Chapter 21

Aurora’s POV

A few days after I returned to the Vampire Kingdom, my father died. It was heartbreaking, but I was still satisfied that I had the opportunity to say my final goodbye.

And today was his funeral. 

The sky was gray, and the rain poured heavily. It seemed even nature grieved the loss of my father, though I knew the true colors of the tears shed by those surrounding his open casket. 

I stood at the far end of the hall, blending in with the other maids, my head bowed, and my face veiled beneath a brown cloak.

My father's skin was pale and ashen, lips turned slightly downward. His hands, calloused and worn, were folded over his chest, clutching the hilt of his sword.

Around him, my stepbrothers put on a performance worthy of a standing ovation. 

Logan, the eldest, sobbed into a handkerchief, his broad shoulders shaking. 

Erick’s lips quivered as he leaned over the casket, muttering false promises of vengeance. 

Zane, ever the silent one, had tears streaming down his cheeks, though his eyes remained dry and empty of genuine sorrow.

I dug my nails into my palms. I wanted to scream, to rip off my disguise, and accuse them of their sins. They didn't shed a single real tear when I was killed, and now they mourned my father with the same hollow expressions. The same brothers who had never loved me, who had plotted behind my back even as I wore the crown, now stood as if grief-stricken by their father's supposed death.

"Logan," Erick muttered, his lips barely moving. "Now that he’s gone, the throne should be mine."

"Yours?" Logan hissed, dabbing at his dry eyes with a lace handkerchief. "You’re barely capable of leading a hunting party, let alone the entire Vampire Kingdom. If anyone’s taking the crown, it’ll be me."

Zane, ever the quiet serpent, leaned in. "You two are fools. While you bicker, the council is already choosing sides. The crown will go to the one who shows strength, not tears. The one who can secure alliances and crush dissenters."

My chest tightened. Even in the presence of our father’s lifeless body, they were like vultures, picking at the bones of his legacy. I had always known they lacked love, but to see it so brazenly—so shamelessly—stoked the embers of my rage.

"Such a tragedy." A vampire noblewoman whispered nearby. "To lose the king and the queen in such a short span. And now, the kingdom is left to those three..."

Her companion hummed, eyes darting to the brothers. "Let’s hope the crown chooses wisely. This kingdom cannot afford another reign of chaos."

Another reign of chaos—that was all my stepbrothers would bring. Even now, the air was thick with their hunger for the throne. 

My father’s ashes hadn’t yet cooled, and already they were whispering amongst themselves, calculating and scheming.

I swallowed the bitterness on my tongue. I could not reveal myself. Not now. Not when every move I made had to be precise. If I wanted to survive, I had to play the part of the invisible maid.

But where would I go?

The answer came to me with a pang that hurt more than any betrayal. Alpha Jason. Despite everything—my hatred for him, the blood of my past that stained his hands. He was the only one that had ever made me feel safe after my father.

Sighing, I returned to my chambers. And sank to the floor, I stayed there for several minutes with my head bowed low.

Until, a door creaked open behind me, pulling me from my thoughts. Louis rushed in. "Aurora," He whispered, breathless. "Alpha Jason is here."

My heart stumbled. "What?"

"He’s in the garden. With your step brothers."

Panic seized me. What is he doing here? How did he find me?

My feet moved on their own, carrying me through the corridors until I reached the garden's side entrance. I pressed myself against the grassy wall, peeking through a narrow hole on the wall.

Jason sat before Erick, Logan and Zane, dressed in black.

"I’ve come for my personal slave." Jason’s voice was cold. "She was seen being taken into a carriage that bore your crest."

Logan exchanged glances with Erick and Zane. Suspicion flashed in their eyes. "A slave?" Logan questioned, a brow raised. "What kind of slave would warrant the Alpha of the RedMoon Pack to march into our kingdom?"

Jason’s jaw clenched. "The kind that belongs to me.”

"There must be something special about this slave." Zane mused, a wicked smirk curling his lips. "For the Alpha of the RedMoon Pack to come all this way. 

“She is just my personal slave, Zane.” Jason pressed.

Erick scoffed, crossing his arms. "There really must be more to this slave. You don’t strike me as the sentimental type, Alpha Jason."

“What are you hiding, Jason?” Logan asked.

I stiffened. My brothers were too clever for their own good. They wouldn’t release me if they suspected I held any value to him.

Erick chuckled. "Who is she, really? A mere servant? Or perhaps a spy?"

Zane’s voice was like ice. "We can’t just let her go. Not without understanding why she is so valuable."

Before they could pry further, Louis stepped forward. "It was me." He declared. "I kidnapped her. To make Alpha Jason pay for killing the Vampire Queen."

My heart lurched. Louis...

My brothers’ expressions twisted into something akin to triumph. Of course, they didn’t care if I was truly alive or dead. This was an opportunity. 

Erick smirked. "It seems the crime has its criminal. You can take your slave, Alpha Jason. But how would we be compensated for our dear sister's death?” 

Jason’s rang out. "Since Aurora is gone, I propose a peace treaty between the RedMoon Pack and the Vampire Kingdom."

My breath caught. A peace treaty?

My brothers straightened, the shift in their demeanor almost imperceptible. 

Logan was the first to respond. "A treaty, you say? In honor of our dear sister’s memory?"

Erick’s lips twitched. "And what would this treaty entail?"

Jason’s eyes were cold. "Lands, gold and resources. The RedMoon Pack offers all this as compensation for Aurora’s death. In return, we expect a ceasefire and mutual support between our factions."

My heart twisted painfully. He was... bargaining with my death. Offering wealth and power without a flicker of grief. I had thought—even hoped—that he might care, that my loss would mean something.

Zane’s response was quick. "Agreed."

My stepbrothers exchanged glances, as they nodded, accepting the treaty without hesitation.

I felt something inside me shatter. They wanted me dead—not just for the throne but for the wealth and influence that my death could bring. I had died, and in doing so, I had made them richer.

My brothers were nothing but wolves in sheep’s clothing. And Jason... he was the same. Ruthless and heartless.

Louis’ fists clenched, knuckles white against his skin. "You bloody bastards!" he roared, stepping forward with murder in his eyes. "You didn’t care about Aurora when she was alive. You only care now because it might bring you power!"

My heart jumped into my throat. If he struck them, if he revealed too much—

I lunged forward, grabbing his arm. "Louis, no!" I whispered fiercely. "You can’t."

He turned to me. "They killed you, Aurora. They deserve to pay!" He muttered under his breath.

"And they will." I promised, forcing him back. "But not like this.”

All eyes turned to me. Jason’s gaze met mine, then his eyes trailed to where my hand clung to Louis’s sleeve, and I let go immediately.

“Oh, and take him too.” Logan said, gesturing at Louis. "Do whatever you want with him."

Jason’s eyes narrowed. "That’s all?"

Zane spread his hands. "We’re not monsters. If taking back your slave will settle the score, then so be it. Consider it a peace offering for not pushing the issue of your slave's abduction further."

I couldn’t let Louis suffer for my sake. So, I stepped forward. "Wait!"

"I will return to the RedMoon Pack with you.” I said, calmly. "But on one condition."

Jason’s eyes darkened. "What condition?"

"You must let Louis go." I stated.

My brothers’ faces remained impassive, though I knew they were already calculating how this played into their plans.

Jason hesitated, and I could see the struggle within him.