Chapter Eighty 

No...,I whispered, the words choking out of my throat

Almost a whole day. Id slept for almost a whole day. My vision hadnt taken place just after sun*set*, it had been just before sun*rise*. And now an hour or so had already passed since then

I felt myself go completely numb, releasing Lucys hand from my grip

There was a crumbling beginning within me. Like I was falling... falling into an Abyss that was completely o f my own making. One that was a hole Id been desperately trying to swim away from these last four years, trying so goddamn hard to believe that there was still good in people. That even though I had been rejected, killed and abandoned by everyone around me, that there was still potential for people to do better. That I could do better

And now it seemed the final betrayal had embedded its dagger. The one I knew I wouldnt ever survive. And, apparently, neither would my parents

... There was no one left.‘ 

...No one

...I was alone.‘ 

Just as fate seemed to have always planned for me

And everything felt... so empty

Oh... I didntI didnt realise,” I whispered to myself in a daze, the world slowly moving around me

Miss...?” 

...I didnt realise we were playing that sort of game.” 

... Ready to do this my way?My prior selfs voice then whispered in my head, offering to give me the support I so desperately craved right now

It was the kind of help I would have instantly turned down before... but now

Honestly, I was starting to wonder why Id been so opposed the entire time. She had managed to endure years of hell, doing whatever it took to survive and prove her worth. If anyone knew how to keep working when it felt like the world was falling apart, it was her. Only she possessed the strength I would need now

...What did I even have to lose anymore? Myra? Cai? My parents

And I felt myself slip deeper into the hole inside

Theres something I need to tell you but I...,Lucy said to me, disjointedly. But II cant, Im sorry... .” 

Its okay,I said, stopping her, my body quickly becoming calm. I already know he ordered you to stay quiet about what happened in the hospital. I already know about....” 

I couldnt finish my sentence though. Speaking of my parent‘s demise still felt wrong

Surprise crossed Lucys features, my knowledge taking her aback since there was no way I should have known

Miss? How do you...?” 

Dont worry about that. We have bigger things to concern ourselves with now and I need your full concentration.” 

Without waiting, I then walked over to where Lucy had laid out the outfit I was going to wear today and began changing tugging on the long sleeve dress over my head

But the plan is ruined,she objected. Plan A is now far too risky and Plan B is...” 

Her voice choked to a stop as the Alpha order constricted her. But I didn‘t need her to elaborate. I already knew what she was trying to say

Plan A would now mean ordering not just one, but two Alpha bloods. A feat I wasnt sure I was capable of pulling off even when it had just been for Tytus with wolfsbane in his system

youre right,I said, fastening the finishing touches to my attire. Which is exactly why were going ahead with Pian C

Miss? Plan C? You never mentioned there was a Plan C.” 

Contact Iris. Tell her it’s time,I instructed, proceeding to grab the last of everything I needed

The reason Lucy didnt know about Plan C was because no one knew about it except for me

It was something Id come up with at the same time I had the others. A plan I had continually pushed away, knowing it shouldnt ever be used, knowing it was something that only *shet would do. However, it wasnt a backup for if I failed to order Tytus, or if Aleric failed to challenge him

No, it was what Id come up with for in the event the worstcase scenario happened, the absolute point of all else failing 

It was a plan that had to be completely hidden from everyone else in order for it to work. The ultimate trump card, the final stand. I had never wanted to resort to it, let alone consider implementing it. But I had prepared for it nonetheless

Because Plan C was for in the event Aleric betrayed me

End suddenly I found myself in that very position

Contrary to Alerics request, I did not seek him out before the meeting

From everything Lucy was forbidden from telling me, yet everything I had already witnessed myself anyway, I knew it was too dangerous. Who wouldnt be expecting some sort of trap

After all, if he could kill my parents so easily then what else was he capable of? Hed deliberately chosen not to challenge Tytus once the order came through, showing his alliance to him over me. Hell, he most 

had leaked the information about the poisoning to

his message

succession naturally, not by force alongside me.

was enough to drive this kind of response; whether it really had demolished our trust to the point of him making the first move. But there was another posibility also one where

right now. Wondering about the motives wasn‘t going to bring

with what I needed to do, get through the day, and then reassess once it was all over.

Chapter Eighty 

oblivious to what had transpired the night before was only going to work

to do; never staying in one spot for too long, never giving in to the pain threatening to fester within me. Every single second of today was going to be crucial, and I

was time for the

of the meeting hall as I entered and the entire

faces said it all... Sympathy, sadness... caution, disgust. It seemed I was once again the daughter of a traitor; this scenario being one I was already painfully familiar

over to where Aleric stood, refusing to

but inside all I felt was complete calmness; my mind entirely focused on what I needed

who was left to

been?” Aleric hissed in a low voice, his hand grabbing my

Elders turned their heads

my arm free of his grasp. The same hands that had been

“It‘s good to see you. Apologies, I‘ve been a little busy this morning. But what‘s a few hours when we have our entire lives together, right? It seems as though you‘re so excited

the voice inside

What are you” 

ending all chances of continuing the conversation, and I looked up as the man himself

tried to force us into

You may be seated,” Tytus said as he

filling the space around him. Or, at least they did for all but one chair... my

celebrating not only young Aria‘s birthday, but also her union with my son, Aleric,” Tytus said to the council and warriors present. “However, it is with a heavy heart that I announce to you

Lies.‘ 

didn‘t actually give a shit about

already heard,” he continued. “But a situation arose yesterday whereby I was made aware of a plan. A plan to poison me during a routine doctor‘s appointment. Upon ordering the arrest of the individual in question, an

***

people that I hold dearow pace Bettid Mootout I

from me, they would

most 

en 

, tp 

tuetta yo 

h

that it happenel4g/ l focused on mine. “Naturally, I have some questions for you see is can still

you put into this pack. And whilst, of course, numer realise their actions are ones

06415 there

06,” 

differences 6 tumay 

, H

, 105 1004

me a small smile, his face softening “I know we have had hope you feel you can come to me with anything should but through circumstance, you will also be gaining a

his olles which, 10 latxa better word, was suggesting he replace

you 21001a 

Aria is itching to get the collar off after all of these months and believe the statt off either.”

My chesi began pounding...

laceho ang the

Tyus stant approaching me, walking with

key..

*Thump, thump*..

hissed next to me, desperate

possibly say to me now. Therboot would be forever

Sinking ever deeper..

into

turning back now as

then...,” Tytus mumbled to himself as he moved his hands

made quick work of the

the satisfying click

suddenly I was

to me

though my body was alight, coming alive with the mass amount of energy that poured through me, and I gasped at the air as if breathing for the very

difference in my strength was extremely noticeable. Noticeable enough that I struggled to even remain standing,

with a resuaint that essentially made me human, forcing me to work harder to get results. Now

Chapter Eighty 

ever

shiver of nausea then quickly travelled up

knew exactly what it

meant I didn‘t have long.

ahead,” Tytus instructed,

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