Alison’s POV
The night felt too quiet, the kind of quiet that always made my instincts hum with unease. I sat at the kitchen counter, swirling the last dregs of red wine in my glass as the faint ticking of the wall clock filled the space. The air was heavy, like something was waiting just beyond my grasp, a tension I couldn’t shake. I tried to focus on the warmth of the wine spreading through me, grounding me, reminding me that I’d earned this moment of peace.
Only a few months ago, I had felt like an intruder here, a trespasser in a life I wasn’t sure I belonged in. But things had changed. Not only have I warmed by way into the hearts of the people, Xander’s mother Katherine had extended her approval, and I couldn’t be any less happy.
Most of the pack women, who once whispered behind my back, now came bearing genuine smiles and warm embraces. Yesterday, they’d visited me, leaving me with a basket of homemade treats and heartfelt words of welcome.
For the first time, I allowed myself to hope. To believe. Maybe this was what it felt like to finally win. I was basking in the glory of my acceptance.
The creak of the kitchen door snapping open shattered the calm. My head whipped around, my pulse quickening. There she was, standing by the door, Caitlyn. Her heels began clicking against the tile as she walked in, her expression sharp and unreadable, but her eyes… they were a raging storm.
“Well, if it isn’t our new favorite,” she spat, her voice dripping with venom.
I placed my glass carefully on the counter and turned to face her fully, refusing to let her see even a flicker of intimidation. “Caitlyn,” I said evenly, keeping my tone soft but firm. “What brings you here so late? Don’t tell me you no longer have a house”
Her lips curled into a sneer. “Don’t act so cocky just because you think you have won, Alison.” She snapped “Katherine summoned me to tell me she had finally decided to let you be Luna.”
Ah. So, this was about that. “ohh! I see the news had reached you as well?” I asked, feigning innocence even as I braced myself for her outburst.
“You think because she you have finally been chosen as the next Luna means that plan cannot change overnight?,” she hissed, stepping closer, her hands clenched into fists. “Do you have any idea how hard I worked for this? How much I’ve sacrificed? I was raised for this role and you think you can just waltz in here and steal my spotlight that easily?”
I leaned back against the counter, crossing my arms over my chest. “Hard work and sacrifice don’t excuse sabotage, Caitlyn,” I replied, my voice steady. “You had your chance, and you showed everyone who you truly are, the people have eyes and I think they have spoken according to what they see…”
Her eyes narrowed to slits, and for a moment, I thought she might lunge at me. Instead, she laughed bitterly. “You think you are some badass bitch now? You think this is over because Katherine gave you her blessing? You must really be delusional. You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
I pushed off the counter and stepped closer, closing the distance between us. The tension crackled like electricity in the air. “I think I know exactly what you are capable of, but it’s safe to say bring it on,” I said quietly but firmly, meeting her glare without flinching. “I’m no longer afraid of you, Caitlyn. I was silly to have been in the first place.”
Her nostrils flared, and her breath fanned my face as she leaned in, her voice dropping to a low growl. “You just touched the lions tail, be ready for the bite!.”
For a long moment, we stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills. I held her gaze fiercely, I could see the desperation in her eyes but u wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of winning, Then for a second, I thought I saw her gaze shift, just for a fraction of a second, to the glass of wine on the counter behind me. My eye followed as she dropped her hand with a soft thud on the counter, giving me a sly smile.
“Enjoy your little victory,” she said, stepping back suddenly. Her voice had smoothed out, but her smile was anything but friendly. “but be rest assured It would not last.”
With that, she spun on her heel and walked out of the kitchen, leaving me standing there with my heart pounding in my chest.
I turned back to the counter, staring at the half-empty glass of wine. Her glance had been so quick, so fleeting, but something about it nagged at me. Shaking off the unease, I raised the glass bringing it to my eye, I swelved it before raising it in a mock toast to the empty room.
“To more victories,” I murmured before taking a slow sip.
The wine slid down smoothly, its warmth spreading through me. I tipped the glass back, finishing it in one long gulp, then placed it in the sink with a satisfied clink.
As I turned to head back to my room, a wave of dizziness hit me out of nowhere. I stopped in my tracks, gripping the edge of the counter to steady myself.
“What the…” I muttered, shaking my head to clear it. My vision blurred for a moment before sharpening again.
I pushed off the counter, determined to make it to my room and lie down, I hadn’t realized the amount of alcoholic content of the wine I just took, I tried to move faster but the dizziness only grew worse with each step I made. My legs felt like lead, and the hallway seemed to stretch endlessly before me.
Something was definitely wrong this wasn’t the effect of the wine.
My breaths came shallow and fast as I stumbled forward, one hand braced against the wall. My heart raced, and my skin prickled with a cold sweat.
“Xander…” I whispered, but my voice was barely audible, swallowed by the darkness creeping in at the edges of my vision.
Before I could take another step, my knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the floor. The cold tile pressed against my cheek as I struggled to stay conscious, but the world was slipping away too quickly.
Through the haze, I saw a shadow move above me, a figure hovering just out of reach, I couldn’t make out the face of that person.
“Who…” I tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. My lips felt heavy, my tongue leaden.
The last thing I saw before the darkness swallowed me completely was the faint glint of malicious eyes staring down at me, and then absolutely nothing.