NA AQUAMARINE’S POV
I hadn’t done a thing all day.
The gem he gave me.
The one I was supposed to use to craft his weapon still lay untouched on the table.
I couldn’t even look at it without feeling like it was judging me.
Like it already knew I was a liar. A cheat. An upcoming thief.
Immediately after we left his study, I moved to his workshop. I sat there, unmoving. I tried. I really did.
But no matter how many times I picked up the tools, my hands wouldn’t stop trembling. The shapes in my mind refused to come. Every design I started turned into something else. Something wrong.
So I gave up.
I walked back to our chambers in silence. Even Juliet noticed how quiet I was. She asked if I was okay. I told her I was tired. She didn’t press.
Now it was night, and I was still sitting in the same spot–by the window. Still thinking about the same thing.
His Blood.
His Core Fang.
The message his Core Fang passed: Are you ready?
Ready for what?
Betrayal? Or my possible death after betrayal?
The weight of it hadn’t left my chest since.
I stood now, walking quietly toward the mirror, but I couldn’t even meet my own eyes. My skin felt too tight. My breath is
too shallow.
For some reason, I didn’t want to hurt him, I mean, how could I possibly steal from him?
But the pact had been sealed. In blood.
What does she want to use these items for? A revolution? She couldn’t possibly wield it. I remember the way she and that other Elder had struggled to lift my staff.
This Core Fang would kill her….. right?
I sank onto the bed slowly head in my hands I wasn’t crying I couldn’t. The tears were there lodged somewhere behind
Chapter 50
my ribs, but they refused to fall. They just burned. Hot. Silent. Blinding
Why did I make that promise?
Why did I think I could fix it later?
But somehow, isn’t it his fault?
If I didn’t see him with Esmeralda that night, none of these would have happened.
But should I tell him about Esmeralda?
What if he doesn’t believe me?
What if, even though I show him the note, he still doesn’t believe it?
Alexander and Esmeralda had history. Plus, she’s an Elder.
What if I fail to convince Alexander? What if he sees my accusations against Esmeralda as unreasonable? It could damage the little respect I have in this pack.
I might be accused of something serious if I don’t have solid evidence to back me up.
To make it worse, the other Elders would taunt me. They would glare at me with evil eyes. They don’t even like me on a
normal day.
Or could it be another test? Just like the pendant? To see if I’m capable of being the Luna?
It could be. How does she know of it in the first place? The timing and the items. They all seem too perfect, too
convenient.
But at the same time. What if it’s not and she truly is evil?
A soft knock tapped on the door, and I jumped.
Katherine peeked her head in, then entered fully when I didn’t answer, “I didn’t see you at breakfast or lunch today.”
“I’m not hungry,” I whispered.
She walked over and placed the tray on the table, then sat beside me, “We both know you’re lying, Aqua. I raised you
better than this.”
I sighed. “Yeah. I know.”
“You look pale. More than usual. Did something happen?” she asked.
I gave her a tired smile. “Doesn’t something always happen in this castle?”
She huffed. “That’s not an answer. Did the Primus do something to you?”
Yes. He trusted me. With his soul/
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“Is he demanding anything?” she asked again. “Or something else?”
I looked away. “He showed me something yesterday. Something… important.”
Kath tilted her head. “And that scared you?”
“Not really,” I paused, fingers tightening around the hem of my robe.
She didn’t push further. She never did when she sensed I wasn’t ready. Instead, she offered a gentle touch to my shoulder. “Let’s take a walk. Just around the halls.”
I needed air. I needed space.
Or at least the illusion of it.
I threw a robe over my dress and tied it tightly.
We walked in silence. I didn’t ask where we were going and she didn’t tell me. Our legs moved on their own, turning corners, passing familiar paintings, dimly lit torches, the scent of wax and stone and dust.
Every face we passed bowed slightly. But none smiled.
The guards never smiled.
Eventually, we reached the corridor leading toward the outer courtyard. The stones beneath my feet felt colder here. Like the air had changed. Grown heavier.
I didn’t know why I came here. I just… needed to move.
“Katherine,” I said suddenly, “Have you thought of leaving here?”
She hesitated. “What?”
“Like… you just feel like staying here is a big mistake that should never have happened.”
She frowned. “Is this about something specific?”
“What if you find out I’m hiding something soo important from you.., something that might hurt you and make you lose your trust in me. Would you forgive me?”
“Aqua,” she whispered.
“Telling you might hurt you. But not telling you might still hurt you. What would you do?”
She didn’t answer.
“Katherine… if you were given the opportunity to leave this pack, would you do it?”
“Are you planning on leaving?”
Wouldn’t that be safer?
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12:17 Sat, 30 Aug O
Chapter 50
“What did you do to that pendant?” she suddenly asked, narrowing her eyes at the jewel around my neck.
I looked down at the pendant. There was a tiny red gem that hadn’t been there before.
“I think Alex gave it a little… upgrade,” I replied, staring at the thing like it might bite me.
“Ohh. Alex?” she teased, nudging me, and I scoffed softly.
I wonder when he snuck out of bed to do this because it clearly wasn’t there last night.
It seemed like it was another piece of him.
Another reminder of how close he let me in. Of how far I’d have to fall if he knew the truth.
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I touched the pendant gently. It was warm now. Warmer than it had ever been. I wondered if it could feel my pulse. If it could tell that my heart was breaking.
If he could.
Katherine had gone back inside already. But I still sat in the courtyard, just watching.
“A penny for your thoughts? Luna.”
I turned too fast.
Esmeralda stood beneath the archway, hood down, her grey hair set free for once, swaying like silk.
“I’m fine,” I said, gritting my teeth.
She smiled, calm as ever. “I didn’t come to collect anything.”
I didn’t respond.
“I just came to see if you were still… loyal.”
My throat tightened. “I still have time.”
She stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve always had a soft heart, Aquamarine,” she added. “Just remember not everyone deserves it. Some debts repay themselves in time.”
I frowned. What was that supposed to mean?
“It’s no longer urgent. The items.” She said with a smile and patted my head.
My eyes widened in shock and I grabbed her arm. “Are you serious?”
She threw her head back and laughed. She then patted my cheek. “What do you think?”
Then she turned and left. Just like that.
No threats. No pressure.
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Chapter 50
“Was she serious? Or is this another sick twisted game?” Was all I could mutter as I walked back to my room.
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Back in my room, I stared at the empty bed for a long time. The sheets were still slightly rumpled on his side, as if he’d laid
there earlier.
I removed my robe and went beneath the covers. My body felt heavy, like it didn’t belong to me anymore. I lay there, still,
eyes open.
Thinking. Drowning.
Minutes passed. Then the door creaked open softly.
I closed my eyes.
I heard his steps. The scent of fresh blood wrapped around the room. I could already imagine how bloody he looked.
Recently, he had been soo busy with the affairs of other packs, packs I heard that thought they could sabotage him.
Packs heard were once close to him.
I heard another door open and I assumed it must be the bathroom door. After a while, it opened again and the air
smelled.. cleaned, but I still didn’t open my eyes.
I felt the weight of him sitting beside me.
He didn’t say a word.
A warm hand gently brushed my hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear.
And for the first time since I stepped foot in this place, I wished I could run away.
AD
