Mating the Female Alpha
Chapter 74 – Cora captures Bernice.

Bernice's POV

I wasn't sure if it was the emotions of my omega side or the fury of my wolf, but I couldn't stay in that room any longer. I wanted to go see Landry and ask him how the hell he didn't tell me any of this information. I couldn't believe he allowed this woman to stay in the kingdom with what she did. I wanted to find her and rip her head off with my claws.

I struggled to keep Julia at bay; she had never felt fury like this before and I almost lost control of her.

Jessie could see the many emotions crossing my face and she looked worried. But I also knew she couldn't blame me. I had no idea how she managed to stay in control for this long after finding out what Cora had done.

She had crossed a line of trust for both Jessie and Landry. She shouldn't be allowed anywhere near them.

How had she gone this long without being punished?

"He didn't want me to tell you," Jessie said, eyeing me carefully. "He doesn't want anyone to know."

"I don't understand... why not?" I asked, my voice sounding oddly distant. Like it wasn't coming from me.

"I think he might be embarrassed. I mean, he's the powerful wolf king who was taken advantage of by a she-wolf..."

"He was young and this was before he was the king," I reminded her. "He would never let that happen now. Cora can't keep getting away with this. She needs to be punished. He needs to know that we are on his side." She grabbed my arm to calm me; I was standing now, and I felt my body shaking with fury. But her touch seemed to calm me slightly. She had a calming aura about her; that was part of what I liked about Jessie. "Please, Bernice..." she begged. "He can't know that you know."

I wanted to protest again, but I knew how serious she was. Tears were welling up in her eyes as she spoke, and her bottom lip was quivering slightly. I sighed and nodded, pulling my arms away from her.

Even if I wasn't going to confront her, I still couldn't stay there any longer. I needed to get out.

"Where are you going?" Jessie called after me.

"I just need some air..."

"Don't stray too far; Cora could still be out there!"

She was right; it wasn't long ago that Cora was outside. I needed to be careful; there was no telling what I would do to her if I saw her.

...

Cora's POV

"Do you think it worked?" Cora's friend asked on the other end of the phone. Cora still lurked in the wooded area outside of the palace, away from the view of the guards.

She couldn't bring herself to leave just yet. She was hoping her words to Bernice would make Bernice pack her shit up and leave.

Cora recognized Jessie's car outside of the palace door and she had a bad feeling that her plan was failing to work.

"Hold on," Cora muttered as she tapped into the bug that's been planted in the living room.

It was the only bug left; the only one they haven't found. It wouldn't be long before they uncovered Cora's fingerprints and found out for sure that it was her that planted them. She was careless when she planted them. She didn't wear gloves; her boss would be so angry if he found that out.

He couldn't find out.

"He woke up in bed with Cora and they were both naked. She took advantage of him. She tried to get pregnant to make my brother marry her..."

Cora's heart fell into her stomach.

Landry had sworn to keep that secret to the grave; she knew that he had told Jessie, but now that stupid omega knew the truth. Her plan was unfolding quicker than she could grasp it. She needed a new plan; she needed to make sure that the omega stayed away for good.

She glanced up at the moon; smiling she knew that it was only a day away from being full. That was when her powers were at full strength. She needed to buy herself some time.

"Cora? What's going on?" Her friend asked.

"I need to call you back," Cora responded before hanging up the phone.

Somebody was coming; she ducked further into the woods. She got a glimpse of silky hair, and a familiar figure was coming toward her. But she didn't see Cora.

It was Bernice. She had come back outside. Was she looking for Cora?

She had tears in her eyes and her face was red; it was obvious she was furious. She was probably trying to keep control of her wolf. Her eyes were darkening, and she clenched her fists to her side. She was breathing heavily, biting onto her red bottom lip, chewing on it as her life depended on it.

She had her back turned from Cora, completely oblivious that Cora was there. Beside Cora laid a giant rock. A rock is big enough to fit in the palm of her hand but large enough to do some serious damage if needed.

She clutched the rock firmly in her hand and stood to her feet from her crouching position. Cora was a quiet walker and wasn't worried about Bernice spotting her. She emerged from her hiding spot, walking slowly and quietly behind Bernice until she was nearly on top of her.

She lifted the rock high in the sky, allowing the rays of the moonlight to soak upon it and bless her with the light she needs to get the job done.

At that point, Bernice sensed someone behind her.

It must have been the omega in her and her high-rising emotions that kept her from feeling Cora's presence initially. But with how close Cora was, Bernice couldn't help but notice. As she turned, her eyes locked on Cora. Before she could react, Cora swung the rock, hitting the side of Bernice's head.

She went down instantly.

...

Landry's POV

"I need to find out who that reporter was who leaked the story," Landry ordered his beta. "Find out everything you can about her. Then, bring her to me."

"Yes, sir," the beta said, bowing his head before leaving his study.

Landry sent a quick statement to the press about how there will be no questions or harassing Bernice at this time. He didn't think they would listen to him, but he had to try.

He thought about Bernice who has been locked inside her room. The servants, oddly enough, didn't ask any questions. Then again, they probably already suspected something was off about Bernice.

If he ever saw Cora again, he would make sure to punish her severely for what she had done. Because she is an old childhood friend, he is allowing her a chance to escape. Though, it was difficult to do with how angry Amon is. Landry lifted his gaze from his computer as the smell of blood invaded his nose; it was far away, but it was potent. He crinkled his nose at the smell, unsure of where it was coming from.

"Something's wrong..." Amon growled from inside of him.

The blood was mixed with the sweet smell of strawberry milk.

Bernice.

Before he could react, the door of his study swung open, and Jessie was staring at him with worried eyes.

"What is it?"

"I made a mistake..." she breathed, tears flooding down her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Landry..."

"What happened?" He asked again, more firmly.

"I told her what Cora did to you... I told Bernice..."

"What?!" His voice boomed across the study. "What do you mean you told her?"

"I didn't want to... but she got it out of me... she was so angry. I told her not to tell you that she knew..."

"So, why are you telling me?"

"Because she went outside for air..." Jessie said, her voice quivering. "And she didn't return."