Kylie’s POV.
As I returned to my quarters, the day's events replayed in my mind. The potion I had drunk before the doctor’s examination had worked perfectly, creating the illusion of pregnancy. It was a risky move, but one I had prepared for meticulously.
It was one of the tricks we learned at Umbra Academy, a craft that was as ingenious as it was deceptive. Our instructor once shared how his wife had fooled him with a similar potion, planting the seed for this very idea.
Though the tale was amusing, the lesson imparted was invaluable. This potion, capable of mimicking pregnancy symptoms, was a secret art taught exclusively to the women of the academy. Today, at Logan’s house, I played this card to perfection.
The doctor’s expression had been unreadable as he conducted his tests. I had watched him carefully, feeling a strange sense of calm. “This would trick them,” I had thought, knowing my survival depended on it. The potion, a blend of rare herbs and my own alchemical skills, had flawlessly mimicked the hormonal changes of pregnancy.
When the main Beta returned with the doctor’s confirmation, his disbelief was palpable. “The doctor has confirmed it,” he had said, his voice strained. “You’re indeed pregnant.”
His eyes showed skepticism, boring directly into mine, as if to say, “The doctor might have passed you in his examination, but you have to pass mine too.”
Had I been the earlier Kylie, I would have been intimidated. But now, after all the betrayals, deaths, and rigorous training, I met his gaze with unwavering confidence. I stared right back into his soul, projecting an air of unassailable honesty.
For a moment, I saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, and in that instant, I knew. “Now, you have no choice but to believe me,” I thought, feeling a surge of triumph.
Relief had washed over me, but I had kept my expression neutral. “Thank you,” I had said quietly, letting a hint of relief show. “Does this mean I won’t be buried with Logan?”
The Beta had sighed, clearly unhappy with the situation. “No, you won’t be buried with him,” he had admitted. “Because you’re pregnant, you’ll stay in the pack. We’ll make sure no one disturbs you.”
“Good,” I had thought, my mind already racing with plans. “This gives me the time I need.”
Out loud, I had said, “Thank you. I appreciate your understanding.”
The Beta’s eyes held a flicker of doubt, but his demeanor suggested he simply wanted to test me. “Please don’t mind, but we will be watching you closely,” he said, his tone more cautionary than mistrustful, as if ensuring that I understood the gravity of my new position.
“Of course,” I had replied, keeping my voice steady. “I understand.”
Now, sitting in my room, I allowed myself a small, victorious smile. “I did it,” I thought, feeling a surge of triumph. “I outsmarted them.”
Reflecting on my next steps, I reminded myself, “This is just the beginning. You need to stay sharp, Kylie. Every move counts.”
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my deception but also a renewed sense of purpose. “Anne, I won’t let your death be in vain,” I vowed silently. “I’ll find a way to bring justice to those who wronged us.”
Thinking about Graham and Flora, anger bubbled beneath my calm exterior. “They think they’ve won,” I thought. “But they have no idea what’s coming.”
The path ahead was uncertain, but my resolve was unwavering. Yet, as the weight of the situation settled over me, I began to miss Anne deeply. She should have been here instead of me. “Oh, Anne! I wish you were here to take revenge on Logan yourself. I wish you were alive.”
I glanced out the window, thinking of the life-changing advice Anne had given me. “You taught me how to navigate these stages of life. You showed me how to channel my grief and anger into something useful.”
Sitting down, I felt a pang of longing for my friend. “Anne, you were more than a mentor; you were my guide. I miss you.”
The room was silent, filled with memories of Anne’s wisdom and strength. “You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” I thought, my heart heavy. “You gave me the tools to survive.”
I reaffirmed my commitment to the mission, feeling a renewed sense of determination. “Don’t worry, Anne,” I whispered to myself. “I will navigate this. I will carry on your legacy and make sure justice is served.”
Settling into Logan’s house with the full authority of a Luna, I felt a bittersweet sense of triumph. I owed all of this to Anne, and her memory was a constant presence in my mind.
I know I should be more careful, but tonight, under the cover of darkness, I disguise myself and slip out of the house. I need to know more about Anne, to understand her better. My destination is her parents’ house. “If I’m going to avenge her, I need to know everything,” I tell myself.
As I approached the modest home, I found a window slightly ajar. The soft glow of a lamp inside illuminated the room. It was her parents I saw in one of her family portraits in her room. They were conversing, with a hint of sadness in their voice. I positioned myself carefully, listening intently to the conversation within.
Anne’s parents spoke in hushed tones, their voices tinged with sorrow. “She was always such a fragile child,” her mother said, her voice trembling. “Do you remember how she used to get sick all the time?”
Her father sighed deeply. “Yes, but she never let it stop her. Even when the other kids teased her for being weak, she pushed herself harder. Always trying to prove she was just as strong.”
My heart ached for Anne. “She was strong,” I thought, admiration swelling within me. “Stronger than anyone knew.”
Her mother continued, “I’ll never forget the time she stayed up all night studying for that exam. She was so tired, but she wouldn’t rest until she knew she could pass. And she did, with top marks.”
“She was always giving more than she had,” her father added. “Remember when she was a teenager and she helped organize that charity event? She ran herself ragged, but she made it a success.”
Anne’s mother’s voice broke. “She wanted to make a difference. Even when she was suffering, she thought of others.”
Tears welled up in my eyes. “Anne, you were incredible,” I thought. “You fought so hard, and now it’s my turn to fight for you.”
Her father’s voice grew softer. “And then she met him. She thought she finally found happiness. But she couldn’t marry the person she loved.”
Silence fell, heavy. I could feel their pain for their daughter. “I promise you, Anne,” I vowed silently, “I will make sure your story doesn’t end in vain.”
I slipped away from the window, the weight of Anne’s tragic life pressing heavily on my heart. “I feel pity for her parents, who don’t even know the whole truth.”
As I made my way back to Logan’s house, I thought about the strength she had shown throughout her life. “She saved me,” I reminded myself. “She gave me this chance, and I won’t waste it.”
The streets were quiet as I moved through the night, my thoughts a whirlwind of grief and resolve. “Anne’s strength will be my strength,” I thought. “Her fight is my fight now.”
Reaching Logan’s house, which was now also mine, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. “Sweet home, who knows for how many days,” I whispered into the night.
I slipped back into the house, the weight of my vow settling over me. “Even though Logan’s dead,” I thought. “I still must give him the last piece of advice.”
As I closed the door behind me, I felt a strange sense of peace. “Tomorrow,” I thought. “I will meet him.”
The path ahead was uncertain, but my resolve was unwavering. I would navigate this, survive, and bring justice to those who wronged Anne and me.
The next morning.
I woke up feeling groggy and unrested. Despite the delicate mattress, sleep had eluded me. “It’s probably being in this house,” I thought. “Or maybe it’s the constant churn of revenge in my head.” I sighed, knowing today would be difficult. Logan’s funeral was looming, and I needed to play my part convincingly.
As I dressed, I couldn’t shake the unease. “You’re in the house of the man you’re supposed to kill,” I reminded myself. “No wonder you can’t sleep.”
When I arrived at the funeral hall, the sight of Logan in the casket hit me harder than I expected. “He looks so peaceful,” I thought, a pang of anger mixing with my resolve. Only one Beta was present, standing guard. As I moved toward Logan, he stepped forward to stop me but hesitated, remembering my new status as Luna.
“She has as much authority as Logan now,” I could almost hear his thoughts. I saw the conflict in his eyes but said nothing, simply thinking to myself, “You can’t stop me.”
Approaching the casket, I let myself get emotional. “Oh, Logan,” I said aloud, my voice trembling. “I remember all the times we spent together.” I saw the Beta roll his eyes, clearly thinking I was making it up.
I pressed on, my voice growing softer. “We had so many plans, so many dreams. If you were still here, how happy our family would be.” I glanced at the Beta, noting his growing impatience.
Kneeling beside the casket, I pretended to pray. “Alpha Logan,” I whispered, “you were my everything. Now that you’re gone, our child will never know you.” I saw the Beta scoff at my words, his disdain evident.
Standing up, I turned to the Beta. “I would like to talk to my Mate, alone,” I said, my tone firm but respectful. “Please.”
He hesitated, but something in my demeanor must have convinced him. With a curt nod, he stepped back. “Fine. I’ll leave you alone with him,” he said, reluctantly heading toward the door.
As he left and closed the door behind him, I allowed myself a small, triumphant smile. “Time to say our final goodbyes, Logan,” I thought, moving closer to the casket. My mind raced with plans and possibilities, knowing that every moment I spent here was a step closer to my goal.
Alone with Logan’s body, I let my emotions flow. “Logan, you’ve left a mess behind,” I thought, feeling the weight of my mission. “But I’ll clean it up. For Anne, for myself, and for everything you and your kind have taken from us.”
The Beta’s absence gave me a sense of freedom, a chance to collect my thoughts and strengthen my resolve. “You are sleeping so peacefully,” I thought, touching the edge of the casket.
I stood there, letting the silence fill the room, my mind clear and focused. “You may be gone, Logan,” I thought, “but my share of death is still left; maybe you should die once more!”
I glanced around the room one last time, ensuring it was just Logan and me. The Beta had left, and the room was silent. My heart pounded as I reached into my dress and pulled out the dagger.
Approaching the casket, I looked at Logan’s still form. “You deserve this,” I muttered, gripping the dagger tightly. With a swift motion, I moved the dagger toward his chest, my mind filled with thoughts of revenge.
Suddenly, Logan’s eyes flew open. My dagger hung in the air, my breath caught in my throat. “What?” I gasped, my mind reeling. “How is this possible?”
Logan’s gaze was sharp, his eyes locking onto mine. “How dare you lie to me, you’re not dead?” I exclaimed, my voice trembling with shock and anger.