Chapter2
896 Words
Today was the Ascension Ceremony, where Valerie was to be made Alpha of the Blackwood Pack.
Lumori stood by the window, anger and resentment bubbling in her chest, threatening to pop out any moment.
Outside her room, a commotion suddenly stirred. She moved toward the door before peeking through the peephole, she saw who it was. He was being stopped by the guards stationed there which was her father’s order, no doubt.
“Let him in!” she shouted, her voice sharp with authority.
“I’m sorry, my lady, but we have to follow your father’s orders,” one guard replied. Lumori almost rolled her eyes.
“When I finally step out of this room, I will have your head served to me on a plate for dinner!” she yelled, her tone manic.
“What do you think my father will do about it?” she mocked, a dangerous glint in her eyes.
In this world, murder was unheard of. People died only of old age or sickness. But with Lumori, anything could happen.
Her voice sent a wave of tension through the guards, and they moved to unlock the door. She heard the keys jingle, then the door swung open.
The figure who entered wore a black cloak, face hidden. He closed the door behind him.
“What took you so long to come looking for me?” she demanded roughly.
“I’m sorry, my lady. It took me time to find out you were locked in your room,” the voice replied. He stepped into the light, removing the cloak to reveal his face, Nathan.
He smiled gently and took Lumori’s hands, kissing them.
“Is the plan going smoothly?” she asked.
“Yes, my lady. Everything is going perfectly according to plan,” he said. “What shall I do next?” he asked, bowing slightly, waiting for her instructions.
She moved toward her drawer, then she took a small bottle containing a dark substance. She handed it over to him.
"Just a drop is enough to stop her heart from working." She said as she gave it to him.
He swallowed hard as he took it. "Isn't this murder?" he asked with shaky hands, he then put it in his jacket.
Lumori placed her hands on his cheek, slowly caressing it. At this point, she was willing to do anything just to reclaim what was hers. She feared he might have a second thought which might spoil everything she had worked hard for.
Slowly she took his hands and directed them to her breast, making him feel her through her clothes.
"Does it matter? " She asked. "Don't you want me?, When I finally become the next female alpha you will rule beside me."
“You’ll have all of this,” she whispered, voice firm, “when you finally take her out of the picture.”
Nathan took a deep breath, fighting to steady himself.
“Yes, my lady,” he managed to say at last.
***********
In the dressing room, Valerie was being attended to by her tailor. She studied her reflection in the mirror, taking in every detail.
“This is perfect,” she murmured.
A knock echoed at the door, and the tailor went over to see who it was, and it was Nathan
Valerie's face immediately lit up the moment she saw him, she dismissed the tailor so she could have some privacy with him.
He gently wrapped his hand around her waist pulling her flush against his broad chest. He then slowly kissed her, making her melt immediately into his arms.
All this while, Leonard stood at the door. He had only come to wish her good luck, but now there was no need. Nathan was already there. Leonard couldn't stand the sight of them. At that point, he just wanted to leave her pack and return to his own. Without another thought, he turned and left immediately.
Nathan already knew Leonard was at the door. Kissing her was deliberate. He wanted Leonard to watch him with his mate.
“Before you go,” he said, “I have a surprise for you.”
“Really?” she asked, her cheeks flushing as if they were on fire.
Smiling, he took her hands and led her toward the hall. As they stepped inside, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a bottle of wine.
He poured the wine into a cup and handed it to her. Valerie accepted it without hesitation.
The moment she took a small sip, something inside her snapped.
Her body reacted as if it no longer belonged to her. The cup slipped from her fingers, crashing to the floor as the remaining wine splashed across the tiles.
She clutched her throat instinctively, her fingers digging into her neck as she struggled for air. Her chest tightened painfully, each breath harder than the last, until her legs gave way and she collapsed onto the floor.
Nathan watched, amused. He made no move to help her. He didn’t even step closer.
As darkness crept into her vision, Valerie’s thoughts drifted to Leo. Somewhere deep in her fading consciousness, Vera who had vanished long ago appeared again, screaming in excruciating pain.
“Leo…”
The name slipped from her lips as a whisper.
Her eyes fluttered shut as she drew her final breath.
- Writer
