Eliana clenched her palms into fists while taking deep breaths.
"Of course not, how dare I have an issue with our Alpha's mate, the future Luna? I'd be damned if I did," Eliana replied with a forced smile.
"But I don't think you like me, your actions clearly show that you have an issue with me, I don't know what to think about it, it feels you did not accept me as your Luna," Marissa stated, feigning a heartbroken expression.
"I remember when I first arrived, you showed up at the mansion, and you insulted me even when I haven't met you before, isn't it clear that you have issues with me and I wonder why because I have never met you," she completed, while wiping a lone tear which was about to drop.
The other members all turned their eyes to look at Eliana who was visibly shaking due to the intensity of their stares.
They all discussed among themselves. Marissa's words were totally different from what Eliana had told them.
Flashback>>
"I understand that you all are high-ranking officials, do you want to serve a weak Luna? Are you working to submit to someone who doesn't have the strength to lead you?" Eliana asked.
She had invited a few of the committee members while trying to plant disgust in their hearts against Marissa.
"But we have never met her, how can we be sure of what you told us?" One of them asked.
Eliana sighed while taking a sip of her coffee.
"I knew you'd ask this question, which was why I visited the Alpha's mansion when she arrived, and from my observation, she isn't worth being a Luna, we need a strong Luna who can lead our ladies," Eliana explained to them with a sharp glint flashing through her eyes.
The ladies talked with themselves while Eliana smiled. She only needed to fan the flames, and she was sure that the members would know what to do.
"But my observation isn't enough, the Alpha has stated that they wanted to hold the mating ceremony, so you will be visiting the mansion often, you can make your findings when you arrive there," Eliana smiled suggestively.
Flashback Ends>>
"Eliana, this isn't what you told us when you invited us to your home, you claimed that the Luna is weak, and would be unable to lead us," one of the ladies pointed out with a sour voice.
She finally realised that she had been used by Eliana.
Bethany raised her eyebrows, before letting out a mocking scoff.
"Someone was scared about Marissa, and she decided to use underhanded means, I am ashamed."
"You!" Eliana turned to Bethany, pointing at her with anger.
Bethany stared straight into her eyes as though she was provoking her.
"Lisa, you need to understand that I only laid my observation to you, it was up to you to see if I was right," Eliana clarified.
The lady called Lisa sneered while giving Eliana a mocking look.
"I'd never have thought that I would be reduced to a state where I would be used by a little girl, you know what, forget about it, I would speak with the Alpha, you are not fit to be a member of our committee," Lisa made an unanimous decision to kick Eliana out of the team.
The rest of the members echoed after her, completely insulted after she used them to deal with Marissa.
Eliana's cheeks burned in fury, her composure cracking after her plans were laid bare.
"You don't need to speak with me, my mate's words are final, if she doesn't want to work with Eliana, then there is nothing I can do," Bryce's words sounded as he walked into the meeting hall.
"Greetings Alpha," the ladies were surprised to see him as they all stood to their feet to greet him, except Marissa.
"Hi, did you have fun today?" Marissa didn't acknowledge their greetings, only walking to Marissa while giving her a peck on her cheeks.
"I did," Marissa followed with a giggle. Of course she had fun, she got to witness a drama today.
Bryce turned to look at the members of the planning committee, announcing, "from today, my mate's words resonate with mine, you don't need to ask me once you have gotten my mate's response."
Eliana, on the other hand, was brewing with intense jealousy as she wondered why Bryce treated Marissa really well.
"So my dear mate, do you want Eliana in your team or not?" Bryce directed the question to Marissa who stared deeply at Eliana.
"She is allowed to stay, but in one condition, she has to live by my rules," Marissa answered with a faint smile.
Eliana, on the other hand, was taken aback by Marisa's decision. She had thought that Marissa would take advantage of the situation and throw her out, but she didn't do that.
It made her wonder what Marissa was planning, and the dread of the unknown scared her.
This decision by Marissa improved the committee's impression of her, while reducing that of Eliana.
"Okay, that is settled, I'll leave you ladies now," Bryce didn't even wait for Eliana to agree or disagree, before accepting Marissa's decision.
Before Eliana could process what was going on, Bryce had already left the hall, leaving them to continue with the planning.
"Bryce is so cool, just a few words, and Eliana's plans fell through," Bethany whispered to Marissa with a giggle.
Marissa, on the other hand, chuckled but didn't give her a reply.
"Ladies, shall we continue, but this time, we would be served snacks, if that's fine by you?" Marissa asked, and they all agreed, well, except Eliana.
________
Meanwhile, miles away, Rose laid in wait, planning the perfect time for her attack.
"What news do you have for me?" Rose demanded Kyle who was in front of her while playing with a black cat which could give someone the chills.
"They are planning their mating ceremony," he replied, staring at the unfathomable Rose.
"Oh, they are already planning their ceremony, I never expected that they would do it so soon," Rose commented with a creepy giggle.
"Do you plan to attack then?" Kyle asked, wondering why he could not see through her.
"I don't know yet, I wanted to perfect a spell, but I haven't been able to do so," Rose replied, exhaustion written all over her face.
Kyle was taken aback by the look on her face. This was the first time he would be seeing a vivid look of exhaustion on his face.
"You look tired," Kyle commented, concern visible on his face.
"Do I?" Rose asked while touching her face. She was surprised that Kyle was able to point out the look of exhaustion on her face, and she had thought she had masked it properly.
Kyle nodded. And in return, Rose's fingers curled tightly around the cat drawing a painful meow from it.