𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 {𝐀 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐜} [1] ✔️

14. ALANA

RHONA AND ALANA STRODE INTO THE GRAND MANISON, their arms laden with six lifeless deer. Blood droplets adorned their faces and clothes, a testament to their successful hunt. Joseph and Simon greeted them with grins, while Gabriel and Helena observed the two female vampires with interest.

"I see the hunt was fruitful," Gabriel remarked, his eyes flickering with amusement.

Rhona shook the deer in her hand. "This one gave me a bit of trouble, but we managed."

Alana cut in, her curiosity piqued. "What's going on here?"

Helena answered, "I was just telling Violet about how I met Gabriel."

Rhona interrupted, "Did Ethan sing that ridiculous song again?"

Gabriel chuckled, pointing at me. "No, but Violet did."

Rhona raised an eyebrow. "You know the song too?"

I shrugged. "It's a classic."

Rhona let out a heavy sigh, her head shaking in disappointment. "Perhaps sharing that melody with Ethan wasn't the wisest decision," she murmured. "But enough about that, what other mischief have you been stirring up?"

"I was just about to delve into the inner workings of our coven," I replied, but Alana's piercing golden gaze bore into me. "Specifically, the leaders and Helena."

With a fierce expression, Alana hurled the deers onto the ground, her eyes ablaze with fury, and bolted up the stairs with a menacing growl. I watched her vanish from sight, consumed by a wave of guilt that washed over me. Simon, too, seemed to be grappling with his own sense of culpability, his gaze fixed on the floor.

"Simon, you tell me about her," I said, my voice tinged with defensiveness. "Or Ethan's father, for that matter."

"I know," he replied, his tone heavy with remorse. "But she made us promise not to say anything. I need to talk to her."

Before he could take a step, I interjected. "No, let me handle it," I said, determined to make amends.

With a sense of trepidation, I ascended the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reached the top, I caught sight of Alana perched by the window, her gaze fixed on the inky blackness outside. Without turning around, she knew it was me.

"You let your curiosity get the better of you, don't you?" she spat, her voice laced with anger.

"Alana," I said softly, my heart heavy with confusion and hurt. "I don't understand what I did to make you feel this way towards me."

Her eyes remained fixed on the window, her expression unreadable. "I don't hate you," she finally replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But... Violet, it was traumatic."

My heart sank. I had no idea what she was talking about, but the pain in her voice was palpable. "Then talk to me," I urged gently. "What happened to you?"

Alana shook her head, her eyes still fixed on the outside world. "No, I can't," she said, her voice barely audible. "You can recover from your trauma. I couldn't. None of us did. But you did, and you choose to brag about how horrible your dad was. I don't care how miserable your human life was."

I felt a pang of guilt. I had never intended to brag about my past, but perhaps I had been insensitive in my sharing. "Listen," I said, my voice soft and understanding. "I understand you don't want to talk about it. I'll drop it."

As I turned to walk away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness. I had hoped to get to know Alana better, to understand her pain and help her heal. But it seemed that she was not ready to open up to me, and I respected that. As I walked away, I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to her, and how I could help her find peace.