Chapter 13: The Alpha's Reckoning

Summoning what little courage I had left, I flung the door wide, dagger raised. Ava spun around, her eyes narrowing in surprise then widening as if it were amusing.

"Well, well," she purred. "Look who finally decided to play the hero."

My gaze darted to Emilia who was tied to a chair with blood seeping from a wound on her forehead. Rage ignited within me.

"Let her go Ava" I demanded, my voice steadier than I felt inside.

Ava stepped closer and laughed, "Or what? You'll stab me? We both know you won't do that, Hailey."

I gritted my teeth. "Try me."

Ava's smile slipped for a second, but it was enough for me. I charged in, hitting her shoulder, but she was quick—quicker than I recalled. She avoided my attack and crashed her elbow into my rib cage. Pain flared through my side, but I kept going. I turned the swing of my body into a cut against her arm. Steel met flesh, and Ava screamed and staggered back.

Emilia groaned as her head lolled forward. I had to get her out of here.

Ava held her wounded arm, pain blurring her eyes with hatred. "You'll pay for that," she said.

I waited for no further action from her. I ran to Emilia and began to untie her hands from the ropes.

"Hold on, Emilia. I've got you."

She blinked up at me and her eyes swollen with pain and relief. "You shouldn't have come," she rasped.

I ignored her and kept my hands busy, working frantically. Feet pounded in the hallway outside. Reinforcements. My blood ran cold.

Ava grinned wickedly "Looks like we're about to have company"

I swallowed hard. I wasn't leaving without Emilia, but time was running out for us.

So far, I have no clue as to whether we will survive the massacre.

Ava's POV

I walked up and down the room crossing my fingers so tightly that my nails were digging into my palms. The room had the heavy atmosphere of burnt candles and the low light flickered against the stony walls. It was all failing. Everything I had fought to achieve, everything I had sacrificed was slipping away from me like sand losing its grip between my fingers.

Vickson was slipping away again. And this time, I had no leverage to hold him back.

Emilia's return had shattered all my bases of control. That damn girl! I'd spent years protecting my secrets, keeping her hidden from the world, and she comes back to ruin it all? I'd underestimated her; it was a mistake I wouldn't make twice.

A knock at the door broke my volatile thoughts. Thumping blood in my ears, I charged toward the door and yanked it open almost angrily. One of my operatives stood there, his head low and his body rigid.

"Speak," I snapped, my voice sharp like a blade.

"My Lady, Hailey has started to regain some of her memories," he said cautiously, as if waiting for the blast of my anger at that moment.

My blood turned to ice. "What do you mean by some?"

"She remembers Vickson, the relationship but not the kids. Not yet."

A slow, sinister smile curled my lips. The Moon Goddess had played her little tricks, but destiny still was giving me a chance. If Hailey didn't remember her kids, then I could still manipulate her. Bend her. Break her.

"Where is she now?" I asked, already my head racing with different plans.

"With Vickson. He's trying to help her recall something. But she's confused and fragile. It won't be long before she starts doubting everything."

Perfect.

I turned back into my room, my head spinning. I needed a new tactic. If I couldn't use Emilia to control Vickson then I'd have to do it through Hailey. And if Hailey didn't remember the kids yet… maybe she was never meant to.

A new thought conceived, one dark and delicious in its possibilities. If I played my cards right, Hailey would eventually break away from Vickson herself. She would hate him, push him away, and when she did… he would be all alone but with me.

I sent my spy away just by moving my hand and went to the mirror looking at my reflection. There were times when I was defeated in battles, but there was never a time a war defeated me.

And I didn't plan to start now.

The storm outside mirrored the one inside my head. Lightning flashed across the sky lighting up the shadowed areas of my room. I walked back and forth, my hands clutching the glass of wine too tightly. It was all fading away from me. Vickson was distancing himself and Hailey was proving to be a greater menace than ever. I had underestimated her once. I wouldn't make that mistake again.

The council was starting to doubt my position next to Vickson. The doubts were already flowing into my ears—whispers and murmurs about my role as Luna. The elders were watching; they were waiting for a sign of weakness from me. If I didn't act soon, then everything I had fought for would be taken from me.

A sharp knock at my door made me whirl around. "Enter" I called, my voice sharper than I intended.

The door creaked and a shadow walked in front of the light of the candle. One of my spies did this. His face was pale, his lips forming a thin line.

"Speak" I said, putting down my glass and uncrossing my arms.

"There is a change in plans," he said, pausing. "Hailey is stronger than we anticipated. The elders are discussing her return... as Alpha"

It was like cold water poured down my back when I heard these words. "That's nonsense. She can't do it. She's weak. She's nobody!"

"She's nothing," the spy agreed. "But her bloodline is. She's the rightful heir, and now that the council knows the truth about Luna's lies, they're rethinking everything." Rage burned in my veins.

"And Vickson? What does he say?"

The spy hesitated and that hesitation told me everything.

Vickson was starting to waver.