Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 50: Immortal

The news had already spread like wildfire through the fortress, carried by hushed whispers and astonished gasps. The Alpha was alive. The mighty Lucas Raventhorn had somehow survived a silver bullet. To everyone else, it was nothing short of a miracle. But to Ava, it was proof that the Moon Goddess had been watching over them both.

She barely had time to settle on her bed before Zari burst through the door.

"Is it true the Alpha is alive?" she asked, her large eyes practically bulging out of her face.

Ava smiled, still giddy, her body thrumming with excitement and relief. "Yes, Zari. It’s true."

"Wow," she breathed, shaking her head in disbelief. "The man really is immortal. I heard it was a silver bullet. A silver bullet, Ava! How does one just...recover from that?"

Ava shrugged, feeling her lips stretch into an involuntary smile. "I guess the Moon Goddess is on his side."

More than that, the Moon Goddess was on her side, too. She had given Ava the strength, the ability to heal him, to save the man she loved. And now, that man was hers. Or, well, he would be soon.

She barely managed to stifle the delighted giggle bubbling in her throat as she stretched and flopped onto her mattress. The last twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind; an emotional rollercoaster of fear, desperation, and impossible hope. Now, exhaustion settled into her bones, making every muscle ache. But she didn’t mind. It was the kind of exhaustion that came after a battle well-fought. She had won.

"Can you get me a cup of tea, Zari?" she asked, sighing contentedly.

The request was simple enough, so she was surprised when Zari froze. Just for a second. Barely noticeable. But Ava caught it, the way her shoulders tensed, the hesitation in her voice when she responded.

"Oh, okay. I... um... okay."

Ava cracked open one eye, observing her stiff posture. "Are you okay?" she asked, her brows furrowing slightly.

Zari forced a quick, too-bright smile. "Yeah! Totally. Just... thinking about how the Alpha cheated death. You know, mind-blown and all." She let out an awkward laugh before quickly making her way out of the room.

Ava watched her go, her curiosity piqued for a moment before she shook it off. She was too tired to overthink anything tonight. Instead, she closed her eyes and let herself bask in the joy of what was to come.

She was going to be Luna.

Her heart skipped a beat at the thought, and suddenly, exhaustion wasn’t as important anymore. She rolled onto her side and reached for the small mirror on her nightstand. She grinned at her reflection. Her. Ava. Luna of the Silver Pack.

Her life was about to change forever.

Meanwhile, Zari’s hands were shaking.

She kept her head down as she walked toward the kitchen, her stomach twisting itself into impossible knots. She wished she could turn back time, wished she had never become Ava’s maid.

She had thought the address was to a building. instead, it was to an empty alleyway and the only thing waiting there was a trash can with a small bottle labelled Zari in it.

She had no choice.

Her hands trembled as she boiled the water, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps as she made the tea. When she reached into her pocket and pulled out the poison, she hesitated.

Moon Goddess, forgive me.

She uncorked the bottle, her fingers slick with sweat. A single drop of the dark liquid fell into the tea, dissolving instantly.

Her heart pounded as she stirred. She wanted to stop. Wanted to run. Wanted to throw the whole thing away. But her sister’s terrified face flashed in her mind, and her stomach churned violently.

She couldn’t back out now.

Now was the best time, right after the alpha’s assassination attempt. Nobody would suspect her. they would just assume it was a political set up or so she hoped.

If she did get caught, she prayed that her sister would be alive and well and the horrible people that have her would let her go seeing as she had sacrificed everything.

She placed the poisoned tea kettle and a tea cup on a tray and walked back toward Ava’s room, her feet feeling like lead.

Ava beamed as Zari returned, setting the tray down with careful, deliberate movements.

"Thank you," Ava murmured and poured herself a cup. She took a sip, sighing happily. "You can go get some sleep now."

Zari didn’t move.

Her throat felt tight, her heart hammering against her ribs. She stared at Ava, at her easy, content smile, at the way her shoulders were relaxed. A sickening wave of guilt crashed over her.

"Ava..." she whispered.

Ava looked up, brows raised. "Hmm?"

Zari’s mouth opened. Then closed.

She turned away quickly, gripping the doorframe like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

"Moon Goddess," she muttered under her breath once again. "Please forgive me."

Then, she fled.

Ava hummed happily as she picked up her phone. She had so much energy now in her. She needed to tell someone about the engagement before she exploded.

Well, she couldn’t exactly tell anyone, but she could at least text Lucas.

’Hey future husband, dream only of me.’

She grinned as she hit send.

A moment later, her phone vibrated with a response. She eagerly opened the message, expecting something sweet and romantic. Instead, she found three words that made her groan.

’My Little Virgin.’

Ava rolled her eyes so hard she nearly saw the back of her skull.

Seriously?

Out of all the things he could’ve said, this was what he went with? She could practically hear the teasing smirk in his voice.

Shaking her head, she drank the rest of her tea and laid down on the bed, hoping for sleep to envelope her so time could go faster.