<h4>Chapter 142: Chapter 142</h4>
Elena stood motionless in the dimly lit room, her gaze fixed on the door Derrick had stormed out of moments ago.
The tension in the air was suffocating, but the silence gave her time to think.
*I’ve stirred the ho’s nest. Now I need to control where the hos go,* she thought to herself, the weight of her n settling heavily on her shoulders.
As the three girls left quietly, their hesitant nces filled with gratitude, Elena remained rooted in ce.
Memories of the previous night resurfaced vividly in her mind.
★ shback ★
The night was filled with chaos and noise, with more than the faint rustle of leaves and the distant sound of Mona’s men breaking the silence.
Elena moved swiftly through the shadows, her men nking her, their steps synchronized and silent.
She could feel the tension in the air, her heartbeat quickening as they approached the restricted wing of the pack house.
"Stop there and reveal yourself now!" one of Mona’s guards barked, his voice sharp andmanding.
Elena’s pace didn’t falter. Her men followed her lead, their silence a shield against the escting danger.
The guard raised his gun, the metallic click echoing in the stillness.
"I said stop! If you take another step, I will shoot!" he yelled, his voice tinged with both authority and fear.
Elena’s eyes narrowed as she continued walking toward them, her steps deliberate and calm.
*I need to keep moving towards them, to buy more time for Kimberly to finally exit this ce* Elena thought to herself.
The guard fired a warning shot into the sky, the loud crack slicing through the chaotic night.
"I repeat, stop where you are, or I’ll—"
"Will you put that gun away before you make a fool of yourself?" Elena’s voice rang out, sharp and filled with authority.
The guards froze. The leader among them squinted through the darkness, and when recognition dawned, he immediately lowered his weapon and bowed his head.
"Mydy! Forgive us. We didn’t know it was you," he stammered, his earlier bravado reced with unease.
Elena came to a halt a few feet away, her piercing gaze sweeping over the men. Her tone was icy but measured.
"You dare point a weapon in my direction? Is this how you uphold your duties—by threatening to shoot everyone who crosses your path?"
The leader bowed deeper, his voice trembling slightly. "I deeply apologize, ma’am. We were only following orders from the Luna and the Alpha to secure this wing."
"Orders?" Elena raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with disdain.
"Is creating chaos part of those orders? Or do you just enjoy ying soldier with a loaded gun?"
"No, ma’am," the guard said quickly, his face pale. "We didn’t mean to cause any trouble. We’re just being extra cautious."
Elena studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes searching for any sign of deceit.
*Did they see anything? Did they notice Kimberly escaping?*
"Good," she said finally, her voice still cold.
"But next time, be sure you know who you’re aiming at before you act. The next warning shot you fire might cost you your position—or worse."
"Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am," the guard stammered, relief evident in his voice.
Without another word, Elena turned on her heel and walked away, her men falling in step behind her.
She waited until they were out of earshot before exhaling deeply, herposure slipping for a brief moment.
"That was close," she muttered, her voice barely audible. Turning to one of her men, she asked,
"Do you think they saw what happened? Could they know Kimberly escaped?"
The man shook his head thoughtfully. "It’s hard to say.
They seemed genuine in their apology, but it’s possible they’re pretending. Mona’s men are known for their cunning."
Elena bit her lip, her mind racing. *If they did see Kimberly escape, they’ll report it to Mona immediately. I can’t let that happen. Not now.*
"Keep a close watch on them," she ordered, her voice firm. "If you notice anything suspicious—any movements that seem off—report to me immediately. Understood?"
"Yes, ma’am," her men replied in unison.
As she walked into her chamberter that night, Elena allowed herself a moment of weakness.
She sank into a chair, her hands gripping the armrests tightly. The weight of the night’s events pressed heavily on her chest.
*Kimberly’s safety is all that matters now. I can’t afford any mistakes.*
---
Back in the present, Elena blinked, snapping out of the shback. She paced the room, her thoughts racing.
*Alpha Derrick is blinded by his own arrogance and Mona’s maniptions. But I’ve nted the seed of doubt.
He’ll start questioning her now, and that will give me the time I need to act.*
Her gaze drifted to the window, the morning sun casting a faint glow on the horizon.
"I have to keep them at odds with each other," she murmured, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions within her.
"If Derrick and Mona start doubting each other, they’ll be too distracted to focus on Kimberly."
Her mind reyed the moment she had confronted Derrick earlier. His anger had been palpable, but so had his confusion.
*He didn’t dismiss my usations outright. That’s a good sign. If I can push him further, he’ll start seeing Mona for who she really is.*
Elena’s fists clenched at her sides, her resolve hardening.
"Kimberly doesn’t deserve this," she whispered to herself.
"She’s already endured enough. I’ll protect her at all costs—even if it means tearing this pack apart."
She let out a deep breath, her eyes narrowing with determination.
"This is far from over," she said quietly. "Mona might think she’s untouchable, but she’ll slip. And when she does, I’ll be there to make sure she pays for what she’s done."
Her words lingered in the air, heavy with anger and promise.
The room fell silent once more, but the fire in Elena’s eyes burned brighter than ever.
Elena’s determination to protect Kimberly and outmaneuver Mona set the stage for the battle ahead...