Kill Her Or She Will Kill Us All!

« CLARA »

The night of the blood moon ceremony finally arrives.

Standing in front of my vanity, I smile, adjusting my gown and taking in my reflection. The red fabric clings to my curves in all the right places, elegant yet bold, with a split from the knee down, flowing like liquid fire. My black hair is pulled up into a sleek ponytail, and the omega servants apply just the right amount of makeup—subtle yet enhancing my features. I looked… breathtaking.

A soft knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts.

"Luna, the Alpha King is waiting," the omega’s voice comes from outside.

Taking in a deep breath, I snatch up my black diamond purse, which matches my black heels flawlessly. With one last subtle glance at the mirror, I made my way out of the room.

As I descend the grand stairs, the omega servant closely follows behind until we reach the parking lot.

Ryan stands by the car, waiting. His eyes briefly scans me before he bows slightly.

"You look stunning, Luna," he compliments with a small smile.

I beam at him. "Thank you, Ryan," and he opens the car door for me.

The moment I step inside, a familiar scent wraps around me—lavender and earth. The comforting and intoxicating scent of my mate.

Adrian sits beside me, his attention on his phone. But the moment I settle beside him, he stops. His amber eyes flickers towards me, slowly roaming over my figure, as if he was taking in every detail.

I felt warmth rise to my cheeks under his intense stare.

“You look beautiful,” he finally reaches out, cups my cheek, and presses a soft kiss there.

And I melt into his touch, my heart racing.

The car begins to move, and Adrian wraps his large arm around me, pulling me closer. I sigh contentedly, resting my head against his broad shoulder.

When we finally arrive at the clearing, the entire place bathes in a deep red glow from the Blood full moon. It was enchanting. The trees around us stands tall, their leaves rustling softly in the night breeze. Torches flickers, casting dancing shadows on the ground.

As Adrian steps out, the atmosphere around him changed—powerful, commanding. His black suit made him look even more breathtaking, and the way his raven curls fell over his forehead would make anyone want to reach out and touch them.

I follow, and as soon as the edge of my heels touches the ground, the murmurs and admiration spread like wildfire.

Everywhere, wolves bowed in respect.

Under Adrian’s signal, the people disperse and the ceremony fully begins.

The clearing became alive again with laughter and music. Candles flickers along the edges of the trees, casting golden light over the guests, while the scent of burning herbs mixed with the night air.

One by one, Alphas and their Lunas from various packs approach, exchanging greetings and pledging their loyalty. While Adrian speaks with confidence and authority, I wear a polite smile, but my attention is elsewhere.

The women.

Many of them are drooling at Adrian, their eyes filled with —lust and longing.

I didn't blame them. Adrian stands tall in his sharp black suit, the fabric hugging his broad shoulders and lean form perfectly. He was everything an Alpha should be—strong, fearless, and devastatingly handsome. His mere presence demanded attention, and the sharp angles of his chiseled face, combined with those piercing amber eyes that held untamed power, made him impossible to ignore.

He is a man who commanded attention without even trying.

But he was mine.

A familiar voice pulls me from my thoughts.

“Clara,”

I turn and see my father approaching with Tiara, and Ophelia, trailing behind him. My body tenses instinctively, but I force a warming smile for my father’s sake.

Adrian greets him respectfully, exchanging a firm handshake.

While they speak, my pair of silver eyes flicker to Ophelia.

She dons a black dress that clings to her slender body, the neckline dipping dangerously low to show off her small chest. Her makeup was heavy, her lips paint a deep red.

Ophelia's eyes ogles over Adrian –hungry– in a way that made my blood boil.

I scoff softly. Shameless.

Let her dream on, she will never have Adrian. He's mine.

As if sensing my wolf irritation, Adrian turns toward me, his fingers reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. The small gesture sends warmth rushing through me, and I blush at the soft touch.

Father chuckles ring in the air around us.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch the dark expressions on Tiara’s and Ophelia’s faces.

Good. Let them seethe.

A sudden voice interrupts the moment.

"The Pack Witch, Andromeda, has arrived!"

The atmosphere shifts.

The crowd falls into silence as all eyes turns toward the ceremonial stone at the center of the clearing. Adrian and I walk toward it, standing before the gathered pack members, where Andromeda stands.

Her black cloak flows around her, and in her hands, she holds a silver bowl filled with dark, thick liquid—blood.

"Another year has arrived and we are here again to celebrate the Blood full moon…” Adrian begins to speak, his deep voice cutting through the quiet. “ Tonight, we honor the Moon Goddess. Another cycle has passed, and we stand together, stronger, united…”

The crowd listens, captivated by the magnetic words of their Alpha. Pride swells in my chest as I stand beside him.

After Adrian’s speech, Andromeda raises the bowl, chanting. The flames from the candles flickers, the shadows around us stretching unnaturally. The wind picks up slightly, whispering through the trees, as if the very night was listening.

She lifts her gaze to the Blood Full Moon.

"We thank the Goddess for her blessings. May she continue to guide and protect us," she declares, pouring the blood onto the ceremonial stone.

Everything is going as it should.

Until it wasn’t.

A sharp, burning sensation erupts and immediately spreads across my arm.

I gasped, clutching it in pain.

The crowd stirrs, murmurs rising as a faint crescent moon mark suddenly glows on my skin.

The light shimmered brightly before settling into a soft, eerie red glow.

A ripple of shock and panic spread through the gathering.

I stare at the mark, my heart pounding. No. No. This couldn’t be happening.

Gasps and whispers fills the night air.

"Impossible,” someone mutters.

"Luna bears the mark!" someone cries out.

"The prophecy is true!" another voice shouted.

I feel my chest tighten, my breath quickening.

No. No, no, no.

I couldn’t be the cursed she-wolf. It was impossible!

I look up, tensing, meeting Adrian’s dark gaze.

His expression is unreadable, but his jaw clenched, his grip on my hand tightening.

For the first time in my life, I couldn't tell the look on his face or what he was thinking.

Then, chaos erupts.

"The Prophecy has come to pass!” an elder shouted, his shaky finger pointing at me. “She must be executed!”

Everything around me seems to blur.

Executed?

My entire body runs cold.

Murmurs spread like wildfire, their voices clashing, their fear rising.

"She’s the harbinger of destruction!"

"Kill her or she will kill us all!”

My breath catches in my throat.