Mated to A Rival Alpha-Chapter 41: One Step Forward, Two Steps Behind

[RANIA]

Camouflaging was Rania’s favorite thing to do, and while she would probably stand out like a sore thumb in servant clothing, she knew she had to work this out. She didn’t like the way Jihoon was growing fond of her.

This mission wasn’t a place for them to get cozy with each other, considering they were the worst of enemies in the supernatural world. That was a pleasure that she couldn’t afford.

And right now, if dressing up as a servant was enough for her to go and get this over and done with, then she would, considering they were new to this place, they had no clue where to get the clothes.

They were clueless, well that was until Rania decided it was right to hijack two undeads and rob them of their clothing. It was a stupid idea, but it was one that would work for them.

"Help me out you huge wanker," Rania said to Jihoon who had already dressed up. She was having trouble trying on her clothes at the back and instead of asking nicely, she was barking at Jihoon, like the man was obliged to help her.

"You realize I could just leave you here and get this shit done myself?" Jihoon asked as he rolled his eyes. He couldn’t believe the audacity this woman had. Then again, she was an alpha, one who was cruel even to her parents.

Frankly, Jihoon hadn’t expected Rania to have a fiber of humanity in her, unless it came to Dalrae, but he was reaching.

He wanted to see for himself.

"Well, that would really be nice for both of us now eh? I wouldn’t have to be stuck with you, pretending to be nice when all I want is to stick a knife on your neck and lead the undead to you.

"Frankly, that would actually make it easier for me to go back home without listening to your little puppy whines about your stupid mate, now, wouldn’t it? I’ll keep that under consideration when this mission is over.

"If you feel like you’ve stared at me enough, you can help me fix this shit, anytime you want. Just remember time is not on our side," Rania said and Jihon’s mouth was on the ground from listening to this woman.

She was truly unbelievable.

In the history of all the unthankful little shits he had come across, Kim Rania of Incayon sure topped his list. He glared at her, but she didn’t care, and he could tell that.

"Y’know what, fuck you," Jihoon said as he helped Rania with her clothes, intentionally tightening the grip without a care in the world.

This woman needed a cleanser. He had done more than he needed to for her, and while he didn’t expect that a woman like her knew gratitude, the least he could have done was act thankful.

"No you won’t. Anyway, let’s go. When we were coming here, I saw the guards. I bet this is the road to the palace. We can’t ask for directions because that would make them suspect us—"

"Oh great, your brains are working, I thought you left them at the fighting range with the rogues, who ripped you apart mercilessly. So much for being an alpha," Jihoon mocked and Rania let out an angry growl, but he wasn’t scared of her.

"Aww, did I hurt the great Kim Rania? Get on your fucking feet and move. We don’t have time for your pointless growls. We have a mission to complete and the stench of the undead makes me wanna puke—

"—Not that you’d understand that anyway," Jihoon said, his tone mocking Rania with every word that left his lips.

Rania glared at Jihoon before she walked out of their spot and began heading for the palace. Jihoon was following her closely. He knew this woman would get him in trouble, and he wasn’t ready to die just yet.

If she blew their covers, he would sacrifice her for his freedom.

Besides, the whole of the supernatural world had heard of Kim Rania, though no one beyond Obren had ever put a face to the name. This was a golden opportunity for Jihoon to rid himself of the enemy that had taken more for him than she should have.

He was fuming.

He wanted to rip through her and remind her that forgiveness was never an option.

He wanted to make her understand that life wasn’t about forgiveness sometimes, besides, he knew she wouldn’t forgive anyone if anything happened to Dalrae; and yet she had attacked his mate, an equivalence of his queen.

Goodness, Jihoon spited Rania so much.

He would avenge his Yanna, even if it was the last thing he did. He knew Rania had given him excuses earlier, thinking he would buy into it, but that shit never meant anything. They were both master manipulators and only the goddess would make them square things out. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Until then, Jihoon would hold his anger in.

"Hey you, miss ’I can do this on my own,’ you’re going in the wrong fucking direction, or do you have a map strapped on your eyeballs," Jihoon said and Rania stopped instantly, before rerouting.

Her anger was clouding her judgment and it seemed like it was about to make her a liability to the mission and to her Dalrae. Fuck, she wanted to punch things, so she punched the nearest wall, until she bled and Jihoon had to pull her from it.

He didn’t say anything, and didn’t even bother to try and help her clean up. if she wanted to get hurt, then she could damn well go on and kill herself, but after their mission.

"Fuck off," Rania said. She was so done with Jihoon, but who was she kidding? She wanted to kill him, and just the previous night, she had come up with the perfect plot to make the son of a woman disappear. she would do it, when they had helped the stupid ass prince out of there.

***

"How’s our prisoner doing?" a voice interrupted the banter of the two Obren alphas. They had already walked so close to the palace and had neared the closest opening to the dungeon.

The palace of the undead was a beautiful sight and Rania wished to revel in it, but they didn’t have time; so they had hidden close to the old gates, the nearest place to the prince’s dungeon, and were now listening.

"He’s not getting any better. I think he’s at that stage when werewolves need their mates. It’s such a pity, he’s just twenty-five and yet mateless in a different nation. I wonder what he had done, to be despised by King Nat so much," another guard responded and Rania wanted to scoff.

So the big bad King of Drarun called himself King Nat.

What kind of bitch ass fuckery was that even? It sounded like a name off a donkey’s mouth, sigh.

"The less we know, the better for all of us. All I know is that he was brought here twelve years ago, and has never left. He wasn’t charged with anything, so I assume it’s because the king has some war with the werewolves.

Whatever it is, it’s best to stay clear of them, because when two bulls fight, only the grass feels the pain. and I don’t want you or me to be that grass."

"Okay, sire."