Betrayed By The Alpha, Desired By The Hybrid

chapter 16

Andrea's POV

Everybody’s moving on like nothing ever happened. Like Emma didn’t even exist. They ruined her life and then just... kept going, like she was some ghost nobody cared about.

But not me. I remember everything about her. Her favorite things, the way she smelled like fresh roses, the way she smiled. God, that smile—cutest thing ever. I remember her laugh, her favorite food, all of it. Every little thing reminds me of her.

When she wasn’t working herself to death for Damon or whoever, we’d just hang out and talk for hours. We’d act like kids, playing around and gossiping about literally everyone. She made life fun, like she was the sister I never had.

Now, every morning I wake up, and she’s not there. And knowing it’s my fault? I can’t deal with it.

“Now our Alpha doesn’t even have a Luna, thanks to that lowlife Omega, Emma,” a voice cut into my thoughts.

I looked up and saw some guy and his girlfriend in the garden. I didn’t even hear them come in—I’d been lying there for ages, lost in memories. This garden was Emma’s favorite spot. Mine too, now, because it’s the one place that still feels like her.

“She deserves to rot in hell for what she did,” he spat, and my blood started to boil.

His girlfriend joined in, trashing Emma like she knew her. Like they had any right.

Who the hell did they think they were? Talking like that about her? They didn’t even know her. My fists clenched, and before I knew it, I was walking toward them.

The guy glanced at me like I was nothing and kept spewing his garbage.

I snapped.

One second, he was mouthing off, and the next, I was on him. He tried to fight back, but I was stronger. A lot stronger. Maybe it’s because I used to be an Alpha’s daughter—I don’t know, and I didn’t care.

“Let me out,” my wolf, Esta, growled in my head. She was furious.

“No,” I told her. “I’ve got this.”

The guy’s girlfriend screamed as I broke his hand, and she bolted like her life depended on it.

Gripping his collar, I dragged him off the ground and threw him like a rag doll. “Who the hell do you think you are?” I roared. “What gives you the right to talk about Emma like that? You think you’re better than her?”

He laughed—actually laughed—spitting blood and cradling his broken hand like it was priceless.

“I know you,” he sneered. “You’re her friend, aren’t you? What a hypocrite.”

My chest tightened.

“You were there when they tortured her,” he hissed. “For weeks. What did you do? Huh? Nothing.”

His words hit me like a slap. My knees buckled, and I collapsed.

“You even called her a murderer, didn’t you?” he added, his voice cold and sharp.

I couldn’t breathe.

He smirked, satisfied he’d broken me, and turned to leave, his broken hand held close like some sick trophy.

I sat there, drowning in the weight of it all. He was right—I’m a hypocrite. What right do I have to judge anyone? I’m the worst of the worst. Forgiveness? I don’t deserve that. Not even close.

“Of course you do,” a woman’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I looked up, startled. She stood there in a long, flowing black dress, her hair as dark as her eyes. Everything about her screamed danger. There was this eerie energy radiating off her that made my skin crawl.

“Everyone deserves to be forgiven,” she said, smiling. But her smile wasn’t comforting—it sent a chill straight down my spine.

How the hell did she hear my thoughts?

She held out her hand. I hesitated, but then I grabbed it, and she pulled me to my feet like it was nothing.

“Don’t worry,” she said smoothly. “You’ll see her again. Very soon, actually. Today. And when you do, you’ll have your chance to beg for her forgiveness.”

Emma? Was she talking about Emma?

“You’re a witch, aren’t you?” My voice shook as I spoke.

She chuckled, but there was nothing warm about it. “I’m something much greater,” she said, her tone sharp and heavy with meaning.

“I can help you get your revenge on Damon.”

Before I could say anything, she stretched out her hand, and a dagger appeared out of thin air. The blade gleamed wickedly in the sunlight.

“If you stab him with this,” she explained, “he’ll grow weaker every day. In six months, he’ll die. No cure.”

I stared at the dagger. I wanted it—needed it. Damon deserved this. My hand reached for it instinctively, but she pulled it back. Of course, there was a catch.

“There’s a price,” she said, her eyes darkening to an almost unnatural shade. She took off a green necklace she was wearing and handed it to me.

“You have to make her wear this,” she said.

“Who?” I asked, even though a sick feeling in my gut already told me the answer.

She didn’t reply, just gave me a look that said, You know exactly who. I swallowed hard, my throat dry.

“Keep it on her at all times,” she continued. “It won’t kill her—it’ll protect her.”

Protect her? How? I didn’t have time to question her because her next words hit me like a truck.

“And one more thing,” she added. “Keep Emma away from this pack and away from Damon for the next five months—until after the full moon.”

Emma. My Emma. My friend Emma. She’s alive?

I felt a surge of hope so strong it almost knocked me over. I had always feared she might be dead but never wanted to admit it, shoving the thought deep down where it couldn’t hurt me.

But this woman—this terrifying, otherworldly woman—was telling me Emma was alive.

“Damon and his men are already on their way to the Orbs Coven,” she said. “Emma is there with the witches. If you hurry, you might reach her before they do.”

I couldn’t breathe. Emma. She’s alive.

I turned to leave but stopped abruptly, remembering the dagger. “What about the dagger?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Like I said, there’s a price,” she said, her tone calm but chilling. “Serve me, and the dagger—and everything else your heart desires—will be yours.”

I wanted to scream. Emma’s life was on the line, and here I was wasting time with this cryptic woman.

“Fine, whatever, I’ll do it,” I snapped, desperate to get moving.

The moment I said it, I felt something cold and sinister wrap around me, sinking into my very core. It made my skin crawl, but I didn’t care. I just needed that dagger.

“See you soon,” she said with a wicked grin, handing me the weapon before disappearing into thin air.

I bolted out of the garden, my heart pounding. Damon wasn’t going to get to Emma first. I wouldn’t let him. Not this time.