Chapter 121: 121

Rain's POV. 

I let out a sigh as I read the text once more. Shit is getting crazier every day since Ivy came into our lives. Now, she's demanding more. I've built my life around Logan and the pack as their Luna to let her ruin things for me, for us. 

Hence, I'll play her game until I beat her to it. I exit the car, slamming it shut behind me. I lured Mr. Clint into letting me drive myself here. I clasp the stray lock of my hair behind my ear and prance into the diner. 

Surprisingly, there's no one here except Logan and Ivy. 

They're seated opposite each other, gazing at themselves. Given how taut Logan's back is, I know just how much he must be seething inwardly. 

Simultaneously, they cut their gazes away from each other when the staccato of my heels echo. Logan bristles while Ivy plasters a smile on her face. 

That wicked witch of the west, I curse her under my breath. 

"Ahh, here she is," She rises, a sardonic grin on her face. I hate the slightest glimpse of her. Right this moment, I feel like strangling her neck.

"Logan?" I hum, feigning shock and letting my steps falter. I cast a wide glance between him and Ivy. 

And there she is, basking in the glory of the moment. I can't let you win for long, bitch! I tell myself as I keep up with the act. 

Logan rises to his feet, his face saturated with bitterness and anger so raw. 

"Rain," He calls, his voice raspy. I let my chest heave. Let my eyes water. Let my mouth drop open to spew incoherent words like I would if I caught Logan cheating on me.  

"W...what are you doing here?" I turn to glare at Ivy, rasping out more, "With her? Logan, I thought you said she meant nothing to you?" 

"I thought you promised me...?" 

"I'm admittedly sorry for that Rain but Ivy..." He reaches out to Ivy, slinging his arm around her waist and kissing her forehead. My heart stings at that. It takes monumental effort to keep up with the pretense. Goddess, this is harder than I thought. "Is the woman I choose to love now, Rain." 

I let my steps stagger backward as my expression and faux hope falter. I don every act I've in me, wanting it all to look convincing. If I'm to save myself from her. From the mayors, then I'll do this. Even if it meant suffering the shards of pain.

"How could you betray me like this, Logan? After all we've built? How could you...choose her over me?" This time I roar. I roar so high because of the pain I feel having to act like I do not need Logan to breathe and survive.

Logan steps forward, his jaw set as a muscle ticks in it. The closer he gets, the more fresh tears rush down my cheeks and the more breath traps in my chest. 

I grind my hands together into a fist, hating this moment. 

"Because I've checked this, Rain. You're too weak to be my luna. Too dependent to stand by side, Rain. But Ivy? She's fucking strong. Willed and worthy to be called my own. My luna..." 

No, goddess, no. Let him stop spewing these words. Even though it's all a lie, I still feel myself beneath her. Ivy is a beautiful woman. The oldest supernatural being on earth yet as beautiful as a teen girl. 

She comes up to Logan and slings her arm in the loop of his, "That's right, baby. I told you this girl doesn't qualify for that position as your queen, Logan," Her eyes are pinned on me as she speaks. Her expression firm. 

"Logan, you can't just reject me..." 

"I can do whatever I choose to, Rain. I can pick whoever I deem fit to be by my side. And you, Rain, you do not qualify for such a position. Of such power.  I hate to say this but I've to call it quits the proper way now, Rain." 

Wide, watery eyes stare up at him and then at Ivy. Her red-painted lips stretched into a full-blown grin. 

"I, Logan Pierce, alpha of Oakdale pack, reject you, Rain Hanks, as my luna." 

I stagger backward, the pain ricocheting through me. It's a fake rejection and yet it hurts like a real one. A wince echoes and I realize late it's coming from Logan. His chiseled jaw remains firm, and strong. His eyes shimmer. 

Ivy crawls her hand up his chest as if soothing him. I clutch my chest, feeling the shambles my heart is turning into while I struggle to keep it together. 

It's a fake rejection, Rain. Pull yourself together. I tell myself as I plead with Riot. 

Sniffling, I cast Logan one long look, swiping at my eyes and spilling, "If that's what you want. Then so be it. I, Rain Hanks, accept your rejection, Logan." 

Tears careen down my cheeks, spilling into my mouth with its bitter taste. I struggle to pull myself together but it's not working. Hence, I draw backward. When the reeling in my head stops, I advance to the door, tearing away from the diner. I force my shoulders to quake while I pretentiously wail. 

I can feel her molten dark eyes on me. The eyes of evil. I rush into the car, rev the engine and brake, and back up in the street. 

The people of Oakdale are unbeknownst of my plight, going about their business and chattering along the way. 

A longing fills my heart when I see a couple holding hands as they laugh at whatever amuses them. It makes me remember our moments together in New York. The street proposal.  Our wildness in the club. Our soul-to-soul discussion in the park. I remember it all and I feel a torrent of ache in my chest. 

If wishes were horses...

I'd do anything to have those moments back. Recently, my life and Logan's are clogged with the desire for revenge. For retribution. And that quest is starting to put a gap between us. 

What if we end up falling apart? Would there be any redemption to our souls? 

The war is coming and with it comes consequences. Consequences I can't foretell but I can feel it. It might not end. I wonder who amongst us will pay the price. 

While I drown in my thoughts, I didn't know I'd mindlessly driven to the pack's new site. Stepping out of the car, I let the air of familiarity embrace me. 

So far, I've bonded with my people, and earned their respect as much as they earned my love. 

My eyes wander to the oak tree and I see a group of pups playing there. Smiles on their faces. Hearts pure and devoid of worries. 

Seeing that has my heart clenching and I begin to wonder if we'll be able to retain those happy smiles on their faces after the impending war.

I really hope so. 

Moving ahead, I finally make it to the training oval where the new recruits are pushing themselves beyond limits, training. Preparing for the impending war. 

My heart charges with determination and I go into our room, the room I share with Logan, and change into my training outfit. Then I join them in the field, practicing. My blood pumped full with the desire to kill my enemies. 

I train past my breaking point, heart howling, my lycan prowling. The only time I relent is when I feel Logan's arms grabbing my waist from behind. 

A startled cry rips from my chest as he whips me around and kisses me before his people. My face burns embarrassingly when I hear them clapping for us. 

"Logan. You naughty man," I slap at his chest before he chuckles and pulls me in, hugging me tightly.

"Hmmm. It feels good to hold you this tight again, baby." He sings, fingerings my hair. I clutch at his back, basking in his touch of warmth. 

"Do you think she bought the act?" I ask him just to be sure. 

Logan sighs, shrugging. "Let's just hope she does. Ivy is very cunning. She can't be trusted." 

"So then what?" I blurt, sounding as frustrated as I feel. "We can't just sit back and let her ruin our plans," 

"Baby," Logan ruffles my long tresses, grinning. "I've got a plan, trust me." 

Oh, that's incredible. 

"What plan? Are you going to steal the flash drive from her?" 

Before Logan could respond, the leader of the recruits appeared before us, announcing. 

"Alpha, the renegade soldiers are here in the pack house. They're ready to meet you." 

My heart plunges at that and I turn to Logan, casting wide eyes. 

"Who are renegade soldiers?" 

Logan peers down at me with a smile, then blurts. "The humans who have chosen to take our side. Come, my Luna, let's meet them and discuss the priorities of this war," 

With that, Logan clasps my hand and leads me away. I follow, my heart thundering just like my footsteps over the floorboard. 

What's Logan up to? I wonder as we emerge in front of the hefty armed men.

TBC.