Page 5 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

She reached out, jabbing hard at my birthmark, nails nearly embedding in my flesh. "I should be this kingdom's most noble queen! It's all Arcales' fault for dying so early! And then the Moon Goddess chose you—you hideous creature—for Cedric!"

"You're insane..." I stared at her, unable to believe she'd harbored such vicious thoughts all along.

"I'm not insane!" She laughed coldly. "I've waited for this day too long! Once you're dead, Cedric will finally see me! I'll become his queen!"

I trembled all over. Survival instinct made me beg. "Victoria, for the sake of us being sisters, spare me and the child. I can disappear forever, swear never to come back. Cedric cares so much about you—if I'm gone, he'll make you queen quickly..."

"Still pretending?" She stared at me like a hissing snake. "Even pregnant with a bastard, he couldn't bear to execute you! As long as you're alive, he'll never truly see me!"

"What are you talking about?" I couldn't believe it. "Cedric's always loved you. Everyone knows—"

She didn't answer. Instead, she turned to the witch beside her. "Hurry up! Once you drain her power, I'll kill her myself!"

That's when I realized the witch next to Victoria was Serena! She'd been pretending all along! Everything today was their plan!

Despair wrapped around me completely. I knew I couldn't escape.

But Serena suddenly frowned. "Something's wrong. There's a power inside her resisting us... very strong."

Suddenly, even worse pain struck. I couldn't help but scream. Golden light burst from my body, sweeping out like waves. The witches screamed and fell. Victoria was thrown back, crashing hard to the ground.

I gasped for breath, feeling like my organs were on fire. Warm liquid poured from my nose. I wanted to use this chance to escape, but I was too weak. I couldn't even stand.

"Damn it!" Serena scrambled up. "We have to finish the ritual now!"

The witches closed in again, chanting faster.

Then a voice came from ahead in the forest. "Alice!"

Cedric's voice!

"Cedric!" I screamed with everything I had. "Save me! Please, save me and the baby!"

I felt him approaching. That familiar presence pierced through layers of trees like light cutting through desperate darkness.

My heart raced. Hope grew like wildfire.

He came! He finally came. The baby and I could be saved.

"Damn it!" Victoria's furious voice. Her delicate face twisted horribly. "How did he find us?"

"No time," Serena said grimly. "We have to leave now."

She immediately ordered the witches to take me with them.

"No!" Madness flashed in Victoria's eyes. "Alice dies here!"

"Are you insane? I haven't gotten her power yet!" Anger edged Serena's voice.

"Alice!" Cedric's voice was closer—just on the other side of the trees.

Tears burst from my eyes.

"I'm here!" I screamed hoarsely. "Cedric! I'm here!"

I heard branches snapping, heavy boots on soil, his labored breathing.

"No time! Damn it." Serena cursed under her breath. Black light appeared at her fingertips. The next instant, orange-red flames engulfed the entire altar, rushing toward me. Temperature shot up, searing my skin. Fire spread rapidly. The witches' figures vanished in flames and smoke.