The freezing water of the pool rushed into my nose and lungs, choking me instantly. I flailed my arms against the surface and shouted toward the balcony above.
"Zael! Help me!"
I saw Zael rush down the stone stairs in a panic, but he stopped at the very edge of the water. Instead of reaching for me, he pulled Moira into his arms.
"You have suffered enough because of Aletta. Now it is her turn to be taught a lesson by the spirits."
He looked down at me as I struggled. My eyes were full of despair, but he did not move a muscle. I stared at him in shock as my heart sank deeper than my body. Soon, everything went dark as I grew weaker from the lack of air.
Right before I lost consciousness, Zael finally shed his heavy coat, jumped in and pulled me onto the stone. His eyes were like ice. "Aletta, this is just a small warning. If you ever strike Moira again, I do not know what my wolf will do to you."
When I woke up, the sound of loud arguing from the great hall pulled me back to the world. I opened the chamber door and saw Zael and Moira in a heated clash. Moira held a travel bag in one hand and gripped Aelin’s arm with the other, pretending to be on the verge of tears.
"Zael, let go of me. Instead of waiting for Aletta to exile us from the pack, I would rather take our pup and leave this territory now."
With those words, she shook off Zael’s hand and turned toward the door. Zael’s eyes were full of pity and agony. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Moira’s waist.
"No, as long as I am the Alpha here, no one will dare chase you away. You and Aelin can stay in this den forever. What happened yesterday was Aletta’s failure. I have already punished her. She will not touch you again."
I slowly walked down the stairs, glaring at Moira with a cold smile.
"If you truly wanted to leave these lands, you would not have waited until today. You should have fled last night while Zael was deep in sleep."
Seeing Zael hesitate at my words, Moira bit her lip and suddenly dropped to her knees on the cold floor.
"Aletta, all of this is my fault. I should not have come between you and your mate. If you two can find peace, I will go."
She stood up and opened the heavy villa door. She was about to walk out when Zael grabbed her arm and roared, "Enough!"
He turned to me, his eyes burning with rage. "Aletta, do you not think this pack is chaotic enough? Moira has never done anything to harm your soul, so why do you keep hunting her?"
His voice was thick with disappointment. "Aletta, we have been bonded for three years. When did you become such a jealous creature? I barely recognize the wolf you have become."
I lowered my head and sneered, stepping closer to him. "You do not recognize me because your heart was never mine to hold. All you care about is Moira."
"Since you have chosen to let her stay in my home, I will go."
Everything in the villa was covered in Zael’s scent. I did not want any of it anymore, so I left every possession behind. As I stepped out into the air, Zael’s angry voice followed me.
"Aletta, there is a limit to my patience. If you walk out of these gates today, do not bother returning to this pack!"
I did not turn around. I simply whispered to myself that I would never come back. After leaving the villa, I took out my crystal communicator and sent a message to the Shadow Alpha.
[When will the heart source be found?]
The reply came quickly. [We have news. Just wait two more days.]
In two days, I would be able to leave this territory for good.
