Aurora

Chapter 9

In the shadows of the palace, a different game was being played. Ruth and Stella, once favored concubines, now discarded and forgotten, were plotting. Their hearts, once filled with pride and vanity, were now consumed by jealousy and a thirst for revenge. They watched from a hidden corner as Alpha Charles and Queen Maya revealed in their shared warmth, their bodies entwined in a comforting embrace. 

The sight waw disheartening, a stark reminder of what they had lost. But they would not go quietly into the night. No, they had a plan.

Their plan was perilous, fraught with danger at every turn. But they were desperate, driven by a burning desire to reclaim their lost status. They knew the risks, knew that failure could mean their downfall. But they were willing to take that chance. For in the world of Alphas, power was the only currency that mattered, and they were willing to do whatever it took to regain it.

Their first target was Queen Maya. She was the jewel in Alpha Charles' crown, his favorite queen. To bring her down would be a significant blow to Alpha Charles, a crack in his armor. They knew it wouldn't be easy. Queen Maya was loved and respected, her position in the palace secure. But Ruth and Stella were cunning. They had been playing the game of power long enough to know that even the mightiest could fall.

And so, they watched and waited, their eyes filled with a dangerous glint.

In the dimly lit hallway of the palace, Queen Maya was making her way, her footsteps echoing softly. Above her, hidden in the shadows, Ruth and Stella watched with bated breath. They had rigged the chandelier, a magnificent piece of art that hung in the center of the hallway, to fall at their command. A single tug on the rope they were holding would send it crashing down.

Their hearts pounded in their chests as they watched Queen Maya approach. This was it. The moment they had been waiting for. Their plan, as perilous as it was, was about to be set into motion.

Queen Maya, oblivious to the danger looming above her, continued her walk. She was just a few steps away from the spot right under the chandelier. Ruth and Stella exchanged a glance, their grip on the rope tightening. They were ready. As soon as Queen Maya was under the chandelier, they would let go of the rope.

In a twist of fate, as Queen Maya was about to step further, her scarf slipped from her shoulders and fell to the ground. She turned back to retrieve it, her footfalls echoing in the silent hallway. Unbeknownst to her, this simple act of retrieving her scarf saved her from the perilous trap set by Ruth and Stella.

Just as she bent down to pick up her scarf, Ruth, mistaking her movement for the final step, hastily let go of the rope. The chandelier crashed to the ground, missing Queen Maya by mere seconds. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the hallway, a chilling reminder of the danger she had narrowly escaped.

With her heart pounding in her chest, Queen Maya ran to her chambers, slamming the door shut behind her. The realization of what had just happened was too much to bear. She was safe, but the knowledge that someone in the palace wanted to harm her was terrifying.

Meanwhile, Alpha Charles was not faring well. His condition seemed to have worsened, his coughs echoing through the silent room. He tried to ask Maya what was wrong, but his words were cut off by a fit of coughing. Despite his discomfort, he forced himself to sit up, concern for Maya evident in his eyes.

Seeing his struggle, Maya rushed to his side, her own fears momentarily forgotten. She gently urged him to lie back down, her hands soothingly rubbing his back in an attempt to ease his coughing.

****

In the confines of their shared room, Ruth and Stella were at odds. Their plan had failed, and the tension between them was palpable.

"Why did you let go of the rope so soon?" Ruth accused, her voice sharp with frustration.

"I let go when you told me to!" Stella shot back, her eyes flashing with anger. "It's not my fault Queen Maya moved!"

"Well, you should have waited until she was directly under the chandelier!" Ruth retorted, her hands clenched into fists.

"And how was I supposed to know she would drop her scarf?" Stella countered, her voice rising in defense.

Their argument continued, each blaming the other for the failure of their plan. The room was filled with their heated words, a stark contrast to the cold silence that had fallen over them earlier. Their plan had failed, and the blame game had begun.

In the midst of their heated argument, Ruth and Stella were interrupted by a sight that made their hearts sink. Through the crack of their door, they watched as Queen Maya, supporting a weakened Alpha Charles, stepped out into the hallway. The sight of Maya, tenderly guiding Alpha Charles through the debris of their failed plan, was like a dagger to their hearts.

The broken glass crunched under their feet, a chilling reminder of their failed plot. Ruth and Stella could only watch in silent frustration as Maya, with a strength that belied her petite frame, helped Alpha Charles navigate through the dangerous path.

The sight of their intended victim, not only unharmed but being cared for so gently, was a bitter pill to swallow. Their plan had not only failed, but it had also brought their targets closer together. The frustration was overwhelming, a gnawing feeling that made them feel like biting themselves in regret.

Their plan had backfired, their target was unscathed, and they were left with nothing but the bitter taste of failure.

Suddenly, Ruth's eyes lit up, a wicked gleam replacing the frustration that had clouded her features. "I've got it," she snapped, her voice filled with a newfound determination. "I have the most wicked plan ever."

Stella turned to look at her, curiosity piqued.