Chapter 125: This time, I’ll take your life

​"Are you certain about everything you just told me?" Alec asked after listening to Samantha’s revelation.

"If I wasn’t certain, I wouldn’t have called you out here to tell you," Samantha replied, her voice sharp and defensive. "I could have kept it to myself, but I made a choice to warn you. Believe me or not, I don’t care."

She turned and started to walk away again, but Alec caught her by the wrist and stopped her.

"What now?" she snapped, glaring at his hand.

"Why did you tell me this, Samantha?" Alec demanded, searching her face. "I know you. You would grab every single opportunity to get rid of Luna Alyssa. Could it be that my words the other night actually reached you? Are you a changed person already?"

Gritting her teeth, Samantha wrenched her hand out of his grip.

"You don’t know me!" she snarled. "I didn’t do this for you, and I certainly didn’t do it for Alyssa. The only reason I told you is because I want my name cleared when this blows out of proportion, which I know it will. I refuse to be blamed for something I had no hand in."

"That doesn’t answer my question," Alec retorted smoothly. "And you’re wrong. I do know you. The Samantha I know would take any weapon handed to her to get what she wants."

"Then maybe I am indeed a changed person!"

The moment those words left her lips, Samantha froze, realizing what she had blurted out. Alec’s lips twitched into a small, subtle smile, his eyes appraising her carefully.

"Now that wasn’t so hard to admit, was it?"

She glared at him, taking a quick step backward. "Fuck you, Alec!" Turning away, she stormed back into the arena.

Alec watched her retreat until she disappeared around a corner. Then the smile dropped from his face, his expression hardening as he opened the mind link.

Finding Dorian’s link closed off for the ceremony, he linked Jake instead and passed along every detail of Fabian’s plot to his twin.

Stepping back onto the arena, he subtly signaled several guards stationed nearby.

"The Luna is in danger," he murmured under his breath. "There is an archer hidden in the surrounding treeline, waiting to strike. Assemble the guards and surround the area. I need that shooter intercepted."

"Yes, Gamma Alec," the lead guard nodded. Passing the command quietly through the mind-link, the guards moved stealthily, fanning out around the base of the massive trees.

By the time Alec returned to the dais, Dorian and Alyssa were already stepping down to light the pyre. He exchanged a brief look with Jake, who gave him a single nod.

​[The Alpha is aware. Be ready.]

Alec nodded. [Copy that.]

Everything proceeded smoothly, until Joffrey and his sisters were called forward to be reinstated. The moment Dorian’s body went rigid and his eyes snapped toward the treeline, Alec and Jake knew the strike was happening.

Dorian grabbed Alyssa, spinning her into his chest just as two arrows whistled through the night air and sank deep into his back. A sudden, burning sensation spread through his muscles, revealing that the arrows were coated in aconite.

Alyssa gasped, her eyes widening in horror as she felt him flinch. "Dorian!" she shrieked, clutching his arms. "Are you okay? Oh goddess above, you’re hurt!"

"I’m fine," Dorian growled through clenched teeth, his demon blood already fighting off the poison. He cut his dark gaze toward Jake and Alec. "Find the shooter!"

As Jake and Alec charged off the stage into the crowd, chaos erupted across the arena. Shifters screamed and ducked for cover, fearing for their lives.

Anthony hurried forward and grabbed Dorian’s arm. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Dorian grunted, forcing his posture straight. "Take the girls away from here. Get them to safety. The shooter is still active."

Just as he spoke, a third arrow came whistling directly toward his head. Dorian’s hand shot up, catching the wooden shaft mid-air inches from his face. He whirled around, his pitch-black eyes locking onto a hooded figure crouched in the high branches of a distant oak.

"Got you," he muttered.

Realizing his position was completely compromised, the archer abandoned his perch, shifting mid-fall into a massive grey wolf and bounding through the high canopy.

The second his paws hit the ground, he broke into a run, while a dozen guards instantly gave chase.

Dorian reached behind his back and ripped the two arrows from his flesh. He tossed them away, glancing back once to ensure Anthony had safely escorted Alyssa, Pandora, and Henna off the dais.

Turning to Kane and the gathered Elders, his voice echoed with cold authority. "Keep the crowd under control. The Moon Ceremony will not be ruined a second time."

Kane bowed his head deeply. "Yes, Alpha."

As Dorian turned to descend the dais, Conri hurried up the steps, blocking his path. "We had an agreement, Dorian."

Dorian ignored him, pushing past toward the side exit. But Conri hurried after him, his face flushed with anger.

"You must complete the reinstatement. That was our deal. You cannot go back on your word now..."

"I don’t have time for this, Conri!" Dorian snapped, turning on his heel with a look so terrifying Conri recoiled. "Someone just attempted to murder my Queen! The reinstatement of your spoiled children is the last thing on my mind."

"Your Luna is safe!" Conri shot back, losing his composure. "But that is the least of your concerns right now! I swear to you, Dorian, if you do not reinstate Joffrey tonight, I will go straight to the Elders and tell every single one of them what your little wife actually is!"

Dorian stopped dead in his tracks. He stepped into Conri’s space, his eyes blazing with pure, unbridled rage.

​"Do it," he growled. "I fucking dare you."

...

Back at the estate, Fabian had successfully bypassed the lightened security and broken into the dungeons. He hurried down the cold corridor toward the cell where Melinda was locked away, nervously checking his phone for Samantha’s text.

​"Fabian!" Melinda cried out, rushing forward to grab the cell bars. In her excitement, she forgot the iron was forged with pure silver; it scorched her palms, making her hiss in pain and yank her hands back.

"Just hold still," Fabian muttered, pulling out a set of pick tools. "I’ll have you out in no time."

"Did the plan work?" Melinda whispered urgently. "Did you get Samantha to cooperate? Is Alyssa dead?"

"I don’t know," Fabian replied, picking rapidly at the lock. "I left the arena when the archer fired. I couldn’t waste time, but Samantha is playing her part. She’s causing a scene to buy us time."

"Perfect," Melinda sneered, her eyes gleaming. "Once I’m out, we will twist this entire plot and frame her before she tries to cross us."

With a sharp click, Fabian managed to pop the lock. The gate swung open, and he extended a hand to her.

"Let’s go," he urged. "We need to leave the Northern territory tonight."

They sprinted out of the dungeon and made a desperate dash for the front gates of the estate. But the moment they stepped into the open, both of them froze dead in their tracks.

Standing in the courtyard, blocking their escape, was Dorian. His arms were crossed over his broad chest, his shirt stained with his own blood.

Standing behind him were Samantha, Jake, Alec, a squad of fearsome guards, and the captured, bleeding archer.

Melinda let out a horrified shriek, instantly ducking behind Fabian who looked as though he had just walked into his own execution.

"You crossed a line this time, Fabian," Dorian murmured, his voice deadly quiet as he stepped forward. "And this time, I’ll take your life."