THE ALPHA’S VENGEFUL LUNA

CHAPTER 29: DEADLY ALLIANCES

FREYA

It had been several days since Hera was burnt on a stake, but her cries and screams still haunted me.

I had awakened from another nightmare, unable to sleep afterwards. I laid supine on my bed, staring into the darkness. It was a quiet night, save for the chirping of crickets somewhere in the distance.

It was getting increasingly harder to evade Icarus, and I have been keeping myself locked up just to avoid him. Seeing him fuelled my fury, one I was not ready to unleash until the potion was ready.

I knew I had to keep working on my spells since I was yet to get a strand of hair from Icarus, but I have been more focused on staying away from him rather than actually ending him once and for all. I knew it was a stupid move, but it happened on instinct.

With sleep waging a war against me and plenty of time on my hands, I got on my feet, changed into some clothes and snuck out of the castle. I was headed to the woods to practise some spells.

I knew it was less risky for me to stay in my room to practise new spells, but there was something energising about the woods that called unto me, and I end up always giving into the pull.

As I got to a clearing, I took in a deep breath, letting the power granted by the night run through my veins. It would have been a perfect night to complete Icarus's potion, but without a strand of his hair, I could not.

Such a powerful night, however would not be wasted. The potion was not the only thing I could work on. I still had some spells that needed some more practice, and I was determined to master a few that night.

One of my greatest wishes was to be the most powerful witch alive, one which Icarus brought to an end when he burnt me on a stake. I might be here with a new body, but the dream still burned in my heart.

I knew it was a daring and risky dream to have as a witch living in an anti-witch society, but it was not impossible. I was willing to break the bias and beat the odds.

I was going to be so powerful that they would never be able to hurt me again.

I took off my cloak, letting it fall from my shoulders as I carried out my breathing exercises. With my physical eyes shut, the eyes of my soul were wide open, and I was able to see things beyond the physical realm. Things that I could do and be, if I was willing to put in the work.

I felt my feet leave the ground and my skin hummed at the raw power that emanated from me.

Unfortunately, my spiritual escapades were interrupted when I felt the presence of another soul very close to me in the forest.

My eyes flung open and I gasped for air, taking in shallow breaths. I quickly regained my composure, turning around at the sound of snapping twigs and crushed leaves.

“Show yourself, whoever you are!” I hissed, producing glowing embers of flame from my palm as I took a fighting stance.

A man soon appeared from the trees, his eyes burning with hate as he slowly approached me.

I regarded him from head to toe, taking in how unkempt he looked.

He did not seem deranged, but those burning eyes directed at me was a sign he knew me. I could sense that he was a wolf, which spelt trouble. But who was this strange man and why was he watching me in the woods at such an ungodly hour?

“Who are you and what do you want?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him while still maintaining my fighting stance.

A humourless smile appeared on his lips as he took menacing steps towards me. “So you are a witch after all... I have finally caught you red-handed…”

“Take a step closer and consider yourself dead!” I snarled at him. He stopped in his tracks, as his smile faded into a frown.

“What I asked from you was quite simple and I do not like repeating myself.” I said to him. “Identify yourself or you will not remember your name by the time I am done with you.”

He shook his head, his face scrunched up in a sneer. “Tsk, tsk it is such a shame you do not remember me, even after all the pain you have caused my daughter and I.”

I narrowed my eyes on him in anger. “How dare you make such accusations? I do not even know who you are!”

“Hell, you do! My face is supposed to haunt you day and night for your wickedness!” He flared up, throwing his hands in the air.

“You….” He pointed his index finger at me. “I do not know what you did to me...you made me disrespect Icarus in the presence of councilmen and now I suffer humiliation.”

My eyes widened in recognition as he drew nearer to me, vengeance marking in expression. “It was all your fault! You are the reason I am on exile for a crime that I did not commit with a clear head!”

“Darius…” I whispered and a maniacal smile formed on his face.

“Yes, that is me... and may that name continue to haunt you where you go.”

“You speak like I came after you without a reason, Darius.” I said, staring daggers at him. “You were the one who threatened me first. You brought this on yourself!”

“Well, well, well...The Luna is a witch….I wonder how the Alpha would feel when he finds out his dearest Luna was one of the people he swore to destroy till his last breath.” Darius said, his voice taunting.

My heart skipped a beat at his words, but I refused to show my fear. Darius would not dare reveal my true identity. I could not let that happen. Not when I was yet to complete my mission!

I needed to find a way out of this.

“What are you going to do? Report me to Icarus?” I scoffed. “He would never believe an exiled council member who openly disrespected him over his trusted luna.”

“You think so highly of yourself, don't you?” Darius asked me, seemingly amused. “Wait till I present him with evidence.”

“You are bluffing, Darius. You have no evidence to hold against me.” I said to him, walking away.

“Oh, then I guess you would have to explain this.”

I turned around to see a video of myself with the ball of fire on my palms. Words seemed to disappear from my lips as I opened my mouth and closed it.

“Cat's got your tongue?” Darius teased, lifting the phone out of my reach as I tried to reach for it.

“You do not want to get on my bad side, Darius." I said to Darius. “You have had a taste yourself and you know it is not a sweet experience.”

“Are you threatening me?” He furrowed his brows at me.

Mirroring his expression, I replied. “It is not a threat, Darius. It is a promise.”

It was a battle of will as the fire in our eyes competed against each other. Darius thought he was the only one who had an edge over me, but I had an edge over him as well.

I could tell from the hate burning in his eyes that he did not have a pure soul. His heart was tainted, and I was going to use it to my advantage.

“It does not have to be this way, Darius.” I said to him as I stared deep into his soul. His mistake was engaging in a stare down with a witch. It was easy for me to manipulate him and render him vulnerable without even using a spell.

Hypnosis was my forte, and he had walked right into my trap.

“What is your deepest, darkest desire, Darius?” I asked him, keeping my eyes locked on him. With vacant eyes staring back at me, he replied monotonously.

“I wish for the reign of Icarus Donovan to fall, and I desire to rule in his stead.”

“Hmmm…” I hummed before snapping my fingers in Darius's face.

He blinked rapidly, staring at me wide-eyed.

“W-What did you do to me?”

“Oh, nothing...just a sprinkle of hypnosis to get you to spill to me.” My lips parted into a devilish grin.

“You... How dare you!” He stuttered, pointing his finger at me.

“Oh, relax, Darius.” I chuckled.

I was not really surprised by Darius's response. I had gotten a hint of his evil desire when I hexed him and he started spilling his thoughts towards Icarus. I could feel the hate in every word he said, and it felt good to know that my suspicions were right.

As much as I wanted to destroy Darius, I decided to look at the bigger picture. Standing before me was a possible ally who could bring my mission to fruition.

“Is it not wonderful that we want the same thing?” I asked Darius and he stared at me in confusion.

“We do? You want Icarus gone as well?”

I nodded in response. “Join forces with me, Darius. We would do better as allies than as enemies.” I said to him, arms outstretched towards him for a handshake

Darius growled under his breath, staring at my outstretched hand with suspicion before taking it.

“Let us take down Icarus Donovan once and for all.” Darius said, his frown melting into a smile.

The evil glint in Darius's eyes made an involuntary chill run down my spine.

I was forming an alliance with an enemy, a decision I hoped I would not regret.