Chapter 87 - The Unforgiving Luna

Hazel's pov.

Grayson was serious when he said I had only two hours.

Every ten minutes that passed, he sends me a picture of Ava.

The first one was just a picture of her kneeling and in the second one, she was sitting on a chair. On the third one, two men were playing with her hair, gazing lecherously at her.

Ava looked so scared and exhausted that I felt my heart aching for her. No one should ever go through this.

I stepped on the gas when Williams showed me the fourth picture.

Those assholes were kissing her cheeks!!!

"F-uck" I cursed under my breath "Call him" I said "Call the asshole right now!"

Williams quickly did that and it was as if Grayson was expecting it as he answered on the first ring.

"Hi, Angel" he sounded very lively, bored too that I wondered if he didn't have a coronation to prepare for.

"You said you weren't going to touch her!"

"I didn't" he sounded very clueless but it only added to my frustration. I should've known better than to believe him.

"You're going too far Grayson. Tell your men to take their filthy hands off her!"

There was silence. A very strange one after a series of footsteps that I wondered what was happening on the other side.

"Stop giving me orders and get your ass down here as soon as possible" his voice sounded threateningly low and he ended the call abruptly.

I couldn't help hitting my hands on the wheel in frustration.

I couldn't even imagine what they would do to Ava before I get there.

The fifth picture came in just in time and I was scared for real this time.

Ava was tied up and they were beginning to unbotton her clothes.

Shit!!!

"There's a message" Williams said and I glanced at the phone he held up one more time.

"You have exactly an hour left and my men will take her in turns until she is no longer breathing. So hurry up, Angel. Tik, tok, tik, tok"

Worry filled my eyes as I continued to drive. Williams was beginning to get scared when I increased my speed once again and almost bumped into a pole but narrowly avoided it.

He held on to his seat tightly, only picking up the phone if it chimed, indicating a new message.

And there, every time, there was a picture. Reminding me I couldn't think of anything else but how to get there as soon as possible.

Ava had been nothing but nice to me. If I couldn't even save her from this because I was afraid for myself then this life would be a joke.

I love her just as I would love my own sister. If I had one maybe.

"It's getting worse" Williams said, turning the phone towards me but I couldn't look.

I was afraid of what I would see there but I had to.

I saw they had removed her dress. It now fell down to her waist, leaving her in her bra at her top.

My eyes narrowed and I looked away from it, clenching my teeth.

"How much more time do we have?" I asked.

"Ten minutes. I think we can do it!"

"Definitely" I said. I'll make sure of that.

At exactly ten minutes later, Grayson called me after sending a final disturbing image of his men putting their fingers in Ava's mouth.

I had it up to my throat then as I horned loudly in front of the palace's double tall gates so they could let me in.

They did. And without asking any questions which was unusual. Perhaps Grayson already told me of their arrival. It was night but the surroundings were lightened perfectly. Looking as if an event was about to take place and of course, there was.

The coronation ceremony.

I shared a glance with Williams and we both put on the Bluetooth ear piece we had gotten as part of our plan.

Kieran and the others had one too and also the people who would help us behind the scene. My own buddies.

Logan and Amelia.

We put it on and connected before getting off the car. I made sure my hair covered it well and Williams also kept his hidden well.

I also messaged Grayson first.

"I'm here now. Leave her alone!"

Surprisingly, Larissa was outside waiting with a few other maids behind her.

"Is this a grand welcome?" I couldn't help asking "If it is, then I am honored" I said when I reached her. I didn't bother mustering up a fake smile but she seemed to have no problem with doing just that.

"You wish" she said "I am only here because Grayson asked me himself. Who am I to refuse my King?"

"Your King?" I cocked a brow "The last time I checked, the King was dead!"

Larissa's eyes widened as she stared at the maids behind her. I bet she didn't think I knew or that I would mention it so boldly.

But it was all part of the plan. Planting seeds of doubts in the people's mind and it started from the maids.

They may look all professional and well trained, having no interest in what we discussed but it is almost impossible for the mouth to ignore what the ear had already heard. Whether intentional or unintentional.

No one gossips more than they do. They could spread it amongst themselves in seconds and minutes and very quickly, it would leave the palace and spread across the country which I will aid in.

"Why do you seem so surprised?" I asked her then as if realizing something, I covered my mouth in utter disbelief "Does no one know about it yet? How do you all manage to keep it hidden so well and what was the funny news I heard? That the King chosed the First Prince as his successor?" I chuckled, hitting her arm a bit "C'mon we all know what really happened"

Larissa covered her fists, looking like she was about to lose her temper and was barely holding it in. She stepped closer to me, until our chests were almost touching "You should have just died when you disappeared, Hazel. How dare you come back?"

"Because I cannot let you enjoy everything of course" I smiled.

"I'll be getting married to Grayson. Kieran? You can keep him for yourself"

"I already did. Thoroughly" I added "For a moment, I thought you had truly loved him but it was all for the throne. Did the queen make you do it?"

Larissa didn't reply. I was seeing how hard she was trying not to lash out uncontrollably and at least, she did it. She managed to calm herself down as she told me in a sweet tone.

"Come with me. Grayson is waiting for you"

The expression change was fast. So much that I wanted to give her an applaud.

"Lead the way then"

And there, it indeed was the King's lavish room.

As we entered, I could see different kinds of people in the room and Ava, there were about five men standing above her, her eyes held immense fear in them and panic as her body trembled uncontrollably.

"You're finally here" Grayson stood and our eyes met "Here to serve yourself on a silver platter"