Avenging Luna
Chapter 78: Perfect Cover

Chapter 78: Perfect Cover

Leila’s POV:

Finally. Raphael was executed. That sick, twisted bastard was dead, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I could breathe a little easier. Knowing he was rotting in hell was a load off my chest, a burden I had carried for far too long. His cruelty, his manipulation, everything he’d done to me—gone with one swing of the executioner’s axe.

One skeleton down, two more to go.

But even in death, that monster found a way to haunt me. His last words, that smug, taunting grin plastered on his face, still echoed in my mind: "You won’t get to live peacefully. I’ve already set plans in motion."

I hated how his voice lingered, the way those words latched onto my thoughts, refusing to let go. Could he have been bluffing? Trying to get inside my head one last time? It seemed like something Raphael would do—twist the knife even when he was on the brink of death. But a part of me couldn’t shake the feeling that he might have been telling the truth.

I pressed my hand against my stomach, feeling the subtle stirrings of life within me. I had to protect this child. Whatever Raphael had planned, it wouldn’t touch my family. I wouldn’t allow it.

No, I had made my decision. This baby would be born into a world where they would know love, security, and strength. I wouldn’t let my past, or the ghosts of it, control my future. Raphael’s death was just the beginning of cleaning house. Whoever else he’d roped into his schemes would fall, just like him.

Two more to go. I’d make sure of it.

Lily’s POV:

It wasn’t easy sneaking into the dungeons without raising suspicion or tipping Drake off. He was annoyingly perceptive, so I had to be smart about this. The key was befriending one of the warriors on duty, someone who wouldn’t think twice about letting me in. Genius, right?

I set my sights on Max—a simple-minded warrior, not the sharpest of the bunch, but perfect for my needs. A little flirting here and there, some coy smiles, and a few lingering touches were all it took to get him wrapped around my finger. Max rotated shifts in watching Marcus, so he was my golden ticket.

I used Max as my excuse to get into the dungeon. No one would question it. Just a former Luna-to-be showing some interest in a loyal pack warrior. Harmless, right? The perfect cover.

When I finally got the chance, I slipped a piece of paper to Marcus, making sure no one saw me. The message was simple: Keep your mouth shut. I’m working on getting you out. Don’t blow this.

Now with Marcus dealt with for the meantime, my focus had to shift. I couldn’t waste time. Leila’s destruction needed to be accelerated. The fool might’ve thought she was safe, basking in her pregnancy glow, but I was always one step ahead. The clock was ticking, and soon enough, she would regret ever stepping into my life.

Drake wouldn’t save her. No one would.

Next stop—the pack house. I needed to get close enough to Leila, to find a way to slip the wolfbane into whatever she was consuming. Once that was done, the rest of my plan would fall perfectly into place. It wouldn’t take much; just enough to slowly weaken her, to make her pregnancy look unstable. Let them think it was her going back on her decision.

To keep it subtle, I grabbed Michael and told everyone I was taking him for a little stroll around the pack. No one would think twice. I had built up enough trust by now, especially with Lucas and Nelly vouching for my "reformed" soul. Idiots.

As we approached the pack house, I held Michael’s tiny hand, plastering on a sweet smile. He looked up at me with those big, trusting eyes, calling me "Lala," and the pack members melted at the sight. What a perfect little shield. They saw me as a mother, someone nurturing, someone who had changed.

But behind the smiles, my mind was focused on the task at hand. I needed an opening, a moment where Leila would let her guard down, or better yet, leave her food or drink unattended. Once the wolfbane was in her system, it would be gradual, subtle—just enough to make her lose her child. And when the pack discovered it, they’d think she did it to herself, just like before.

I walked into the pack house with Michael on my hip, casually scanning the room, waiting for my opportunity. It was only a matter of time now.

**Lily’s POV:**

As I made my way into the pack house kitchen, a woman was coming through the door. She was probably one of the omegas working around here, always polite and eager to help. I smiled at her warmly, putting on the innocent act I had perfected by now.

"Hi," I said, holding Michael’s little hand as he stood beside me. "I was just walking Mikey around, but he’s so thirsty and hungry. Walking all the way back is a long journey for him. I wanted to see if I could get him something to eat before we head home."

The woman’s face lit up, completely at ease. "Oh, no problem! Help yourself. Alpha Drake is always generous to us, and I’m sure no one would mind if you took something for the little one," she said kindly.

Then, she paused, as if remembering something. "Oh, before I forget—there’s a bottle of mango juice in the freezer. It’s off-limits because the Luna craves it all the time. You probably know about it since it’s clearly labeled ’Luna’s.’ You wouldn’t want to accidentally take that, right?" she laughed lightly.

I feigned surprise and laughed along. "Thank you for letting me know. I’ll just get some milk and cookies for Mikey."

"Sure, dear, go right ahead," she said with a smile, then went on her way, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

Perfect.

I watched the lady leave, her trusting smile still lingering in the air. She hadn’t suspected a thing. This was too easy. The pack members were always so loyal to Drake, so willing to help with a simple smile and a story about Michael. He was my perfect cover—innocent, adorable, the son I couldn’t stand to love, yet a useful pawn in my game.

As the lady left, I couldn’t help the smug smile that crept across my face. It was easier than I thought. Finding my way into the kitchen with Michael as my cover had been a stroke of genius. Now, I just needed to grab that bottle of mango juice she mentioned. Leila’s favorite. Off-limits to everyone else, but not to me—not today.

I placed Michael in a chair with some cookies I’d grabbed, keeping him occupied. He giggled, unaware of the darkness swirling around me, his innocent eyes completely trusting. If only he knew. But he was useful, a perfect distraction.

With a quick glance around to make sure no one else was watching, I walked over to the freezer. There it was—the bottle of mango juice clearly labeled "Luna’s." Off-limits to everyone except the perfect little Leila. That wouldn’t last long.

I opened the freezer, the cold air rushing against my face as I reached for the bottle. My fingers brushed over the label, and I could almost hear Leila’s laugh in my head. The queen of the pack, the perfect Luna. Not for long.

Slipping the vial of wolfbane from my pocket, I carefully unscrewed it, making sure the liquid wouldn’t spill. It was potent, just enough to weaken her over time, making it look like her body was rejecting the pregnancy. No one would ever suspect that I had been the one behind it. It would be her downfall. Slowly, but surely.

I tilted the bottle just enough to mix the deadly potion into the juice, watching it swirl as if nothing had changed. Sealing it back up, a rush of satisfaction filled me as I placed the bottle back, exactly where it had been. Smiling to myself, the deed was done.

The wolfbane I had mixed with Leila’s juice was something special. It wasn’t just any ordinary poison—it had been thoroughly processed, refined to the point that no wolf, not even Drake or Leila with their heightened senses, would detect it. There was no trace of its distinct, bitter scent that typically betrayed its presence. This blend was completely odorless, tasteless, and lethal in slow doses.

No one would smell a thing.

As I closed the freezer door, I couldn’t help but feel proud of myself. Every step had been flawlessly executed. No one suspected a thing, and now the poison was in place, waiting for Leila to drink it down. Over time, it would subtly weaken her, making her sicker day by day. And the best part? She would have no idea it was happening, thinking it was just the strain of her pregnancy. Everyone else would too.

Grabbing a carton of milk and a few cookies for Michael, I turned back to him. He was sitting innocently in his chair, munching away, his chubby hands grabbing at crumbs. He looked up at me, those big, trusting eyes full of admiration.

As I closed the freezer door, I couldn’t help but feel proud of myself. Every step had been flawlessly executed. No one suspected a thing, and now the poison was in place, waiting for Leila to drink it down. Over time, it would subtly weaken her, making her sicker day by day. And the best part? She would have no idea it was happening, thinking it was just the strain of her pregnancy. Everyone else would too.

I picked up Michael, my cover, and kissed the top of his head gently. The innocent child had no idea what his presence had just allowed me to accomplish. All I had to do now was wait and watch as Leila’s strength faded and the pack’s trust in her crumbled alongside her health.

The thought sent a surge of satisfaction through me.

I smiled sweetly at him, but inside, I felt nothing. "Alright, Mikey, ready to go back?" I asked, my voice cheerful, as if I hadn’t just set a plan in motion to destroy his beloved Luna. He giggled in response, oblivious.

As we left the kitchen, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. The first step was done. Now, all I had to do was wait. Leila wouldn’t know what hit her.