Riley Hayes | A Vampire Novel | Book 2

Chapter 12

Leuca's pov

I glanced over at Rayna as we drove, the car's engine humming steadily on the long road to her coven. The letter from Althea had been a heavy blow, filled with cryptic warnings and dire predictions. It was clear that something was amiss, and Rayna's presence was crucial. Yet, I could see the nervousness in her eyes as she stared out the window, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

"What are your thoughts on taking over the coven?" I asked, trying to break the silence that had settled between us. "You seem a bit anxious."

Rayna's gaze remained fixed outside, but I could see her shoulders tense. "It's not that I don't want to," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I just don't want to disappoint Riley. She's been so good to me, and I feel like I owe her everything. But... I've been raised for this, to lead and protect. It's what I've always known."

I nodded, understanding her apprehension. "I get it. I've been through something similar," I said, the memories of my own upbringing surfacing. "I was raised to become a lord, and my father was... less than kind. He believed in strict discipline, though his methods were far from gentle."

Rayna turned her head to look at me, curiosity mixed with concern. "What do you mean?"

I sighed, the weight of old wounds pressing on me. "He was very stern, you see. Beatings were a regular part of my training if I didn't meet his expectations. If I spoke out of turn or failed to show the proper respect, it was met with punishment. I remember one time, when I was just a boy, I accidentally spilled ink on one of his important documents. I was beaten until I could barely stand, all while he yelled about the importance of discipline and responsibility."

Rayna's eyes widened with shock. "That sounds... awful."

"It was," I admitted. "But it taught me to be precise, to always think ahead and act according to expectations. It was harsh, but it made me into the lord I needed to be. My father's way was brutal, but it drove me to excel, to never falter in my duties."

Rayna seemed to absorb this, her expression a mix of empathy and contemplation. "I guess it's different, but there are similarities in how we were raised. My mother wasn't shy to use her hands either. It's hard not to feel the pressure to live up to those expectations."

"I'm afraid I'll fail as a leader. What if I make the wrong decisions or can't handle the responsibility?"

I glanced over at her, noting the genuine fear in her eyes. I reached out and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Of course, you'll make mistakes. It's a part of learning to lead. No one starts out as a perfect leader; it's something you grow into."

Rayna looked at me, her expression a mixture of doubt and hope. "But what if those mistakes are too costly? What if I let everyone down?"

I gave her a sympathetic smile. "Mistakes will happen, Rayna. Leadership is about making decisions with the best information you have and learning from what goes wrong. What's important is how you handle those mistakes, how you adapt and grow from them. No leader is infallible, but a good leader is someone who learns from their errors and uses those lessons to become better."

Rayna's shoulders sagged a little, as if the weight of her fears had lessened slightly. "I suppose you're right. It's just hard to imagine making those kinds of decisions when so much is at stake."

"I understand," I said, squeezing her shoulder gently. "When I first took on my role, I was terrified. Every decision felt like it could have monumental consequences. But over time, I learned that leadership isn't about being perfect; it's about being resilient and doing your best. The people you lead will see your dedication and effort, and that will earn their respect and trust."