Playing The Alphas

SAMANTHA

I was momentarily startled and turned to face the source of the voice. It was Finnian. He approached me with an unhurried stride, while John trailed behind him, his expression a mixture of caution and terror. The way John cowered behind Finnian was almost pathetic. The same man who had stood in the main hall, so confident and smug, now looked like a frightened puppy.

Amanda, upon seeing Finnian, paled with fear. Her confidence drained away, leaving her trembling and speechless. The glossy sheen of her perfect appearance suddenly seemed hollow, a mask that couldn’t hide the terror in her eyes. I couldn’t help but let out a mocking chuckle at Amanda’s sudden cowardice. I wondered how she would wriggle her way out of this mess. She had slandered a prince and had been caught in the act. Whether this was dismissed as a minor indiscretion or taken as a grave offense depended entirely on whether Finnian decided to hold her accountable.

John, drenched in cold sweat, quickly stepped in to defend Amanda, his voice trembling with anxiety. "So-Sorry, Your Highness. Amanda was just joking. Please, forgive her."

Finnian’s sneer was like a dagger of ice. "Who gave her the audacity to joke about the Lycan royal family?"

The question hung in the air, sharp and unforgiving. Finnian was a Lycan prince, and his usual detached demeanor was intimidating enough. But now, with his temper flaring, the oppressive aura he exuded was almost unbearable. The air around him seemed to thicken, heavy with authority and barely restrained fury. At that moment, I was struck by the realization of how fearsome he truly was, a member of the most powerful clan. Even a mere flicker of his annoyance could instill terror in those around him.

Amanda had never encountered such a scene before, and it showed. She was visibly shaking. Her hands trembled at her sides, and her lips quivered as she tried to form words that wouldn’t come. After a few attempts to form words, she glanced at me, and then, with a sudden burst of desperation, pointed a trembling finger in my direction.

"It’s her fault!" Amanda screamed, her voice cracking. The facade of composure she had worn so carefully completely shattered. "She’s the one who always spoke ill of the princes to me. That’s why I thought that way. It’s all her fault, Your Highness!"

John, sensing an opportunity to escape his predicament, quickly chimed in. "I agree with Amanda." He didn’t hesitate to shift the blame onto me, his tone laced with contempt. He just wanted favor from the princes and an opportunity to save Amanda’s ass. His eyes darted between Finnian and me, calculating, scheming.

"Back when Samantha was still at home, she always tormented Amanda. Amanda was too scared to stand up to her, so she’d complain to me in secret. I’m sure Samantha is to blame for this as well."

Their blatant lies were almost comical. How could they be so brazen as to deceive the prince? Did they truly believe Finnian was so easily fooled? Meanwhile, a wave of dull, aching pain spread through my chest. Before I discovered John and Amanda’s betrayal, I had truly believed we loved each other. I had always treated Amanda like my own sister, caring for her as if we shared the same blood.

And yet, this was how they repaid me—by sending me to the palace to suffer, and now, by conspiring to place all the blame on me. The memories flooded back: Amanda’s sweet smiles as she plotted behind my back, John’s whispered promises that meant nothing. I had trusted them, loved them, and they had thrown me away like garbage. In that moment, I loathed myself for ever being so blind. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have not seen the venom hiding behind their kindness?

I closed my eyes briefly, and then opened them again, resolute. The pain was still there, but I pushed it down. I wouldn’t let them see me break. Not now. Not ever.

Before I could defend myself, Finnian’s cold voice cut through the tension. "Really? Funny, I didn’t hear Samantha say anything against us. But you, on the other hand..." He fixed Amanda with a chilling stare and continued mercilessly, "You’ve shown disgraceful lack of respect for the royal family. Stand here and slap yourself for an hour as punishment. And make sure you do it with all your strength. I’ll have a guard watch you to ensure you comply."

Amanda went as pale as a ghost. Her mouth fell open, but no sound came out. The color drained from her face, leaving her looking like a corpse in expensive clothes. The entrance to the main hall was a busy place. Servants, guards, and nobles passed by constantly, their curious eyes always searching for entertainment. The thought of passersby watching her degrade herself like this would be enough to shatter Amanda’s pride and dignity—things she valued above all else.

A feeling of satisfaction washed over me as I stole a glance at Finnian. Despite everything, seeing Amanda’s humiliation was deeply satisfying. She had spent so long looking down on me, mocking me, destroying my life. And now, she was the one being punished. The tables had turned, and it was delicious.

Yet, at the same time, his earlier whispered words in the hall echoed in my mind, and a sense of foreboding crept in. "You owe me one. Don’t forget to pay it back." What did he want from me? What price would I have to pay for his help? The thought made my stomach churn.

"Your Highness..." John stammered, his desperation mounting as he tried to plead with Finnian. His voice cracked, his composure crumbling. "Please, she didn’t mean—"

But Finnian cut him off before he could finish.

With a dismissive glance, Finnian declared, "John, as a Alpha of your pack, and a prospective assistant Gamma to this pack , you failed to control your mate. You’ll face punishment as well. I’ll report everything to my father."

"Your Highness!" John’s voice rose in panic as he begged for mercy. The arrogance had completely vanished from his face, replaced by naked terror. He knew what this meant. A report to the king could destroy his standing, his reputation, everything he had worked for. "It’s all a misunderstanding..."

But Finnian’s patience had worn thin. He shot John a final icy look before striding away.