great to have someone to confide in.

Was this trust? After all this time, did I trust Ryan? It meant a lot to me to realize this.

"I can verify that. While I can't look at Jacob clearly, I can see your sister through my visions. It's a little unclear, but it does seem like they have some Clan Clark she-wolf."

That boiled my blood. "So, you see, we need to do this. If we could expose them, it would be ideal, but in case we cannot without jeopardizing our status and good names here in light of thinking about life after revenge, we must get rid of Jacob. Without him, my sister is nobody."

He was watching me with fascination. My mind was reeling about the day I could reveal myself to her at her lowest- when she'd lost her evil mate and the status she had stolen.

"What?" I said bashfully as his stare made me feel like he thought I was brilliant.

"I've never known this side to you." He said. "Kind of scary, kind of sexy." He pulled me by the waist to him.

I smelt his breath as he kissed me. I pulled my face away to say, "But it's all for good. Jacob is evil. He needs to be taken down. This has become more than my revenge."

Ariana stirred inside me. She wanted to make them pay. I did too, but it was more than that. They were hurting others, lying to others, betraying more than me. I was sure of it, and they had to be stopped.