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To Be or Not to Be

Luna POV:

I approached Lazarus, the air grew heavy with tension, and an overwhelming sense of foreboding filled the atmosphere. His presence loomed over the surrounding space, seated upon his self-made throne like a self-proclaimed king. The sight of him, adorned in all his alpha glory, sent shivers down my spine.

I couldn't help but notice the dark aura that seemed to radiate from him, casting an eerie shadow over his features. His eyes, usually piercing and captivating, now held a glint of malice and contempt as they locked onto mine. It was as if he relished the power he held over me, enjoying the control he exerted with every fiber of his being.

I stood before him, my instinct urged me to turn and walk away, but I knew that defying his summons would only fuel his anger and further hurt the fragile bond within our pack. So, with a trembling heart, I summoned the courage to meet his gaze, my own eyes filled with defiance and hesitation.

“Verena told me I was being summoned” I announced my arrival in a low voice.

“Yes, I did summon you. Took you long enough” His voice, cold and commanding, pierced the silence that surrounded us. Each laced with a venomous intent, aimed directly at my soul.

“A meeting was held today, and it was decided, instead of an endless battle with the humans we have decided to strike at the heart of our enemies. And that would be done by assassination of the general. Once the general dies, the humans will have no reason to hunt us no more and our kind would be safe again”

It was a rash decision but I knew I have to be done for the good of our kind. And for the first time, I saw him in a different light. I knew he was unlikely to survive the assassination and would probably lose his life in the process. The sacrifice was too big to be ignored, he was behaving like a true alpha for the first time.

“When do you plan to attack him?” I asked curiously.

“Tommorrow night is the full moon and the best time for the attack. And to correct your earlier misunderstanding, You are carrying out the assassination, not me. That was why you were summoned” He replied,

I laughed out loud, expecting him to join me in the expensive joke, but he didn't.

“You aren't joking” I remarked,

“I'm not known for making jokes, neither would I start now”

I felt a sudden rage surge through me. This was much even from him, he surely didn't expect me to go on a suicide mission.

“This is madness. Why do you get to decide who goes?”

“I am the Alpha and it wasn't my sole decision. There was a meeting and the decision was unanimous”

“The decision was unanimous to send I who isn't among the strongest in the pack to infiltrate the general's army and murder him.”

“Yes!” He replied with a tone of authority,

“We need someone skilled in shape-shifting to do it. To be able to slip through the general guards being noticed, and You are good as anyone in the pack”

“This is almost farcical. Everyone got to decide, except me, who is to be the sacrificed.” I snapped

“You are the strongest in the pack and equally skilled in shape-shifting as me, wouldn't it make more sense for you to do it?”

“I am the Alpha, the leader of the pack. Who would protect the pack if I got killed in battle”

“You'd find out there are more than enough to fill your role” I replied harshly,

I saw the sudden glint in his eyes.

“Watch your tongue, Luna before I rip them out.” He bellowed.

His threats sent a shiver down my spine.

“What's the fear, Luna. Not so high and mighty anymore?” He asked cruelly,

“I thought you would jump at the opportunity to prove you are better than me”

I watched him silently, I felt caged and defeated. I knew I couldn't decline the mission since it was unanimously among the pack and I knew my death was imminent, there was no way I would successfully kill the general.

“There's another way.”

“What?” I asked with a heart filled with hope.

“You could be my mate tonight, and I would be glad to risk my life to kill of the general off for you”

I felt the anger seep through my veins.

“So, this was the plan along. Your elaborate plan to force me to be your mate.”

At that moment, I felt a surge of defiance rise within me. I refused to be reduced to a mere pawn in his power game, a trophy to display for all to see.

“I offered you your way out, but if that's your view of it, I have no reason to deny it.”

“Then you'd find in me, a wolf that won't succumb to your ruse that easily”

My voice, though laced with fear, carried a quiet strength as I denied his desires, vehemently expressing my refusal to be his.

The atmosphere grew even more ominous as Lazarus's eyes ignited like a blazing fire. His face laced with fury.

“Then you'd better start preparing to face the general tomorrow.”

His voice thundered through the air, accusing me of insubordination and challenging his authority. The weight of his words pressed upon me, threatening to crush my spirit, but I remained stubborn in my decision.

“What if I refuse to do neither?”

“You'd be kicked off the pack, let's see how long you survive in the woods as a lone wolf.” He replied

I knew that wasn't an option, a wolf always sticks to a pack unless it wants to die a miserable death. That is the fate that awaits all omega wolves.

“What will you do now, Luna?” He asked with an evil smirk.

“I'd better start preparing to face the general then” I repeated his words to him.

I saw the infuriation and anger on his face, he was insanely frustrated, and the sight of it warmed my heart. It was a moment and sight I'd hold on to for a long time. A memory good enough to start any day. That is, if I survive tomorrow night.

I was gravely terrified, I was so scared my hand trembled. But I'd do anything not to give him the satisfaction, even at the cost of my life.

“You would die a horrible death Luna and I hope I would be there to mock your corpse” he said with a hate filled voice.

As I turned to leave, his final words pierced the silence, echoing in my ears. The threats and warnings mingled with the darkness of his intentions, a grave reminder of the grave danger.

I walked out angrily. Verena was waiting for me just by the entrance.

“What did he say?” She asked curiously,

“I am to kill the general tomorrow night” I told her.

She didn't bat an eyelid.

“So, you know? Off course you knew” I sighed

She nodded slowly

“I contested the decision, but Lazarus managed to convince the whole pack you were the best possible option for the job. My arguments were rebutted harshly”

“Do you believe it too? That I'm the best fit for the job”

“Offcourse not, are you insane? That was why I told him to get you to become his mate, so he can go in your stead. Didn't he tell you the second option?” She asked anxiously

“He did, he told me”

“So, I guess you aren't going tomorrow night to face the general” She added with relief.

“No, I am. I am going to face him tomorrow”

“What? Why? He promised to go in your stead?”

“He won't because I rejected him”

“You rejected him? Why? Are you insane?”

“Because I refused to be forced to be his mate.”

“You are not being forced Luna, he is in fact doing you a favor”

“Well I don't want his favor neither”

“Please reconsider, Luna, please. Surely, you are not contemplating facing the general yourself”

“I am, and I will”

“You will rather face a sure death than be Lazarus, mate?” She asked sadly

“Yes, Verena, I'd rather die than be his”

She sighed heavily.

“I won't force you to be forever with someone you hate. So, I guess I will go, in your stead, then. I will kill the general myself”

“No I will. Lazarus was right, it requires great ability in shapeshifting to do it and slip through the guards. You can't hold your human form for long and could change to a wolf at a crucial moment. I will do it!”

“If you do manage to slip In between the guards what of the general, you can't take him”

“We give the general more power than he actually has. He is probably an overweight human, who depends on others to do his sidings. I am sure I can take him” I said confidently.

I suddenly realized this mission may not be difficult after all and got a renewed confidence.

“You are too stubborn” Verena said sadly

“And you are too good to me” I replied

“I have to. I am your elder sister, that is what I'm supposed to do”

“Instead of sulking, you can teach me more things I need to know to improve my chances of survival ahead of tomorrow"

She finally gave up.

“I guess so” she replied in her defeated voice

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