Chapter 147: Hold onto that rage

Elvira avoided the main forest path leading to the secluded gate at the far end of the estate. She knew guards patrolled that perimeter, and while they wouldn’t dare question her, she didn’t want to draw any unwanted attention to herself.

Instead, she took a detour, turning down an overgrown trail choked with fallen trunks and tangled brush.

Anyone watching would wonder how she knew that hidden path existed, considering she had been gone for decades. But Elvira strangely knew every inch of the North, whether open or secret.

As she neared the end of the trail, a twig snapped suddenly behind her.

She whirled around, her eyes narrowing into slits as she scanned the pitch-black woods. Nothing moved. Shadows clung to the thick trees, standing eerie and silent.

A cold prickle traveled up her neck, the undeniable sensation of being watched. Her fingers twitched as her beast stirred defensively beneath her skin, dark claws sprouting from her hands.

"Who’s there?" she called out into the dark. "Show yourself and stop being a fucking coward."

Only silence answered. No shadows shifted, and slowly, the prickling sensation ebbed away.

After assuring herself that she wasn’t being followed, she retracted her claws, pulled her cloak tight around her shoulders, and kept moving.

At the end of the trail, a short fence blocked her way. She hitched up her gown and vaulted over it, leaving the estate grounds behind.

Ahead lay an unpaved road cut with deep ruts and sand. A few meters down, a car sat waiting in the dark. As she approached, its headlights flashed on.

She glanced behind her one last time, scanning the treeline. The woods were dead still. Satisfied, she opened the rear door, slipped inside, and shut it behind her.

As the driver pulled away from the road side and navigated the rough road, a deep voice spoke beside her.

"You’re late."

Elvira rolled her eyes, throwing off her cloak. She reached up and tapped a button on the car’s ceiling. Warm light flooded the interior, illuminating the harsh side profile of Conri’s face.

A slow smile spread across her lips as she leaned into him. "I had to make sure everyone was fast asleep before leaving. I couldn’t risk getting caught."

Conri reached out, tangled his fingers in her hair, and yanked her face toward his. He kissed her wildly, sucking on her lips with rough force. When she finally pushed against his chest to draw breath, a thin string of saliva stretched between their mouths.

Conri grinned, wiping it away with his thumb before sticking his finger into his own mouth.

"Did anyone follow you? Did you get into any trouble at the mansion?"

Elvira gave a lazy shrug. "No. Slipping out was easy once the house went quiet. But I’ll need to return quickly."

The driver turned off the dirt road, merging onto the smooth, paved highway leading toward Conri’s villa.

"Tell me," Elvira said after a short silence. "Have you told Joffrey that I’m back?"

Conri frowned, turning his head. "What does my son have to do with this? We had a deal, Elvira. In exchange for getting you out of the asylum, you become mine. Don’t tell me you still harbor that foolish infatuation for Joffrey."

"I was just asking, Conri," Elvira chuckled. "I know our deal. You don’t need to lecture me on it."

She inspected her fingernails in the light before speaking again. "You say you don’t want me near your son, yet you’re still staying with Bethany. You promised you would reject her."

"And I will," Conri muttered. "She is still useful. Once she has served her purpose, I’ll discard her."

"Does she know about us?" Elvira asked. "That we’re having an affair?"

"She knows nothing. I grew tired of her long ago. The mate bond between us is practically dead."

"Which is why you should reject her," Elvira purred, sliding closer and taking his hand. She dragged his palm up her torso, pressing it firmly against her breast. "I’m a much better companion, Conri. Younger, sexier, prettier..."

Just as Conri leaned down to kiss her again, she dropped his hand and pulled back out of reach.

"Little bitch," Conri muttered, a small smirk pulling at his lips. "Tell me, how did Dorian react when he saw you?"

"What do you think? The mate bond is still active, and he couldn’t resist it. Then that brat he married had to ruin everything."

Conri laughed, his eyes scanning her face. "Hold onto that rage. We’ll need it when the time comes."

"I want her gone, Conri," Elvira spat, her tone darkening. "She’s a threat."

"You won’t lay a finger on her!" Conri snapped. "Joffrey wants her."

"What does he want with her?"

"That’s none of your business, Elvira. Play your part. In the end, we all get what we want. Don’t ruin my plans, girl. I will cut you down if you cross me."

Elvira fell silent, knowing he meant it. As the oldest surviving member of the Lowell and Hellborne bloodlines, Conri held immense power and deep influence.

"Fine," she muttered.

"Good. Now pull yourself together. We’re almost there, and Bethany is waiting. You might see Joffrey as well, but whatever you two had in the past is dead. If I find out you’re having an affair with him behind my back, you’ll regret it."

"The same way you’re having an affair behind Bethany’s back? You’re such a bloody hypocrite, Conri."

Before he could stop himself, Conri’s hand cracked across her cheek.

He glared at her, his eyes cold. But instead of getting offended or cowering away, Elvira threw her head back against the leather headrest and laughed hysterically.

"You haven’t changed at all, Conri," she said through her giggles. "Still the same bastard who hits his women. I wonder why Bethany hasn’t left you after all the abuse."

"You’re a crazy woman," Conri muttered.

"I am," Elvira agreed, her laughter dying into a smirk. "You were the one who broke me out of an asylum, after all."

​She turned her gaze to the window as the car slowed, pulling into the driveway of the villa.

Conri stepped out first, waiting by the rear door until Elvira climbed out to join him. Without a word, he grabbed her arm in a tight grip and dragged her through the front entrance while she quietly giggled under her breath.

Bethany was waiting in the main living room. She scowled at Elvira, taking in her strange laughter, before looking at Conri.

"What’s wrong with her?"

Conri ignored her. He shoved Elvira down onto the sofa and took the seat opposite her as her giggles finally faded into cold composure.

"Now," Conri commanded, leaning forward. "Tell us every detail of what happened the moment Dorian saw you."