Plan

Amelia had been sulking inside her room for two days straight with no appetite to eat or talk to anyone. She just stared blankly into space, still questioning whether everything was real. But no matter how many times she slapped or pinched herself, she remained sitting on her bed inside her room.

“It’s all real. I know it’s all real,” Amelia whispered, gently touching her stomach. The pain of everything that happened was still fresh—she couldn’t accept that the people she loved betrayed her, and that her child died.

“Amelia! Have you eaten yet?” Amelia turned her head when Mia walked in—her best friend, who’d been taking care of her now that Antonio, Solana, and Olivia were away.

Mia’s eyes fell on the untouched food she had prepared. She had never seen her friend like this before, and it made her wonder what really happened.

“Are you still sick?” Mia asked worriedly, placing a hand on Amelia’s forehead. Her temperature was normal; no more fever.

“Does something hurt? What’s wrong, Amelia? Tell me—did you and Lucas fight?” Mia pressed. She knew her best friend too well. Amelia would never mope around like this without something serious happening.

She also knew Lucas was the only person who could hurt Amelia this deeply. Amelia didn’t easily get emotional over other matters—but when it came to Lucas and their relationship, she crumbled easily. That’s how much she loved him.

“Would you believe me if I said I want to take revenge on them?” Amelia asked, eyes fixed on the window, barely acknowledging Mia in front of her.

“You? Take revenge? Hahaha, you’re way too kind. And who exactly are you planning to get back at?” Mia asked as she sat beside her.

They had been classmates in the wolf academy and eventually became best friends. Mia used to spend time with both Amelia and Lucas, but they parted ways when Mia’s family chose to join Alpha Lorcan in founding the Nighthraven Pack, being loyal followers of the Ashfords—Lorcan’s mother’s bloodline.

“Lucas,” Amelia answered quietly, but it was enough for Mia to hear. Her eyes widened—her suspicion was right. The couple had fought.

“Seriously? I thought you were joking. So you and Alpha Lucas are really fighting?” Mia asked, already sensing that whatever happened was big. Amelia wouldn’t react like this unless Lucas made a grave mistake.

“Olivia is his fated mate… and he’ll choose her after her coming-of-age,” Amelia said. Mia slapped a hand over her mouth in shock, her round blue eyes widening even more at the revelation.

“How can you even be sure about that, Amelia? And even if they’re fated mates, you’re still Alpha Lucas’s chosen mate,” Mia reasoned, but Amelia only shook her head and turned to her.

“I can feel him craving Olivia’s wolf scent every time he visits the house. He probably already knew she was his fated mate. But since Olivia isn’t a full-grown she-wolf yet, she doesn’t know Lucas is her mate,” Amelia explained bitterly.

Mia’s heart sank. She knew how much Amelia loved him, how much she sacrificed in their four-year relationship. And now, to hear that Lucas planned to replace her with her own stepsister?

“I’m just a low-ranking omega. An Alpha needs a strong she-wolf—and that’s not me, Mia.”

Amelia’s voice weakened. Part of her just wanted to disappear. Yes, she wanted revenge, but her timid nature made her want to curl up and hide instead.

“Lucas’s playing with you. If he already knew who his fated mate was and planned to choose Olivia anyway, he should’ve let you go. He should’ve rejected you properly, so you could meet your own fated mate,” Mia snapped, her temper rising at everything she was hearing.

Amelia wanted to tell her that Solana and Olivia were poisoning her too—but how could she explain she knew that because she had already lived through the future once?

“If I were you, I’d reject Lucas first,” Mia said irritably. She had sensed long ago that Lucas was stringing her friend along, but she stayed quiet because Amelia seemed happy with him.

She never imagined it would end like this—had she known, she would’ve broken them up long ago.

“You’re thinking the right thing. Fight back for once. Get revenge. I’ve been annoyed at your boyfriend for so long—and don’t even get me started on your stepsister,” Mia huffed, unable to hide her irritation anymore.

“Solana and Olivia are coming home tomorrow. I want to leave this house. I don’t want to see their faces. Can I stay with you?” Amelia pleaded, holding Mia’s hand.

Mia felt her chest tighten. She wanted to help but she lived under Alpha Lorcan’s pack. And Amelia hated Lorcan with her whole soul.

“You know I’d let you. My home will always welcome you. My only concern is Alpha Lorcan. Isn’t he the only Alpha who brings out the devil in ‘Angel Amelia’?” Mia sighed.

“Ugh, right! I’d rather live on the streets than see that man’s face. He’ll torment me every day,” Amelia groaned, lying back on the bed.

“You can stay in Nighthraven for at least a week—if Lucas lets you. And I heard Alpha Lorcan’s leaving for a business trip soon, after the West family gathering here in Crescent Moon,” Mia added, twirling a strand of Amelia’s silky hair.

That was why Mia’s family was in Crescent Moon now—they accompanied Alpha Lorcan for the annual West gathering held every February.

“If you reject Alpha Lucas, do it in front of Olivia. Then run away!” Mia whispered like a devil at her ear, feeding Amelia’s dark thoughts—but those ideas gave Amelia a strange thrill.

For the first time in her life, she wanted to fight back. She’d always been a good daughter, a good stepsister, an obedient girlfriend. This—this was all new.

Earlier, she felt alone and hopeless. But with Mia here, she finally felt strong enough to go through with her revenge.

“Promise you’ll help me? If I leave for a week, don’t abandon me. You’re the only ally I have left,” Amelia said, fear flickering in her eyes.

Mia laughed mischievously. “Like I said—it’s you and me against the world. I’ll help you run away. And honestly, no one here wants you anyway, so you might as well come to our pack.”

Mia was right. Everyone in Crescent Moon treated her nicely only because she was Lucas’s girlfriend and the former beta’s daughter. She was practically an outcast—whether she stayed or left hardly mattered.

“Do you think Alpha Lorcan will accept me?” Amelia asked, even though she dreaded the idea. If not for Mia, she wouldn’t even consider it.

“Hmmm… I’m sure he’ll ask for something in return. But it’s still better than staying here with your stepsister—the fated mate of your soon-to-be ex-boyfriend.”

Amelia realized Mia was right. And if she stayed in this house, Solana would surely try everything to kill her.

Poison was just the start. There were countless other ways those two could harm her. She needed to leave.

Her head throbbed just thinking about living in Nighthraven, especially since Lorcan had always bullied and tormented her since childhood. But still, that was better than staying here with her stepmother and stepsister.

“Amelia? Are you still with me?” Mia asked when she noticed her drifting again.

“Help me get my revenge, Mia,” Amelia said with new determination—sparking excitement in Mia’s eyes.

“Omg! Is my best friend entering her bad girl era? Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” Mia teased, hugging her. “So what’s the plan? When will you reject Alpha Lucas? Tomorrow when Olivia gets home? Or are you planning something more dramatic?”

“At the West family gathering,” Amelia said, making Mia freeze mid-breath. She hadn’t expected Amelia to be that dramatic.

Mia swallowed hard—she couldn’t decide whether to panic or be excited. “Are you serious? You’re doing it in front of the entire Alpha family?”

“Yes. I’ll reject their Alpha right in front of the whole Crescent Moon pack,” Amelia said firmly, smiling—a smile that made Mia even more nervous.

“You’ll still help me, right?” Amelia asked.

Mia gulped and nodded. There was no turning back.

Amelia then explained her full plan for the gathering. The more Mia listened, the more her fear was replaced with thrilling anticipation.

“That’s why I need to call my dear Alpha Lucas now—to tell him I’ll be attending their family gathering,” Amelia said as she dialed his number.