Aimee's POV
I didn't expect to be so bold earlier. I don't know, and I was just moved to chase after Alpha James.
I remember how Riana approached me and showed off her drink, whispering, "I'm the one stupid!"
What else could it be if not the enchanted drink she had prepared according to what she told me earlier?
I hope Riana didn't see what I did. I was racing against time earlier; if only Alpha James had already been inside the room, I wouldn't have been able to save him.
"Aimee! What are you doing!"
The shout echoed in my ears. When I looked, Riana was walking towards me with a terrifying gaze and an expression filled with anger.
Instantly, my heart pounded. I just realized that I was holding the drink she was supposed to give to Alpha James, and unfortunately, I was standing in front of the trash can.
"You foolish woman! Why are you holding that drink!"
Riana grabbed my hair and dragged me behind the mansion. I ended up falling down like a helpless deer.
Honestly, I was terrified. I didn't want to die at Riana's hands. She was the best werewolf woman, and I could be crushed if she transformed into a wolf.
"Come here!" Riana lifted my body and leaned me against the mansion wall with one hand. Some people nearby scattered in fear when Riana yelled at them.
I struggled to breathe; this grip was truly painful. In fact, I couldn't move my hands; Riana's strength seemed to lock my entire body.
"What did you do with that drink?! Why were you holding it? Why did you want to throw it away?!"
"I—I—Alpha James asked me to throw it away."
"What?!"
A slap landed on my face, and I immediately fell. I could feel one side of my face going numb from Riana's powerful strength.
As I tried to get up, Riana stepped on my hand, and I couldn't bear the pain and loudly screamed.
"ARGH!"
"Shut up!" Riana covered my mouth and stared at me with a cynical look. Her eyes turned red, and her fangs started to show.
"You will die, weakling! You did it intentionally so the spell wouldn't reach James, right?! You want me to fail! But believe me, and it will never get James because I have prepared a powerful spell for him! You're just a bothersome cockroach who will die today! Goodbye, stupid Aimee!"
My body trembled intensely, tears started flowing, wetting my face. Riana's hand began to transform; her sharp claws were visible. I had resigned myself to the fact that this might be my way of leaving this world.
Besides, my life has been useless. Always the subject of mockery and a weak girl. I hope Riana can do it quickly so that I don't feel the excruciating pain.
I closed my eyes; Riana was starting to transform into a wolf. Okay, I guess my death won't be too bad since I managed to save Alpha James from her disturbance.
"Riana, do you want to fight me?"
Riana's grip suddenly loosened from my hand. Her heavy breaths weakened, and I dared to open my eyes to see that many pack members had surrounded us.
Alpha James approached Riana and flashed a cynical smile.
"Al-Alpha James!" Riana quickly bowed her body.
"Come on, Aimee!" Two members pulled my body away from Riana's reach.
What happened? Did someone report to Alpha James? I didn't expect them to care about me.
"Well done, Riana! I didn't expect you to try to cast a spell on me and attempt to kill Aimee, whom I instructed to throw away that stupid drink. Do you feel very powerful? How about you and I fight and bet our lives? The one who loses will die."
What?
I was surprised, and all the members seemed shocked and whispered at Alpha James's statement.
"Alpha James, that's not true! What Aimee told you was a mistake! I never cast a spell on your drink! She's just jealous because she's the one who wanted to cast a spell on you!" Riana pointed at me with a fierce look in her eyes.
All eyes were on me, and I could only shake my head while tears flowed.
"Aimee? If she were released into the forest, she would die. How could she go to see the witch behind the hill? Everyone knows Aimee would never be able to do it."
"But it wasn't me! There might be other members who wanted to cast a spell on you, Alpha James! It's unfair that you only corner me! What's the point of me casting a spell on you? I've found my mate; it's your Beta!"
I admitted that Riana's determination to defend herself and find excuses was impressive. If I were cornered like that, I would definitely confess while crying.
"No one here did that crazy thing, Riana. Just admit it and accept my challenge earlier. If you lose, you will die; if I win, I will die. Agreed?"
I truly hoped that Riana wouldn't agree to it. Even though I knew Alpha James would be unbeatable, there was still a chance for something bad to happen.
"I can't take it, Alpha James!"
"Why? Are you afraid of death? So you regret your mistake?"
Riana seemed cornered. She sat weakly and prostrated herself before Alpha James, shouting, "Forgive me, Alpha James! I beg you, forgive me! This was the stupidest mistake I've ever made; I promise not to--."
"You are expelled from this pack, Riana."
Alpha James interrupted Riana's sentence. Now, she raised her head and fell into silence. I didn't expect Alpha James to expel her. I thought if she didn't accept Alpha James's challenge, she would just be punished or isolated in the basement.
"Within 24 hours, I hope you can gather all your belongings. You know the rules in this pack, right? Every rogue here is a threat, and that is ingrained in the subconscious of every member. Don't let yourself become a rogue here and provoke them to attack you."
Alpha James moved away, followed by all the other members. I immediately did the same, precisely when Riana's eyes met mine. There was a burning grudge in her eyes, and she even screamed and cursed at me.
But no one cared. I felt fortunate to be born in this pack for the first time.