HAILEY

The room still echoed with the sound of my heavy breathing as Ava slumped against the wall, her eyes blazing with fury. I stood over her, my heart hammering in my chest, every instinct screaming at me to finish what I’d started. But as much as I wanted to end this, a small part of me hesitated. Ava was still my sister, and despite the venom between us, some old, buried loyalty tugged at my conscience.

I took a step back, my eyes never leaving her. “Get out of my way, Ava. You’ve no idea what I’m capable of now.”

Ava wiped the blood from her lip with the back of her hand, her gaze defiant even in defeat. “You’re just a fool pretending to be something you’re not. You think you can stand against Argon? Against Grant? You’ll burn, Hailey, and I won’t be there to save you.”

Her words stung, but I forced myself to turn away, my breath shaky as I stumbled back to my room. I could feel the weight of every decision pressing down on me, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly alone. I had lost Argon, alienated my sister, and now I was entangled with Alpha Grant; a man whose desires were as dangerous as his power.

I slammed the door shut behind me, trying to drown out the chaos in my mind. My reflection stared back from the mirror, a bruised and battered version of myself, but beneath the surface, I could sense the faint stirrings of something else. Bane, my wolf, was awakening. The power that had been stripped from me was slowly returning, and with it came a renewed sense of purpose. Ava was right; I was playing with fire. But I’d spent too long being controlled, and now, I was ready to take back what was mine, I just have to avoid being consumed.

I tore off the remnants of my nightgown and pulled on a fresh set of clothes. If I was going to survive in this twisted game of power, I needed to be brave and bold. Grant was a powerful enemy, but he was also my best chance at reclaiming my status. I needed to keep him close, but not so close that he thought he had control over me.

As I finished dressing, a knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I tensed, half-expecting Ava to storm back in for round two, but when I opened the door, I found a young woman; no older than eighteen dressed in the simple garb of the pack servants.

“Alpha Grant asked me to escort you to the meeting room,” she said, her voice small and meek. She wouldn’t look me in the eyes, and I realized she was afraid of me. They all were.

I nodded, following her down the long, dimly lit hallway. My mind raced with possibilities. What did Grant want now? Was this another test of my loyalty, or was he setting me up for a confrontation with Argon? I steeled myself for whatever lay ahead, determined not to let my fear show.

The servant led me to the meeting room, a grand, imposing space with dark walls and a heavy wooden table that stretched nearly the entire length of the room. Grant stood at the head of the table, flanked by two other pack leaders, their eyes cold and calculating as they watched me enter. Argon was there too, his presence like a storm cloud darkening the room.

I hope he wasn't here to beg about me coming cause that won't be happening. Even if he wanted to reject me, I wouldn't hesitate. In fact, I would gladly accept his rejection.

My breath caught when I saw the woman standing beside him, her hand clasped tightly in his. “It can't be” I convinced myself as I stepped forward.

The air was heavy with unspoken tension. Ava looked different in a her new elegant dress, that clung to her curves, her hair perfectly packed into a bun with a few strands falling here and there, exuding a confidence that was all too unfamiliar. She glanced at me, her expression a mixture of smugness and challenge, as if daring me to react.

Argon cleared his throat, drawing the room’s attention. He stood tall, his posture radiating authority, though his eyes were filled with a cruel, vindictive gleam. “Father, before we begin, there’s something I need to announce.”

Grant raised an eyebrow, feigning mild interest, but I could see the calculating look in his eyes. “Go ahead, Argon.”

Argon tightened his grip on Ava’s hand and pulled her closer. “This is Ava Forge,” he said, his voice loud and clear, carrying an edge of triumph that cut straight through me. “My new mate.”

For a moment, the world seemed to tilt on its axis. I stared at them, my heart pounding as the words sank in. Ava, my own sister, was now by Argon’s side, the very man who had cast me aside like I was nothing. A ripple of whispers moved through the room, the pack leaders exchanging uneasy glances, but all I could hear was the roaring in my ears.

Ava smiled sweetly, playing the role of the devoted mate, but the gleam in her eyes was sharp and taunting. “It’s good to see you, Hailey,” she said, her voice dripping with false innocence. “I’m sure this is… unexpected.”

I forced myself to stay calm, refusing to let them see how deeply this cut me. “Unexpected? No, Ava, it’s exactly what I’d expect from you.” I let my gaze flicker to Argon. “And you.”

Argon’s smirk widened. “It’s a new beginning for us, Hailey. I needed a Luna who I could trust, someone who wouldn’t betray me.” His words were a dagger, each one twisting deeper as he spoke.

“And Ava is the one?” I asked, a bitter laughter escaping my lips.

“Well, that's none of your business big sis,” Ava cut in.

I couldn’t believe I was still standing there listening all their nonsense talks. It wasn't like I cared anyways, I tried to tell myself, but deep down, I know I did and it made me weak in the knees.

“We need your blessings, father,” Argon said planting a soft kiss on Ava’s head. The look on his eyes was genuine and full of love and adoration, something I had failed to get in the past three years.

I glanced at Ava who gave me a victory smirk, I wanted to run out of the room, but I wasn't raised to be a coward. I cleared my throat, bracing myself to reject him first before he could think about it.

“I…”

I, Argon Grant, reject you Hailey Forge as my future Luna and mate!