Chapter 53: Meeting the Alpha successors
Zade’s POV
The tallest figure’s voice dropped lower, with an Icy edge to his voice. "Then you are to blame for your carelessness. Not ours. Do your job, and you’ll be rewarded. Fail, and you’ll regret crossing us."
Lucas exhaled sharply, his jaw tight. But he nodded. "Fine. We’ll watch her. Just make sure the payment comes through."
Even though I hated Lucas and Wayne, I didn’t want them to die. Once involved with a vampire, it’s either you deliver or you die.
Something has to be done, and it has to be done quickly.
The deal was sealed with a firm handshake.
I stepped back from the wall, heart pounding, careful not to let the floorboards creak under my boots or to bump into anyone or something that would make my presence known.
Every instinct screamed at me to burst in there, to snap their necks where they stood. But that would be reckless. This wasn’t just about my safety; it was about Aria, the election, and perhaps even Ashwood’s survival.
Slipping away from the corridor, I melted into the crowd of gamblers—my mind racing. So Tracy was willing to go this far to gamble with a fellow student’s safety, not just another student’s, Aria’s safety, just to secure her victory.
The Alpha successors have to be told about this.
I walked as fast as my legs could carry me back to Ashwood Academy, disappearing into alleys and narrow walkways and then into the woods.
I’ve learned to mask my scent and presence, to avoid being followed, courtesy of my father’s rigorous training.
"Zade, you are the Alpha’s son, and soon you will be in charge of Silvernight. You need to be strong everywhere," my father would say as he put me through pain, which he called training, but at least after the training, I got treats. I was assured that he interpreted love as pressure.
As soon as I got to my room, I shut the door and pretended to be asleep until I fell asleep, even before they got back home.
The next day, I didn’t waste time. I made my way to the Alpha successors’ wing.
Their presence always weighed heavily in the air, as though the walls bent to their authority. I hated to admit it, but I think it does.
Damon was lounging on a chair, flipping a pen in his hand like he didn’t have a care in the world, while Tristan leaned against the wall, his expression unreadable. Aven was pacing, as usual, like his wolf could never quite settle.
"What do you want?" Damon asked, not even looking up. "If you came here to fight us about Aria again, save it."
I clenched my jaw, swallowing down the urge to snap back. "This isn’t about me. It’s about her safety."
That caught Aven’s attention, even if only slightly. Tristan’s gaze sharpened, though he still didn’t move.
"I overheard something last night," I said carefully. "I followed my flat-mates, Lucas and Wayne, to a place where they usually went to gamble, it’s a casino called "The den of coins"." I paused to catch my breath.
"Lucas and Wayne struck a deal with vampires. Not a rumor, it is a fact. They promised to watch Aria and report back. The payment was too high for them to refuse."
Silence hung over their living room for a moment, heavy enough that I could hear a pin drop. Damon’s pen stopped mid-spin. Tristan straightened.
"You’re certain, you heard those words?" Tristan’s voice was low and controlled.
"I wouldn’t be here if it’s a lie," I said. "And you know as well as I do what these vampires are capable of doing." I swallowed hard, trying to read their expression.
"Tracy may not mean to harm Aria, but in the end, Aria will ultimately be harmed. We have to find a way to protect her; she can’t get hurt under our..." I let the words trail.
For once, Damon wasn’t smirking. His eyes darkened, and his jaw was tense. Aven stopped pacing. He clenched his fists at his sides.
"Damn it," Aven muttered, running a hand through his hair. "We can’t let this slide, and we can’t let her get harmed. Tracy has gone far this time."
"Aria listens to you three more, so I suggest you find a way to warn her or keep her safe till after the election," I continued, regaining composure as they were now in tune with me.
Damon’s lips twisted into an evil smirk, "As for Tracy, we are going to teach her a lesson she will never forget.
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Aria’s POV
"Higher, Arlo, it looks crooked!" Becca teased, tossing another roll of tape his way.
We were trying to hang a campaign banner, and Arlo wasn’t just doing it right.
"We have to make it high enough, so Tracy’s falls under", I muttered, wiping sweat off my forehead."
Becca noticed my exhaustion and drew me into a warm embrace. "Don’t worry, Aria," Becca grinned. "When you’re president, you can hire people to do this for you."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. For once, I had genuine friends around me; I did not have to fear my sister would turn them against me.
I wished the princess were here, but she was busy preparing a social media platform and a good speech for the campaign rally.
"Ok, we are done with the banner, now let’s go hang the posters," Arlo said, coming down from the ladder.
As we moved to the places where we would be planting posters, I saw Aven walking towards me.
He walked straight through the courtyard, his presence and aura, as usual, causing people to turn towards him and pave the way.
"You’re busy," he said, glancing at the posters. His tone was sharp; it sounded urgent. "But we need to talk."
I frowned, tugging the tape tighter around the billboard. "Can’t it wait? Some of us are trying to make history here."
Why does he or the other two think that they can order me around, just because they are Alpha successors or my mate?
Aven stepped closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear. "Aria... It’s not safe out here, especially now."
My chest tightened. "What are you talking about?"