Chapter Twelve – Cora's Ambition
Cora's POV
I stood at the packhouse steps, arms crossed, watching as the car carrying Zara disappeared down the dirt road.
A slow smirk curled across my lips.
The cursed child.
The unwanted mistake.
The threat to my future.
Alpha Hunter had taken Zara away, and I didn't care if I ever saw her again.
I knew Hunter was not a kind man. Whatever awaited her in his territory, she would soon wish she had died instead.
I turned on my heel, walking back inside, the heavy doors slamming shut behind me.
My father was already inside, standing near his large oak desk, his back turned to me.
I stepped forward, keeping my tone carefully neutral. "Father."
Silence.
I frowned. "Father."
Still nothing.
I stepped forward again. "Now that Zara is gone, when will I be named Luna?"
He didn't respond.
His shoulders remained tense, hands resting against the desk as if deep in thought.
My smirk twitched slightly.
Everything was going exactly as I had planned.
So why wasn't he answering?
I clenched my fists. "You gave her away like she was nothing," I reminded him. "You finally did what was necessary. But now it's my turn. I'm your only daughter. I'm the one who has been loyal, the one who—"
"I need to prepare for the next meeting," my father interrupted, his tone void of emotion.
Then, without looking at me, he walked out of the room.
My mouth parted slightly.
What?
I turned sharply, watching him disappear down the hallway.
Why wasn't he answering?
My nails dug into my palms.
I had been waiting for this moment my entire life. With Zara out of the way, I should have been next in line to take her place.
And yet—
He had dismissed me like I was nothing.
Anger coiled inside me, thick and suffocating as I stormed toward my chambers.
---
As soon as I entered my room, I slammed the door shut, pacing.
I had done everything right.
I had framed Zara.
I had made everyone believe she was the killer.
I had gotten rid of the only person standing in my way.
So why?
Why was I still waiting?
A knock at the door made me pause.
Before I could answer, the door pushed open.
James.
A slow smile spread across my lips.
The Gamma walked in without hesitation, his dark eyes locking onto mine with amusement. "I take it your father wasn't as thrilled as you expected?"
I crossed my arms, scowling. "He didn't say a damn thing."
James let out a low chuckle, stepping closer. "He will. Once things settle down, there won't be a choice. You will be the Luna. And when that happens—"
He reached for me, brushing a hand along my cheek, fingers lingering beneath my chin.
"I will be Alpha."
My scowl softened slightly.
That's right.
The moment I became Luna, my mate James would take over as Alpha by my side.
Power. Control.
Everything I had ever wanted—at my fingertips.
My lips curled as I pressed closer to him. "You'd better not keep me waiting too long, James."
His smirk deepened. "You know I never would."
Then, he pulled me against him.
I let him.
Because soon—once all of this was official, once Zara was nothing more than a bad memory—
I would have everything.
---
Zara's POV
The view outside the window was endless—a blur of green trees and open sky stretching into the distance as the car continued forward.
For the first time in years, there were no bars.
No chains.
No walls keeping me locked inside.
No whips.
No one yelling at me.
And yet—
I didn't feel free.
I rested my head against the cold glass, watching the shooting stars pass by. My body was too tired to process the whirlwind of emotions churning inside me.
I was still trying to understand why Hunter had taken me.
Why had he stopped my execution?
Why had he claimed me?
And more importantly—
What did he plan to do with me?
Was I important to him as a mate?
Or was there another reason?
A soft knock at the door startled me from my thoughts.
I turned just as the car door opened, and a man stepped inside, carrying a tray of food.
He placed it carefully on the small table beside me before straightening, his expression blank.
"Alpha Hunter ordered this for you."
I blinked, caught off guard. "Hunter… sent me food?"
The man nodded.
I glanced at the tray—steaming soup, fresh bread, roasted meat.
It smelled real.
Not the scraps I was used to. Not the stale food I had been forced to eat for days.
I looked back at the man, hesitating before speaking. "What's your name?"
For the first time, his expression changed slightly—mild surprise flickering across his face before he quickly masked it.
"Kieran," he said. "I'm Alpha Hunter's Beta."
Kieran.
The name suited him—sharp, short, efficient.
Before I could ask more, he gave a polite nod and turned to leave.
I hesitated before calling out, "Thank you."
Kieran paused, glancing back at me for a brief second before walking away, shutting the door behind him.
I exhaled slowly, turning my attention back to the tray.
I can't believe Hunter sent food for me.
I had expected starvation.
For a long moment, I just stared at it.
It had been so long since I had eaten something warm, something made with actual care.
A strange lump formed in my throat as I reached for the spoon, taking a small bite.
The flavors melted on my tongue sweetly.
My chest tightened.
For just a moment, I forgot where I was.
For just a moment, I let myself pretend that I was still a daughter of a pack.
That I still had a home.
But the illusion shattered quickly.
Because no matter how much food Hunter gave me—
I was still his prisoner.
And I still had no single idea why.
---