Alpha's Regret, Queen's Revenge

BETRAYAL FROM THE SHADOWS

LUCY

The news struck me like a bolt of lightning, and the room whirled. Hailey was still alive. Despite all that was done to keep her down, she's still standing. Even worse, she had revived that brat, Alexia. How? Following all the meticulous planning and instructions given, how did things fail so badly? The porcelain fragments scattered over the floor like the fragments of my meticulously crafted plans and the vase I was holding broke against the wall. I screamed furiously in frustration and anger. I was so furious that my chest was heaving and my breathing was laboured. "How?" My voice reverberated through the deserted room as I screamed. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. The prophecy, the whispers of power, the perfect plan with Thomas—it was all unravelling right before my eyes yet I can do nothing to salvage the entire ordeal. Hailey was meant to be gone, out of the picture, leaving the route clean for me to ascend. Instead, she was still here, gleaming with possessing some demonic might that just increased the pack's admiration for her. "No!" With a roar, I struck the closest table with my fist. The power caused the wood to fracture, but the agony in my hand was a pleasant diversion. I had portrayed the ideal wolf, the submissive pack member, for years. When I wanted to yell, I smiled, and when I wanted to fight, I bowed my head. For what purpose? To be overpowered by her, the red-haired rescuer who had taken all I was meant to? Amid the debris, I fell to my knees, my eyes burning with rage. "Hailey, you won't win," I muttered, my voice shaking with anger. Afterwards that day The pack's chefs were busy preparing the food in the busy kitchen. The air was filled with the aromas of freshly baked bread, roasted meat, and herbs, but they only made my stomach feel worse. I walked into the kitchen with my hands folded nicely in front of me and a carefully manicured smile. One of the chefs said, "Lucy!" in a happy tone. "Why have you come here?" No one will be antagonistic towards me, of course. Hailey was powerless to stop the Alpha's lover and mother to his eldest offspring from acting as Luna after I carried them. "I wanted to help," I answered with a charming smile. "After everything that has transpired, I felt I could contribute to easing the burden." Clara, an older woman who was the head cook, arched an eyebrow. "We have it covered, but that's kind of you." "Oh, I insist, "I moved closer and answered. "Let me assist, please. After everything Hailey has done for the pack, this is the least I can do. The mention of Hailey made Clara's face soften. Everyone, of course, loved her. She handed me a pan of freshly cooked bread and said, "All right." "Begin with these." I walked carefully to the kitchen's corner as the chefs went back to their work. A tiny vial with a dark, unassuming liquid was concealed in the folds of my clothing. Obtaining it from an unquestioned renegade alchemist has taken weeks. I carefully uncorked the vial and added its contents to the sauce that was meant for Hailey's dinner. The poison was guaranteed to function slowly and leave no trace, and it had no taste or scent.

HAILEY

The dining hall was bustling with laughter and the clinking of cutlery, and Ryan sat next to me, his hand resting lightly on my knee as he talked to Logan. It had taken a lot to persuade him that I was strong enough to socialise, but unfortunately, he consented to me eating with the pack members who had suddenly begun treating me like the moon goddess herself. Despite the warmth of the room, a chill clung to me, a sense of unease that I couldn't get rid of. 'Are you okay?' unable to ignore how appetising everything appeared. Despite the residual tension, my stomach growled. Amenià's voice echoed vividly in my head as I lifted my fork and brought a bite to my lips. "Avoid eating that!" The fork was just inches from my mouth when I froze. "What is it?" Silently, I asked her. With an agitated tone, she stated, "There's something wrong." "The food is poisoned." I lowered the fork as though nothing were amiss, forcing myself to stay composed even while my blood ran cold. I leaned closer and said, "Ryan." "Don't eat the food." He scowled. "What are you saying?" I muttered, "I believe someone tampered with the food." I got up and spoke to the room before he could reply. "Stop eating!" Everyone looked at me, bewilderment coursing across the throng. "What's happening?" Logan stood forward and asked. "I think there's poison in the food," I answered, maintaining my composure despite my internal turmoil. Panic was starting to set in as a whisper swept along the hallway.

LUCY

Hailey stood, demanding attention like the queen she saw herself to be, and I tightened my fists from where I stood at the far end of the room. "No," I muttered. “You insufferable—” “You were supposed to eat it. In some way, she had sensed it. It wasn't natural the way she prevented everyone from eating. With my thoughts racing, I sneaked out of the dining hall undetected. I was unaware of Hailey's greater strength, but it made no difference. Should the poison fail, I would find another route no matter what it takes. Hailey abruptly doubled over, holding her stomach while the diners in the dining hall continued to clatter. "Hailey!" As she fell, Ryan grabbed her and yelled. Her terrified gaze locked with his. She muttered, "It's... not over," and then she passed out in his arms. Two black eyes gazed contentedly from the shadows outside the hall. The witch whispered, a sinister smile twisting her lips, "She's stronger than I expected." "But queens can fall too."