Third person's POV
"It is the beginning of the plan that I am putting in place." Chloe said, more to herself than to Ethan as they walked. Liam was by her other side but he remained quiet.
Ethan didn't know what she meant but didn't bother to inquire. He knew better than to question his Alpha too much.
As they walked, the sun rose fully over the horizon, casting long shadows across the blood-soaked battlefield. Chloe breathed deeply, savoring the scent of death and defeat that permeated the air.
"Come, let's introduce ourselves to our new... subjects. And make sure they understand the cost of disobedience." She commanded her warriors.
With that, Chloe marched forward, leaving a trail of blood and broken bodies in her wake, ready to claim her prize and add another piece to her ever-expanding kingdom.
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"Are you okay?" Liam finally broke the silence and asked Chloe. He had followed Chloe to her manor, quietly. And they were in her bedroom. Liam had asked the question after he realized they were alone.
The maids who had come in immediately Chloe arrived, had prepared her bath and left the room.
The Alpha had decided to clean up and change her war garment which was fully soaked with blood and dirt, before going to see the survivors of Shadowpaw Pack. Her new subjects.
Of course, Chloe knew Liam had followed her into her manor instead of going to his house to also get cleaned up or wait with the other warriors where they were, waiting for their Alpha.
However, she didn't say anything and allowed him because she knew he definitely had something to say to her.
So when he had cleared his throat and asked her if she was okay, Chloe wasn't surprised.
"Do I not look okay to you, Beta Liam?" Chloe said flatly and as she removed her boots, then proceeded to remove her headgear. Her voice was low and flat, and Liam took that as a sign that she wasn't either in a good mood or bad mood. And that meant he could talk to her.
Actually, it had been ages since she had appeared to be in a good mood.
"I am referring to what you had to do earlier t... Kenneth..." Liam was saying carefully but Chloe interrupted him.
"Don't ever mention his name to me, again. I don't want to hear it ever again." She snapped at him. She had faced him and she had a deep frown on her face.
"Forgive me, Alpha... I just thought to ask you how you are feeling after what happened. I know you had been forced to do that to him." He stated, choosing his words carefully.
Chloe raised her eyebrows in surprise but deep down she wasn't really surprised. She knew he was definitely going to bring the issue up.
"How do you know that?" She inquired and let out a dry chuckle.
"Well, for your information, I wasn't forced to do anything. I did what I needed to do and I did it willingly. And trust me, I would do it all over again." She added, firmly. Then she proceeded to remove her garment.
Liam saw her attempt and quickly went behind her to help her get the zip. He drew down the zipper and Chloe stepped out of the garment, leaving her in her inner wear which comprised of a round T-shirt and a short.
"Chloe, I know..." Liam ventured out, gently. He had just switched from formality and hitting on their close relationship.
In the whole pack, he was the only one who could address her informally as they were childhood friends. He was the one who knew her best.
"Liam, I know where you are going and I don't want you to go there. Have you forgotten how Kenneth had changed completely and suddenly after the attack on our pack?" She narrowed her eyes at him as she asked him the question.
Liam heaved a deep sigh and he shook his head, letting her know that he didn't forget.
At his non verbal response, Chloe let out a scoff.
"You do not, yet you are pitying him?" She asked him further.
"No, no... This is not about him but you. I am actually worried what you did might break your heart, considering the bond you shared with him." He explained his intention.
Chloe scoffed, looking away.
"It can't, Liam. It's like you are forgetting something really important; I am no longer the Chloe that played in the mud and river with you and Kenneth. Things have changed. Completely" She said firmly and a smile played at her lips. But it was a sad one that didn't reach her eyes.
Liam closed his eyes briefly and reopened them, nodding his head.
"I know that fully well, Chloe. And I also know that there is the old Chloe hidden somewhere in that new, ruthless one." He said gently, his countenance was empathetic and persuading.
"That is just what you want to believe, Liam. I have been telling you that the old Chloe you knew no longer exists. I really don't know why you refuse to get used to the new me that has come to stay since years ago." Chloe maintained and sighed exasperatedly.
"No, Chloe. I know that the sweet, kind and bubbly girl I grew up with is still in there somewhere. I want to believe that." He pressed on.
"Yes, I know about what is at stake. I know you are doing what you need to do, but I don't want you to get consumed by revenge and get yourself completely blinded with rage. I don't want that to happen to you, Chloe. I'm worried. Please..." He was saying but got interrupted.
"We are way past that, Liam. Now, I need you to go out because I have to get cleaned up. I have got new subjects waiting for me and I am eager to have them bow to me." She said to him, pressing her lips into a thin line as she waited for him to leave the room.
"And don't be worried about me, Beta Liam, I am very okay with this new version of me. I love it so much." She added, laying emphasis on his title, and walked towards her bathroom, while Liam stood still.
"Alright, Alpha, I would leave you to your business. Take all the time you need, get dolled up, we need the new subjects to see that they have not just only gotten themselves a fierce leader but a gorgeous one at that." Liam said lightly after her retreating figure. He was trying to change the topic and lightened the mood.
Chloe didn't say anything as she had disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door behind her, but Liam knew she heard what he had said and he was certain she was smiling at it.
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"Greetings, Alpha." The warriors who had been waiting for Chloe greeted her as she walked out elegantly and fiercely as always.
Heads were bowed respectfully as she walked to stand in front of them.
"Before we set out to go check on our captives, I would like to congratulate us all on our victory. We all did this together and we won as usual, thanks to your cooperation and obedience. You guys fought well." She addressed the crowd.
"Congratulations, Alpha." The crowd cheered with howls.
"Now, shall we?" She asked rhetorically and the head of warriors, Ethan led the way to where the captives were kept. They were kept at the training center which were really spacious and large.
As she walked in, the captives bowed their heads respectfully. They knew not to raise their heads to look at her unless she asked them to.
Chloe had a triumphant smile on her face as she walked in to check on her prizes, but as she walked deeper into the hall, her countenance drastically changed.
She raised up her head slightly, sniffing the air and then the scent hit her. All color drained from her face and she stopped abruptly.
"What the hell is happening? Why now? Why here?" She thought desperately and clenched her fists.