LUCY
Where will I go?
I'm packing my clothes—the little that can fit into the traveling box before me on the bed—because I'm not sure of my father's mercy, whether he will send me off with a maid, a car, and a butler.
If he does, then I'm one lucky brat. Then maybe the Goddess doesn't entirely hate me.
But if he doesn't…
Well, it never hurts to have expectations, does it?
Yet, it is best not to have any at all—hence the box.
Four regions exist within the Dominion of Lykara, and I don't think the other three will accept me into their kingdoms.
Why will they? I'm no use to them.
I can't even help with laborious work like the omegas, because my strength is small, crippled by the absence of a wolf.
No, they will not accept me. And if any do, it will only be to make a joke of me—to mock me, to taunt my father—and my father, in turn, will hate me more than necessary.
Not that I even want to go to these kingdoms.
My pride can't take that.
"So, the land of the humans then," I mutter under my breath, carefully folding the last cloth into the box.
The remaining multitude of clothes in my closet can be given away… or—I don't know. I don't care. I'm trying not to care.
Tears sting my eyes as I zip the box shut, the sound loud in the suffocating silence of my room, the reality of my situation becoming more real with every passing second.
But I hold them back.
No more tears, my mind reminds me firmly. You promised, right?
I nod weakly, sniffing, my gaze lifting to the ceiling as I blink rapidly, forcing the traitorous tears back into their prison. My hands settle on my waist, fingers digging lightly into the denim.
I'm already dressed to leave—casual jeans ripped at the knee, paired with an ash-soft sweater lined with fur-like fluff that offers a small comfort.
Then a knock sounds on the door.
Immediately, I wipe away every trace of tears. I don't want to present myself as weak. As exactly what they think I am.
But my face still twists into a frown when that familiar scent reaches my nose.
Mina.
What is she doing here?
And why would my parents let her in when there is evidently bad blood between us?
"Seems you are packing already…"
Her voice is still the same. Soft. Gentle. Deceptively docile.
The very sound of it makes my stomach twist with disgust. I can see now how easy it had been for me to stay trapped inside that illusion of friendship.
I stiffen and turn fully toward her. She's still wearing the dress from the wedding. The fabric itself feels like mockery.
"What are you doing here, Mina?"
I remember seeing her following Doyle out. They had probably celebrated their victory. Maybe even thrown in a quickie to commemorate the moment.
And now she's here.
For what?
"I'm here to change your mind."
She shuts the door behind her with a soft click and steps forward.
Immediately, I take a step back.
"Don't come any closer. Say what you want to say and get out."
"Oh, Lucy, that's harsh."
Her lashes lower. Her head bows just a little. Her fingers intertwine in front of her in that innocent pose she has perfected over the years.
"We have been friends for a long time… surely you cannot believe that I would betray—"
I'm done hearing this bullshit.
"Do you get off spewing nonsense?" I throw my hands up. "Mina, you have gotten what you wanted. Doyle will be groomed as an Alpha, and he will have you as his Luna. Case closed. So why are you here?"
"But… but…"
"Oh, I see why you are."
I tilt my head, disgust and rage simmering within me.
"You hope to convince me so I can go along with the plans of you and Doyle. So that you can slave me around. You really want to command me as a servant…"
I catch the tiny twitch of satisfaction on her lips before she schools her expression into wide-eyed confusion.
"Yes, Mina," I continue coldly. "I overheard you two last night while your passion consumed each other. How you both forgot that I was coming that night, I don't know. But I did catch you two in the act."
The transformation is instant.
One second she looks apologetic.
The next—
The mask falls.
And what smiles at me is ugly.
"Oh?" Her voice turns silky. Poisonous. "Did you enjoy the moment? Did you peek? Did you see how he came undone in me? Gods, Lucy, you should have seen his face. He couldn't get enough."
I shrug carelessly. "Doyle is undone with everyone."
Her nostrils flare. "That's a lie. He has been faithful—"
"You are so delusional, Mina. Faithful? Define faithful."
I kiss my teeth. "No, don't worry. You probably can't, since you aren't either."
She laughs then, a dry, brittle sound.
"No matter. You're the one leaving. And even though I don't get to slave you around, the thought that you'll probably get that treatment wherever you're going…" Her smile sharpens. "Will make me sleep so peacefully."
I stare at her.
Really stare.
And once again, I wonder how things went so horribly wrong.
How does one become this twisted?
Was it hereditary? Or circumstantial?
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she snaps.
I shrug lightly. "Just relieved that I'm finally rid of small things."
She rushes me, before I know it.
The shove is brutal. Far stronger than I expect.
I crash into the wall, pain exploding through my skull and spine. Blood pours from my nose.
"W-what are you doing?" I stutter, fear blooming inside me as she approaches slowly.
"What?" she taunts, crouching. "Where is the loud mouth now?"
Her fingers rise to touch my hair.
I jerk away.
SLAP!
The sound echoes.
Pride clamps my mouth shut. I won't scream. I won't.
"Do you think you'll get away with slapping an Alpha's daughter?" I manage.
She laughs. Actually laughs.
"Girl, did you forget you've been banished? You're nothing. And your parents won't afford to offend me now, since their last days are practically in my hands—and Doyle's."
Her smile turns uglier. "Who knows? When we're rulers, we might throw them into the dungeons."
I grit my teeth. "You can't do that… there are rules guiding their safety—"
"Semantics." She waves dismissively. "Rules change. Thanks for making my rise easier, though."
She studies me carefully. "I've always wanted your position, Lucy. Always wanted people to look at me and see royalty. Now I'll become Luna of an entire kingdom."
Her eyes shine fanatically.
"And you know what, Lucy?" she whispers. "It drove me mad watching everyone adore you. Hearing them call you princess. Watching your father spoil you. Watching your mother love you. Watching Doyle look at you."
Her smile widens. "Now I have everything."
I almost pray for someone to interrupt.
Please. Anyone.
But she catches my gaze toward the door.
"Oh, don't worry about that," she says sweetly. "Your mother gave me privacy. She thinks I'm trying to save your relationship."
"My mother sent for you?"
"Of course." She giggles. "She thinks I'm the perfect lady. Much better than her daughter."
Then she reaches into her pocket, and draws out a syringe.
Cold terror floods my veins.
"W-what… is that?"
"They'll know you killed me…"
She nods absentmindedly. "Yes. But I'm not here to kill you."
Panic claws free.
I lunge. But she's faster.
She raises the syringe above me, laughing openly now as I struggle with her.
"Look at you!" she cackles. "Still pathetic even when fighting."
I claw at her arm, trying to slap the syringe away, trying to bite…
Anything.
She slaps me again. Hard.
But I don't stop.
I twist. Kick. Push.
Then her left hand covers my mouth, and the needle sinks into my neck.
My eyes widen. Why?
"I know you're pregnant," she whispers near my ear, amusement dripping from every word. "I saw you vomiting yesterday morning. You looked weaker than usual."
She chuckles softly. "But we can't have you using that little thing to trap Doyle later, can we?"
No. No!
"Mina…" I sob around her hand.
"Please…"
"Please…"
"I won't come back…"
"I'm leaving…"
"Please…"
Tears stream freely now. My hands clasp together desperately.
I don't care about dignity anymore. I don't care about pride.
Not if it will save my baby.
"Please…" I cry. "Please…"
But she only giggles, clapping her hands together. "Too late."
She stands up leisurely, then tilts her head.
"Although…" she says thoughtfully, admiring me. "You really do look beautiful when you beg."
Monster.
Too late indeed.
My vision starts to tilt. Darkness creeps inward.
No. Please. Not my baby.
I clutch my stomach with trembling hands.
"My baby…" I whisper brokenly, aware of Mina's chuckles as she saunters out of my room.
Panic swallows me whole.
Please. Please don't take my baby.
Please. I promise I'll leave.
I'll disappear. I'll never come back.
Tears flow without end.
Please… Don't go.
Don't leave Mommy alone.
And then darkness consumes me.