Chapter 1

Kara's POV…

My wolf, Amaya, heaved unrelenting as she stepped on the dying leaves. Using every strength I possessed, I ran through the woods, ignoring the bleeding wounds on my fur. I was more concerned with surviving the mob that would come after me after attempting to take the life of the Red Lotus' future Alpha. This is all Alexa's fault, and Logan isn't to be left out, either. If he had gotten rid of that bitch two years ago as I had clamored for, the prince would be my son, and I would take my place as the Luna I was destined to be.

After a long run, I looked behind me to be sure no one was on my tail. There wasn't any sound of movement in the woods aside from mine, but I had to be more cautious to avoid falling into a trap. The Red Lotus pack soldiers could pop out of nowhere, and I would be helpless and unable to defend myself.

Alexa!

It's all that witches plan; she is the reason behind my troubles. I hate her with every fiber in me. She is the one who made me a joke among the Red Lotus pack members. Her name alone makes my skin burn with disgust and anger. I want to strangle her to the extent her veins would burst.

Two years ago, I was living the perfect life before Alexa's wretched self waltzed into our lives. Every she-wolf in the Red Lotus pack was jealous of me then. Of course, who wouldn't want to be in my shoes? I, Kara, the daughter of the most beloved late Beta Nicholas, who put his life on the line to save Logan, the ruling Alpha of the Red Lotus pack. I was beautiful, gracious, and the only apple of Logan's eyes. We were engaged to be married for me to become Luna. But he wouldn't take that step until he crushed his longtime enemy, Alpha Danister of Blue Scorpion Pack.

I didn't mind waiting; it was all good and nice. After all, I could do whatever pleased me, and Logan only listened to whatever I said. Logan defeated his enemy and decided to bring in the foundation of my downfall, Alexa, daughter of Danister as a personal slave. The moment she stepped foot into the pack, my life was upturned, and she eventually had me ousted from the pack with her shady innocence.

Blinking back the tears in my eyes, I forged on, refusing to sit back and let Alexa enjoy everything I worked for and deserved. Now she is the most loved by the pack members, and Logan can't seem to do without her. To think they already have an heir. I wish I could call upon some dark magic and wipe them all out. Especially Alexa. I don't want ever to see that wretch smile or live peacefully. Torment is all that she deserves and would get from me. I'm so not going to let this slide. But for now, I need to survive.

Panting heavily with a hand to my side, I took solace behind a rock pile, shifting from my wolf form. Looking down at my bleeding foot, angry tears pricked at the back of my eyes. How exactly did I end up here? Just when I thought my plans would work out as expected, that treacherous Vader chose to do whatever pleased him. I'm glad he met his end. It serves him right for double-crossing me.

He did ruin things for me, and I am officially back to square one. My plan was perfect; in order to get rid of Alexa, I had partnered with a not so much a friend of mine, Alpha Carl of the Crescent Moon pack, who had an obscene interest in Alexa and would go to any length to get her for us to attack the Red Lotus pack; wonder why every man goes crazy over her.

I should have known involving Vader, the ex-Beta of the now-ruined Blue Scorpion Pack, would lead to trouble. He was all about himself and secretly planned to dethrone Alpha Carl, who, upon finding out, handed him over and made a peace pact with the Red Lotus pack. Not only did Vader get himself killed, he made me lose face.

I glanced around the woods, and it suddenly felt chilly. Wrapping my arms around myself to keep the cold out, I knew it would only take a matter of hours before my heart froze and I was found lifeless. There is no way this would be the end of me. I am Kara. And I have never been swayed by anything my entire life.

This can't be the end for me. There is no way I am giving in without a fight; something can still be done, and I am very sure of that. All I need to do is think fast. I weighed in on my options. From the look of things, I would either have to return to the Red Lotus pack and submit myself to being punished, which would only happen over my damn dead body!

The only probable solution is to return to my puke and plead whichever way I can. This is what Logan has subjected me to, and the only crime I committed was loving him and looking out for the entire pack. Those ingrates! They would never know peace as long as I exist. I will make them pay for the humiliation they put me through. I will not let any of them have the last laugh. All I have to do is get a place to recuperate, and then I will get to restrategize, and all of my enemies will be done for.

Getting up on my feet, It was getting really dark, but I didn't need to worry about the dark to find my way. It's a place I literally closed my eyes to get to. Gathering my strength, I made my way toward the Crescent moon pack. Alpha Carl is the only one I can turn to now. Even though he is nothing short of an asshole, he will eventually give in to my charm. I might have lost my power at the moment, but I haven't lost the ability to think straight and give possible approaches to things.

Making my way through the gates, I hastened my steps, intending to catch up with Alpha Carl before he retired for the night. Just as I stepped foot on the territory, planning to go through my usual route to meet with Carl, two guards stopped me.

"Where do you think you are going?" One of them asked with a vicious and unfriendly look in his eyes.

Both guards had their eyes trailing me in disgust; for a moment, I didn't understand why they had such looks on their faces. Until I glanced down at myself and realized how tattered I looked. Of course, no sane person would let someone who appears like a mad rogue come into their pack. I swallowed hard, trying to hold up a smile, but it came out weak.

"I promise you. I am very fine. Just let me in; I need to meet with Alpha Carl." I said, thinning my lips.

"Get out! Who do you think you are to ask for the Alpha so randomly? Leave this minute before I lose my mind and have you tossed out!" The second guard growled.

Amaya growled in an attempt to jump at the guard. We both hold ourselves in high esteem and wouldn't take such insolence slightly, but I was thoughtful enough to remember that I was helpless at this point. The only thing I can resolve is playing innocent.

"Please, I will stay right here. Just tell Alpha Carl that Kara is here. I can assure you he would let me in," I tried to maintain a calm voice even though I was boiling inside, and I wished I could rip out the guts of both guards.

They stared for a moment before whispering to each other. I looked around and noticed the guards lurking and some in a shadow patrol. I would be dead in a second if I tried anything funny.

"Aren't you the one who went out on an attack against the Red lotus with him?" The first one that had approached me asked.

I nodded slowly, "Yes. Let the Alpha know I am here, please."

"Wait right here. I will be back. Be sure you keep a close eye on her." The second guard said as he ran off.

I kept my mind preoccupied while I waited; I believed it would be in Carl's best interest to allow me back into his pack. I believe I have something tangible to offer. I need to fuel his revenge against Logan again. Alexa has to leave the face of the earth; there is no way her presence wouldn't ruin things for me. I want to see her bleed profusely while I watch in delight.

No one will humiliate me and get away with it! That is a promise that I would hold on to for a long while. All I need to do is say the right words to get Carl on my side, and I won't have to worry about anything anymore. I was becoming impatient with the guards not showing up on time. Fear gripped me, thinking they might be planning to lock me up instead.

Looking behind me, I realized the pack soldiers were everywhere, and it felt like I had been surrounded. Trying to keep sane by not thinking in the negative, I clasped my cold hands together to hold still. The guard that went on to seek permission to bring me in showed up. I have never felt this excited to see someone before.

With a cold stare in his eyes, he glanced at me. "The Alpha wants to see you," he announced with no enthusiasm.

Standing up, I winced at the sharp pain that charged through me from my injured foot. I held up a satisfied grin marking both guards' faces. The moment my scores get settled with Carl, I will ensure to deal with them forever for thinking so low of me. They don't need to say their thoughts out loud. Their actions said it loud and clear.