Luna's Redemption

Chapter Four

Tessa's POV

The news was so unexpected that I froze. Lucien mistook it for shock and was at my side immediately, offering comfort. I could barely hear him, lost in my thoughts as I was.

Is it a coincidence that they died so soon after I was reborn? I thought.

Lucien's hands rested on my shoulders, and I looked up into his gentle eyes.

"What do you want, Selena?" he asked. "What can I do to help you?"

I stared at him, my mind scrambling for what to say. Then an idea hit me.

"I'd like to return to my room, please," I said. "Can I be left alone for the rest of today?"

"Of course," he replied. "Whatever you need."

He escorted me back to Selena's chambers by himself, and made me promise to ask for help as soon as I needed it. Once he was gone, I went inside and sat for a moment, listening carefully for any approaching footsteps.

As soon as I was satisfied that there were none coming, I headed to the closet to change into clothes more fitting for sneaking about from pack to pack.

Now that the whole palace was distracted by the news of the death of the Luna's parents, it was my opportunity to sneak out and meet one of my two greatest allies.

Time to get my comeback plan started.

As I expected, nobody was paying enough attention to spot me as I snuck out of the palace, bundled up in a cloak that made it impossible to recognize me.

I made my way successfully into the town, but by the time I got there, my legs were aching like death.

What the hell is your problem, Selena Winters? I thought, groaning in frustration. It didn't occur to you to train? How did you survive for so long with a body this pathetic and weak?

In my actual body, I would have been at my destination already, and it would not hurt in any way. But now, I had to stop in a fried chicken shop. I sank into a chair, wiping my forehead with my sleeve as I tried to distract myself with memories of the past.

Alpha Jones.

He had been the first of my two greatest allies. I met him long before I met the Silver Witch, Marilyn Harper, who later became the second one. He was the one that gave me an army before I marched out to conquer the packs one after another. As soon as I found him, I was going to be one step closer to achieving my goals.

While I waited for some strength to return to my legs, I watched the people in the shop. They all looked so happy.

It made me think of the day I tried to conquer this pack. There had been people laughing and having fun too, moments before my men began to attack them.

That wasn't what we had agreed on. I could have stopped and reprimanded them… but I hadn't really cared enough to do that. Watching these people now brought a pang of guilt to my chest, but I shook my head against it.

It was a war, Tessa Gray, I reminded myself. f****d up things happen during a war.

After I had sat there long enough to feel a bit better, I stood up and continued on my way. Luckily, Alpha Jones' territory was right next to Lucien's. It took a long time thanks to Selena's weak body, but I finally got there.

I didn't see any need to sneak around here. Alpha Jones was my ally. I was sure I could convince him of my identity. I just needed to speak with the guards at the gates of his palace and convince them to let me see him. I drew closer, and was just about to step out of hiding when I heard what they were saying.

"Did you hear about Alpha Gray's new bride?" one of them was saying.

"Who didn't?" the other replied. "You would have thought that an Alpha like that could do better than some scrawny Omega."

"Well, you have to admit she's a pretty thing," the first one said.

"Who cares?" the other one grumbled. "All that matters is that Alpha Jones has ordered us to capture her on sight."

What? I thought.

Capture on sight? Why?

I stood still for a moment, weighing my options. I could reveal myself and let them capture me, but that would only be worth it if they took me straight to Alpha Jones.

And I had no way of knowing if they would. The last thing I wanted was to get killed again, so soon after the first time.

But if I left now, I might not get another chance to sneak out of Lucien's palace and make it all the way out here without being followed.

Alright, I thought. I'm going to leave this place and figure out how to sneak in instead.

But as I moved backwards, I accidentally stepped on a dry leaf. It cracked, loud enough to attract their attention. I turned immediately and began to run as fast as I could. I could hear their footsteps thundering behind me, and my heart picked up speed as I tried to get my legs to move faster.

It was no use.

One of them grabbed me from behind, holding me tightly even as I struggled in vain to get free. He whipped me around and yanked the hood off my head.

Then his face broke into a smile that made my skin crawl.

"Look what we have here," he said. "It's the little Luna."

"Let go of me!" I snarled.

If I had been in my own body, this man would have dropped me immediately.

Back then, I could be very scary without even trying. But right now… I guess Selena's angelic face can't make threatening expressions. The man just laughed, tightening his hold on me.

"I'm gonna have to say no, little Luna," he said. "Alpha Jones has plans for you."