Chapter 27: Willow’s plan
"And you are sure she is going to come?"
The girl nodded her head.
"Her mother plans to make her attend the party so rest assured, she will come."
Willow smiled in delight.
She could hardly believe her luck.
She was so sure she would not be able to get Ayla to even accept her invite but she had and now this?
"You may leave and remember if you think for a second to betray me, I will have my father send your sister to a man who would have no sympathy and will use her until there is nothing left."
Astrid raised her head to meet Willow’s glare.
"I will never betray you."
...
She walked out into the open courtyard and took a seat, her chest heaving.
What have I done?
She had no idea what Willow had planned for Ayla only that it was bad and it was because of her.
Willow had cornered her one time and revealed to her that she had her sister serving in her house.
She had told her she knew about the fact that she now waited on Ayla and she wanted her to serve as her eyes and ears and spy on Ayla.
At first, Astrid had refused.
It wasn’t until Willow brought a piece of her beloved sister’s hair.
It was one she had braided more times than she could count so its texture was not foreign to her.
That was when she knew Willow had not been bluffing about anything she said.
It was quite fortunate that Ayla had told her about not having mated with the Alphas and it was one information she had readily supplied to Willow to keep her sister safe.
She had wanted to tell Ayla, beg her for help but if she was being truthful, Ayla was much a prisoner as she was.
She may be adorned with finer materials and declared as mate to the princes hence treated with a modicum of respect but that did not mean anyone would suddenly forget she was an Omega. The lowest in the pack.
Whatever Willow had planned for Ayla would not kill her or have her in the situation that Willow had threatened her sister with.
Astrid rose to her feet.
She had to prepare Ayla for the party and then pray to the moon goddess that she did not just sign up her for disaster.
...
"Did you get it?" Willow asked her friend.
She and Celeste had been friends since they knew how to walk and they had bonded over their mutual hate for Ayla.
While Willow hated her because she was the illegitimate daughter of her father and the reason her mother had killed herself, Celeste hated Ayla because of her mother, Brenna.
She had slept with Celeste’s father and had caused the breakup of both her parents.
"Yes, I told you I was going to. My mother has it in her room so it was relatively easy to get."
Willow put out her hand and Celeste dropped the vial in her hand.
She turned it over, smiling to herself.
"So, will she be coming?"
"I am told she will"
"By the maid" Celeste scoffed. "What if she is lying?"
"She knows better than to lie to me."
Celeste’s eyes glittered with malice.
"And what about the princes? Will they be coming too? I haven’t seen Damon in a while" she sighed dreamily.
"Damon is no longer the man we once hung out with and neither are the other princes’." Willow retorted. "It is almost as if since Ayla was named their mates, she is all they are concerned about."
"She obviously has them bewitched."
Willow had first thought that was the case.
The first time she had called for Ares and he had ignored her and then with the time in his study and him sending her away like she was some common whore after dreaming of stupid Ayla.
Her lips curled in a snarl.
She could hardly wait for her party.
She squeezed the vial gently in her hand.
...
It was now time for the party and Willow was wearing the most beautiful dress.
Her father had spared no expense in lavishing her with what she wanted.
She walked around greeting all those who came to celebrate with her while her eyes darted left and right, seeking out her prey.
Ayla was yet to come.
If she did not show up, it would mean the maid, Astrid had lied to her.
Very well then, Willow thought. She could kiss her frail sister goodbye.
As willow turned around, her eyes spotted Ares at the entrance of the ballroom.
She could feel her breath hitch in her throat and her heart race as her gaze swept over him. He looked every bit as dreamy as she had imagined him.
Then she saw Ayla standing right there beside him.
She had not seen her at first.
Her lips curved downward.
Another thing Ayla had stolen from her.
First, it was her mother and now Ares.
She forced herself to plaster a welcoming smile on her face as she approached them.
She was holding a glass of wine housing the content of the vial in it and she just had to give it to Ayla.
"Heyy" she smiled. "I am so glad you could make it."
Both Ares and Ayla turned to her.
"Thank you for the invite" Ayla responded.
"And for mine. I was so caught up with a lot of things and totally forgot to have fun" Ares added.
"I am glad this is a reminder of that, Ares. It has been so long since we saw each other last."
She smiled at him.
Ares did not return her smile.
He merely nodded and averted his gaze.
"Here sister, you must be parched. I got this from the wine table."
"Oh, thank you. I am parched."
Ayla reached for the glass.
Ares’ hand shot out and grabbed the glass and before they both knew what was happening, he downed the content in one gulp.
"Ares!" Willow’s voice rose an octave. "Why would you do that?"
"I guess I must have been more parched." Ares answered.
Willow stood frozen in shock unsure of what to do.