Rise of the Warrior Queen (Kaia and Silver) novel Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

THIRD POV.

Alpha Gareth slammed the hospital door behind him in anger.

The sound echoed loudly through the hospital building, causing the staff outside to turn in his direction with

confused and curious

“The hell are you all looking at?!” Gareth barked angrily, glaring at them. The staff quickly turned away. muttering apologies as they returned to their work.

Gareth cursed under his breath, muttering about disrespect as he left the building, Laura right on his heels.

Laura remained quiet as they walked toward the car parked a distance away, but one could tell by merely looking at her that she was burning inside.

As they both stepped into the car, Gareth’s mind kept replaying what Kaia had said to Laura in the hospital room. Kaia had spoken to Laura as if she were worthless–like she was nothing. Like she didn’t rank above Kala as the Luna of this pack.

Gareth could still hear her voice as she spoke, running her mouth, daring to humiliate his mate in front of him and in front of everyone.

Gareth’s jaw was tight and painful from clenching it so hard. This can’t happen again, he thought, full of anger. He might tolerate anything else from Kaia, but not any form of disrespect toward him or his position as alpha. And he definitely would not let Kaia disrespect Laura like this anymore.

Laura leaned into her seat with her arms crossed. Her eyes were sharp and filled with fire. They turned to Gareth, and her whole body tightened.

“You are pathetic!” Laura said without holding back. Her voice was low but filled with anger. “How could you, Gareth?! How could you be so weak?! You keep letting Kaia speak to me in such a disrespectful manner! You always let her treat me like I don’t matter. Like I’m nothing! Right in front of you. How long do you intend to remain her doormat?!”

Gareth leaned into his seat with a rough grunt. He tapped his fingers quickly on the leather, annoyed but trying to stay calm. “She knows the rules,” he said flatly. “I’m the alpha. I don’t need to yell or act like her to keep control. I’m trying to be the bigger person in this situation, Laura. I can stay mature even while in control.”

H

“And how has that been working for you so far?!” Laura said, shaking her head in frustration. t’s exactly the problem, Gareth! You think ignoring her makes you strong?! It doesn’t. It only makes you w She pushes you because she knows you won’t push back! She disrespects you in front of the entire pack because she believes you’re too weak to do anything about it, Gareth! And you’re proving her right every single day! Your actions are making her feel like she’s something when in reality, she’s not! When are you going to sit up and do something about it for goddess‘ sake?!”

Gareth’s eyes darkened as he turned to Laura, his anger growing. “Stop it! I am not weak, Laura, and you know it. I am smart. Do you think I’m stupid? Do you really not think I know exactly what I’m doing here? It would be stupid to let her believe she can get under my skin. That I can be affected by whatever she says or does. That would only make things worse because then she’d just think she still owns a piece of me, which is

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

definitely not the case. I know what she’s trying to do, Laura. And I refuse to encourage it. She’s trying to play smart with me, but I’m going to outsmart her at her own game.”

“Smart?” Laura’s voice was cold and hard. She shifted closer, her face just inches from his. “You’re not smart, Gareth. You’re scared. Scared of the chaos she would cause if you stood up to her. Kaia loves drama because she loves the attention that comes with it all. She wants to control everything. And you let her. She’s laughing at both of us. She’s making a fool out of us, and I’ll be damned if I’ll continue to keep quiet about it!”

Gareth stared at Laura, Inside, his anger mixed with something darker–possessiveness, hunger, and a cold promise. Laura was right. Kala had to learn she was nothing now. Not his Luna. Not his mate. Not even a threat. She was nothing. And the sooner she realized that, the better. And Gareth was going to be the one

who made her learn.

“1 am done pretending.” Gareth said slowly, his voice sharp and full of threat. “No more playing nice. Kala needs to know she has lost. I am the alpha of this pack. I don’t answer to her. Or anyone else for that matter.

She needs to realize that. It’s time.”

Laura’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “Good. Now you’re talking. I am sick of sharing you with a ghost. She’s dead to you, Gareth. And soon she will be dead to everyone else as well. Not even her worthless family would remember her name. She needs to be taught a lesson, Gareth. Only then will she get the message.”

Gareth’s fist slammed hard on the dashboard, making the whole car shake. “Oh, she will. I will make sure teach Kaia a lesson she’ll never forget in a hurry. Maybe then she’ll realize that her pride and stubbornness can only go so far. She won’t know what hit her. I’ve been too lenient on her for too long, and it has to stop. No more playing nice, no more games. From now on, I make the rules.”

Laura reached over and took his hand, holding it tightly. Her grip was firm and full of possession. “And I will be right there with you. To remind her who the real alpha is. The one who owns you, Gareth. No one except

1. me. Your Luna”

Gareth had made his choice. This thing with Kala needed to be shut down. He needed to put a permanent stop to it, and the only way to achieve that was for him to put her in her place.

He needed to humble Kaia at all costs, even if it meant he had to burn everything she touched to the ground-

starting with her pride

He was done letting her disrespect him before his own pack.

Gareth sat back in the car, breathing deeply. The anger inside him was still burning hot, but now it was mixed with determination. He would not let Kala ruin what he had. Laura was his mate now, and everything Kaia was doing just to get his attention would have to come to an end. He would be damned if he let Kaia and her attitude come between him and his quest for the throne.

Laura watched him closely, her eyes never leaving his face. “You have to be stronger,” she said sortly. “Kaia will try again. She always does. But this time, you have to show her who’s boss. You can’t let her win.”

Gareth nodded. “I won’t. Believe me, Laura, I know exactly what to do now. I will crush her like a bug if I have

1. to. She needs to learn who is in charge.”

Laura smiled, pleased. “Good. Because if you don’t, I will.”