Chapter 7: The Shadowed Pack Hunt

Lila's POV

I had spent too much time securing my place as Luna. Too much time making sure Mira became nothing more than a painful memory in Ryker's mind. But now? Now, he seemed to be looking for her again. It started with little things - Ryker zoning out during meetings, gripping his drink tighter than usual whenever someone mentioned rogues near the border.

He didn't say it, but I saw the signs. He still desired her. And that wasn't something I could tolerate. If he found her, if he discovered the truth, I would lose everything.

No. Mira had to be dealt with. She needed to disappear.

Forever.

The tavern was dim, the wooden beams above thick with years of grime. The smell of earth and sweat clung to the air, making my nose wrinkle. She was exactly where I thought she would be.

Leona.

The notorious, the most skilled rogue tracker - a woman spoken of in nothing but fear. She lounged fearlessly in the distant corner, boots propped carelessly on the table, a dagger spinning effortlessly between her fingers.

She barely glanced up as I stepped into her den, but her lips curled into an irritating smirk."Well, well," she drawled boastfully. "If it isn't related to royalty, then it must be our beloved Luna."

I paid no attention to her plain mockery and took the empty seat across her.

"I have a little task for you."

Leona raised an eyebrow, finally settling her dagger aside to study me "It must be crucial if you've come to meet me person."

************

I reached into my cloak, slowly pulled out a heavy pouch of gold, sliding it across the table. The weight alone made her pause, eyeing it with interest.

Leona picked it up, tossing it in her palm before smirking - dangerously. "I do enjoy a woman who knows what she wants.... and comes prepared."

I leaned in, my voice sharp, eager. "Mira. She's still alive."

Her smirk didn't fade. If anything, I grew wider. "Ah. The overlooked fated mate."

My jaw clenched at her words. "She needs to be eliminated from the living."

Leona tilted her head, eyes glinting. "Eliminated… or did you mean killed?"

I met her gaze, unblinking. "Both will do."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "You really do seem terrified of her."

"I fear nothing," I snapped. "But I won't sit back and let her destroy everything I've worked for."

Leona tapped her middle finger rhythmically against the wooden table. "And what exactly has the Luna of our great pack built?"

"My position beside Alpha Ryker was secured by me," I replied coldly. "The very future of this pack. And I won't sit back and allow a feeble, rejected, ordinary Omega take that from me."

Leona let out a low, mocking whistle. "You must really despise and loathe her."

Loathe? No, that word wasn't enough. Loathing was too simple. Mira was a dilemma. A nightmare. And dilemmas needed to be resolved - with immediately effect.

I leaned in again, nails digging into the wood. "I want her eliminated forever. No body. No trace. No rumors."

I let the words hang in the air between us before adding, "I want Ryker to forget her existence. That she ever lived."

Leona studied me, her silver eyes twinkling with that familiar, irritating amusement. "And what if she resists? What if she insists on living?"

"She won't dare," I said, full of confidence. "She's not strong enough to handle that"

"Yet," Leona added. "She's been training non-stop. With Cassian, of all rogues."

I froze. Cassian? How? He was the missing. No wonder she managed to survive. No wonder Ryker was growing more restless by the day. If Mira had his unwavering support - I tightened my fists. "Then that gives us even more reason to act quickly."

Leona laughed heartily, shaking her head. "You seem more anxious than necessary."

I exhaled sharply, trying to steady myself. "Do you want to execute the job or not?"

Leona grinned, wide and unbothered. "Take a chill pill, Luna. I'll take care of everything." She leaned back, arms crossed like the professional she was.

"But let me warn you - taking down Mira won't be as easy as you think. Cassian isn't the type of man to give up something he's claimed as his."

I forced a grin, matching her energy. "Then do whatever it takes to make him give it."

Leona chuckled softly at that. "I like you. You're fierce indeed."I stood, adjusting my already rumpled cloak.

"Just finish everything."

Leona watched me for a moment, then gave a firm nod. "Consider it done."

As I stepped out of the tavern, the night air bit at my skin. I managed to let the pressure in my chest ease - just slightly. Mira had dodged death once. But not this time. Not again. Not even her pauper, Cassian, could save her now.

Now, would Mira be able to outrun the merciless hunt set to flush her out? Could Cassian protect her long enough? Or would I, Lila, in my quest for vergence, finally get what I've long desired?