Part 52. Planning with Rayly

Ava sucked a deep breath, watching as Rayly stared at her in confusion. The beta must be lost on the reply she provided to her. Then again, she couldn't find a better way to say that Nora ruined her day.




"So," The beta chirped up after a moment of silence, pushing her bag on the table, rushing them on the couch. Dante hurried to make some tea for his sister because she would need it. Rayly tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear, eyes narrowing on her brothers. "Are we going to talk about it?"




From the corner of her eyes, she noticed Zach's jaw go tight. "Talk about what?"




Does he not want to involve his sister? Too late for that anyway since Ava opened her mouth to curse at Nora. The beta would never let it go. She gestured about, raising her brows before sighing, "About the giant elephant in the room? It's starting to get a bit uncomfortable."





"Right." The omega muttered, dropping her gaze to her hands in her lap, knuckles white with tension. She was aware that it's time to come clean about a lot of things she's kept very close to his chest, at least to the beta who immediately accepted her and thought of her as a friend. Ava already hid too many things from her, but not anymore. If her Alphas knew the truth, there's no point in hiding from Rayly.





"I-I am not a beta."



Rayly could only openly stare at Ava for a second before a nervous giggle forced its way up her throat, tumbling past her lips, startling Ava and her Alphas as well, judging by the widening of their eyes. The beta bought up a hand to cover her mouth, to muffle the noise as she shook her head.




"I am sorry." She composed herself, eyes narrowing when no one joined in her laughter. "Are you serious?"




Ava looked down at the shimmering table, perhaps mahogany, maybe something like cherry, before slowly nodding her head.



"W-Why are you telling this now? What's going on?"



Just like that, Ava told everything that went down the past few days. From the reason behind Reeves attacking her to Nora making a grand entrance and poisoning the Alphas. The last part 
squeezed her heart until she could barely breathe, eyes watery and blurring everything. It haunted her still and clung to her; that severe numbness and blinding agony gripped hold of her once the adrenaline had worn off. If not for Jade and Cedric helping her heal the Alphas, they would come to resent her, and she would be thrown out of the pack.



What if she hadn't detected the love potion? The afterthought made her shudder, toes curling into the carpet.



Silence settled over them as Rayly went quiet suddenly, taking hold of the tea mug Dante bought with trembling fingers. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see that Ares was shifting in his seat, gnawing on his lower lip. The Pack Alpha tracked the movement of his sister with an unreadable face, but Ava could see emotions swirling within Zach's dark hooded eyes.



Dante was the one who broke the silence after at least five minutes passed.



"Rayly, say something."



"I want to kill that, Nora!" The beta whispered, accompanied by a low growl, already trying to stand up. Ares quickly held her wrist, forcing his sister back in her seat. Ava let out a sigh.




They cannot act impulsively. Not at a time like this when Nora was under the impression she had the upper hand. She's bound to make some silly mistake, and that's all they needed to throw her out of the Pack. Ava was sure that's the exact thought process running in Alphas minds.




"Why are we not dragging her by her hair already?" Rayly whined.



"Because we want to avoid conflict with their Pack." Zach twisted his lips. "Our father is friends with theirs, but it's also business. If they declare war on us for not going through our promise, it won't turn out well."




"But", Rayly stomped her feet. "Dad won't make you go through with it once he finds out the truth."




"What if Nora makes up another story or tries to injure any one of you in the meantime?" Ares made a sound. "We have to expose her in front of her family. Let them know that she fed us love potion, which is a crime according to the council."




Ava almost let that information slip past her. Love potion was banned decades ago because the cunning evil omegas used it on rich Alphas to lure them in. Only a few of the witches make these kinds of potions in secret. Any omega found using such a trick to forward the courting will be harshly punished. Sometimes beheaded depending on the intensity of the crime.




Also, Ares had a point. If Nora could take such evil measures and feed them a love potion, then she's capable of doing more nasty things. And with her staying in the packhouse, it's risky to attempt anything.




"How are you going to expose her in front of her family?" Rayly countered, crossing her arms against her chest.



"I am sure dad said something about inviting them to the feast this weekend so that we will use that opportunity." Zach cleared his throat, his eyes pinned on Ava. "They might as well know what their highly educated daughter is up to. Besides, with Noras dirty tricks out in the open, I don't think they will threaten us."




Ava beamed. That was a genius plan, in her opinion, but also it meant she should wait for few days. She stared at the Alphas in front of her, suddenly going still.



"Does that mean you have to act like you are affected by the potion?" Rayly asked.



"I am afraid we do."




Dante made a sound, his nostrils flaring as he leaned forward. His face turned red, fingers curling into fists. "No! I don't want to go anywhere near that evil woman!"




Zach patted his thigh lightly. "We don't have a choice, brother. It's only for few days, and then we don't have to see her face ever."



Dante's eyes flickered to Ava as if hoping she would take his side. As much as she wanted to, Ares and Zach had a point. It was a golden opportunity to pass on just because they are disgusted by Nora.




Ava swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded her head. "I think they are right...we should remain calm for few days and then blindside her."




Dante made a sound, widening his eyes. "It also means you won't be allowed to stay here, Ava. Are you okay with that?"




"I'm okay," She breathed, her eyelashes creating shadows in front of her vision as the omega blinked slowly. Ava saw Dante track the movement with his green irises, though they remain expressionless.



"Fine! Do as you all please then."



Rayly wound an arm around Dante, tugging him. "Brother, I promise you I will not leave your mate’s side for a minute! Alright?"



Ava flushed, her insides tingling as the beta casually commented. She looked away as they all agreed to continue with their decided plan.
***
With a heavy heart, the omega packed her bag, throwing all her clothes in the suitcase. Her eyes filled as Ava realised in a short period, she became attached to the place. Roaming her eyes around, she shut the door behind with a noisy click before dragging the suitcase away from the room.




Rayly would be taking her along first, and then the Alphas would follow them. The beta softly patted her side, giving her an assuring smile.



Dante, Ares and Zach stood by the door, their faces filled with sorrow as they saw her walk out. She didn't want to make a scene, afraid of bawling her eyes in front of them. The omega couldn't help but bitterly smile at the turn of fate. At first, she was reluctant to stay in the cabin with three Alphas, and now she didn't want to leave them behind.




"I am glad you know..." Rayly suddenly said as they started walking towards the packhouse.



"About what?"




The beta nudged her. "That you are going to be my sister in law! You are already my friend, so it's going to be so cool."




Ava blushed, silencing her while looking around in case someone eavesdropped on them. Fortunately, it's just them on the lonely road, walking side by side.




"Did you tell anyone else?"



"No. Jade is the only one who knows."



Rayly hummed. "She's blessed, maybe that's why. It's almost impossible to hide anything from her."



"Tell me about it!"




The wind blew past them. For a change, Ava felt carefree and jolly talking to the beta after a long time. With her along, she had no worries stepping back into the packhouse.



"Anyway, enough about me. Tell me about your camp! How was it?"



Suddenly her smile turned strained, Raylys eyes averting as she shrugged in response. What was that about?
***
Ahh, i wanted to introduce the quadruplets in this chapter, but this convo continued. Also, Rayly knows too! Only about time until others find out her secret, hehe.
***