Chapter 61

Chapter 61. The Fox Trap “And what do you think I should do with her?” Castiel threw an angry gaze at Roxy.

“She is a princess,” the redhead tried to explain to him her brilliant idea, “Well, of sorts. But she is important in Thorn’s pack! We can use her.”

“Thorn’s pack is now done. And not thanks to you,” the leader of the foxes frowned, “So far you have been one big disappointment, Roxanne. For someone whom I personally trained. Yet all your work was done by Luna Riannon Michaels instead.”

“It was just a coincidence,” Roxy furrowed her brows, “She...”

“She played you to her advantage,” Castiel smirked, “You were supposed to destroy her but instead she wiped her feet over you.”

Roxy had nothing to say to that and she hated that. She hated that the man whom she loved so much was praising another. It wasn’t just a coincidence that she was the best in her group. She worked hard for it, trained hard... in the hope that one day he would notice her. And she was sure that he did. He took her to his bed where her education continued. He personally showed her how to please a man and she was sure that it meant something. He never let anyone touch her and he singled her out every time. He paid her way more attention than to other she-foxes.

But then he sent her on a mission into another man’s bed. She was upset about it. Heartbroken even. But she never admitted it out loud. It was not great to be used as a tool, but she had no choice. This was her job. And this was what he had been preparing her for. She was ready to prove herself to him anyway. After all, Castiel always seemed like a man of broad views. He only respected two things in his life – power and intellect. And if she managed to have those, nothing else would matter.

Foxes weren’t like everyone else. Although they were excellent warriors when needed and could easily rival werewolves, what they actually preferred was a game of wits. Why fight anyone if you could just trick them into doing what you needed in the first place? Or even better, if you could make your enemies fight each other while you watched? Everything was a challenge and foxes loved their victories.

But this was also why they were never on good terms with the wolves. The latter always strived for dominance and this was where the problem between the two species lay. Foxes did not like to be dominated. And wolves really did not like to be played.

They took it as an insult if they caught someone trying to deceive them.

It was much easier with the werebears, where they were all muscle but could be certain bargain in the end. Whereas wolves would want blood and nothing else.

This was why they couldn’t live together. So, when the foxes’ population increased and the land they had in their possession became not enough, wolves did not want to share. Hence, they became a problem. A problem that the foxes needed to solve. Or better say get rid of. Whatever it cost them.

But whatever they tried was failing. And then the Union was formed to unite shifter packs under the wing of lycans from the Western kingdom. This was the worst news for the foxes. Back then, Castiel’s father was the king and he was not happy with the new situation. Because since the Union was formed, if he dared to attack one pack, the rest would come for him and destroy him. So, the former fox king started thinking of ways to destroy the Union.

And this was how the most brilliant plan was born.

And it was now on Castiel’s shoulders. He had to finish what his father had started.

Roxy wished she could lift at least some of the weight off him. This was all she was thinking of.

Him.

And how could she not? The fox king was amazing. Tall, handsome, clever, strong and cunning. A perfect man.

But now he wasn’t happy with her anymore. He was disappointed and there was only one person to blame for it.

Riannon Michaels.

From the very beginning, she complicated things for her. It was supposed to be a much easier mission than it turned out. When she was studying the Luna prior to her dispatch, she didn’t seem like a threat at all. A chosen mate, stuck up, so perfect that it was boring. It should have been easy to get rid of her and Castiel’s order was clear on her account. Get her place and kill her discreetly.

Yet the Luna turned out to be full of surprises. She put up a real fight and Roxanne found herself outmatched.

Who knew that she would want to divorce this fast and manage to get through with it, taking half of a pack with her? That ruined a lot of their plans.

But what was worse was Castiel’s growing interest in Riannon Michaels. This was probably the most painful part. At first, he was entertained by her not behaving the way they pack as a prisoner, she could sense his growing interest with the Luna. She told herself many times that it was just her imagination under the pressure of work that was getting to her. Yet she was still in for a surprise.

She helped him to get out as soon as she could, killing good warriors for him and risking her own life. All that only to find out that as soon as he got out, he went to see that other woman. That one hurt her. But it was what followed next that absolutely destroyed her from the inside. When the time came for their plan to go into its active phase and slaughter the werewolves, she received another order that she did not expect in the least. Castiel ordered her to make sure that Riannon wouldn’t be there. This was the last straw.

She disobeyed her king’s order for the first time when she didn’t do anything to stop Riannon from attending the Summit. In fact, she pushed Brayden to make sure that they went there together. And personally checked that the blonde nuisance was present, hoping that the bomb she installed in the morning would get rid of her little problem.

Yet that time, everything also went wrong and what was supposed to be the fatal blow to the heads of the alphas, turned into a slap that only made them angry. And yet again, Riannon Michaels was in the middle.

Moreover, when Castiel found out that she was there and not back in her pack as he wanted, he got furious. The man, who always remained calm, got furious over a little and insignificant matter like that. She couldn’t stop thinking about it.

And when Riannon mentioned him coming to her again after the pack split, Roxanne absolutely lost it.

What she did wasn’t a well-thought through plan and she knew it. But she had to try to get rid of that woman once and for all.

Even if it would make Castiel angry. She could survive his wrath. What she couldn’t survive was him being interested in another. For whatever reason.

So, she contacted warriors that she knew from her training and talked them into helping her to attack the wolves. She lied to them, saying that it was the order of their Alpha. And then she attacked. Roxanne did what she could. But her team still lost. And now their secret was out. Now the wolves knew that all the talks about foxes and the bears weren’t just empty words. She knew that it was a grave mistake and she could only pray for her king to forgive her.

This was why she brought him a gift.

sounds away. Her legs and wrists were chained in silver-plated chains and she did not look her usual polished self. Roxy figured her out first with her unrequited love for Ash. She liked the girl because she could relate to her. This was also the reason why it was so easy to make Harper do what she wanted her to do.

Roxanne felt guilty for doing this to the girl. If she had a choice, she wouldn’t stoop so low. But these were desperate times...

And she couldn’t come up with anything better in such a short amount of time.

“And what would I do with her?” Castiel rubbed the bridge of his nose as if he was already annoyed and tired with the whole conversation. Which he probably was.

“Use her as a hostage,” Roxy suggested, “Brayden doesn’t have anyone but her now. He would do anything to get his little sister back.”

“Shame I do not need anything from him anymore,” the fox king chuckled.

“Riannon Michaels would try to save her too if she found out about this,” she heard herself saying, not quite believing in bringing this name up.

“You told me that they hate each other,” Castiel ran a hand through his hair.

“Hate is a strong word,” Roxanne tried to smile but her leader remained unimpressed,“ They are not the biggest fans of each other. But I am sure that she would come to her sister-in-law’s rescue.”

“Why did you do it?” the king before her aske finally, “Why did you risk everything we have built like an j***t?”

“The situation required it,” she lied uncomfortably. She hated lying to him, but today her life depended on it.

“Anything else you want to tell me?” Castiel shot his brow up and looked at her intensely.

There was something important that he needed to know. That Riannon could shift and that her wolf glowed when she did. But telling him that wouldn’t change anything for her. She would still be punished for her mistakes. And drawing even more of his attention to the werewolf Luna was beyond her.

“No,” Roxanne said meekly and immediately received a backslap, which made her fall to the ground. She touched her cheek which already started to swell and looked up at her king.

“Liar!” he spat and her heart clenched painfully, “Still thinking that you are more clever than anyone?!”

recognised him at once as one of the warriors she took with her to try and kill Riannon. Now she knew that she was in trouble.

“I don’t know what you were thinking,” Castiel sneered, “But lying to me would cost you!” “I am sorry,” she fell to her knees, mumbling, “I...”

She didn’t have a good explanation.

“As I thought,” the fox king smirked and motioned to his people, “Take them both to the dungeon. I think Roxanne needs some time alone there to understand that lying to her superiors is bad. And while you are at it, remind her why discipline is so important. Show her hell.”

Two men grabbed her and started pulling her away. At the same time, a third one threw Harper over his shoulder, to which she made a few pitiful sounds.

“Castiel, please!” she begged him, but he already turned his back to her. She knew that if she didn’t do something now, she would probably be dead in the next few hours. “There is something else I know!” Roxy screamed, “Something important! It can help you! I swear it’s important.”

The men next to her stopped and she realized only now that she was panting profusely. Castiel walked towards her and grabbed her chin, making her look at him.

“Then tell me,” he sneered, “And remember that it’s better to be good. Your life depends on it, after all.”