38. Riley
RILEY
I blinked blankly at Raya as she poured all her hatred and grief into her fiery gaze. She didn’t understand her life was at stake, and I knew she would never go without a fight.
The severing of the bond between her and Bohdi was an unfortunate casualty for a greater cause. He would have never let her leave. He would have thought he could have protected her.
I pulled myself away from the intensity of the emotions, sorting and compartmentalising my pain and hers within the recesses of my mind.
Sacrifices had to be made, and I could never lead if I was led by my emotions.
Raya’s tears dampened her cheeks and dripped rapidly onto the sand below. It was the only bit of water this landscape had felt in many months.
The extra darts Sly had hit Bohdi with were concerning, but I couldn’t show I didn’t know what I was doing. The savage crack that had echoed towards us the moment his body hit the ground had me wanting to turn and run to check that he was alive.
But I was a leader now, and I needed to ensure I never turned my back on anyone who resembled a threat to my dreams.
Raya’s mind ticked over a moment until understanding dawned on her face. Her mouth fell open, lips parting on a savage, piercing scream when her grief finally erupted.
I didn’t flinch.
I couldn’t flinch.
Not even when the might of her fury in her eyes was directed solely at me.
Something ruptured between us in that moment, the severing of a tie held since we were little, trying to survive in a harsh world and support a struggling mother. I was different from the child who was once so carefree and wild. So different, I could tell my darling sister didn’t even recognise the Omega standing before her, couldn’t quite pinpoint when it had all changed. Sometimes, neither did I.
She didn’t know that so much of it had been burning inside me for so long. I learned long ago that in becoming a leader, you would know sacrifice intimately.
Despite the feelings of loss etched on her features now, she didn’t know her sister standing before her was the greatest loser of them all. I would give my life for her, but I couldn’t have her seek me out here. I had a plan, one I needed to see through. Taking her out as a player was a spontaneous part of its execution, a spontaneous way to save her life.
I pinned my shoulders back and lifted my head, glaring defiantly to spite my inner turmoil and those who bore witness to the exchange.
“It’s time to go.”
I directed the words to Raid, who seemed to be leading the group tonight. I fought to suppress the shake in my hands as doubt began to slither its way into the crevices of my mind. I had to keep reminding myself that there was no alternative, no other path. Raya had a use-by date, one that expired tonight, her power a legitimate threat to Zander’s sanctuary of secrets. She wasn’t an Omega. She would find her way.
Just maybe, she would find our dad.
My eye developed a nervous twitch, the exchange eating away at more of our time, posing a risk to us if we were caught.
We had to leave.
Raya’s heaving sobs quietened under the gentle hand of Silver carrying her until she hung heavy in his arms, unconscious. He looked down at her tenderly, shifting her weight to one side and softly wiping his thumb across her cheeks, stroking away the evidence of her pain. Hope crackled to life within me at his care.
It would be okay.
She would be okay.
I squatted down to pluck the small box they had tossed towards me out of the sand, shaking it a few times to rid it of any grit. The worn wooden box creaked as I opened it to examine the purple crystal that sat delicately on a red velvet pillow, watching it pulse with a soft light in time with my breaths. It was exactly what I had asked for. Satisfied, I closed the lid shut and stuffed it into my bra, a place that would likely go unchecked by Zander.
I stood back up next to Sly, a quick side glance and a sharp nod thrown in his direction to confirm all was well. He stared back at me with an indecipherable expression on his face as I searched his haunting, turquoise eyes.
“Thank you for maintaining the agreement, Rose, and for the added bonus.” Raid’s smooth voice cut across the short distance between us, pulling my attention away from the male beside me.
I dipped my head in acknowledgement, masking my cringe at that name. I hated it. It didn’t resonate with me at all anymore.
The group turned and moved quickly across the sand towards the shield. I remained rigid, my emotions a roiling mess as the finality of what I was doing struck me with blistering force.
Silver disappeared last through our shimmering barrier, carrying my beautiful baby sister in his arms. I stepped forward a few steps, watching them leave. There was no turning back now.
I prayed to our Goddess, to whoever would listen, that I would one day see her face again, that I would one day get the chance to apologise for everything I had done. Hopefully, we’d meet again in a kinder, more equal world.
I closed my eyes, inhaling a deep, shuddering breath, counting to eight and releasing it. My fists clenched at my sides. I stayed for a few extra moments in silence, repeating the process near Sly, who had been a patient and confident rock during the exchange. When I felt myself settle back into my body, grounded once more, I opened my mouth to thank him, now a few steps behind me.
“Sly, I…”
A gun clicked.
I spun on my heels, confusion surfacing as I stared wide-eyed down the barrel of his gun aimed right between my eyes. He jerked his head towards the barrier, his Adam’s apple bobbing when he spoke.
“You too, Riley.”
I gaped, mouth opening and closing, trying to process the scene before me.
Shock paralysed me. Anguish devoured me whole. My stomach dropped out from beneath me, pain ravaging its way through my system.
Tears pricked at my vision as I blinked them away rapidly, a familiar reminder of the time we first connected. I honestly didn’t know whether to laugh or sob at the irony of the situation I had forced Raya into moments before, one I was now facing.
I was stupid, so very trusting and stupid.
I pushed aside the pain, digging deeper to find my mental grit and purpose. A flare of defiance shot up, and I shoved it to the surface, forcing a singular, firm word out through gritted teeth.
“No.”
He frowned at me, no emotion visible beyond the depths of his eyes.
“I’m not asking you a question, Riley. I’m telling you. Now, move.” His words were cold and cruel, slicing deep into my skin.
He flicked the barrel of his gun ahead, prompting me to turn. I held my ground, my head high despite the twisting of my gut at his betrayal. Loyalty was worthless. I knew that well.
Sly’s haunting eyes dropped down to my sides, noticing the flex of my hands as I prepared myself to fight. He brought the barrel of the gun to rest directly against my skin as he leaned closer, leering at me.
“Don’t bother, Riley. I will always best you.” My gut twisted to the point of pain, but still, I held. I would prove him wrong.
He grabbed my arm and hauled me around to face the barrier Raya had disappeared through moments ago. His grip was firm, his fingers digging into my skin. My arm throbbed from the constriction of blood flow. He was right about one thing: he had bested me once. Unfortunately for him, there was so much he didn’t know about me. There was so much I hadn’t been willing to tell.
“Hand me the crystal, Riley,” he commanded with a dominance I had yet to see from him, though I should have expected it. He was the head of the Zander’s guard, after all—a position only for the callous and cruel.
Perhaps he had been the better actor of us both all along.
I stared at him, noting all the shadows I had once missed on his face. How easily fooled I had been under the guise of a tender hand wrapped up in a beautiful face, one who complimented and cared for me. He was just like the rest of them, sitting high and mighty in the Haven. A beautiful and devastating illusion.
I clenched my fists and released them, trying in vain to control my anger.
“You forget your mother is here, Riley. I am sure you would not wish to jeopardise her life.”
I wavered in my resolve.
Drawing my hands up, I dipped my blood-red nails into my bra and pulled out the tiny wooden box, holding it to the side in offering, not bothering to look over at him.
The pads of his fingers gently brushed against my own as he took it from my hand. I hated the way his touch made my skin tingle with awareness.
“Move forward.”
My jaw ticked against his directive, my throat dry, but still, I took my first step.
Then my next.
And my next.
I walked forward steadily, despite the ground now vibrating beneath me, jostling and groaning at the shield’s final closure for the year. Despite wanting to collapse and break under the barrage of pain, I walked on.
The cool shimmer of the veil rippled over my skin as a fraction of my body touched it. Halfway through, I caught sight of the Dominants who had entered moments before, standing together, waiting.
I stared at them, shielding my thoughts from my face as they watched me walk forward, their faces blank.
My brain ticked over.
My stomach churned.
They knew.
Thoughts flitted rapidly through my mind as I tried to piece together the how and the why of what was happening. Inside, pain transformed to rage as realisation landed and ice wound its way deep within my heart.
A memory played out that confirmed what I felt I already knew.
“Jakari will be disappointed he didn’t get to see you.”
“Rose of the Haven.”
Raid had never been referring to me. I was an acknowledged afterthought, an observation my own ego had glazed over, so used to being addressed first. Stupid Rose. He was talking to him.
Deception on top of deception—an entire relationship built on lies. Rage seeped out of every pore as I clenched and unclenched my hands, fighting an internal battle none of them knew. I rolled my neck, desperate to release a fraction of my tension, but the rage rolled on.
I could feel the skin on my face and arms begin to ripple and contort as I fought to suppress the power threatening to consume me whole, to suppress the darkness trying to claw its way out.
As my body stepped completely through the shield, I paused. The cool barrel of the gun still touching the back of my skull was an uncomfortable reminder of everything I had lost tonight. Defiance scorched through me like wildfire, rendering everything a dark and blackened mess until it was the only identifiable thing left.
I had always been a good performer. I hadn’t become the Rose without it.
Tension heightened to a living, palpable thing as the Dominants before me straightened under my gaze. When the ice solidified the last beating pieces of my heart, I shot them a predatory smile.
“Sly, mo-” Raid cried out, reaching forward, eyes wide.
With blistering speed, I turned and grabbed Sly’s arm, flinging him through the shield and into Raid, who awkwardly caught him, collapsing under his weight. I grabbed the crystal, now free from its box, from his other hand. The other two were busy handling the unconscious Omegas, too caught up to act, though very aware of my presence.
I stayed for a fraction of a second longer, pushing my scent into the space, a battle for dominance they knew well. Raid’s shocked eyes landed on mine. They hadn't known I could wield my scent far better than they could any blade. Just as they had abilities, I did too.
The ground beneath my feet continued its steady rumble as I looked over at the Omega who I’d once called an ally, shock marring his features whilst he scrambled to stand.
“Riley, wai-” I cut him off before he could finish. I would wait for no traitorous male.
Not anymore.
“You were right, Sly.”
I turned, the distance too far for them to cross in time, leaving him with the knowledge of everything I was—the one thing he never knew.
The wind had picked up, roaring in my ears, carrying plumes of orange sand along with it. My dark hair whipped violently against my face as I palmed the crystal, noting the rough edges as it kissed my skin.
I waited for a moment, knowing he would never make it through in time, even if he was an Alpha or a Dominant. The shield began to solidify before my eyes, marking the end of another year and the beginning of my triumph.
I called out to him one final time, my voice eclipsing the tempestuous chaos around me. “I think it is time for me to become Queen.”
I watched the shield shimmer and close, purple glimmers moving rapidly inward to block everything else out.
The last thing I heard, travelling back to me on the roaring winds, was the male I had thought, despite it all, I could love screaming out my name.