Heir, 3

(Pov: Scarlett)

Absolutely! This is peculiar, but let's confront the situation. Your biological mother only experienced her first transformation at the age of 16. In a way, I have a year to complete all my plans because if my daughter doesn't transform at the age of twelve, I'll have to significantly alter my strategy.

As my initial plans crumbled due to genetics, I'll need to devise a new one.

I must find a way to place her within the pack of my adversaries. Once she gains their trust, I can finally dismantle that miserable little family. Lina, oh Lina, I'll have my revenge through your very creation.

But how can I make this happen?

Think, think, think, Scarlett. There must be a way!

And there it is!

Scarlett, you're a genius!

"Re?" I speak, taking a bite of cake and chewing, albeit pretending. I don't eat; I merely pretend to swallow and then dispose of the food in secret. My daughter can't discover my true nature as a vampire.

"Yes?" she responds, swallowing a bite of cake. I notice her posture tensing, anticipating the topic of conversation.

"You're aware that today is the day, right?" I inquire, locking eyes with her.

"I know, and I intend to fulfill the promise I made to you as a child." A smirk crosses her lips.

"You can't imagine how much joy it brings me to hear that, my dear." I smile and plant a gentle kiss on her forehead.

I can't deny that, initially, I stole her for revenge. I had planned to end her life, delivering her little body wrapped as a macabre gift to exact retribution for the heartache I'd suffered. My heart was already dead, and that bastard ensured its demise.

Yet, the little girl managed to change my mind, as soon as I looked into her little green eyes and her little hands touched mine there I saw that I would love her. But the love I sense for her isn't enough to let me sleep peacefully at night, and even though I raised her and love her as my own daughter. I'm going to take my revenge, and I'm going to use her anyway. After that little woman has paid for taking away the love of my life. My little princess and I will be very happy, we'll leave this region and build a new life. But not before I take revenge for my past, take revenge on that damn she-wolf.

"What do I need to do?" Her question snaps me back to the present.

"First, you must journey to their territory. I won't lie; it's a long and perilous trek-about four days. Once you arrive, feign an attack by wild creatures and plead for help. Once you infiltrate their ranks, earn their trust and signal me."

"What kind of signal?"

"You'll have this vial," I hand her a small blue container, "add its contents to their meal. Once ingested, it'll induce a deep sleep. Then, use this vial," I pass her another bottle containing a fragrance only I can detect, "to release a powder into the air. I'll come to you once you do."

"Alright, so far, it seems straightforward," she remarks, propping her chin on her hand.

"Here, wear this necklace at all times and never remove it," I present a bewitched necklace that shields her from her biological parents' senses.

"Why this necklace?" She examines the object, then smiles. "It's so beautiful."

"It's a symbol of my unwavering presence by your side, my love," I lie, gently caressing her cheek.

"Thanks, Mom. I'm delighted, it's so beautiful," she says, analyzing the object in her hands. And damn that she-wolf (Lina), because even an object that was hers enchants my daughter.

"But not as lovely as you, my dear." I counter, feigning affection. "Oh, and one more thing: always keep the necklace tucked beneath your blouse, hidden from view."

"Yes, Mom." She smiles, her loyalty unwavering.

"You have less than a year, my beautiful, to execute your mission. Convince them you're a young woman alone, adrift without family, alright?"

She nods, and I leave her room, closing the door behind me.

(Pov: Renata)

My palms perspire, my body tingles with apprehension about the unknown future that lies ahead. I dedicated so much time to preparing for this moment, but now I wish I could rewind time when all I needed to do was train tirelessly in martial arts. I pace restlessly across the room, my fingers restlessly running through my hair.

What if I don't succeed?

No! This is no time to feel insecure, Renata! You'll make it because of your mother, the one who raised you with so much love and affection even though I'm not her biological daughter. And I'm capable of anything!

I speak firmly into my subconscious.

Trying to stay confident, I grab the towel from the closet and head for the bathroom, which is in my bedroom.

My bathroom is small and simple, all wood-paneled with a cupboard built into the wall and a round mirror above it. There's a toilet and a box with a shower where I take a bath. I get undressed and put my dirty clothes in the basket between the toilet and the cupboard. After hanging up my towel, I walk to the shower and turn on the water. I take my shower very slowly, trying to distract myself with the sound of the water coming out of the shower so I don't think about how and where I'll be in a few hours' time.

After long minutes under the shower, I'm satisfied to see my fingers all wrinkled. I get out of the shower and wrap myself in a towel, then I leave the bathroom and go to the closet, I take the towel off my body but I don't dry myself because I'm hot, I put on my clothes - a black tank top, paired with black leather pants and patent leather boots, I comb my hair in a side braid and I'm ready to carry on with my mission.

"Are you prepared, daughter?" My mother's voice reaches me from behind the door.

I approach the door, turning the handle to reveal my mother with a smile on her face, holding a backpack that appears as though she's packed the world within.

"Don't forget your leather jacket. We're uncertain about the weather," she advises, handing me one she cleaned yesterday.

I don't usually venture far from home. My outings are limited to training and the occasional waterfall bath we share. Thus, I have little idea about what lies ahead.

"How could I forget?" I take the jacket and slip it on. "Thanks for reminding me, Mom."

"You're welcome, my love." She extends the backpack that seems more like a suitcase. "Inside, you'll find supplies to sustain you until you reach the pack. It's crucial that you stay on the designated path," she warns, her tone serious. "The weapons you need for the attack simulation are in the front pocket. Once used, discard them immediately."

I accept the backpack, which proves heavier than anticipated.

"Mother, did you pack lead in here?" I quip as I hoist it onto my shoulders.

"No, but perhaps another time I'll consider it so you won't complain on an empty stomach," she jests.

"Must we begin then? The sooner we start, the sooner we'll conclude."

"Absolutely!" she concurs, and together we move towards the room's exit. I glance at my mother, who's now teary-eyed.

"I'll miss you, my dear," she says, her embrace sincere. Tears well up in my own eyes.

"I'll miss you too, Mom." We break the embrace.

"Go on now, before we start crying like babies," she say chides, her smile calming my nerves. "Good luck."

I return her smile, and with that, I step out of the house. An extensive journey awaits, and I'm filled with a mix of trepidation and determination.

Yet, I'm confident that I'll honor the promise I made to my mother. I'll avenge her family's loss. As I take my first step towards the unknown, I'm resolute in my determination to face whatever challenges lie ahead.