The sounds of beeping machines were all around me as I tried to focus on my vision. There was a constant throbbing in my head.
Elena? Are you there?
She said nothing but I could still feel her emotions. Her heart was heavy, making me feel just so. Something was wrong. I should be happy. Zira was gone. Victoria won’t be speaking any time soon or ever. I had Isaiah all to myself. We were going to have our own little family. So why was I feeling so…so empty, right now?
On cue, Doctor Callie walked into the room.
“Luna, you’re up?” Doctor Callie walked in and sat near my bed.
“What happened? How long have I been out? Where’s Isaiah? What’s this pain I’m feeling?” I kept throwing questions at her until she stopped me.
“Luna, breathe and slow down. It’s only been a little over ten hours. You might be a little woozy from the procedure and-”
I pushed her away from me. “Procedure? What procedure? What happened?”
Doctor Callie hesitated and I was starting to get pissed off. “Don’t make me ask again.”
Doctor Callie lowered her head. “I’m so sorry, Luna, but your baby…”
“No,” I said. I didn't need her to finish. My hand went to my stomach and I felt…nothing. I closed my eyes and searched for any signs of life, and I still felt…nothing.
Elena? Elena? Answer me, dammit! I yelled for her to say something.
Say anything. Then I remembered what she said in my dream. ‘You have already destroyed her’. I did this. No, I couldn't have...It wasn't my fault. Everything was perfect until she intervened. Everything was going according to my plan. Until...
A sudden uneasiness woke me up abruptly, making me squint my eyes from the bright, fluorescent lights. This dream has been a constant memory for the past few months. Even when I’m awake, I can feel the nightmares following me. Every now and then I would hear a baby crying in the distance, thinking somehow it was her.
It got so bad I didn’t want to be around anyone, especially Isaiah. I couldn’t stand the emotion in his eyes every time he looked at me. I knew what he saw. A woman who couldn’t carry her own child. Someone who was weak.
I stayed in bed, looking up at the ceiling. The events of the night replayed in my head as I tried to figure out what went wrong. Everything was great until Victoria showed up. My baby was alive until she butted in.
True, I was able to get rid of Zira and her little bastard, but the magic I used on Victoria must’ve been too much. If only Zira hadn't healed her, I wouldn’t have had to use anything. They were the reason my daughter was taken from me and they will pay. Zira was gone and Victoria was only a few feet away.
“Evening, Luna.”
I snapped my head in the direction of the voice. I didn’t even notice she was there. She had a habit of blending into the background. Sitting in the corner with a plate of food was my faithful little minion.
“Omega Mary.”
A few days after returning from the hospital, Omega Lisa filled me in on what happened while I was out. My plan was simple. Kill everyone that knew Zira's whereabouts that night. That included Omega Mary, but then it struck me. Why not control her?
I had the power to and they trusted her. She could be my eyes and ears, since everyone knew Omega Lisa followed me like a little puppy. So I called her to my room and had Omega Lisa snap a bracelet on her before she could run away. Now she was all mine.
“Do you have news for me?”
Omega Mary sat the food near the table. “The man you told me to look for was wearing this.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a green scarf.
“A scarf,” I said incredulously. “This could be anybody’s. Are you sure it was his,” I questioned.
For months I’ve been trying to get something of his. Something that would help me keep track of him, but every time he disappears before I could get close. I knew staying here would increase my chances and now I had what I needed.
“Yes, Luna. I saw him take it off. Are you pleased?”
His scent was coming off of it along with another scent I couldn’t quite place. All I knew was that it was a woman. I suppressed my anger for now. There were more important things I had to do.
“Yes I am.” I stood up to stretch a bit and picked some fruit off the tray. Ever since I lost my child, my appetite has been sporadic. “How long was I out?”
“Only five hours, Luna. Alpha came to check on you before leaving.” I looked at her for an explanation. “He took a few warriors downstream to look for Zira.”
I angrily threw the bed across the room as Omega Mary casually stepped aside. Of course, he is still looking for her. Even dead, this girl seemed to occupy his mind. I shouldn’t even care when I have someone else on mine, but dammit, she always takes the spotlight. I rolled my eyes as I went to the bathroom to clean my face. I took a moment to look over my attire.
My eyes were sullen from the lack of sleep and my skin was pale and ghastly. The sigils from the book decorated my body from my feet to the outer edges of my face. Apparently, that happens when you merge with a grimoire. I might’ve given this a second thought if I had known. The more I used my newfound powers, the more prominent they looked.
I actually didn't mind it. I grew to love them. There’s a certain look or fear I get when people watch me walk by, and I loved it. With a little magic, I added a bit of color to my skin and gave my look a little spruce before leaving the room.
I sent Omega Mary away. I didn’t want people to think she was with me. I turned the corner and stopped in my tracks. There he was talking to Isabella. James. My heart was beating so fast, I had to hide in a room before they noticed me. I smiled at the thought that he still made me feel this way. Granted, it wasn’t like the bond of a mate, but it was damn close.
The night I saw him, I thought I was delirious from the pain and somehow dreamed him up, but no. He was there and now he is here. So close. It wasn’t a coincidence that the moment I lost something was the moment he returned to my life. The moment I saw him everything for me changed.
I was reminded of what I really wanted. It was him. It has always been him and this time no one is going to stand in my way. To change things you have to act, do something, and make certain sacrifices. I made the necessary sacrifices, now it is time to act.
I could hear them talk about Victoria. They sounded hopeful, so I needed to act fast. I needed to find a way to get Victoria alone. As much as I wanted to stay and see him one more time, I made my way back to the packhouse. There were a few things I needed to prepare to leave.
After this, I won't be Luna of this pack anymore. Something inside me felt heavy and I knew it was Elena. I would feel her from time to time but she never says anything. Just weak, I thought.
Omega Lisa, it is time. Get ready.
Of course, Luna. We are ready when you are.
Don’t forget to denounce the pack. I can’t have them finding us when we leave.
I took one last tour of the place that was my home for the past year. I picked up a picture of Isaiah and me at our marking ceremony. We actually looked happy, but for some reason it felt like a distant memory. Maybe in another lifetime, I could’ve loved him the way he loved me.
I won’t lie and say I won't miss him but my love for James trumped everything. The thought that James would soon be mine brought a smile to my face as I dropped the frame on the floor.
I walked down the hall and caught Isaiah’s scent. I guess he was back from his trip. I could hear him talking to Isabella in his office. If she was here, that means Victoria was alone. Fate must be on my side today. I was about to portal away when I heard what Isaiah said about Zira.
Was she really alive? After everything I’ve done and everything I’ve lost, this b.itch could still be breathing somewhere. I stood there frozen trying to collect my thoughts when I felt him coming near me. I quickly hid around the corner, calming my heart rate.
When I was sure he was gone, I made my way back to the hospital. I didn’t have time to wonder if she was alive or not. It’s been months and she hasn’t been back. So something was keeping her away. Besides, I had more pressing matters to attend to and her showing up was the least of my worries.
There were a lot of people here, especially since rogue sightings have increased. I made it to Victoria’s room and saw Luna Bella sitting by her bed. I thought about waiting for Bella to leave but I was afraid my window of opportunity was closing.
Time to act, the voices said. I could feel the power surging in me, wanting to come out and play.
Their words pushed me forward and into the room where Victoria slept. Luna Bella nearly jumped up when I entered, but relaxed when she saw it was me.
“Alaia, you gave me a fright there.”
I smiled at her as I walked over to Victoria’s bedside. I could see Victoria’s face contort as if she knew I was there. “Sorry Luna Bella. I just came to give my support. Where’s Isabella?”
“I finally convinced her to do a little TLC. It was getting a little raunchy in here. Poor Victoria. Being assaulted by the smell and not able to do anything about it. Hmmm, I wonder if she could smell it in her state.”
This was perfect. It'd give me enough time to get rid of Victoria, but first I had to get Bella out of the way.
“Luna Bella, if you want, I can watch Victoria and give you a break,” I said.
Luna Bella shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I told Isabella I would watch her until she got back.”
I looked at Victoria. I couldn't pass up this opportunity. Again the voices pushed inside my head. Wanting me to flex my newfound powers.
“She deserved to pay,” they whispered. “She ruined your plans. Killed your baby.”
I closed the door to the room before turning my gaze back to Luna Bella. “Well that’s unfortunate,” I said, materializing a knife in my hand.
With a wave of my hand, I pushed Luna Bella and pinned her against the wall. She looked at me horrified and I stopped her from speaking.
“I’m not here for you, Luna Bella. I’m only here for Victoria. She took something of mine and now it’s time for her pay.”
I turned my attention towards Victoria, listening to Luna Bella grunt as she tried to move out of my hold. I raised the knife above Victoria’s heart and plunged down, only to hesitate for a moment.
Staring up at me was Victoria. Her eyes looked around until they landed on me. When she realized what was happening, her eyes widened as she tried to speak. Good, I thought. I wanted to see her life dissipating for those big sapphire beauties.
I came down again when I was stopped by a large hand grabbing my wrists. For the love of- I looked up into the eyes of the Alpha.