“Even his own men... he’s had them killed for the slightest mistakes.” I lowered my voice even more, as though I were revealing something too terrible to say aloud. “I heard he kept a woman locked away for years because she rejected him.”
Raphaella’s hands clenched into fists, her knuckles white. The anger, the disgust—I could see it all simmering beneath the surface. I smiled inwardly, knowing my words were sinking in. Soon, she would despise Pierre so completely that she wouldn’t even want to look at him.
“I just thought you should know,” I added softly, turning away as though the conversation pained me. “I can’t stand to see you hurt, Raph. You deserve better.”
"But he told me he loves me," Raphaella muttered. "He rejected his fated mate for me. Why would he say that if he’s so cruel?"
Shaking my head, I scoffed. "Love? That’s not love, Raph. It’s an obsession. Pierre doesn’t know how to love. He only knows how to possess and control. He sees you as something that belongs to him. That’s all you are in his eyes—another prize to add to his collection."
"What do I do?" she whispered. "I can’t stay here with him, but I have nowhere else to go. Matthias abandoned me, and I just don’t know what to do."
Hearing her words, my expression softened. "We’ll figure something out. We just have to be smart about it. Pierre is powerful, but he’s not invincible. We can find a way to escape."
Without waiting for her to respond, I left the room, a victorious smirk curling on my lips. It was too easy. Raphaella was always so trusting, so naive. It was laughable how easily she believed every word I said.
Once I was out of sight, I headed straight for Pierre’s study.
I knocked on the door lightly, before stepping inside. Pierre sat behind his desk, his brows furrowed as though he hadn’t slept in days.
“Any change?” He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
I shook my head, pretending to be disappointed. “I’m afraid not, Lycan King. I’ve tried talking to her, but Raph... she’s stone-cold. She won’t eat, won’t respond. She despises you more and more with each passing day.”
His expression darkened, frustration boiling over. “What am I supposed to do, then? She won’t even look at me.”
I hesitated for the effect, then stepped closer, my voice gentle and coaxing. “Maybe it’s time to make her feel something. Jealousy, perhaps. Show her that you won’t wait forever.”