Chapter 27

Zena's POV.

"It can't be that Diane is the fated mate for him, right? I must be the one overthinking the whole thing!" I mused, trying to feel better, but it wasn't working.

The storeroom was the exact place Diane was, and those men were going to rape her there, so how did Leo find out and come so fast to save her?

I was sure he had killed the men, but with such brutality, he surely had a new power unlocked, and there was no other girl in that room than Diane.

The thought of Diane being the chosen one kept haunting me while I tried to convince myself otherwise, but it only became more obvious to me. Even if she wasn't a vampire, Leo was about to make her one, mark her and make her his queen.

My fear was becoming my reality at a very fast pace, and it was killing me inside slowly and cruelly, crushing my heart without mercy.

Why is this happening to me? We grew up together, always close to each other, and I ended up falling madly in love, believing everyone's speculation that we were surely going to be made fated mates by the vampire goddess.

Even as his heart turned cold toward everyone, I was still hopeful that he would one day look at me with the eyes of love and affection.

He had once told me that if there would be anyone he would spend the rest of his life with, it would be me because I had really stood by him through thick and thin.

We went on that mission together, and I was expecting it to be an opportunity to make our love stronger.

But in the end, Diana destroyed the little hope like a withered flower, and I couldn't do anything but watch this all unfold.

Pain and sadness filled my heart as I trailed from behind while Leo was taken to the palace for the cleansing rituals or whatever his grandmother said would be done.

He lied that he had lost control over his beast; meanwhile, he did this because they were going to rape Diane. He always shows up to be her knight in shining armor.

The other time, he almost killed me for beating Diane and later was found in the hospital checking up on her, but I should believe he was doing all that because of the baby.

Nah!

He didn't even visit me while I was in the hospital and hadn't asked how I was. Just a letter of dry apology and a promise not to repeat it. He would break his promise if I hit Diane again, and I know that.

This isn't about the unborn baby. Leo has dumped me for good and picked a werewolf over me.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I quickly wiped them off, not wanting anyone to see that.

As I stood beside my parents watching Leo go through the rituals and medications he needed to give him full control over his vampire beast, I couldn't hold back the weight in my chest.

There was excitement in almost everyone's faces, and their eyes gleamed with satisfaction, knowing fully well that the prophecy of him being a future vampire lord was right.

After many years, we had finally gotten one, and it would mark the beginning of our victory, supremacy, and dominion over other mystical beasts who were threats.

Leo would grow to become almost invincible, his strength and abilities like magic, flowing like a storm unleashed and forged of various prowess.

He would train soldiers that would go to war and return unscathed because they all had his essence in them.

This was the man I dreamed of spending my life with, sitting beside him on the throne as his beloved queen and gaining the highest form of respect and loyalty.

I trained for this. I have prepared all my life for this, and now that we have grown up in age, the chances are slipping away.

Everyone was grinning from ear to ear in happiness, but my heart was squeezed tight, and anguish and despair wrapped around me like a coat.

"Mum, Dad, I need to go to my room and rest. I have a headache." I whispered to them, and they nodded with a smile.

"Take some drugs if it persists." My mom replied with a gentle voice, and I smiled back before walking out.

As soon as I stepped out, I saw Mara leaning on the wall at the other side, biting her index finger in thought.

"Hey..." I called, and she looked up and quickly rushed up to me.

"I hope it is not what I am thinking!" She frowned, looking into my eyes as though she wanted to get the answer before I spoke.

"What are you thinking?" I asked with a shrug as I made my way to the stairs while she followed behind.

"You know what I am talking about." She seethed, taking a deep breath.

"All I am sure of is that Leo rescued Diane from getting raped. You know he would always turn up to save her and then claim it was just for the baby!" I hissed with malice bubbling in my chest.

"He didn't just rescue her; he used the power of a vampire lord. If it was only Diane there, that means she unlocked it. She..."

"Stop talking gibberish! Diane is a werewolf! There is no possibility, and we shouldn't be thinking about that because it can't happen. Maybe Leo is an exception and doesn't need anyone to unlock his powers!" I scoffed, feeling a bit relieved by this speculation.

"You must be right, but still, we are witnessing something really strange! Leo is in love. His cold heart had melted, and the surrounding walls crashed for Diane! We can't fold our hands and watch this, Zena. The more we allow it to continue, the deeper his love grows, and soon..."

"You don't need to tell me," I interrupted. "I already have a plan."

Her face beamed with a smile. "Really? Wow. My ears are itching to hear it because I know you are very smart."

I smirked as I unlocked my room, and we both stepped in.

"Diane will be going for a test soon. All we need to do is pay a nurse to finish the job."

"Huh?" She gasped. "Kill her?"

"No, no, no..." I shook my head. "We are killing the unborn baby first, and that is what the nurse will help with. After that, I will let you know the next step, and it is a plan that will turn them into enemies!"

"Are you for real?" She chirped with her eyes glistening.

"Leo will end up being the one to kill Diane by himself out of anger, and guess who he will fall in love with? Me! Because I will save his life." I let out a smug smile, and she grinned with joy, pulling me into a tight hug.

"God, I can't wait for that moment to arrive and really wish to hear the second plan, but anytime you wish, you can tell me. We are friends for life." She chirped.

"I don't fail.... Nobody touches a lioness's tail without getting devoured. Diane will regret knowing who Leo is!" I snickered, rubbing my hands gleefully.