Chapter 5
1308 Words
Emery's (Ralie’s) POV
I twist and turn, groaning as darkness consumes me. I try to run, but it's always faster. It haunts me, hunts me—I’m powerless against it.
“No!” I gasp, witnessing my coven being burned alive. I've been trapped in this nightmare for what feels like hours, forced to watch the destruction of my people.
“Amelia!” The voice shakes me awake, pulling me from the endless torment. I gasp, whimpering, the nightmare’s grip still lingering.
“Amelia!” The voice calls again, and I look up to see Damian standing in my room.
“Ralie,” I murmur, my voice shaky. He frowns in confusion.
“Call me Ralie, and don’t tell anyone,” I say, pleading with my eyes. He nods, his hand gently rubbing my back, trying to soothe me.
“Are you okay? You screamed, and you're shivering,” he asks. I shake my head, suddenly conscious of what I’m wearing— a really tight and short shorts, with a crop top, braless. He’s shirtless, his eyes lingering on me, taking in every detail.
“Damian,” I warn, trying to regain control.
“Ralie,” he whispers softly, and I can’t help but smile.
“Goodnight, thank you for waking me. It was just a nightmare. I’ll see you in the morning,” I say, trying to dismiss him gently.
“Goodnight, Ralie,” he replies, his voice tender as he walks out of the room.
Damian is the only flaw in my plan for revenge, the hurricane I didn’t see coming. He could ruin everything. I can’t let him.
A simple spell.
Raven’s voice echoes in my mind to which I frown. It’s the obvious solution—a simple spell. So why am I so reluctant?
******
In a matter of minutes, we will walk into the palace of Sebastian and Celeste—the Alpha and Luna of the Redmoon Pack. As we approach, I find myself wondering if they will recognize me. But so far, no one has, so I decide to ditch the scarf and walk with my head held high.
“Welcome to our humble abode,” a voice calls out, and I freeze—it's Celeste. Her gaze lingers on me, and I can see the spell already taking root on her face.
“I am Luna Celeste Elord. You must be so tired. Please, come with us; we've arranged a special place for you,” she coos, smiling at me with practiced warmth. It’s clear this is all a political move for her, everything to get higher. I would so enjoy shattering her reality.
An hour later, we are refreshed and seated. Sebastian and Celeste are seated together. I stiffen when I see them kiss, the sight stirring a deep rage within me, wondering why I can’t bring hell down on them now. Nothing is stopping me.
They killed me. They killed Raven, Julia and all my sisters; they erased my Mother’s clan. They will suffer.
“I hope you have everything you need,” Sebastian says, his tone measured. Everyone nods politely.
“Are you okay? You have been odd since we got here, is anyone giving you trouble?” Damian leans in as he asks, and I look at him.
A simple spell.
“I’m good, how are you?” I reply, and he is shocked that I inquire about him.
“Good, eager to leave though, something seems sketchy here,” he confesses, and I nod in agreement. He has no idea.
“Amelia,” Celeste’s voice pulls my attention, and I look up, forcing a polite smile.
“Yes, Luna?”
“How are you liking the Redmoon Pack?” She inquires, with Sebastian’s gaze fixed on me.
“It’s…nice,” I reply, watching her smile falter just a bit.
She leans forward, her tone shifting to something more conspiratorial. “You know, Alpha Xavier, Beta Damian, Princess Amelia, Luna—we uprooted some weeds about a year ago.”
I try not to roll my eyes, she is trying too much.
“Weeds?” Damian asks, and I look at him. I had no idea he was a Beta.
“Yes,” she continues. “A year ago, we had some witches living with us here.”
My body tenses. It was a year ago?
“Witches?” Alpha Xavier echoes.
“Yes, a coven; they called themselves Coven. We uprooted them, and burnt them by the root.” She explains, and I stare at the fork in my hand.
“Group of women who wanted to overthrow the Pack. They wanted leadership,” Sebastian adds with a casual tone.
‘No, we didn’t,’ I think to myself, my grip tightening on the fork in my hand.
“Their leader was a wicked young girl. I personally ended her—she even wanted my man too. A f*****g witch and werewolf hybrid; an abomination. On our land, they were nothing but weeds,” Celeste smirks, clearly enjoying the story.
“What happened to them?” Damian asks with a frown.
“We killed them. I killed their leader, cut her right across the face. What was her damned name? Oh, right—Ralie. Scrawny little b***h,” Celeste spits, and I freeze. She actually said my name; she f*****g said my name and now Damian is suspicious.
“You killed a group of women?” Damian questions, not looking at me or acting like he knows.
“Yes, they were weeds,” Sebastian confirms, and Damian abruptly stands.
“Goodnight,” he mutters, leaving the room without looking back.
Celeste turns her attention back to me. “You understand, Amelia, right?”
I smile.
“Of course, we have to protect our men. Could you show me the restroom?” I ask, feigning innocence. She eagerly agrees, linking her arm with mine and guiding me out of the room. She rambles on, but I pay no attention. The moment we’re alone, I push her roughly against the wall.
“What—?” she gasps, her eyes wide with shock. I flick my finger, letting the mask fall. She pales as she sees me; the real me.
“Hi, Celeste. Miss me, sis?” I say, my voice dripping with venom as I caress her trembling chin.
“How—?” she stammers, her voice weak and full of fear.
“You will know no peace,” I declare, my tone darkening with each word. “Immediately I leave, you'll remember nothing, but deep down, you'll know there is something out to get you—a very powerful and relentless enemy, coming for you; for all of you. You will go unhinged, slowly, feeling every moment.”
“You'll doubt your mind, you'll feel insane. You will look for help and find none. You killed me, but I got a second chance. You killed my sisters—Raven, Julia, everyone—they didn't get a second chance, and for that you will pay dearly. An eye for an eye. A pound of flesh. I will run a knife through your face, will slit your tongue like you did mine.”
“No, no, please, Ralie, please,” She begs, her voice cracking, desperation in her eyes.
“No, Celeste. You don’t get to call me that,” I sneer, leaning in closer. “Welcome to insanity.” I flick my hand, and release her from my grip. She blinks, her terror momentarily masked as I pull away from her.
“Let me give you some privacy to use the restroom,” she says, and walks away.
“Ralie,” a voice cuts through the silence, and I whip around to see Damian leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed on me. He heard everything.
Fuck!
- Writer
