Chapter 7

LAVINIA'S POV

"Son, I still don't understand why you agreed to this marriage in the first place, we could have easily gone to war instead. That girl is cursed, she could bring destruction to our pack but yet you're still adamant about it." Alpha Argo said and my heart clenched. I didn't realize it but tears had gathered at the edge of my eyes.

Was this really what my future father in-law thought about me? How can he refer to me as cursed and a bringer of destruction? What had I ever done to him? 

I was beginning to worry if I would be treated right in the Shadow Stone Pack after marriage.

"Lavinia please calm down and control yourself or they'll be alerted of your presence. In life, not everyone will like you, there's always bound to be people who dislike you." Isis tried to console me.

"It doesn't seem like Alpha Argo just dislikes me, from his words, it's clear that he hates me for some reason." I muttered sadly.

"That shouldn't matter right now, Rylan is the one we're going to marry so only his opinion should matter, nothing else." Isis told me and I listened closely, not even daring to breathe.

"I love her Dad, she's everything I've always wanted. She's beautiful, smart and sweet. She's unique and I'll never find anyone else like her." Rylan replied with a serious tone and a huge smile graced my features, my heart brimming with joy. That's all I needed to hear, if I have his approval, I don't need anyone else's.

I was just about to push the door open and announce my presence when a sudden turn of events left me frozen in horror.

Rylan suddenly burst out laughing as if he'd gone hysterical. When he finally stopped, he turned to his father with a devilish grin and spoke again.

"Is that what you expected to hear? No father, no. I don't give two shits about that ignorant little bitch. She's nothing more to me than a prize. We both know that she's cursed but she could bring so much greatness to me and our pack so I'm willing to take that risk.

We both know what she is and we know the great power that she possesses. Normally, she would be a very powerful foe but luck happens to be on our side at this time because she's completely ignorant, she has no idea what she is or the power she possesses. 

She's so gullible, so young and so foolish. 

Just a little charade, a little flirting and she fell right in my trap. I honestly thought it would be harder to get her interested in me but it's just been a day and she's already head over heels for me. She probably thinks it's love at first but little does she know that I'll be her downfall." Rylan mused.

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier, it appears I was worried over nothing. I actually thought you'd fallen for that brat." Alpha Argo replied, sounding amused.

"Me in love with that girl? As if. I don't even like being in her presence and I feel nothing for her, maybe only hatred because she's not even supposed to exist. You know that my heart only lies with Cithara and she's the only one who deserves to be my Luna.

I didn't tell you any of this before because I expected that you would trust me. It would have been much more fun for you if you had just been patient enough to witness everything unfold after our ceremony.

I have nothing good planned for that girl, I only need her for her powers. I met with a powerful witch a few weeks ago and she told me that Lavinia's powers could be extracted and transferred and that's what I intend to do.

She doesn't even know about it and she's never used her powers so she won't even miss them when I take them. 

After taking her powers, I'll become the most powerful Alpha that ever existed and I'll conquer all the other packs and fuse it into one mighty kingdom in which I'll rule as the supreme Alpha. I would even be powerful enough to face the Vampires, no one would be able to challenge me. I'll have all the power in the world." Rylan foretold.

"What happens to the girl after that?" Alpha Argo inquired.

"After I take her powers, her nightmare will begin. I'll make her my slave, a sex toy and she'll always have to be reminded of her place, at my feet. Cithara will rule with me as Supreme Luna and the sky will be my only limit." Rylan boasted confidently.

"Bravo my son, today you've truly made me a proud father. I never could have guessed you would come up with such a sinister scheme. I was honestly afraid that you've strayed, deceived by that girl's beauty." Alpha Argo said

"I never forgot my goal, father and I never will. I'll stop at nothing to achieve my ambitions, I don't care what I have to sacrifice in the process." Rylan declared.

"I'm truly amazed by you son, your deliciously wicked plan and the way your mind works makes me proud to be your father." Alpha Argo extolled his son.

"I'm your son, father. You taught me well, the art of deception just comes very easily to me. I should be the one who's proud. It won't be long anymore, very soon, we'll have the power to conquer the world." Prince Rylan concluded and both father and son laughed heartily, as if they had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

I was completely and utterly petrified, unable to believe my own ears. 

Rylan's words reverberated in my senses but somehow, my brain had gone numb so nothing was making sense.

Even Isis was shell shocked, unable to say a word. Who could have guessed that my very own mate had such wicked plans for me and my entire pack. Isis had been looking forward to our ceremony, she must be heartbroken or just as confused as I am.

I had heard that rejection was painful but certainly nothing could beat this. This realization had hit me so hard that I'd gone numb, I couldn't even feel anything. 

My mind was trying to figure out how to feel and my brain swirled with so many unanswered questions. 

Why me?

Why did this have to be happening to me? Was my existence really a mistake? Do I really deserve no happiness?

And mostly importantly, what powers are they talking about? I'm as normal as any other she-wolf so what could they be possibly referring to? What had I ever done to deserve such a betrayal? Why does everyone I come across only want to play with my life or my feelings?

WHY?!!!

My heart feels like it's been shattered into a million pieces, slowly but surely, Rylan's words start to sink in and a sharp pain hits my chest. It's more than I can take and it takes all my willpower to stop myself from screaming. Tears pour down my cheeks profusely as I place my hand on the left side of my chest, trying to soothe my aching heart and get a grip on myself.

I know it sounds stupid but I had actually fallen for Rylan and I thought…… I thought maybe…….

"Damon thinks we want to form a relationship with them and he thinks you'll care for his precious daughter but he certainly won't know what hit him." Alpha Argo jeered.

"Time is running out and it'll be fatal for our plan if someone catches us having this conversation. My "mating" ceremony is about to start soon and this marriage will mark the beginning of my victory and everyone else's downfall." Rylan spoke triumphantly

"You're right, we can't afford to make people suspicious. We must leave right now. After all, your lovesick bride must be eagerly waiting for you." Alpha Argo derided and the both of them burst into a raucous laughter.

They began walking towards the door but I still couldn't move, I felt like I was glued to the floor due to my shock.

"Lavinia….. Lavinia! Move, get out of the way or they'll see us!" Isis rumbled within me, her voice full of both urgency and sorrow.

I finally came back to my senses as a cold wind blew in my direction, causing me to shiver. I finally understood the cruciality of the situation.

I have to leave right now, I have to get out of here unnoticed. If they know that I've found out about their entire plan only Selene knows what they might do to me.

I have to run, I have to warn my father about them, even if nothing makes sense. I have to reveal their ugly truth, I have to stop this ceremony!

With so many thoughts occupying my mind at the same time and with tears still blurring my vision, I stagger backwards in an attempt to leave but that turns out to be a terrible mistake as my body bumps into a floating shelf, the impact causing the glass vase on the shelf to fall to the floor, instantly shattering to pieces.

The sound of the broken vase echoes through the empty hall, causing my heart to startle.

I feel the adrenaline rush in my blood and I start to panic. I quickly look around for a place to hide and rush for the nearest room. Thankfully, the door of the room next to Rylan's is unlocked and I quickly rush in, only closing the door halfway through.

I stay still, not even daring to breathe as I carefully listen and watch from the keyhole.

"Somebody was here, I'm sure of it. But who? And what did that person hear?" I heard Rylan say to his father.

"There's no use asking that question now, we have to find that person and get rid of them." Alpha Argo decided.

I gulped at hearing this, my heart was beating so loudly that I feared that they would hear it.

"You're right dad, nothing must ruin my plan. I'll go this way, you go that way. We have to find that person as soon as possible." Prince Rylan spoke again and I heard heavy footsteps.

I saw Prince Rylan through the keyhole as he passed by the room I was hiding in. He didn't seem suspicious at all and neither did he look in my direction. I'm thankful for this and sigh in relief.

I guess Alpha Argo must have gone the other way.

I listen closely for a few minutes but only deafening silence greets me. The coast seems to be clear and I'm scared of leaving this room but I know that I can't stay here forever. I have to warn father about their plans, I have to take this risk.

"Are you sure we shouldn't wait for a little more? What if we run into Prince Rylan or Alpha Argo?" Isis cautioned.

"We'll have to worry about that when it happens and let's hope that it doesn't, I can't just hide here forever. I have to tell everyone the truth." I said, determined and took a deep breath before standing up.

I opened the door slowly and walked out of the room a little bit just to make sure that no one was around but just then, I felt a large hand over my mouth.

"You thought you could hide from me, uh little mouse? But unfortunately, your blood trail gave you away." Rylan taunted and just then, I realized that in my rush, I had stepped on some of the broken glass and it had led Rylan straight to me, I felt so stupid at that moment.

I tried to struggle and break free from his hold but he only tightened his grip around me some more.

"Calm down little mouse, today is not your day. I won't let you ruin my plan when I'm so close to achieving my goals." He said and sharply hit the side of my neck.

My vision blurred instantly and I felt myself losing consciousness but I fought hard not to.

"You…..You won't get away with this." I slurred, my senses blacking out and my eyes closing on their own.

"Looks like I already have." I heard him say proudly just before I passed out.