3

Elita

I stare at the vial in my hand and grimace. It is a bright red liquid which is warm to touch.

As I stare at it, Alpha Redley’s stern words echo in my ears.

‘ All you have to do is to drink this potion right before you meet the King. It will attract him to you and he won’t be able to hold himself back. He will mistake these effects for a mate bond. ’

I sigh, hiding the small bottle in my right palm. It’s a Love Potion, that’s all Alpha Redley should have said. But I don’t think he is aware of the whole fiasco this potion can cause.

Once I drink it, every man around me will become a lovesick puppy and will pounce on me like an animal if I don’t use it properly.

I hum. Maybe, Alpha Redley knew that but just didn’t care to tell me. He is fine as long as Dustin is among those love-sick puppies.

“ Lady Lana, stop pouting. ” Donna scolds, and grabs my chin to pull my lips apart. “ It doesn’t suit an Alpha’s daughter to pout. ”

I blink and shake my face out of her hold. She frowns at me but doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t want to ruin my mood when we are inside a carriage, traveling to the Wolveshite Citadel, to attend the ceremony.

Silently, I glance down at the heavy light blue gown I am wearing. The dress is tight around my chest and waist, but is loose around my hips and legs, giving my upper body a feminine look.

It’s clear that I am supposed to seduce the Alpha King tonight. They can not make it more obvious.

I grit my jaw, the inner conflict starting to haunt me again. Can I really fool an Alpha King? What if he catches on and hangs me to death before I even get to do what’s needed?

With that thought in mind, a lump lodges in my throat. My fist clenches harder around the vial.

I will not die before seeing my siblings. Eden, my little sister, and Eben, my little brother. Both were so innocent and young. But…the world was not merciful to us orphans.

It’s strange that I don’t remember the happy moments of my life, but I do remember the blood that I saw, the fire that burned everything, the war that took them from me.

My eyes snap open and I suppress a gasp as pain hits my chest.

They won’t die.

Not again.

“ Do you still miss Maverick, Lana? ” Donna whispers.

I snap my head in her direction and shake my head. I don’t even know…who this Maverick is.

“ Then why are you crying? ” She reaches out to me and grabs my hand.

I touch my cheek with my fingers. They are wet. I just…can’t stop crying. I just…never imagined being in the same world as my family again.

“ I am going to…win this war. ” I whisper, earning a chuckle from Donna.

“ This is not a war, Lana. ”

“ It is… ” I nod to myself and lean back. “ for me, every day is a war now. ”

Silence prevails for a moment. Then Donna speaks up in a hesitant voice.

“ Do you…remember what your father wants by getting you to mate with the Alpha King? ”

Curiosity peaks as I shake my head. “ I can’t remember anything. ”

Donna glances around as if she is scared someone will hear us. I sit up straight and stare at her.

“ Once you get inside the castle and become a part of Alpha King’s life, you are expected to spy on him and tell your father everything. ” She leans in and whispers in a low voice. “ You must…give your father necessary intel so he can get rid of the Alpha King soon. ”

My shoulders stiffen and anger surges forth. “ get rid of who? ”

“ Alpha King already suspects your father of treason, Lana. He will not go easy on you even if he is under the influence of this spell. ” She continues, without noticing the changing color of my face or the shifting look in my eyes. “ He will make life hell for you. He knows you will be your father’s spy. So you must be careful when you become a part of his life. Don’t get hurt. Anyway, you only have to keep the act up for a few months and then we can get the King out of the way so stay away from him. ”

I end up laughing. Donna looks at me like I have lost my mind, and that must be it. I am freaking losing my mind!

“ Does he want to kill the Alpha King? ” I stop laughing and hiss.

“ Shh, Lana. ” She slams her hand over my mouth to shut me up. “ we don’t say that out loud. Ears are everywhere. We have been careful until now— ”

“ Nevermind. Killing him is…kind of impossible for you people. And Alpha Redley knows that. So maybe, he doesn’t care if his daughter gets slaughtered. ” I interrupt, so she can stop talking.

Oh, well.

What now?

I bite my thumb, anxiety rearing its head inside me. Oh, no. Oh, shit.

Did Moon Goddess send me into Lana Redley’s body because she knows Lana is going to get killed by Dustin for being a traitor?

It’s not a miracle for me but a chance for Dustin to get his revenge on me? I caused his death in the past, so he can kill me in this life. We will be even then.

I stop biting my thumb and go still.

Wait a moment!

The world seems to go still just like me but my heart is running. Why did I not…think of it before?

In history, Dustin hosted several selection ceremonies but never recognized anyone as his mate. And there is no mention of Lana Redley in history.

This means…Lana died before the war.

And Dustin never chose a mate.

Does this mean I am going to die tonight?