Diane’s POV
I sat in the dimly lit room, the air thick with the scent of incense burning in the corner. The woman before me, clad in an outfit that mimicked the ceremonial attire of a Moon Goddess assistant, nodded silently as I spoke. Her eyes were sharp, calculating, and I knew I had chosen the right person for the task.
“You understand your role?” I asked, my voice cold and firm.
“Yes,” she replied, her tone steady.
“Good.” I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes at her. “You will arrive at the Moonlight Party as the assistant to the Moon Goddess. You’ll make a grand entrance, enough to catch everyone’s attention, and then you’ll speak with authority. You’ll address the elders, the crowd, and most importantly, John.”
The woman nodded again, her expression unreadable.
“Make it clear that Reyna and Stephanie are threats to the clan,” I continued. “They’re outsiders, unfit to be considered as potential mates for John or anyone else of high status. They’ll bring nothing but trouble to our pack.”
“And you, my lady?” she asked, her voice smooth and professional.
I smirked, feeling a surge of satisfaction at the thought. “You’ll portray me as the ideal choice for John’s mate. Speak of my loyalty, my unwavering dedication to the pack, and my ability to lead with grace and strength. Highlight my bloodline, my connections, and my contributions to the clan’s prosperity.”
She nodded, scribbling notes on a small parchment. “Understood. And Jake?”
I waved a dismissive hand. “Jake is irrelevant. I’ll arrange for someone to distract him. He needs a new companion anyway, one who will keep him away from Reyna. I’ll find the perfect girl to fill that role.”
The woman hesitated for a moment before asking, “And if anyone questions the legitimacy of my presence?”
I let out a low laugh, the sound dripping with confidence. “No one will question you. I’ve ensured that everything appears authentic. The elders won’t dare to speak against you publicly, not when the Moonlight Party is such a sacred event. Just stick to the script and do your job.”
The woman nodded, and I stood, signaling the end of our meeting.
“Go now,” I commanded. “Prepare yourself. You have one chance to get this right, and if you fail…” I let my voice trail off, leaving the threat hanging in the air.
“I won’t fail,” she assured me, rising to her feet.
As she left the room, I turned to my personal maid, who had been standing quietly in the corner throughout the entire exchange.
“Make sure she has everything she needs,” I instructed. “And keep an eye on her. I don’t trust anyone entirely.”
“Yes, my lady,” the maid replied, bowing slightly.
Satisfied, I returned to my carriage and headed back to the estate. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the land, and I couldn’t help but smile.
By the time we arrived home, I felt a rush of excitement. Everything was falling into place, and soon, I would have the recognition I deserved.
“Begin the preparations for the party tomorrow,” I told my maid as we entered the estate. “Ensure every detail is flawless. I want this event to be remembered for generations.”
“Yes, my lady,” she replied, hurrying off to carry out my orders.
I ascended the grand staircase, my heart lighter than it had been in weeks. The vision of John standing beside me as the pack acknowledged me as his mate played in my mind. Reyna and Stephanie would be nothing more than forgotten nuisances.
Once inside my room, I poured myself a glass of wine, savoring the rich flavor as I gazed out of the window. The Moonlight Party would be a turning point, not just for John and me but for the entire pack.
As I drained the glass, a wicked smile spread across my lips. Everything was in motion, and soon, my vision would become reality. Nothing and no one would stand in my way.
___
Marcus’s POV
The faint scent of antiseptic filled the room as I stepped inside. Sally lay motionless on the bed, his usually sharp features softened by the injuries he had sustained. Ryan sat beside him, his arm in a sling, staring out the window.
“How are they?” I asked the attending healer, keeping my voice steady.
“Sally’s condition is stable, but his injuries are severe. He’ll need a few weeks to recover,” the healer replied. “Ryan is healing well, but he must avoid any strenuous activity.”
I nodded, dismissing the healer with a wave. Once the door closed, I turned to Ryan. His jaw tightened as he avoided my gaze.
“What happened?” I asked, my tone sharp.
“She slipped through my hands,” Ryan muttered, his voice filled with frustration. “She ran into the woods. I tried to track her, but she disappeared.”
I clenched my fists. “She’s out there, and that’s a problem. You were supposed to bring her back, not let her escape.”
“She’ll be found,” Ryan said, his voice hardening.
“She better be,” I snapped. “We can’t afford more mistakes, Ryan. Sally’s condition alone should remind you how high the stakes are.”
Sally stirred on the bed, his voice hoarse. “Don’t pin this all on Ryan. It was my plan. I underestimated her.”
I turned to him, surprised he was awake. “You should focus on recovering, Sally. We’ll need you soon enough.”
Before he could respond, a knock came at the door. A guard stepped in, his expression serious.
“Sir, news from the wolf clan,” the guard said. “They’re hosting a Moonlight Party in Jake and John’s territory. It seems to be a formal event involving the elders.”
The words made my blood run cold and hot all at once. A Moonlight Party? That could only mean one thing-John and Jake were preparing to solidify their positions by choosing their mates.
“This is our chance,” I said, turning back to Ryan and Sally. “With all the attention on the party, security will be stretched thin. We’ll use the chaos to take what we need.”
Sally chuckled weakly, his smirk faint but defiant. “You’re always scheming, Marcus. Don’t mess this one up.”
“I don’t plan to,” I said firmly. “Rest up. You’ll both need to be ready when the time comes.”
I stepped out of the room, pulling out my phone. I dialed Jacob’s number, pacing the hallway as the line rang.
“Marcus,” Jacob answered, his voice gruff. “What now?”
“There’s a Moonlight Party happening in Jake and John’s clan,” I said, my tone low and urgent. “This is the opening we’ve been waiting for. If we move carefully, we can extract Reyna and Stephanie without a hitch.”
There was a pause on the other end. “That’s easier said than done,” Jacob replied. “The Moonlight Party will have elders and warriors present. We’ll need a solid plan.”
“That’s why we’re meeting,” I said. “I need you to come here immediately. We’ll go over every detail.”
Jacob sighed. “Fine. I’ll be there shortly.”
As the call ended, I leaned against the wall, my mind racing. This was it-the perfect opportunity to strike. But one misstep, and everything could fall apart.
I couldn’t afford failure. Not now. Not when we were so close to turning the tides in our favor.