The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 63: Destroyed Plants

**Florence**

As I slowly stirred from sleep, I became aware of the sensation of being lifted off the ground. I slowly opened my eyes and the night sky greeted me. My eyes shifted to Nicholas who wore a serious expression while I was cradled in his arms in a bridal-style carry. Confusion clouded my thoughts as I blinked.

"I'm sorry, you can put me down now," I murmured, attempting to wiggle out of his grasp.

“Stay still, Florence if you don't want to fall, '' he commanded firmly. His grasp tightened around me.

His serious tone made me pause, and reluctantly, I complied, stopping my attempts to wriggle free.

I sighed, “Why didn't you wake me up?”

"If I had a choice, I would just let you rest on the bench. But the mosquitoes were having a feast on your blood. I had to carry you away from there before they had a full-course meal."

His lighthearted comment made me chuckle, imagining the mosquitoes treating me like an all-you-can-eat buffet.

“Thanks” I whispered and I felt him draw me in closer, his embrace wrapping around me in a comforting hold.

Once we reached the car, Nicholas gently placed me down, and I hopped into the passenger seat, settling in.

“Water?” He offered me a bottle of water before starting the engine.

“I badly need one,” I said and accepted the water with a nod of thanks, taking a sip and feeling suddenly refreshed. The car hummed to life, and we set off. The road ahead stretches out into the distance.

"I didn't know I would fall asleep that fast," I said, breaking the silence.

"That calming place will just lull you into sleep in a snap but you seem to be knocked out in a second"

“ Of course not. It is a minute”

He shot back with a smirk, “Well, if you say so”

“It is true, Nich—” I couldn't finish my sentence when Nicholas's phone suddenly rang.

He quickly glanced at me before answering the call, setting it on loudspeaker. I leaned back, pretending to be interested in the scenery outside the window, but I couldn't resist eavesdropping on Nicholas's conversation as the urgent tone when the urgent tone of Clifford on the other line caught my attention.

“Alpha, we have a small problem,” Clifford said seriously on the other line.

Nicholas replied with his unemotional tone, “What is it?”

“Mr. Agares was demanding for the meeting to be rescheduled at 10 which is two weeks from now”

My blood ran cold as soon as I heard the name "Agares." The Werewolf Council was something I was all too familiar with.

It means the participants in the meeting were the Werewolf Council and Nicholas. It means…….

Keith Caldwell would be here.

Despite my suddenly cold hands, I tried to calm my heart, controlling my emotions.

Suddenly, Nicholas' tone changed, his grip on the steering wheel visibly tightened, and the air turned tense. “And his other allies agreed as well?”

“Unfortunately, yes. They said that they wanted to know the update regarding the incident in the Swiftmane Pack”

Nicholas seemed ticked off. His jaw clenched, “Fck them. I was sure that the geezer just wanted his birthday to be made at my residence. He's been eyeing my estate for too long now."

“What are your orders, Alpha?”

Nicholas sighed, "We'll indulge him for now, but I'll be asking for compensation later."

"Then..."

"Reschedule it for 10 as he wanted. Get in touch with our organizers and plan a dinner party in the evening."

“Understood, Alpha,” Clifford replied as the call ended. Nicholas shook his head, an air of disbelief surrounding him.

I glance at him, acting hesitant but I am sure as hell plan on asking him.

“I'm sorry to eavesdrop and I can't help it……” I trailed off, “But is there an issue with the Council?"

Nicholas smirked, “Why would you be sorry for something you can hear openly?”

I glared at him, “Then I am taking it back”

He sighed, "There's a faction within the Council that doesn't see eye to eye with me. They constantly find fault in my decisions. Some of them fancy themselves taking my place as the Alpha King."

The weight of his words hung in the air.

“Why would they want to overthrow you?”

“For power,” his voice sharpened. “They aim to control all the packs rather than allowing them their autonomy. Werewolf shifters are born Alphas to lead their packs. It's their fundamental right."

His words echoed Keith Caldwell's desire for power and the danger his ambition posed to the Lycans and other shifters. He wanted my blood so he could create a perfect creature to defeat the Lycans. I know Keith wanted to be more powerful than the Lycans.

I cleared my throat, “So, they’ll be here in two weeks?”

He shot me a glance, “Unfortunately. But they'll only stay for a short time. I'll have them off my land as soon as possible. I don't want their presence lingering."

I nodded, having no words to form since the probability that I would see Keith Caldwell was high. There is no problem if he would seem as if he would not be able to tell if I am Makayla Ellis or Veilios. But if I talk, I am sure he would recognize my voice.

So, I only have plans A and B. Plan A made an escape and Plan B was to lock myself in my cabin and act sick to avoid interaction.

I face the window, letting out a sigh as I look at the blurring dark forest.

…..

Soon after, we arrived at the cabin, and I swiftly hopped out of the car, eager to put some distance between Nicholas and me.

"Thanks for... today," I mumbled, turning to face him.

Nicholas stepped out, his gaze lingering longer than usual. "Um... yeah. I should—"

"Nicholas?"

Both of us whirled toward the cabin, surprised by Samantha's sudden appearance from the shadows. It seems both of us were too preoccupied to notice her presence.

"Sam?" Nicholas furrowed his brow. "What are you doing here?"

Samantha glanced at me briefly before fixing her attention on Nicholas. She took a deep breath as if gathering her thoughts.

"I was looking for Florence, wanting to talk to her about something."

My eyes darted to the plants I had lovingly cultivated around the house. Disappointment washed over me as I saw their crushed petals and bent leaves. Samantha's boots were caked in mud and dirt, and I felt my hand clench into a fist involuntarily.

"Really? You want to talk but destroy my plants?" I exclaimed, frustration seeping into my voice.

Samantha briefly glanced at the damaged plants before denying any involvement. "I didn't do that! How could you point fingers at me?"

"Are you kidding me?" I seethed, disbelief lacing my words.

"I really didn't do that. I'm sorry about what happened to your plants, but it wasn't me," Samantha insisted, sidestepping my accusation and moving toward Nicholas.

“Babe,” Samantha's voice dripped with false sweetness as she moved in for a hug, but Nicholas stopped her before she could wrap her arms around him.

Nicholas's intense gaze fixated on my destroyed plants, catching Samantha off guard. Her surprise was evident, though she struggled to force a smile.

“Wait, Nich—” Samantha started.

He cut her off bluntly, “Get in the car, Sam.”

Samantha hesitated, shooting me a glare. "You know, you shouldn't be neglecting your work. Skipping out might cost you your job."

I fought the urge to snap back, refusing to give her the satisfaction. Instead, I watched in silence as Samantha finally climbed into Nicholas's car. As she settled inside, Nicholas glanced back at me before following suit and disappearing from view as the car drove away.

I stood there, watching them vanish from my line of sight. A mix of emotions lingered within me, and with a heavy heart, I turned and stomped back into my cabin, slamming the door shut behind me.

…..

**Nicholas**

As we drove, I struggled to contain my anger towards Samantha's actions regarding Florence's plants.

"What were you doing at Florence's place?" I asked, my tone tinged with a hint of frustration.

Samantha shrugged, "Oh, I just wanted to have a chat with her. So, are you two together the whole afternoon"

"Yes."

"Why can't you just let Florence go?"

"We've talked about this before, Sam."

She lowered her gaze, fiddling with her fingers. “I just… felt she’s a danger to the pack?”

My jaw tensed. “Is that why you destroyed her plants?”

Her head snapped up, eyes wide. “I don't….I didn't do such a thing—”

“Stop fcking playing games with me, Samantha!” I seethed, the frustration in my voice rising. I gestured to her boots, dirt smudged with traces of leaves. “Stop lying.”

“I…..” Her voice trembled, tears welling in her eyes. “I'm sorry!”

I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my anger. “I told you not to touch her, Sam.”

“I didn't, Nicholas! They were just plants! I didn't do anything wrong!”

Her sobs echoed in the car, and I felt a strange discomfort. I'd been comfortable around her even in her worst moments, but now, it was different.

“Why are you so furious with me?!” she cried.

Why was I this angry over Florence's destroyed plants? They were just plants.

‘Because they mattered to her,’ Berion, my wolf, countered.

Was Florence becoming important to me?

My focus snapped back when Samantha spoke again.

“Can’t you see? She’s a threat to us. You're getting angry at me because of her,” she sniffled, her eyes and cheeks flushed from crying. “We should throw her out of the pack.”

I sighed and picked up the water bottle from my side, extending it toward Samantha while keeping my focus on the road ahead.

"Forget that idea, Sam. Florence isn't going anywhere. She stays here, whether you like it or not," I said in a controlled, cold tone. "I'm telling you again, do not touch her."

She looked at me, clearly shocked, and as expected, she flung the water bottle out of the car. When we reached my residence, she stormed out of the car, slamming the door shut, adding to my growing frustration.

Stepping out, I was met by Layla, confusion written all over her face as she pointed toward where Samantha disappeared. "What's wrong with her? I haven't seen her throw a tantrum like that in ages."

I glanced in the direction Samantha had gone. "Just a misaligned decision."

Layla crossed her arms, "Really? She usually sided with your decisions."

"Not today," I said, feeling weary. "Anyway, where's Clifford?"

Layla shrugged. "Your best friend is heading to your office, lugging a pile of papers."

With a nod, I headed into my residence, my mind already occupied with planning for the upcoming Werewolf Council visit.