Rodriguez stood at the top of the stairs, listening to Michelle heartfelt speech. He had had enough of his pack members insulting Michelle and was about to go down to have a word when she had actually burst into the room and told everyone how she actually felt about everything.
She had told them once again how a rogue had killed her family and was about to kill her when Alfa showed up and saved her.
Michelle felt indebted to him and, therefore, did what he had asked. Then, before she headed towards the stairs, she said her last line, "He can kick me out today, or kill me, it wouldn't matter, because I'm willing to go to hell as long as he's happy." she said it with such authority that even he himself flinched.
There was so much emotion in her voice that Rodriguez felt his heart skip. Michelle was suffering, and he was the cause of her pain.
She was right that it took guts to admit you were wrong. But how can he trust her? What if this was also part of Alfa's grand plan to bring him down?
If Michelle can betray her mate for some other packs alpha, then what was stopping her from lying to make everyone think she had changed?
Rodriguez had the ability to hide his scent, thanks to the Moonstone pendant he was wearing, and so Michelle didn't see or sense him standing on top of the stairs, and he saw her head straight for Arya's room.
Was Arya helping her? He needed to have a word with Arya, and if she was playing him, she would have the same consequences as Michelle.
Michelle hadn't even entered Arya's room when Arya herself appeared at the door, and she, too, headed for her room.
Rodriguez followed slowly, not making a sound, till he was just outside the door. Michelle couldn't get his scent, so he was free to eavesdrop on their conversations.
"Arya, thank you for advising me. Pouring everything out did really lighten my heart," Michelle said, her voice relaxed.
"I just told you to honestly say how you feel. It was you who did the hard part. Besides, I know you love him. I bet he does too, but his ego won't accept it," came Arya's voice.
"I was meaning to ask you... why? Why are you helping me?"
"I can't explain it, but I have a... kind of a sixth sense about liars. I know when someone is lying and when a person truly regrets it. I know that you're really regretting inside, I just don't want my brother to throw away the most important person in his life just because you made a mistake."
"What if he gets mad that I'm staying here? What if he kicks you out, too?"
"That won't happen. I'm going to tell him I invited you to live with me!"
Michelle stared at Arya with wide eyes. "But..."
"I won't make the mistake of not informing the Alpha of this pack that I'm doing something that he might not approve. He needs to hear it from me, rather than someone else!"
Michelle nodded, and Arya showed her the bathroom and her closet before excusing herself. "You freshen up, and I'll go talk to Rodriguez," she said before walking to the door.
Rodriguez, who was listening through the door, quietly moved back into the shadows and watched Arya open the door, walk out, and head straight toward his office.
Before the door closed, Rodriguez caught a glimpse of Michelle still sitting on the bed, wiping her eyes.
"Rodriguez? Are you in here?" Arya called out, knocking on the office door.
"No!" Rodriguez said from behind her, making her jump.
"Jesus! Rodriguez, you have to cut that crap!" Arya said, one hand on her chest.
"What's up, sis?"
Arya stood there stunned. Rodriguez had never called her sis! Did this mean that he's finally getting used to the fact that they're siblings?
"Hello?" Rodriguez waved his hand in front of her eyes, breaking the stare.
"Yeah... um... I needed to talk to you about something."
"Okay... let's go in," Rodriguez said, gesturing to the door.
They both walked in, and Rodriguez sat on his chair. He looked really different from yesterday, like he was trying not to care, but his eyes told a different story. "So, what is it?"
"I told Michelle that she could live in my room until things calm down... I hope you don't mind," Arya said, her eyes looking everywhere but his.
"And?"
"There's no and," Arya said, looking at her brother, confused.
Rodriguez stared at Arya. "So you're telling me that you invited that woman into your room without any ulterior motive?"
"Well, yes!" Arya answered. "And why do you think I would help her because I would want something in return?"
"Because like you, I also have a sixth sense. Of recognizing people who want something from someone."
Arya's jaws nearly dropped to the floor. "You were eavesdropping on our conversation?"
"You don't ask questions! You answer them!"
There was a long silence. Rodriguez could hear Arya's heart skip a beat, and then her breathing increased.
After a few minutes, she steadied her breathing and looked at Rodriguez directly in his eyes and said, "I believe that she can lead Alfa and Caspian here."
"And why do you think that?" Rodriguez asked, leaning forward.
"One thing I am certain of is Michelle will never let any harm come to Alfa. But, if for some reason, she believes that I want him back, but can't go to him, and he has to rescue me from here, then she will call him here herself."
"But she'll try to prove her loyalty to me, remember? So why would she call him here?"
"I'm still working on that. I just need to gain her trust, then we can move forward with Kane and Alfa, along with their friends, the vampires," Arya said, her voice full of venom.
"What you want will only happen if they declare a war on us, which I doubt they will. Besides, their mole is now in the open, trying to prove her loyalty to us," Rodriguez said, leaning back on his chair.
"You forget I'm a witch by blood. I just need to make my second sacrifice, and I will be able to manipulate Alfa through Michelle," Arya said, smiling.
"Now, even I am afraid of you!"
"Don't worry, my magic won't work on you!"