Chapter 15

15

NO MORE

Unknown

I lean against the cool brick wall of the alley, the faint sounds of the bustling town drifting in from the street beyond. The air is thick with tension, crackling like static before a storm. Rachel stands opposite me, her blue eyes gleaming with a determination that has goose flesh breaking out on my arms. I know her too well; she’s the kind of person who sees people as pawns, and right now, Octavia is just another piece in her twisted game.

“Listen, I’m telling you, this is a bad idea," I insist, my voice low but urgent. “You don’t know what you’re getting into. If Wyatt finds out?—”

Rachel cuts me off with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Wyatt won’t find out. Trust me. This is foolproof. A little fake pregnancy rumor, and it’s over for Octavia. He’ll come running to me, and that’s when I’ll swoop in and comfort him. Just like I’ve always wanted.”

I shake my head, trying to remain calm. “This isn’t just about you and your pathetic crush, Rachel. This is about an Alpha and his mate. You really think he’ll take it lightly? If he finds out we’re behind this… He won’t just be angry. He’ll be lethal.”

Her laughter is sharp, and I can see the way her lips curl with a mixture of ambition and madness. “That’s the beauty of it. Right now, we need to focus on Plan A. The Luna Ceremony is coming up fast, and I can’t afford to wait for fate to intervene. I need to make my move.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “Rachel, you need to stop. I’m serious. I don’t want to be part of this. You’re talking about ruining lives!”

“Ruining lives?” She scoffs, and for a moment, I see a glimpse of the girl I once knew — innocent, hopeful, dreaming of love that wasn’t tainted by betrayal. But that girl is long gone, replaced by this scheming vixen who’s willing to destroy anyone in her path. “This is survival of the fittest. It’s not personal; it’s just how this world works. You either take what you want or watch someone else take it from you.”

“Then what’s your Plan B?” I ask, my heart racing. I need to know how deep this rabbit hole goes. “You said if this doesn’t work by the ceremony, you have something else lined up. What is it?”

Rachel crosses her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. “Let’s just say it involves some… persuasion. If the rumors don’t drive a wedge between them, then I’ll have to make sure that Wyatt sees Octavia in a different light. I’ll make him doubt her. It’s all about planting seeds of doubt, you know? A well-placed conversation here, a little jealousy there. It’ll be easy, really.”

I feel a chill crawl up my spine. “You’re playing with fire, Rachel. You have no idea how this will end. You think you can just manipulate emotions and relationships like they’re toys? What if it backfires?”

With a flick of her hair, Rachel steps closer, invading my personal space. “I’m not going to let fear dictate my actions. I deserve to be with Wyatt, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get him. If you’re not with me, then you’re against me. Are you with me or not?”

The challenge in her voice makes my stomach churn. I can’t believe I’m even considering this, but a part of me knows that I can’t just walk away. If I leave her to her own devices, I can’t imagine the lengths she’ll go to. “I don’t want to get involved in this, Rachel. I’m warning you.”

She narrows her eyes, and for a moment, I see this evil essence in her — dangerous, unpredictable. “You think you can just walk away? You’re in this whether you like it or not. You’re part of my plan now, whether you want to be or not. You’ll help me, or I’ll make sure you regret it.”

I take a step back, trying to regain some semblance of control. “You’re insane. If Wyatt finds out, he won’t just punish you; he’ll come after everyone involved. You really want to jeopardize everything for this twisted fantasy?”

Rachel’s laugh is light, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “That’s the risk we take in love, isn’t it? And if this doesn’t work, well… I’ve got my Plan B. You’ll see. Just trust me. I always get what I want.”

Her confidence is unnerving, and I realize that I’m in deeper than I ever intended. I can’t let her drag me down with her. “I’m done. I’m not part of this anymore.”

“Fine,” she retorts, her voice dripping with disdain. “But remember, the Luna Ceremony is just around the corner. If you want to save your own skin, you’ll think long and hard about what you’re willing to do to keep me happy. Because if you don’t, it won’t just be Octavia who suffers.”

I turn away, a knot of dread tightening in my chest. I need to find a way to warn Octavia, to protect her from Rachel’s manipulations. But as I step into the light of the street, I know the shadows of Rachel’s ambitions will follow me. The game has begun, and the stakes are higher than I ever imagined.

I glance over my shoulder, half-expecting to see Rachel smirking at my retreat. But I also know she’s still watching, plotting. I can't let her win. Not for her sake, and certainly not for mine. I need to figure out a way to counteract her plans without drawing attention to myself.

But as I walk away, my mind races with the possibilities of what Rachel could do next. Each step feels heavier, as if I’m dragging the weight of her intentions behind me. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m caught in a web of deceit and danger, and the only way out is to confront the very problem I’m trying to evade.

I pull out my phone, my fingers trembling as I type a message to Harrison. I need to warn someone. I need to make him aware of Rachel’s schemes before it’s too late. But as I hit send, I realize that I might be too late already. The Luna Ceremony is fast approaching, and Rachel’s plans are already set in motion.

I can only hope that Octavia is strong enough to handle whatever Rachel throws her way. But if I know Rachel, she won’t go down without a fight. And I’m terrified of what that fight might entail.

As the sun begins to set, casting long shadows across the pavement, I feel the weight of my decision settle like a stone in my gut. I’m in this now, whether I like it or not. And the only way to save Octavia — and possibly Wyatt — is to outsmart Rachel at her own game.

The clock is ticking, and I can’t afford to waste any more time.