39

39

Ava fled down the hall, sprinted towards the Luna's chambers and when she finally reached her door, she burst through without a knock.

"Luna Celeste! Princess Alexia, she... she hit me! She thinks she can just get away with it!"

The Luna eyes squinted at the sight of Ava's red and swollen cheeks.

"What is the meaning of this, Ava? What could have provoked such an outburst?" Truth be told she didn't expect Ava would just attack Alexia so soon.

Ava wiped the tears from her face and played innocent. "I... I just told her that the Alpha would never love her, that she couldn't have him. I didn't mean for it to escalate like that." she didn't need to fake a cry anymore,

"Of course, Ava. We must hear both sides of this story. Go fetch Alexia, maid!"

A maid scurried off to do the Luna's order leaving Ava standing before her and in no time, Alexia appeared, composed.

"Alexia. I heard you have been beating Ava."

It wasn't a question.

"I only slapped her, Luna Celeste. She provoked me. Called me barren!" when nobody is there to support her, she tried to defend herself since it's her against two now.

"She hit me for no reason, Luna! I swear it!" Ava's eyes wuddened like a big lie had just been told on her.

"Ava, my dear. I believe you. After all, why would you lie? Alexia has no children, does she?" she asked with a wicked grin on her face earning a nod of head from Ava who smiled sheepishly.

"It was you, wasn't it? You told Ava that I'm barren. Why, ma'am? Why would you do such a thing?" Alexia's eyes in turn was filled with unshed tears.

"Because, dear Alexia, the truth has a way of getting out. It always does." she made a show of crossing her arms over her chest a brow cocked for her response.

Alexia took a step forward and this time her voice rang in pain.

"But why? Why would you betray me like this?" she can understand that she never liked her but this is just her being too cruel.

"Why?" Luna Celeste smiled as though finding it blissful. "Because you are a weak, barren, useless excuse for a Luna. You have brought nothing but disappointment to this pack, and until you find a way to bear children, I will continue to undermine you at every turn, darling."

Alexia's mouth opened and closed, words of protest dying on her mouth meanwhile the the Luna has the usual prideful gleam in her eyes.

"Now leave my chambers, Alexia. And pray to the moon goodness daily that you find a way to out of your barrenness, or your place in this pack will be forfeit. Well, it almost as." she mocked her.

And Ava couldn't resist the opportunity to gloat, she stuck her tongue out at the retreating figure of Alexia, whom stung by Ava's mockery instantly turned around, her hand snapping out to grab at her.

However the Luna was faster her hand shooting out to push Alexia back, the implant sending her sprawling to the floor after landing on her butt.

Ava laughed in jest the sound of it ringing to Alexia's hear.

"How dare you? You will pay for this. You will pay dearly for today and the years you've cost me." she pointed at the floor where she is. She feel so embarrassed.

"Oh, Alexia, you poor, pathetic creature. You're not even fit to lick my boots because as you can see, I'm fertile." Ava laughed at that.

"You think you can take my place, Ava? You think the Alpha will choose you over me just like that? You are delusional, girl, the fact that you're so quick to make your intention known. I don't even know what I've done to you or might have done to deserve all this."

Ava's laughter died on her lips when she heard her statement and decided to press more salt to her wounds.

"You're nothing, Alexia. Just a barren, aging bitch who's outlived her usefulness!" she laughed once again to the extent she can feel a bit of tear on her eyelid.

Alexia has heard enough she stumbled down the hall, her feet carrying her towards her room and as she reached the door, she hesitated, her hand trembling as she reached for the handle.

Was the Alpha still there, waiting for her? She can't be so sure.

Before she could make a decision, the door swung open and her heart, it slipped a bit.

"Alexia! what happened to you? Why are you crying?" his voice raspy he growled.

"I... I was with Ava, and..." She can't even speak because the more she attempt to, the more she can feel fresh tears pouring over her cheeks.

"Ava? Ava did this to you?" His eyes darkened as his eyes darted every inches of her face. He should have known her coming into this house was the ending of peace and beginning of trouble.

"No, Alpha," Alexia said quickly, shaking her head, the matter escalating is what she won't have a band in. "It was just a misunderstanding. I don't want to cause trouble."

The Alpha was already moving.

'What would happen to her?' at first she asked herself but shook it off as it was silly to feel pity towards someone who had said such bitter words to her.

Without hesitation, the Alpha threw Ava's door open, his tall broad frame filling the entrance and Ava who had been pacing the room feeling nervous whirled around just in time at the sound of the Alpha's entrance.

Her eyes are widening and almost rippling out of her sockets that even before he can even tell what he's here for.

"Alpha. Sir, I... I can explain..." Can someone tell her he's not interested in her excuse?

"You will not explain anything," the Alpha hissed, stepping further into the room, his hands clenched into fists at his sides in the process, "You will listen!"

"Alpha, I... I didn't mean..." Her legs shook and even her hands trembled as she tried to find her voice.

The Alpha moved closer, his eyes fixed on her face, and even the way he spoke was as though an ice piercing through her skin. "You must have spoke something to Alexia. Or worse, hurt her and beat her up?" At this point every option is certain and possible with this Ava lady before him.

Her eyes darted around the room, looking for a way out, for a means of escape. "I... I was angry. I mean... she had slapped me and started it."