Reyna’s POV
Stephanie and I lounged on the plush sofa in the lounge, the faint hum of conversation and the occasional clink of glasses echoing in the background. The party still buzzed with energy downstairs, but we’d sought a quieter corner to talk. The topic of discussion was Diane her disgrace, her rage, and, of course, her current predicament.
“I can’t believe Diane thought she could get away with it,” Stephanie said, shaking her head as she sipped her wine. “Paying the Moon Goddess’s assistant to lie? How desperate can she be?”
“She’s lucky John didn’t do worse,” I said, crossing my arms. The image of Diane being dragged to the dungeon replayed in my mind, and I couldn’t suppress the small smile that tugged at my lips. “Honestly, it feels good knowing she’s finally facing the consequences of her actions.”
Stephanie chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement. “For once, we don’t have to watch our backs with her lurking around. She’s exactly where she belongs.”
We shared a laugh, the tension of the evening momentarily lifting. But before the conversation could continue, Stephanie’s phone buzzed on the table between us. She glanced at the screen, her expression shifting from amusement to something unreadable.
“Excuse me, Reyna,” she said, standing abruptly and clutching her phone. “I need to take this.”
“Sure,” I replied, watching as she hurried out of the room. My curiosity piqued. This wasn’t the first time Stephanie had left to take a mysterious call. Lately, she’d been acting… different. More secretive. And now, as I sat alone, unease began to creep in.
The Mystery of Stephanie’s Calls
I stared at the spot where Stephanie had been moments ago, her sudden departure replaying in my mind. Who was so important that she couldn’t even wait to finish our conversation? I drummed my fingers on the armrest, my thoughts racing. Stephanie had always been open with me, but recently, there had been moments fleeting but noticeable where she seemed distant, distracted.
I decided I couldn’t ignore it any longer. Rising from my seat, I quietly followed the direction she had gone, my bare feet muffling my steps against the polished floor.
As I approached a tall marble pillar near the hallway, I heard her voice. Stephanie was speaking in hushed tones, her back turned to me. I pressed myself against the pillar, straining to catch her words.
“Sarah, I told you I’d call you later,” Stephanie said, her voice sharp but low. “Yes, I’ll come and see you when I can. No, don’t do anything until I get there.”
Sarah? My heart thudded in my chest. Who was Sarah? And why did Stephanie sound so… urgent?
I remained frozen behind the pillar, my mind racing. Stephanie had never mentioned anyone named Sarah before, and the tone of the conversation was far from casual. My instincts screamed that something was off, but I didn’t dare move or reveal my presence.
As Stephanie ended the call and turned around, I stepped out from behind the pillar, unable to contain my curiosity any longer. She froze when she saw me, her eyes widening in surprise and something else guilt, maybe?
“Reyna,” she said, her voice wavering slightly. “What are you doing here?”
I crossed my arms, meeting her gaze. “I could ask you the same thing. Who’s Sarah?”
Her mouth opened, then closed, as if she was searching for the right words. “It’s… it’s nothing. Just someone I know.”
“Someone you know?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes. “Stephanie, you’ve been acting strange for weeks now. Always running off to take calls, disappearing when things get tense. I’ve let it slide, but now I want answers. Who is Sarah, and what are you up to?”
She took a step closer, her hands raised in a placating gesture. “Reyna, I swear, I’m still the same Stephanie you’ve always known. Nothing has changed.”
I shook my head, backing away from her. “No. Something has changed. You’ve changed. And until you tell me the truth, I don’t think I can trust you.”
Her face crumpled, and for a moment, I thought she might come clean. But instead, she remained silent, her lips pressed into a thin line.
I let out a bitter laugh, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway. “I thought we were friends, Steph. I thought we could tell each other everything. But clearly, I was wrong.”
Turning on my heel, I started to walk away, my chest tightening with a mix of hurt and frustration.
“Reyna, wait!” Stephanie called after me, but I didn’t stop. Her voice faded as I moved further down the hallway, my mind swirling with questions and doubts.
Back in my room, I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall as tears welled in my eyes. Stephanie had been my confidante, my rock, through everything. To think she was keeping secrets from me it felt like a betrayal.
Who was Sarah? What was Stephanie hiding? And why couldn’t she just tell me the truth?
I didn’t have the answers, but one thing was certain: our friendship would never be the same until she came clean.
___
Diane’s POV
The cold, damp air of the dungeon clung to my skin as I paced back and forth, the sound of my footsteps echoing in the small, dark cell. My anger burned hotter than the torches lining the stone walls outside. How dare John throw me in here? After everything I’ve done for the clan? For him? It was infuriating.
I stopped pacing and leaned against the cold, iron bars, glaring out at the empty corridor. They think they’ve won, that locking me up will silence me. They couldn’t be more wrong. I’d find a way out of this, and when I did, Reyna would regret ever setting foot in this pack.
The faint sound of footsteps reached my ears, snapping me out of my thoughts. I peered down the corridor and saw two guards approaching my cell. For a moment, hope flickered maybe John had come to his senses. But before I could call out, the guards suddenly collapsed to the ground, their bodies limp and motionless.
“What the-” My words caught in my throat as a shadow emerged from the darkness. A tall figure in a guard’s uniform approached, his movements deliberate and calm. He stopped in front of my cell and unlocked the door with a single twist of a key.
I narrowed my eyes, stepping back cautiously. “Who are you?” I demanded, my voice sharp.
The man smirked, his face partially obscured by the hood of his uniform. “Alpha Damon sent me,” he said in a low voice. “It’s time to capture Reyna. He’s been watching the events unfold, and he believes now is the perfect moment to strike.”
My breath hitched, and then a slow, calculating smile spread across my face. Damon he always knew how to seize an opportunity.
I stepped closer, studying the man. “And you’re here to break me out? Or is this just about Reyna?”
“Both,” he replied curtly. “Your information will make this easier, but my orders are clear: get Reyna and bring her to Alpha Damon. He’s been waiting for this moment.”
I nodded, my mind already racing with possibilities. If Damon succeeded, not only would Reyna be out of the picture, but I’d also reclaim my position in the clan. This was the break I needed.
“Fine,” I said, crossing my arms. “Reyna’s room is in the east wing of the mansion, third floor. It’s the last door at the end of the hallway. She’s probably holed up there sulking after all the drama tonight.”
The man nodded, but I wasn’t finished.
“I’m coming with you,” I added firmly.
He hesitated, his brows furrowing. “That’s not part of the plan. My team is already outside.”
I scoffed, stepping past him and out of the cell. “Your plan doesn’t matter anymore. Everyone already knows who I am, so there’s no reason for me to hide. Besides, if you think I’m letting you handle this on your own, you’re mistaken. Reyna is my problem too.”
The man didn’t argue further, though I could sense his irritation. “Fine,” he said, his tone clipped. “But stay out of the way. We don’t have time for mistakes.”
I smirked. “Don’t worry about me. Just make sure your men are ready.”
He led the way down the corridor, his movements swift and silent. As we approached the back gate, he motioned for me to stop. “Wait here,” he said. “My team is stationed just beyond the gate. I’ll signal them to move when the time is right.”
I leaned against the cold stone wall, my heart pounding with anticipation. This was it-the moment everything would change. Soon, Reyna would be out of the picture, and I’d take back the power and respect I deserved.
And as for John and Jake? They’d learn the hard way that no one crosses Diane and gets away with it.