Chapter 21

Clara POV

"Your guest?" I asked, my fist already clenched in stark contrast to Laura's calm expression. I hated the bitch with every drop of my blood. "Yes, my guest," Frank replied, his voice firm but laced with agitation, as he walked down the stairs with a hint of uncertainty, his brow furrowed and his hand grasping the rail for support.

"I couldn't absorb the uncomfortability and tension his answers were causing me. Do you have a problem with their visit?" Frank glared at me, his eyes locked intensely on mine. "Answer me," he demanded. "Yes, I do," I sneered, my words pouring out like venom, fueled by the anger boiling inside me.

"What's your problem with their visit?" Frank pressed, his eyes narrowing.

"They're not welcome here," I spat, my jaw clenched.

"Laura is my guest, and she'll be treated with respect," Frank said firmly, his voice rising.

"Respect?" I snorted, my voice laced with disdain. "You don't know what she's capable of. She's trying to take you away from me. Can't you see?" I gestured wildly, my hand grasping for Laura's arm, pulling her forcefully towards me.

I stumbled, my eyes heavy with exhaustion and unshed tears, but I held them back, sniffing in a shaky breath. Laura's eyes widened in alarm as I clutched her fist, my grip tightening as I pulled her down to the ground.

I stood with my hands on my hips, my stance wide and defiant, blinking repeatedly as I tried to process the situation. "Laura, please, Frank, tell the truth," I whispered, my voice laced with urgency and desperation. I attempted to glare at Laura, but my eyes kept faltering, my gaze darting away as I struggled to maintain my composure. The words came out in a hiss, and my frustration and anxiety barely contained themselves.

"Frank is so naive; he doesn't understand," I spat, my hand clutching my head in frustration. "You're a witch entity, manipulative and deceitful." Laura chuckled softly, her eyes weakly gazing at us and her voice hoarse as she spoke. "Being a witch is an achievement, Clara," she said, her fist pinned to the ground as she struggled to stand up.

"Achievement?" I scoffed, my voice laced with disbelief. "You call manipulating and deceiving others an achievement?"

Laura's gaze never wavered, her eyes gleaming with a knowing light. "Power is an achievement, my dear. And I've worked hard to hone my craft."

Frank's eyes darted between us, his expression torn. "I don't understand what's going on here," he said, his voice laced with confusion.

"I don't know; maybe that question should be directed to Laura," I replied, my gaze fixed on him and my eyes narrowing slightly.

"No, you should answer the question, Clara," Frank said, his voice laced with anger and his hand reaching up to tousle his hair as he took a step closer to me. His fingers grazed my face, and I flinched, taking a step back. "You called her a witch. Do you expect her to fit into your narrow, troublesome mind?" he accused, his eyes blazing with indignation.

I felt a surge of defensiveness at his words, but Laura's calm, amused expression only fueled my frustration. "You're one to talk about narrow minds, Frank," I shot back, my voice rising. "You're so blinded by your own mate's bond to her that you won't even consider the possibility that she's manipulating you."

I watched in disbelief as Frank walked up to Laura, his hands grasping hers in a tender, intimate way. A surge of anger and helplessness coursed through me, and I felt my heart race with a mix of emotions. "Frank, what are you doing?" I demanded, my voice low and urgent.

I strode up to him, my movements fueled by a sense of possessiveness and fear. I grabbed his hands, pulling them away from Laura's aggressively, my long nails accidentally scratching his skin in the process. Frank winced in pain, his eyes flashing with surprise and anger.

"Let go, Clara," Frank growled, his voice firm but laced with a hint of warning.

But I refused to release my grip, my nails digging deeper into his skin. "You're being foolish, Frank," I hissed, my eyes locked on Laura, who watched the scene unfold with a mixture of fear and fascination. "She's manipulating you, using her tricks and charms to control you.”

"Clara!" Frank's father thundered from upstairs, his voice echoing through the hallway.

Instantly, the guards rushed to our sides, forming a tight circle around us like a protective shield. "Ma'am Clara, step away from Alpha Frank immediately," the able-bodied guard commanded, his voice firm and authoritative. "Or we will be forced to intervene."

I glared at the guard, my grip on Frank's hands tightening reflexively. "I'm not letting him go," I snarled, my eyes flashing with defiance. "He's under her spell, and I won't stand for it."

The guard's expression turned stern. "Ma'am, we understand your concerns, but you must comply. Alpha Frank's safety is our top priority."

"I'm not a witch," Laura sneered, rolling her eyes. "She's just being pathetic."

Before I could respond to her ridiculing defense, Laura pushed me away with a force that sent me stumbling back. Valerie's piercing scream echoed through the hallway: "Laura, stop!"

But I stood my ground, my glare fixed on Laura with fierce intensity. My jaw clenched, my eyes blazing with a sense of revenge. "You think you can push me around, Laura?" I snarled, my voice low and menacing. "You think you can manipulate Frank and get away with it?"

My words dripped with venom, but my eyes widened in everlasting shock as Frank's arms wrapped tightly around Laura, his lips crashing onto hers in a deep, passionate kiss. I felt like I was plummeting into the ground, my shame and disappointment threatening to consume me whole.

Time seems to freeze as I watch the scene unfold, and another unbelievable event follows. Luna's mother suddenly intervenes, separating the two and delivering a resounding slap to Laura's face. Her eyes widen in anger as she faces Laura, warning her, “Stay away from Frank!” She then drags Frank away, leaving the three of us hopeless and lost in our thoughts.