2: SHE IS BACK

“BRING me to the Alpha King.” Una’s crimson eyes were consumed by intense resentment. She’d start her plan right away. She would never hesitate to purge everyone there…especially Hevian. With her power now, she could make these lowly shifters bow to her and kill them in just a snap of her finger. It took her a while to absorb the truth about the time that had passed since her death.

“Your peculiarities amazed me, Una. There have been a lot of changes here in Gwiazda since twenty years ago. It became stricter that even royal faeries from the neighboring domain of Erganiv could not enter here without an official business. The same goes for all the Gwiazdans. No one can cross the border without informing the Palace of Night and Stars. A barrier was created in every place here.” Drite studied her face. He’d seen her madness, but didn’t say a word about it.

“And the residents here are okay with that? You make them prisoners. What a load of nonsense! What if they wanted to go to Argia or to the four regions of Noyuh? Or they might find their mate in the Crystal Palace of Alsache?” Una drew breath through her flared nostrils. It was funny that she could remember all the places perfectly in Erganiv. She once dreamed of traveling the entire faerie realm before her death.

Una wanted to explore the nearby water domain of Alsache. The Alsacheris were known for being the best healers. While Noyuh had four regions with varying weather. However, she had already died. Having the pleasure of roaming around the world was not included in her plan unless she had her retribution.

Things were different after she was resurrected. Una wanted one thing—revenge. She would kill mercilessly until the death of their Alpha King.

“How did Hevian become the Alpha King?” She looked up at the fae.

Drite only shrugged. “I don’t know the details. It’s their affairs, and I’m not interested.”

Una refrained from asking more questions. Her brow almost formed a straight line, thinking about all the absurdity of the situation.

“I can’t believe the citizens here would bow down easily to these stupid rules.”

“Look at you. Why are you so mad? Gwiazda has the largest land area, so it’s abundant in resources. The Gwiazdans preferred to protect this land. All shapeshifters belong here. Immigrating to another place was never an option unless you were a criminal. Lord Azhir is a great leader who cared for his subject despite his strict ruling.”

Una remained silent while Drite talked about the Lord of Gwiazda. Lord Azhir was appointed by the council of royals when the God of Astronomy created the land. She didn’t want to make him her enemy. He had nothing to do with the wolf shifters of the Nacht territory who plotted her death.

She planned to flee once all her plans were set into motion. Killing Hevian in her own hands was her ultimate goal. But first, she’d create bloodshed that would make everyone regret they were alive.

“Tell me about the barrier.” Una urged the fae. She was calmer now.

“The invisible barrier in the borders of Gwiazda is now complete. So is the barrier covering the Nacht territory. You can’t barge in without alerting everyone. You can’t meet high-ranking officials there as easily as that. Remember, the wolf nation is autonomous. You need a reasonable excuse for your visit.” Drite breathed out. “I wonder why you are obsessed with meeting the Alpha King?”

“It’s none of your business. I can break the barrier to force an entry. I will use my power.” Una was determined. It was evident that Drite had no idea about her being the dead bride of Hevian.

“What magic can you wield? You are planning suicide.” Drite looked at her straight in her eyes.

“I-I can do anything.” Una was lost in her thoughts with Drite’s question. It was true she could feel her body’s immense mana, but properly harnessing it would require practice. She had never wielded magic before because she was too weak.

“Well then, perhaps I should let you take a peek. You amuse me, Una.” Drite smirked. He held her shoulder, and they vanished again.

Una was catching her breath and nauseated when they materialized on top of a hill. They could see the overlooking landscape of Dilim, the main city of the Nacht Territory divided into three districts. Just like before, the surroundings were covered with darkness. The moon was waxing crescent at this moment.

“You’re right. I can feel the presence of an invisible barrier.” Una clenched her fist. A series of vibrations rang through her ears. It was the first time she felt her keen senses.

“What will I get if I give you company to roam inside? The residence of the Alpha King is in the Midnight District. I can take you there.” Drite’s words were enticing, but Una thought he’d only slow her down.

“Never mind. I’ll destroy the barrier and go in myself. Thank you for bringing me here. But I don’t want to drag you into this mess, Drite. I have my destiny to fulfill.”

“Go ahead. Let me watch you unleash your power.” Drite sat on the large graphite stone as if waiting for her to do her thing.

Una glared at the subtle fluttering barrier. She motioned her hand, trying to destroy it, but nothing happened despite the power inside her. She tried it again, but the result was the same.

Drite giggled. “I was excited to see your ability. But it turned out I’ve been wrong in reading you, Una. You’re just ordinary.”

“Shut up! If you help me, I will serve you for three days.”

Drite laughed. “Three months.”

“Fine!” Una didn’t take it seriously. She just wanted to go in and see all the changes when she was gone and lay out an impeccable plan. Una realized that a mere rampage here would not suffice. She hated the wolf nation. But she didn’t want to murder innocent citizens and children who had nothing to do with her revenge.

“All right. Deal.” Drite flicked his finger, and suddenly a blue shimmering circular rune appeared. “Open your hands. I want to make sure our contract is binding.”

Una obeyed, and the rune passed through her palm, leaving the same mark. “Happy now? Let’s go.”

Her companion chuckled. “You’re easy to persuade than I thought.”

Drite motioned his hand and chanted a short spell. “There, you’re good to go.”

“What have you done?” Una felt something weird lingering in her body but could not point out what was wrong.

“I made you invisible for the time being. So, you could stroll the city in peace. It’s not easy to have access here but trust me. I know what I’m doing. I’ll bring you to Alpha Hevian.” Drite confidently winked.

“You talk too much. Shall we?”

Drite touched her shoulder again, and they vanished instantly. Despite feeling the urge to throw up, Una held herself. Especially when they finally stood at the colossal gate of the city. Numerous floating red runes were moving upward in front.

Una was feeling agitated when four guards asked for a pass. But Drite seemed unbothered by it. He just snapped his fingers and opened his palm. A bright yellow light appeared, along with a medium-sized gold card with an engraved rune. And to her astonishment, the guards immediately arched their heads to pay respect and make way.

“Who are you?” She asked after they passed across the gate.

“I’m just a lowly traveler looking for fun.” Drite shrugged.

They strolled to the busy city, where howls could be heard at any corner. Kids were running around being chased by their mothers. Some were male shifters chatting, and others were in wolf form, carrying freshly hunted animals from the market.

The place was a lot different from what Una remembered. The Midnight District was so alive, and she could see the contentment of every resident there. The wind from the nearby forest was colder compared to before. A chain of hearty laughter could be heard, unlike before when the city was all a deafening silence after an unending shriek of horrors.

“Welcome to the home of the Sabre Pack….” Drite said when they finally saw a high golden building majestically built a few meters away from them. “That’s the residence of the Alpha King.”

Una walked behind Drite, still invisible. The residence of the Alpha King before was not extravagant like this. She was amazed again when the warriors in the gate seemed to recognize Drite. They arched their heads down and let them in without any question.

They sauntered inside the vicinity unguarded. Una only stopped when Drite halted as they reached a water fountain beside a gigantic tree with thick red leaves similar to butterfly wings.

“Don’t do anything stupid. I’ll wait for you here. You can look for Hevian. I can feel his presence in the garden,” Drite said, as if admiring the wooden statue of the Moon Goddess in the center of the fountain.

Una smirked and nodded. “I will be quick.”

Drite closed his eyes and concentrated on seeing Una’s plan. He could view everything she perceived because of the magic he put in her. His lips twitched as soon as he recognized the Alpha King, along with his two Lunas. The situation was getting interesting.

UNA paused when she reached the vast garden of the Midnight Fortress. She failed to appreciate the beauty of the rare flowers blooming under the night sky. Her sight was locked onto a male figure in black and two females wearing the same pale rose robe.

“Hevian…” As soon as she whispered his name, Una’s chest tightened. Her breathing went unsteady.

The two females kissed Hevian’s cheeks and giggled. How could Hevian smile that way, knowing he killed his mate?

Inside Una’s body, the red orb was activated and slowly devouring her mana spherule. As the flashback of her death came to her mind again, she could not control the pulsating hate in her heart.

Her invisibility was slowly disintegrating. Hevian immediately felt her presence when Una finally revealed herself.

The two females gaped at her as if they’d seen a horrible being.

“Stay here!” Hevian commanded. He ran towards Una but paused at a safe distance to ensure he did not imagine things.

Una’s crimson eyes flickered, and she levitated in the air. Her soft white robe swayed gracefully. She could not control her body anymore. She motioned her hands, and a scarlet magic circle appeared, summoning a fire.

“Una…” Hevian could not believe what he had seen. His eyes welled up in tears when he finally recognized her.

“Una… you’re here!” the corner of his lips twitched and formed a longing smile.

Una hated him even more.

“I will kill you!” her menacing voice reverberated around.

The two females transformed into wolf forms, one was black, and the other was brown. They went into the fortress to alert the warrior guards.

Una did not hesitate to unleash the fire in her hands. Hevian was still stunned, having mixed reactions. He casually dodged her attack.

The warriors had gathered now to protect their Alpha King. Some shifted to their wolf form. Others clasped their swords toward her.

Una’s evil laugh echoed and targeted the guards. “I will kill all of you!”

She hit three of them, and they were incinerated without any trace.

The fire grew more in her hands as she aimed at the fortress. It was immediately ablaze. However, she couldn’t do more damage because something snapped in her neck, and she instantly vanished.

It was Drite. Una identified his dark blue clothing.

Drite had seen what he had to see. He underestimated Una. How could she summon a hellfire?