Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 880: Less Than Deserved ()

"That includes the rest of you." Neveah said to the rest of the guests.

The Eclipse Alphas and Lunas exchanged uncertain glances, but it was only Lado who stepped forward. He was fully recovered now and clearly still had it out for Neveah.

"You clearly want to send His Grace to his death!" He snarled, pointing accusingly at Neveah. "There’s just four of them and an entire army of us. His Grace has no reason to accept Lothaire’s challenge!"

This was the second time he would repeat that gesture. Neveah didn’t appreciate it any more than she did the first time.

She was guilty. She wasn’t disputing that fact. But she didn’t see the need for Lado to be so dramatic about it.

She hadn’t done anything worse than he had himself. He hadn’t even made a move to protect Alessio from the raven guards and yet he was running his mouth like he had Alessio’s best interest at heart.

But everyone could see Lado was only so unflinchingly loyal because Alessio’s reign benefitted him the most. And Alessio’s fall would mean his as well.

He had stepped on too many toes, even amongst his own ranks. Especially given the fact that he wasn’t even the strongest of Alessio’s subordinate.

He was surely the most ruthless. And she wasn’t even one to judge.

But his tone... she simply found it intolerable.

She couldn’t take action against him. Not yet...

But the time would come soon. Something told her it would be even sooner than she anticipated. He was living on borrowed time after all. No thanks to Laila.

"Is that what you want?" Alessio asked Neveah. "For me to be defeated?"

There was something somber in his tone. Like witnessing Neveah’s magic made him realise just how close she was to recovering her memories. And just how fragile all that he held so tightly actually was.

Everything could crumble in the blink of an eye. At any moment.

Neveah had lived with all the uncertainties these past weeks. It was time for him to feel a measure of it.

"Do you believe my father will spare you if I’m gone? Do you believe anyone here cares enough to protect you like I have?"

Neveah’s eyes met his. "Win or lose, that’s up to your fate. What has it got to do with me?" She asked blankly. "If you decide not to accept the challenge, that is also your decision to make."

"As for my own safety, it’s always been in my hands. Not you, or anyone else’s."

Alessio’s eyes searched hers, and then his lips curved into a smile, one that chilled her to the bones.

He took a step closer to her, leaning down. And for a brief moment, as his collar dipped, she caught a glimpse of a burn mark by his neck.

"Haven’t I said it already?" He asked, his eyes revealed an eerie calm. "You are my fate."

Alessio’s attention returned to Lothaire. "Fine. You want it back? Take it."

____________

The battle between Alessio and Lothaire had quickly grown fierce. With a few Alphas picking sides and stirring more discord as Alphas turned on each other.

Somewhere in between, Neveah had slipped away from the throne room and now she made her way out to the courtyard.

But there was just one complication. Lado had noticed her leaving and Neveah could sense him trailing her from some distance away.

She’d thought the display of her magic from earlier would be good enough to warn him off, but Lado had never been blessed with the brains.

He hadn’t made any moves to stop her from leaving, or make her escape known to others, which could only mean one thing.

Lado...he intended to take his revenge on her attempt on his life. She could practically smell the bloodthirst oozing off of him, and even a measure of lust concealed within.

Neveah shuddered in disgust.

With Alessio too distracted to protect her, he probably saw this as his only chance and a golden opportunity. After all, Neveah had left the throne room and Alessio’s proximity herself.

He could easily harm Neveah and get away with it. There would be no evidence or anyone to accuse him of the crime.

And even if the other Eclipse Alphas and Lunas in the hall had noticed something was off, they simply would not interfere. Not when the fate of the domain rested on the result of the challenge between the Rauls.

Neveah hastened her footsteps, but it was difficult when the last thing the dress she had on was built for, was speed.

She took the hallways she was certain would be deserted at such hours, especially with the ongoing event.

Still, she passed by a few attendants and some warriors, but they didn’t try to stop her. They probably concluded she just couldn’t bear the sight of the challenge and needed to get away.

When she finally emerged out in the courtyard, it was deserted like she had anticipated. Between the execution and challenge, no one dared wander about carelessly.

The value of a life in the Eclipse palace had long descended beneath the value of dust and anyone with sense knew to stay out of sight.

Neveah made for the forest. And still, Lado followed. Silently stalking.

She kept moving. She wasn’t sure for how long, but she soon emerged into a clearing with a small waterfall and there she stopped.

She stood still and she didn’t turn around, not even when she heard Lado’s footsteps as he stepped into the clearing, finally making his presence known.

"Omega..." Lado’s voice was tinged with a deathly promise. "You never should have returned here."

She exhaled a drawn out breath, nodding slowly. "And you never should have survived."

She heard it when he lunged, his claws cutting sharply through the air. But he wasn’t fast enough.

Neveah turned just as Scott’s burly wolf tackled Lado, maws going straight for his throat.

Lado didn’t expect the attack, and he couldn’t brace himself fast enough or even shift.

Scott moved like the wind, and before Lado realized the ambush, he was splayed out on the muddy forest ground, gurgling on his own blood as Scott came away with blood dripping from his maws.

Lado’s wide, horrified eyes were fixed on her in those final moments. She saw the initial confusion flash by, and when the realization hit later, it came with a cold horror.

He probably hadn’t believed he would meet his end so swiftly, without even being able to put up a fight.

He’d been a feared warrior all his life, but in this moment, he was just as helpless as one of his many victims.

His hand reached for her, his body jerking as he bled out slowly. His throat was ripped open, and he choked on his own blood.

He wouldn’t die immediately. He would bleed out slowly and painfully, feeling the life force leaving him a wisp at a time.

Only this time, there’d be no one to save him. It was even far less pain than he deserved.

Scott shifted to his human form, wiping his lips. He passed a disdainful glare to Lado before stepping over his body to Neveah.

"My Lady," He greeted, "Apologies for my late arrival."

"No." Neveah shook her head slowly. "You’re just in time."

She exhaled the breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. While her magic was terrifying even to her, it wasn’t reliable enough just yet.

Facing Lado herself might have proven to be a challenge.

"Colleen?" She asked quickly,

"I’ve taken her to safety." He replied, "We had to evade Alessio’s guards so I couldn’t report back till it was handled."

She sighed in relief. She’d already made up her mind to proceed even if it endangered Colleen’s life. But with this, a weight was lifted off her shoulder.

"Everything is in order." Scott reported. "The Eclipse Hunt wolves and Lucas Varleston have also been sent back in. They should be at the palace as we speak."

Seeing Lucas Varleston and Dane Hunt take the lead in confronting the Rauls, right after they’d let the whole world watch them fighting for the throne, Neveah knew the Eclipse Alphas would be swayed.

"If you’re ready, I’ll accompany you now. At the right time, the Winter Army will be counting on your help." Scott handed Neveah a small pouch and a map with a location marked out on it.

"Can I...do it?" She asked doubtfully.

She’d already gotten the hang of summoning portals, so Neveah was no longer worried about that.

But she’d never had to summon a portal from a destination she hadn’t been to herself. Or hadn’t seen even in passing.

The winter army had arrived at the borders of the Eclipse Domain. But they were still a few days away, and there were many other Eclipse territories in their way.

If things were left like this, they would be facing many battles, and would be greatly weakened with far too many casualties before arriving at the Eclipse Palace. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

That wasn’t a risk Neveah was willing to take. But the other solution...it would mean summoning a portal strong enough and precise enough to deliver the entire winter army right to the doorstep of the Eclipse Palace.