Part Three

Nothing had ever come easy for Leah. Even her parents' affection was a prize she had to fight to earn. She grew up chasing their approval, always striving to be perfect, only to feel like she was running in circles. Love, in her household, wasn't unconditional—it was transactional, measured by achievements and flawless behavior.

Leah had learned that being the best was her only chance of mattering. It wasn't enough to simply try; she had to outshine everyone, to prove herself worthy. She had to if she was to fill the shoes left behind.

And yet, Easthers had been a disaster. A place where her father's failure as a king had cast a long shadow over her life. When he abdicated the throne and left it to his younger brother, Leah thought leaving for Allister would be her new beginning. It was supposed to be a clean slate, a chance to step out of her family's tragedy and find a place where she belonged. A place where, for once, she could be the most important person in the room.

But then, she arrived.

Millie Brown.

Millie ruined everything.

Millie didn't have to try to shine—she just did. She had this effortless charm that drew people in, her bright smile disarming even the coldest hearts. Her grades weren't spectacular, yet she was every teacher's favorite. Friends flocked to her without hesitation. Everything about Millie felt natural, as though she belonged in a way Leah never had.

It was infuriating.

Leah seethed in silence as she watched Millie take over her world. Millie had stolen the spotlight Leah had worked so hard to claim. The bitterness brewed inside Leah until it boiled into something dark—a need to tear Millie down, to make her feel the same insecurity Leah faced every single day.

The first time they spoke, Leah had forced herself to smile, masking her resentment behind a polished façade.

"Hey, you dropped this," Leah said, handing Millie an eraser she had purposefully stolen from her bag earlier. Her voice was sweet, but her heart pounded with a mix of anger and frustration.

Millie turned toward her, and her smile was radiant, the kind that could light up a room. Leah hated how it made her feel—small, invisible, defeated.

"Oh, thank you," Millie replied warmly. "You're Leah, right?"

Leah nodded, extending her hand. "Yeah, I'm Leah."

Before she could finish the motion, Millie pulled her into a hug. "I'm more of a hugger," Millie said with a laugh.

The gesture caught Leah off guard, and for a fleeting moment, she hesitated. But then she saw Shane out of the corner of her eye, watching them intently. His eyes weren't on her—they were on Millie. That gnawing feeling of inadequacy crept back in, clawing at Leah's composure.

"Mind if me and my friend sit with you?" Leah asked, forcing a cheerful tone and gesturing to Shane, who was sitting a few meters away. He looked startled but quickly masked it with a neutral expression.

"Sure!" Millie replied without hesitation.

Leah waved Shane over, and he reluctantly joined them. As they ate, Leah struggled to focus on the conversation. Millie, oblivious to Shane's lingering glances, directed her full attention to Leah, chatting about trivial things with ease. It should have been comforting, but instead, it felt like a slap in the face.

When one of Millie's friends called her away, Leah seized the opportunity to gauge Shane's reaction. His eyes followed Millie as she walked away, his expression distant and almost... wistful.

"So, how was school? Do you think you'll come back tomorrow?" Leah asked, her voice tighter than she intended.

Shane hesitated, then shrugged. "I guess I can stay for a few days."

The answer hit Leah like a punch to the gut. She had hoped he'd say no, that he'd retreat to the private bubble of their world and leave this place behind. But now, he was staying—because of her.

As Millie's laughter echoed across the cafeteria, Leah felt something snap inside her. It wasn't just jealousy; it was rage, pure and unfiltered. How dare Millie have everything? Loving parents, loyal friends, a place to belong—and now, Shane's attention too?

The violent urge to destroy Millie's life took root that day, growing stronger with every passing interaction. Leah wanted Millie to feel the pain she had lived with for years—the crushing weight of being second-best, of never being enough.

Present Day.

Leah clenched her fists under the table, her nails digging into her palms. She had worked so hard, sacrificed so much, and now, when she was finally on the brink of achieving her dreams, her father had to go and ruin it.

The memory of his latest mistake burned in her mind, fueling her anger. Leah stared blankly at the wall, her thoughts a whirlwind of frustration, resentment, and determination. She wouldn't let Millie win. Not now, not ever.

This was her life. And she was going to take it back—no matter what it cost.

"I told you not to go ahead with this!" she screamed, her words ricocheting off the walls like a whip.

Dorran, taken aback, froze momentarily, his wide eyes betraying his surprise before his usual composure returned. "Your father gave the go-ahead," he replied smoothly, the weight of his words sinking into the charged air. "He assured me you had Shane under control, but clearly, you couldn't manage that." His lips twisted into a cruel smile, one that made Leah's skin crawl and her stomach knot with revulsion.

Leah stiffened, her fury burning hotter. "I do have it handled. Or have you forgotten I secured your seat as head of the elders? Don't think for a second that gives you power over me." Her tone was icy, her words calculated to remind Dorran exactly where he stood.

The elder's smile faltered for a moment before he continued, his tone dripping with mock concern. "And what's your plan now? Shane knows about the wolfbane poisoning. What if he doesn't show up for the banquet tomorrow? What then, Leah?"

Leah's lips curled into a smile, one that didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, he'll show up," she said confidently. Her voice was soft but held an undercurrent of menace. "And just in case he doesn't, I've got myself some insurance."

Dorran raised a skeptical brow, his expression faltering for the first time. "Insurance?" he asked, his tone cautious, as though he didn't want to hear her answer.

Leah's smile widened, cruel and unrelenting. "I think it's time I visit an old friend," she said, her voice brimming with sinister intent.

"What friend?" Mirren interjected, her voice laced with apprehension.

Leah dismissed her concern with a wave of her hand. "Just stick to the plans for tomorrow," she ordered coldly, spinning on her heel and striding toward the door. She didn't look back, leaving the room shrouded in confusion and unease. The elders exchanged nervous glances, unsettled not just by her words but by the aura of bloodlust that seemed to radiate from her. It was no wonder half-breeds were feared—they were dangerous, unpredictable, and utterly ruthless when provoked.

Leah's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit hallway as she made her way to her father's chambers. She pushed the door open without ceremony, ready to unleash her anger, only to pause at the sight before her. Jeremiah sat at her father's desk, lazily twirling a pen between his fingers, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Well, hello to you too," he drawled, his voice laced with mockery.

Leah's lip curled in disdain. "Where's my father?" she snapped, unwilling to entertain his smugness.

"Princess," Alex's voice cut through the tension as he emerged from a side door. He moved slowly, favoring his left leg, the pain evident in his strained expression. "What are you doing here? You should be resting for tomorrow."

Leah's anger surged anew. "I told you not to go through with it! How could you go behind my back?" she demanded, her voice trembling with barely contained rage.

Alex sighed, lighting a cigar as he leaned against the edge of his desk. "So I take it Shane made a fuss and didn't sign?" he asked casually, his tone more resigned than surprised.

"I told you I'd handle it," Leah insisted, her voice rising in frustration.

"Your way was taking too long," Jeremiah interjected smoothly, earning a sharp glare from Leah.

"I don't recall inviting you into this conversation," she shot back, her nose wrinkling in disgust.

Alex raised a hand to diffuse the tension. "Leah, Jeremiah is right. Shane is growing suspicious, and the spell won't hold forever. We've come too far to let it all fall apart now. Millie's power grows with each passing day, and with Verran on her side... you know what will happen if she breaks free."

Leah's eyes darkened at the mention of Millie. "Then kill her," she said flatly, her voice devoid of emotion.

"The White Lotus stays unharmed," Jeremiah reminded her, his voice tight with warning. "You're forgetting that part, and it's concerning."

Leah's laugh was bitter, cutting through the room like a blade. "And I wonder what Millie would think if she learned the truth," she said, her tone dripping with venom. "Her perfect little life—a lie. Her first boyfriend? An illusion. Imagine her shock, huh Caelidhar." Leah smiles calling his real name, she was always disgusted by how he pretended to be a high school student to keep tabs on Millie.

Jeremiah's jaw tightened, his composure slipping for just a moment. Leah noticed and smirked triumphantly. "You make me sick," she added, delivering the final blow.

"Enough!" Alex's voice boomed, silencing the two. He looked between them, exasperated but unsurprised by their constant bickering. "Leah, leave the dirty work to us. Focus on tomorrow. I promised you that throne, and you'll sit on it—with Shane by your side."

Leah's gaze didn't waver. "Tell me where Millie is," she demanded. "And don't lie. I know you know."

"Why do you want to know?" Alex asked, his tone wary.

Leah's smile returned, cold and calculated. "To visit an old friend. Don't worry. Your precious White Lotus will remain intact," she assured him. "I'll deliver her to you myself."

Her father hesitated, but Leah's unrelenting gaze left him no choice. Reluctantly, he gave her the address.

Dawn broke through the night, the rain finally subsiding. Leah hated the rain—its chill, its dampness—but this morning, she welcomed it. It gave her time to steady herself, to prepare for what was to come.

As she approached the address, a familiar sensation washed over her. Shane was here. With her.

Leah swallowed the rage bubbling in her chest, forcing herself to remain calm. She couldn't afford to lose control now. Not when everything was so precariously balanced.

She stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on Millie. For a moment, Leah froze, caught off guard by the sight of her. Millie's presence awakened something primal, something she had fought to suppress.

But Leah smiled, masking the storm raging within her. "Millie," she called out, her voice light, almost friendly.

Millie Stirred, her eyes bright and unassuming.

Leah's smile widened. She knew exactly what she needed to do. If Shane wouldn't willingly fall in line, she'd ensure Millie delivered him to her.

The irony wasn't lost on her. By trusting Leah, Millie would seal her own fate. And Shane? He'd be hers, whether he liked it or not.

Leah's heart raced as she took a step forward, the game already unfolding in her mind. She couldn't have planned it better if she'd tried.

Let the pieces fall into place.

Authors note:

Thank you for reading so far. Please don't forget to vote and comment your thoughts on what you think Millie really is. The big reveal is coming soon and I'm so excited.