The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 108: Punishment

**A few hours later…….

Nicholas’s POV**

‘Truth hurts,’ they said, but it can also be terrifying and infuriating to the point where you want to hurt someone you never knew you could.

The presence of Samantha standing before me again encompasses all of it. I am disappointed and hurt, but also horrified and angry after Florence revealed everything. Not only that, but my trusted man—Isaac already reported to me that Olga had already confessed that Samantha ordered her to talk to Florence. I already ordered Olga to be prohibited from stepping foot inside my estate again.

To think that Agares mentioned her as the one who suggested Florence as his "present" that night. Honestly, death should be her punishment.

"Nicholas," she started, her voice laced with fear, "what do you want to say? I-it's already late."

I took a deep breath, my heart thudding against my ribs like a trapped bird as I faced the window, observing the night sky. I need something to hold onto my sanity. I drank the last drop of alcohol in my glass

"Samantha," I began, my voice dark, "Remember the day I found out you cheated on me?"

Her voice shook as she replied, "What… What is going on, Nick? W-why are you bringing that day?"

I continued, “I remember I was so angry at you, but I never did anything to you or to the man you were banging that day”

"Nicholas, why are you saying that?"

“You’ve crossed the line this time” I faced her, my voice low and dangerous, “When will you confess that it is you who threw Florence to that bastard?”

Her eyes widened, and she stammered, “Nicholas, I d-don't know what you are saying—”

“STOP FCKING LYING TO ME!” I snarled, my eyes blazing with anger, hurling the glass against the wall, shattering it into pieces. She flinched, but I continued, my voice seething with rage, “DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE? DO YOU?!”

Tears started to roll down her cheeks. “Nicholas, I was just trying to…to…”

“Trying to what? Put Florence in danger?”

“I... I didn't realize…” she cried.

“You didn't realize what? You've put her in harm's way, and for what? To satisfy your ego?” My voice was cold, cutting through the air like a knife.

“Nicholas, please…”

“You should be banished from the pack,” I met her gaze and announced coldly.

A deafening silence followed.

“W-what?” she whispered, “You… you are not serious.”

When I just looked at her unemotionally, her fist clenched, and she shouted.

“TELL ME IT IS NOT TRUE! YOU CAN’T DO THAT TO ME, NICHOLAS!” she shouted in disbelief.

“I can,” I gritted, “This punishment was light compared to what you've done. Death should be given to you. You’re smart; you know damn well the rules. Banishing you is my last favor as your longtime friend. This is my last ounce of care for you, considering our past connection.”

The silence left in Samantha's wake was more deafening. Then she suddenly laughed, tears rolling down her cheeks, but I couldn't feel any remorse for her. More so was anger, the longer I saw her.

“I won't be your Luna then. I won't hold that title, is that also right?” she asked, her eyes turned into that burning madness. “You are doing this right before my birthday? Right before the ceremony, my mother has been planning for years?"

“Your mother will be informed,” I nonchalantly replied.

“THIS IS ABOUT HER RIGHT?! AGAIN! THIS IS ABOUT THAT WHORE! THAT STEALER!” she screamed, her voice filled with venom.

My eyes blazed with anger and disappointment. Her attempt to shift blame onto Florence only fueled my rage.

"Samantha, your actions have consequences. You put Florence in danger, and now you want to blame her?"

She was defensive, desperately trying to justify her actions. My eyes locked onto Samantha's, her tearful gaze pleading for understanding. But my heart, once soft towards her, now felt only anger.

"Nicholas, why are you siding with her? Agares is gone. What's the big deal? You can just turn a blind eye to this one! So why are you doing this to me?! You knew me first!”

"I don't fcking know you anymore, Samantha,” My voice hardened, each word a testament to my anger.

“Why her? Why are you choosing her over me? Is she more important than your own pack member?"

“This is not about choosing. This is about responsibility and accountability.”

“Then what about the word you gave me before that you will make me your Luna?!” she sobbed, “You gave me your word, Nicholas! You can't just take it back!”

I hardened my expression, “Don't use that against me, Samantha. It’s a deal between us. A deal that you must display such characteristics appropriate for a Luna. Don't you remember why I gave you that word before? Because the Samantha I knew would not do the things you just did. So don't use it against me!”

Her lips trembled, but her blue eyes blazed with hatred. "I did all of that because of you! Do you know how scared I was whenever I looked into your eyes and saw that you were starting to like her?" Samantha's voice shook with anger, "You are falling for a whore, a bitch, a weak woman! Can't you see that, Nicholas? She was nothing compared to me!"

As Samantha's words hung in the air, only one phrase penetrated the fog in my mind – "you are falling for Florence." The realization hit me, leaving me momentarily stunned. Samantha's accusations stirred a storm of emotions, and for the first time, I questioned my own feelings.

"Enough, Samantha. Leave my office," I commanded, my voice firm.

She suddenly laughed while tears rolled down her cheeks, “You know what? I told Agares to kill her after, but that old man was a fcking trash. However, I badly wanted her to be killed—”

Her last words became the last straw, pushing me to my limit. The rage and frustration simmering within me reached its peak. My hands, fueled by anger, found their way to Samantha's throat, pressing her against the wall.

"I could kill you this instant," I growled darkly, my nails dangerously turning into claws, “My wolf wants your head this second.”

Gasping for breath, Samantha’s face paled. My grip tightened, a warning laced in my words.

"What you did was punishable by death. Banishing you was me showing mercy because I knew I was partly to blame for everything you have done. Don't test your luck, Samantha. Don't try.” I removed my hands from her neck, stepping back.

Samantha collapsed to the floor, her earlier anger replaced by desperate sobs. She knelt, her tears staining the floor.

"Nicholas, please!" she cried, her voice choked with remorse. "I was just angry, and scared, and I said things I shouldn't have. Please, forgive me."

She looked up at me, her eyes red and puffy, desperation written all over her face. "I'll do anything to make it right, Nicholas. Anything. Just don't cast me away. I can't bear to lose everything."

Samantha's pleas echoed in the room, desperation clinging to every word.

"You have a week to prepare and say your goodbyes. What you did will remain here in my castle and between us. The pack will not know any of your actions,” I said, taking another glass from my cabinet and walking to my desk. I poured another shot of alcohol. “It's time for a fresh start, for you… for both of us.”

Tears streamed down her face as she continued to plead. "Nicholas, please, I can change. I'll do anything to make things right. Just give me another chance! Please, I’m begging."

I shook my head, the weight of the situation heavy on my shoulders.

"You brought this upon yourself." I pressed the intercom button on my desk, summoning my men with a single command. "Bring her out and escort her home"

They understood their duty, knowing they needed to guard her until the time she would leave the pack.

“NO! PLEASE! NICHOLAS NO!” Samantha screamed.

Within moments, my office door swung open, and two of my trusted guards entered. Samantha, still pleading and sobbing, was gently but firmly led away. The door closed behind them, muffling the sound of her cries. Soon after, Clifford appeared at the other secret door in my office, taking his own glass and pouring himself a drink before sitting on the couch.

“Being banished was something she didn’t even deserve; death is,” Clifford sharply commented.

“You know why I can’t do that to her,” I said, staring at the brown liquid in my glass. “I am partly to blame for her pain.”

Clifford looked at me with understanding and nodded. “A twist of fate, I must say.”

I took a deep breath, pushing aside whatever emotions I harbored.

“Have you started reviewing the profiles of the Swiftmane Pack?” I asked, reaching for a cigar from my drawer and lighting it.

“Not yet. Maybe I’ll start tomorrow. I need some sleep, man,” he grumbled.

I nodded. “You do that.”

“I wonder why we're just finding out now that Maurer’s team already sent the file to us.”

“Maybe I accidentally removed the notification,” I said, extending another cigar to him. “Want one?”

He grinned. “I badly need one,” taking the cigar from my hand.