Rise of the Rejected Luna - Chapter 197

Chapter 197: _ It’s Over, Negan.
 

Phoebe’s voice rang in my ears, her words slicing through my sweet triumph like a sword.

For the first time since I stepped into this dream, something inside me stirred and I didn’t like the way it made me feel.

I tightened my grip on the microphone, and my knuckles whitened. No one questioned my authority, not even her.

Then, murmurs started among the people seated.

I scanned the room and saw that the people who had cowered before me just moments ago now stole glances at Phoebe.

A few lifted their heads, their eyes building up the flames of courage.

She was riling them up.

I turned my gaze back to her in anger, feeling rage flow through my veins like lava.

I had shown her so much care and attention that she found the nerve to challenge me.

She stood near the entrance, her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths. Her once warm, adoring eyes now burned with a fierce determination that I had never seen before.

Even Kaene stood no chance against me, what could she possibly do in her sorry state?

“Do you really want to leave this beast as your leader?” she asked in a strong, powerful voice.

I scoffed at her childish attempt to call me names. I’ve been called worse and here I was standing strong.

“You think you can challenge me, Phoebe?” I said calmly. Even I was surprised by how calm I sounded considering the rage boiling in me.

I stepped closer to the edge of the stage. “You think you’ll be able to gather a handful of them, and what? You’ll push them to their deaths by fighting me, Phoebe.” I said, gesturing to the crowd.

I made sure to remind them that their deaths were inevitable. After all, they were powerless against me and it served as a warning to them not to try anything foolish.

She didn’t flinch. Her expression remained unchanged.

She turned to the people, “I am your Luna and it is my duty to fight for you, but I can’t do that if you don’t fight for yourself.”

She ignored me, but I took no offense.

She was stubborn, I’ll give her that. It was one of the qualities I liked in her.

But, it was hopeless persuading these cowards.

The murmurs in the crowd increased. I looked at them and saw a new resolve in their eyes.

In an instant, two men rose from their seats. They turned back to face Phoebe and bowed their heads.

One of them spoke, “I will fight by your side, Luna.” And the other nodded in agreement with him.

Phoebe’s plan worked.

I clenched my fists, obviously in anger, but this was not the time to act. I wanted to see who else would agree to meet their ends, so could wipe them out at once.

She smiled, giving a quick nod to them. Then, she turned to glare at me, “You don’t deserve this pack, Negan.”

“You never did and I won’t let you keep it.” She spat in fury.

I saw a few men standing from their seats too, presumably to support Phoebe.

I would teach them what happens to whoever defied me.

Starting with Phoebe.

“I don’t need your permission to keep this pack.” I roared, feeling power surge through me.

I jumped from the edge of the stage, the air rippled as I landed.

She remained still.

Then, in a swift motion, she raised her hand.

The door burst open and figures emerged behind her. Some carried weapons, others had their claws out and their fangs baring at me. Most of them looked injured, but they still stood firm, ready for battle.

A smirk tugged at my lips.

Fools.

Phoebe had a smirk of her own too.

An even bigger fool.

Then wolves poured in. Their eyes fierce, burning with power. Now, Phoebe had wolves on both sides, and men behind her.

“Master…” Rowland murmured, his voice tinged with uncertainty and unease.

I ignored him.

My focus was on Phoebe, on the way she squared her shoulders, her defiance clear as day.

I should have killed her the moment I had the chance.

But it’s not too late.

My fingers twitched, itching for a fight.

Out of the shadows, my brothers stepped forward. A shocking entry that I didn’t expect, but I was glad to have them by my side.

“Take them.” I commanded, my voice like steel.

The hall fell into chaos, as the wolves clashed against my men and the sound of growls and snarls filled the air.

A warrior lunged at me, but I sidestepped him with ease, catching him by the throat. With a flick of my wrist, his neck snapped and I tossed him aside like a ragdoll.

I turned my attention back to Phoebe.

She was fighting.

Not just fighting, but she was leading.

Her movements were sharp and precise, she moved like water, taking down my men with fluid-like grace.

Each slash of her claws was filled with a rage I had never seen in her before.

My blood boiled in fury.

This was not how my victory was supposed to go. I would not be known as the man whose victory barely lasted a day.

Rowland fought beside me, taking down any rebel foolish enough to move close to us.

Right now, there was only one person I needed to focus on.

Phoebe.

I made my way through the chaos, as my eyes locked on her. She must have sensed me because she turned, glaring right back at me.

For a moment, we just stared at each other.

She wiped the blood from her face as she walked toward me.

There she was, defiant, stubborn and foolish.

I smirked. “This ends now.” I declared.

She smirked back. “Yes, it does.”

Then she lunged at me and I welcomed it. She swiped her claws right at my face, but I easily dodged it.

“That’s all you got, baby?” I smiled, mocking her.

She paused in her tracks and her eyes turned purple.

I furrowed my brows as I stared at her in confusion.

She stretched her hand toward me and as she raised it, my body began to float in the air, following her command.

Wait! Phoebe had magic?!

This had to be a joke.

I tried to fight back with my magic, but nothing worked. I had lost my magic since the hunter’s attack.

For the first time in this dream, I had a reality check and it hit me like a bus. I finally remembered that this was a dream and I must wake up.

In a flash, she grabbed my neck. Flashing me an evil smile.

I searched frantically for anyone to help, but I couldn’t move.

I didn’t hear sounds of fighting anymore, it was unclear if my side won or hers.

That didn’t matter anymore since it seemed my life was now in her hands.

I had lost.

I had been brutally defeated.

She dug into my chest, and a wave of pain shot through my body.

Karma was a bitch, I had wished Kaene would die in his dream.

That lucky bastard.

She flung my body against a wall and I felt unconscious seep in. I wheezed in pain as I tried to take in more air, but it was fruitless.

“It’s over, Negan.” She said in a cold, ruthless tone.”

“Well, it really is.” I mumbled as I shut my eyes, allowing the darkness to take over.