Chapter Seven

LUCY

"This is the best time to strike, now that the coronation is still in progress," I said to Nathan as I paced around my hut. 

"You need to relax Lucy, let's just go according to  Maverick's plan, can we?" he said.

I simply shrugged, the decision had already been made and there was nothing I could do to change that.

I heard a knock on the door. "Who's there?"

"I'm sorry but Cade wants to see you in his chambers right now," the voice said.

I turned to face Nathan. "Do you have any idea why your father wants to see me?" I asked curiously.

"I have no idea," he said. I quickly dashed out of my hut to Cade's chamber. Whatever he wanted to see me for must be very important.

"Hey wait up," Nathan called out to me as I ran to see Cade. I barged into his chamber and found Maverick seated there too. 

"You called me, am I in any trouble this time?" Seeing Maverick and Cade together and me being summoned before them then I knew something was amiss so I had to ask.

"Someone finally admits that they are a load of trouble," Maverick mocked.

"Shut up, fool" I snapped at him.

"You both can take your grudge out of my chambers once I'm done with what I have to say," Cade said.

I rolled my eyes at them as I took a seat beside Nathan. 

"As we know, the hallowed manes pack coronation is ongoing. At nightfall tomorrow we'll strike,"

"I thought we already discussed that before," I interrupted.

"Let me finish young lady," Cade yelled. He huffed a sigh and continued. "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted. At nightfall, we will attack. I and Maverick will lead the battle, Nathan your duty is to keep watch and secure our exit. Lucy-"

” I already know what I have to do. No one touches the alpha, he is mine," I said with a wicked grin.

"Lucy, you won't be joining us in this battle. You have to stay back and ensure the pack is safe until we return," Cade said.

"That's not possible, I'm not going to stay here and do nothing. This is an opportunity I've been waiting for all my life and you're going to snatch that away from me," I yelled. Turning to face Maverick because I knew it was his idea, besides Nathan had told me before but I had thought Cade wouldn't agree to his suggestion. "I know this is all your idea. This is what you've always wanted but need I remind you that neither you nor anyone else can stop me," I snapped. I was filled with rage and fought the urge to slit his throat.

Maverick burst into laughter which made me angrier. "Cade, you can't do this. You need me out there. Nathan, talk to your father on my behalf," I pleaded.

"Father, she's right. We need her expertise, she's been training vigorously. Her effort can't be a waste. Think of it father," Nathan pleaded too on my behalf but his father turned deaf ears to our pleas.

"I've made my decision and that is final. You all can leave,” he said.

We all stepped out of the chamber. Nathan had a sad look on his face, I could tell he felt sorry for me. Maverick on the other hand was grinning from ear to ear, his plans had worked perfectly. I grabbed him by his shirt and placed my small blade on his throat.

"I'll make you pay for everything you've done," I threatened

"Lucy, don't. You'll only make things worse," Nathan pleaded.

"Let her be. She doesn't have the guts to try it. Go ahead Lucy, slit my throat, I know that's what you've always wanted," Maverick said. He was calm about everything, he wasn't scared that I might kill him. 

I knew also that killing him would lead to me and my mother being killed or banished from here. This was the only place I could call home for now till I found somewhere else to go.

"You're lucky I'm in a good mood tonight," I said, shoving him aside. 

I was still fuming in rage when I returned to my hut. My mother noticed I was in a bad mood when I walked in, so she tried to get information from me.

"Honey, are you okay? You look so grumpy," my mother asked. She placed her hand on my shoulder as she stared at me. "What's the issue this time?" she asked again.

"It's nothing mother, I need to go for a walk now, I'll be back before nightfall," I told her before leaving the hut.

I headed for the cliff which was my usual haven. I was devastated and felt like I had failed my father.

Why would Cade exempt me from this attack? I've been waiting for this moment all my life and now I won't be able to get the revenge I've always wanted, I thought as I sobbed.

I didn't notice when my mother and Nathan arrived at the cliff. They stood there watching me for a while before my mum finally spoke up.

"Lucy-" my mother called out to me.

I jolted and quickly wiped my tears.

"Darling, you have to get this idea of revenge out of your head. It's only going to lead you to trouble," she said, wiping my tears off my face.

I wrapped my hands around her and sobbed in her arms. "I'm sorry mother, I failed you and papa, this had always been his goal, and now, I can't achieve it for him now that he is gone,' I whimpered.

" I have you, that's what's important to me right now. I lost your father before, I'm not going to lose you this time."

I held on to my mother tightly as she tried to console me. "Let's go home mother," I said to her after I had stopped crying.

At nightfall the next day, Maverick assembled everyone at the open field to brief them about the attack before they went. I stood by my hut while I listened to him. After the brief assembly, they all matched out of the pack. 

Cade and Maverick led the way while others followed behind. I ran to meet Cade to see if he could change his mind about his decision.

"Remember when you and Nathan returned late and got everyone worried," he asked

"Yeah, what has that got to do with this?"

"You said you'll take any punishment. This is your punishment so deal with it," 

"This isn't fair," I yelled.

"Nothing is ever fair in this world darling," Maverick mocked. I glared at him and returned to the pack. Nathan. Had left earlier to secure passage for them before their arrival.

I stationed myself at the gate after I had ensured that everyone was in their various huts. I remained there till midnight before I decided to take a break. I returned to my hut and dozed off immediately after my head touched the bed.

"Open the gate! Open the gate!!!" 

I jolted from the bed. I thought I had a dream until I heard those voices again. This was definitely not a dream. 

"Open the gate. Somebody open the gate!!"