11

Aria’s POV.

I was tired.

Not physically. But the kind of tiredness that came from holding in too much, pretending too hard, listening to a voice that never shut up.

Zie had been talking all night and morning.

Endlessly, and always about one thing. I understood, but I needed my sleep.

“Keira deserves justice, wherever she is.” She said for what had to be the one millionth time.

“She deserved peace and protection. And none of you gave her that. None of you.”

I rolled over in bed and shoved my face into the pillow. And then I screamed.

Good thing the pillow muffled my scream so nobody came in running, but it was loud enough to make my throat sting.

“Are you finished?” Zie asked, coldly.

“Really? I should be asking you that!” I growled. “Because last I remember, I’m trying to keep the only identity I have left, so maybe shut up for five minutes?”

Silence.

“You mean Kiera’s identity, you fucking witch!”

I sat up slowly, dragging a hand through my tangled hair. The light pouring through the window was soft, warm, almost comforting, and it would have been much nicer if there wasn’t a wolf clawing at the back of my mind.

I hated this situation I found myself in.

Zie cleared her throat in my head.

“You keep on saying that I have to kill him, but you’ve not given me an insight as to why. What is going on?”

“I don’t have to tell you anything, you just have to do what you’re asked to do because this is my body!”

“Mine too!”

“Just until I can find a way to kick you out!” She hissed.

I didn’t say anything in response because I understood.

“Where are you from?” She asked suddenly.

I blinked.

“What?”

“I said where are you from? I don’t know anything about you.”

I scoffed.

“Wonderful. That makes two of us.”

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t have to tell you anything either. I just want Lyra back, that’s why I’m doing all of this.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes. I need space from you.” I muttered. “I’m pretending to be this woman, and I don’t even know who she was. I don’t know what she liked, who she hated, how she walked, how she laughed… I’m not her, Zie.”

That shut her up, finally.

I stood up, the cool floor beneath my feet sending a soft shock up my legs. I moved towards the window and stared out at the land. The pack grounds that were visible from here, all the people. All of them walking around like the world wasn’t broken.

But was it really?

I leaned against the wall and sighed.

“I didn’t know her.” I whispered. “But I want to do this right, I want to survive this. But I can’t if you keep haunting me about her.”

For a few minutes, I thought she was gone, only for her to start speaking.

“Keira was kind, the most wonderful person ever.” Zie said. “People would say that perfection doesn’t exist, but Keira was perfect in every way. She wasn’t built for this world, and I hate that. She was the kind of Luna who brought food to the kitchens herself. Who remembered the names of everyone who served and would ask the guards if they slept well. Who thanked the omega's so often and tried to help whoever she could.”

I turned back towards the bed and sat down.

“She sounds like a saint.”

“She was, but she got tired. She cried, she constantly doubted herself. But the thing was, she never hurt anyone. Not even when they mocked her behind her back, she knew a lot about the ones who didn’t like her. She was too good for that Jaxon.”

“For Jaxon?”

Zie didn’t answer.

I stared at the floor.

“I can see it now.” I said. “Why they didn’t deserve her. But maybe… I can use that, but how did she…?.”

“Never mind that, we’re here to talk about the mission. You’ll have to build trust.” Zie said.

“Then I’ll do it.” I stood up and walked to the drawer beside the bed.

I pulled it open. The notebook was still there where I last left it. I flipped it open to the page with the list.

Poison.

Stabbing.

Arranged murder.

Push down the stairs.

I tore it out slowly, careful not to damage the rest of the book.

I reached for the lighter I’d tucked behind the candles on the dresser and flicked it on.

The flame caught the corner of the paper, causing the edges to curl inwards, blackening and eating the material alive. I dropped it into the bronze tray and watched it burn until the flames were gone.

Zie didn’t say anything, and neither did I.

Not long after, a soft knock came at the door.

I turned around quickly, my heart racing.

“Yes? Who is it?” I called out.

No answer.

“Who is it?” I asked again.

After getting no reply, I got up and opened the door, sighing. There was no one there, save for the guards who stood at a respectful distance from my door. I was about to ask them who it was when my eyes fell to the pretty package on the floor.

It was a bouquet of fresh flowers, lavender and pink roses, all tied together with a nice silver ribbon. A small card was tucked inside.

I picked it up and read the message.

-For my lovely Luna,

Congratulations on attending your first council meeting.

– Jaxon.-

I blinked, stunned by the gesture. Zie was not impressed by it in the least.

“That deceiver!” She hissed. “Don’t fall for this! That evil man doesn’t mean any of that! He’s just trying to get into your head.”

I turned the card over in my hand. The handwriting was smooth, and the ink stood out. It wasn’t printed.

That man had written it himself.

I went back inside and closed the door. The flowers still in hand, the note still burning holes in my chest. I put the flowers to my nose, loving the wonderful scent the lavenders emanated.

“Maybe it was just a gesture.” I said aloud.

“Don’t be stupid!” Zie snapped. “This is how he makes you doubt yourself. Soon enough, you won’t see the line between guilt and charm.”

I sat back down on the bed and stared at the flowers. My own husband hadn’t gotten flowers for me in a long time, and he ended up murdering me.

This was the first time, and they were beautiful. I really did like them.

I hated how much I liked them, but I allowed myself to bask in the feeling for once, at least.

Zie was angry. She must have thought that I wasn’t listening.

“Don’t say I didn’t tell you. This is the final warning I’ll give now.”