Burn in the Alpha Princess's Wrath novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20 The Queen’s Retaliation

Liana’s POV (Glory Hall – Poolside)

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That b*tch Leslie–she tore through my act with just a few sentences, then looked down on me like she was royalty! Why?! Why was she the Alpha? Why did she get to be the Rogue family’s princess? Why did she get even a sliver of attention from Kirby?

No. I wasn’t going to let it end like this!

As she turned to leave, a wicked plan formed in my mind in an instant.

I calculated the angle and force, let out a sudden shriek, and let my body “lose control,” tumbling backward at just the right moment into the pool behind her. The freezing water wrapped around me, but inside-—I was burning with excitement!

“Help! Help! Leslie–Leslie, why did you push me?!” I flailed and cried out, filling my voice with fear and hurt.

The plan worked! Gasps erupted around me! Kirby rushed over just like I knew he would! When he jumped into the pool and grabbed me, I could feel the strength in his arms–and maybe… just maybe, a bit of concern?

Perfect!

I clung to him like a drowning girl to a lifeline, trembling from the cold and “shock,” burying my face into his chest. The tears came effortlessly, streaming down my cheeks.

“Kirby… sob… I don’t know… I don’t know why Leslie would do this to me… I only wanted to talk to her…. and then… then she shoved me in… she must still hate me… hate me for making you worry about me…

I cried, voice shaking, broken up just enough to make it sound raw and innocent–pointing every finger at Leslie.

I stole a glance upward. Leslie was still standing at the edge of the pool, face unreadable. But the way people were looking at her now–suspicion, judgment, hostility.

Hah! Leslie! So what if you’re an Alpha? In Kirby’s heart, I’m the one who needs protecting. I’m the sweet, gentle girl. You’ll never beat me.

Leslie’s POV (Glory Hall – Poolside)

I watched with cold eyes as Kirby pulled the soaked, shivering Liana from the pool. She clung to him, sobbing quietly, each word accusing me of some imagined cruelty. The stares that fell on me were heavy–suspicious, blaming, some even hostile.

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13:05 Mon, Sep 15

Chapter 20 The Queen’s Retaliation

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Asphodel growled low and dangerous inside me. Lies. That filthy Omega is lying. Leslie, tear her mask off!

Kirby draped a jacket over her, then looked up. His pale blue eyes locked onto mine, swirling with emotion–anger, confusion… and maybe a flicker of disappointment?

“Leslie,” he said, voice low and cold, “what happened here?”

I met his eyes calmly, even let my lips curl into a faint smirk. “She jumped in on her own. Believe it or don’t.”

My blunt honesty seemed to catch Kirby off guard for a moment.

“I did not! Kirby, don’t believe her!” Liana interrupted, sobbing harder. “Leslie, I know you’re still mad at me because of Kirby… but you can’t do this to me! Are you still in love with him? Is that why you tried to drown me—because you’re jealous that he chose me?”

She spun the whole story around, playing the victim to perfection. Painting me as some love- crazed, vengeful ex. And it worked–the crowd’s attention swung back to me, judging.

A sweet little princess, isn’t she?

As she twisted the truth with every trembling word, and as I watched Kirby’s doubt deepen, something inside me snapped. That carefully maintained calm cracked.

Asphodel roared inside me. Enough! No more silence! Show her what an Alpha’s fury looks like!

I took a long breath. The mocking smile faded. Ice took its place.

In stunned silence, I stepped toward Kirby and Liana. Liana flinched at my approach, instinctively shrinking against Kirby.

I didn’t look at him. I reached out, grabbed her dripping arm, and before she could do more than scream-

Splash!

I shoved her. Hard. She went flying back into the pool.

This time, it wasn’t an act.

“Ahhh-!” Liana’s scream rang out–shrill, panicked, real. Her shock and disbelief echoed through the garden.

Gasps burst from the crowd. My sudden move had stunned everyone.

I walked to the edge of the pool, staring down at her thrashing form. My eyes were sharp,

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13:05 Mon, Sep 15

Chapter 20 The Queen’s Retaliation

merciless. I reached for a vintage bottle of red wine on a passing servant’s tray.

I popped the cork. Liana looked up at me, drenched, terrified.

And I poured.

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Not a drop left behind–every crimson drop spilled over her head, soaking into her hair, mixing with the water and her tears.

“If you’re so determined to say I pushed you,” I said, voice quiet but cutting through the stunned silence, “then I’d hate to disappoint.”

I dropped the empty bottle.

Her face twisted in rage and humiliation. I smiled–cold and razor sharp.

“Don’t worry, Liana. That was just the first gift I’ve prepared for you. The real one’s on its way.”

I didn’t look at her again. I didn’t care about the horrified whispers or Kirby’s conflicted stare. I smoothed my dress, turned, and walked away.

Each click of my heels echoed like a queen’s command.

And I left that wretched little scene behind me–for good.

Send Gifts

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