Betrayal

Alessia walked into my bedroom, which didn't surprise me. I was expecting her visit since I had been avoiding her.

"Hey, Kiana," Alessia offered a warm greeting. A faint smile graced her lips.

I looked at Gilly, who quietly left my bed and closed the door behind her. 

My eyes locked onto Alessia's. 

"Alessia," I replied, my voice soft and full of emotion. "It's been too long."

Alessia took a seat at the edge of my bed, her eyes scanning the room, which was adorned with bookshelves, paintings, and photographs. "Your room is beautiful; I can tell that your taste is much better than Dion's. Earlier, his room used to be so boring and bland," she chuckled.

The implication that she had frequented Dion's bedroom earlier was not lost on me as I narrowed my eyes.

Alessia's eyes sparkled with a mixture of fondness and concern. "You know, Kiana, I've missed you a lot in these two years. It's like a part of me was missing."

I remained silent, my gaze fixed on Alessia. I knew my friend too well; she was an excellent actress. I had seen her put on a show before, masking her true feelings behind a facade. 

"Why have you returned, Alessia?" I asked quietly.

Alessia paused for a moment, taken aback by the question, but swiftly composed herself. "Kiana, I owe you an apology."

I regarded her with a mixture of confusion and concern. "An apology? For what, Alessia?"

"I've realised something—something that I should have understood a long time ago. You liked Dion as well. And that I was the third wheel between you."

I felt a wave of surprise wash over me, as I had never expected Alessia to admit to such feelings. 

"So why does Dion feel I made you leave the pack?" You were the one cheating on him. You told me you had fallen in love with someone else. I didn't understand why Dion blamed me for your departure when it was your own actions that led to it. 

Alessia's gaze dropped to the floor, and she let out a sigh. "I am sorry; Dion must have misunderstood. I was in a dangerous place at that time. I know it must have seemed that way, and I'm sorry for not explaining earlier. I thought it would be best for both of us if I left."

Alessia's answer was vague, and it seemed like she chose her words carefully. "Kiana, I'm sorry I can't explain everything right now. But Dion promised me something important."

My curiosity was piqued, and I pressed her for more information. "What did he promise you, Alessia?"

"He promised me the privileges associated with Luna's status."

Her revelation surprised me. "What does that mean, Alessia? Is he going to make you Luna?"

Alessia's eyes held a glint of hope. 

"He had been waiting for me, Kiana," she whispered in my ear. "He said he would make me his Luna."

"You are right!" I said. Don't worry, I will step down from my position in a few months. The Dion and the Luna positions are all yours."

Alessia looked a little taken aback. Perhaps she didn't expect that I would give up everything so easily.

"Thank you for your gracious offer, Kiana." She reached into her pocket for a vial. 

I looked at it curiously; the golden liquid gleamed in the light.

"What is that?" I asked.

"Wolfsbane," Alessia said casually.

I blinked. Wolfsbane is a deadly poison that can kill werewolves.

"Why have you brought that? Are you planning to get rid of me?"

"It is a very weak solution. It won't kill you." She looked into my eyes. "But it will help you get rid of that baby, Kiana."

I froze; she knew! How did she know? How much did she know? I was desperate to know her true intentions.

"How did you know?"

"Come on, I am your best friend. I must keep track of your well-being." She said it brightly, then she held my hand and said, Dion doesn't love you, Kiana. I know it's hard, but this is the best decision for you, Kiana. I don't want you to be tied down because of an unwanted pregnancy. I hope you understand."

"How can you suggest something like that, Alessia?" I said it in anger. Aren't you afraid of what Dion might do to you if he finds out that you want me to abort his baby?"

Alessia looked down sadly. I couldn't believe how such a malicious person could have such an angelic face.

"He asked me to take this wolfsbane to you, as he had no interest in the baby. "

"What? No, that can't be true," I exclaimed, my eyes wide with disbelief. "I need to talk to him. I need to hear it from Dion himself."

Alessia, however, blocked my attempts to leave.

"Kiana, trust me. Dion doesn't want you in his life anymore. He wants me."

The words were like a thick fog in the air. I couldn't understand why Dion would leave his kids. But Alessia's sure attitude and the scary words stuck with them.

"Take this, Kiana," Alessia said, her voice almost soothing. "It'll make the pain go away. You won't have to suffer through this."

I looked at the vial in her hands, my heart heavy with grief. "I can't. I won't."

Alessia pressed the vial into my trembling hand. "It's the only way, my dear. Dion has made his choice, and you need to make yours."

Defeated, I sank to the floor, sobbing.

"Kiana, do what's best for you," Alessia said, leaving me alone with my defeat.

Tears streamed down my face. I felt trapped, torn between my own desires and the weight of Dion's decision. 

Alone in the dimly lit room, I stared at the bottle of wolfsbane that Alessia had left behind. The revelation of Dion's decision weighed heavily on my heart, casting a shadow over my thoughts.

As I contemplated the drastic step, Gilly entered the room, concern etched across her face. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed the ominous bottle on the table.

Gilly moved closer, her eyes flickering between me and the deadly vial. "You can't seriously be considering..."

  

I cut her off, my voice a mixture of sorrow and anger. "I don't know what to believe, Gilly. What's the point of having his baby when Dion doesn't want it?"

Gilly's eyes widened in shock. "You can't give up. Not like this. And wolfsbane? It's not the answer. It will cause a miscarriage and harm you as well."

"What's the point, Gilly? He doesn't love me, and I can't force him to."

************************************

As I reached Dion's office, the evening cast long shadows. A glimmer of hope remained within me; perhaps Dion wasn't as cruel as Alessia said. We hadn't seen each other since the party. The gap between us has become wider. As I stood at the door, he looked up at me and nodded.

His eyes were distant and guarded. He didn't meet my gaze directly, and a pang of hurt shot through me. It seemed as if he was merely tolerating my presence, as if our connection had become a burden.

"Dion," I began tentatively, the air thick with unspoken tension. "Did you arrange all of this?"