Hayden walked down the stairs of the Houstons' manor, after a failed attempt at unraveling secrets once and for all. With Valerie now busy with college, Hayden was left alone with no alternative but to figure it out on her own.

I would ask Isla but she's clearly not on my side, Hayden thought as she continued walking. Hayden strode forward, moving towards the headquarters. If she wasn't able to use Isla, she was going to use someone else from the pack.

Someone more gullible.

She muttered incoherent words under her breath, vexed at the fact that no one had earned her trust after twenty-three years of being in the same pack. 

Her feet touched the grounds of the pack and she ducked down, hoping that no one had seen her. She peeked through the window and saw some of the pack members preparing their lunch. It wasn't hard to reject most of them, due to their undying loyalty to Cameron.

Her eyes landed on a girl- average height, short brown hair, and her lip positioned at a straight line, almost as if she was disagreeing with them.

I could use her, Hayden thought with her eyes focused on her. She walked out of the house to dispose of her leftovers. Using this as an opportunity, Hayden quietly walked towards her and blocked her way with her arms.

"Hello Claudia." she said, looking down at her.

"It isn't safe for you out there." she replied, trying not to make too much noise.

"I'm willing to take a chance." Hayden said. Her gut was begging her to trust Claudia and she wanted to. But if there was anything she knew, it was that if they weren't loyal to her father, they aren't loyal at all.

"What do you want from me?" Claudia asked.

"I want to know whose side you are on." Hayden said.

"I never really liked you, or your brother. But if it means anything, I'd have preferred you to have the ring." Claudia said.

That was all that Hayden had to know. A sense of victory brushed her hair for a brief moment. Now that she was one step ahead, she had more faith in herself.

"Then bring it to me." Hayden said. The both of them looked into each others' eyes, waiting for one of them to break contact.

"And why would I do that?" Claudia asked, finally breaking contact.

"I only want what's best for the pack. Whether you believe it or not, I didn't kill Cameron." Hayden said.

"Oh, I know. Just because you can transform as per your will does not mean you can do whatever you please." Claudia said.

"Then why didn't you convince anyone?" Hayden asked.

"Just because I'd have preferred you to be the alpha doesn't mean I want what's best for you." Claudia said.

"Think about it. Wouldn't you rather have me as alpha than someone who only ever followed my father's orders?" Hayden asked.

"I would rather let Isla have it." Claudia said.

"Why would she-" Hayden began but it finally hit her. Isla was fighting for the throne too.

Valerie probably offered to help her achieve it, Hayden thought, looking back at the time she had questioned her.

"How can she wield its full power if the true heir is still breathing?" Hayden asked. It was a common myth that only an heir can use the alpha's ring to its highest potential. It was believed by everyone in the pack except Hayden, for she had already put it on once before.

Hayden noticed something in Claudia's eyes. She was reconsidering Hayden's words and that was enough for her.

"I'll get it for you. But if I fail, I'm not taking the fall for you." Claudia said and hurried back into the house, hoping that she hadn't raised any suspicions. 

At least I know that I have no allies, she thought and tried to stay optimistic. She knew the intensity of the situation at hand but she had the upper hand- she knew they weren't on her side but they were unaware of her knowledge.

Hayden tried not to show it, but deep down she was hurt. She could continue her journey of optimism but there was a void inside of her.

She had grown to care about the woman who gave her everything, who gave her hope. Never had anyone cared for her the way she thought Valerie did and it was all a lie.

From now on, it's me against them, Hayden chanted in her head, masking her sorrow with determination.

'*•.¸♡ ♡¸.•*'

Claudia rubbed her palms and glanced sideways, trying to look distracted. It was only a matter of time before the pack took their afternoon nap and that was her opening.

From the happenings of the last week, it was clear that Noah was their unofficial leader, giving him more reason to have the ring.

The clock struck one-thirty and as if it was drilled into their minds, they got up and walked towards their respective rooms. She wanted to get it over with but a part of her wanted her to stop. A part of her didn't want to let Hayden get it so easy.

A part of her didn't want to lose Isla's trust.

"I didn't think you would go to such lengths." Claudia said.

"I regret it too, but it's the only way!" Isla exclaimed.

"How could you do that? She was just a child. She did not deserve to watch you kill her mother right in front of her." Claudia said.

"Claudia I-" Isla began but stopped talking. Nothing she said would justify what she had just done. 

"Do you really want to be the alpha that bad?" Claudia asked, trying to reason with her.

"I'd do anything for it." Isla said.

"Then I won't tell anyone." Claudia said, flashing a smile at her.

"Can I trust you?" Isla asked.

"Yes, you can."

Claudia shook her head and gritted her teeth. She hated to admit it but Hayden was right. Isla couldn't get the ring to its highest potential but Hayden could.

She tip-toed up the stairs and stuck her back to the wall. She placed her ear on the thick door, trying to resolve whether it was safe for her to enter or not.

After waiting for about half a minute, she gently opened the door. It was wide enough to fit just one of her eyes. She peeped inside and realized that Noah was in a deep slumber.

With silent footsteps, she walked into the room. Her heart was pounding, loud enough to play the role of an alarm clock. If Noah caught her doing this, it would be the end.

She walked towards the sock drawer, hoping it would be there. She pulled the handle silently and rummaged through it as quietly as possible.

Just as she was going to open the other shelf, she heard the sound of metal bouncing on the floor. Her heart stopped, for she was sure that this would wake Noah up.

She stood still at her spot, not daring to move a muscle. She expected a howl from Noah's end but nothing happened. She turned her back to realize that he was still asleep.

I was being paranoid, she thought and got back on her feet. She decided to walk towards the cupboard and something caught her eye.

She noticed a gleaming object right beside the foot of his bed. It didn't take her long to understand that it was the ring she was looking for. It was the object that had fallen a few minutes ago.

Elated, she picked it up from the floor and dashed for the door. She darted out of the house and only stopped when she was a mile away from it.

She held the ring in front of her eyes and stared at the gleaming object in front of her. It had the letter 'M' engraved on it and even though it had been around for years, the silver texture still looked as if it was polished.

In her palm was the ring that had caused all the problems in the pack. But it was also the ring that would determine who the dictator would be.

The desired power was in her possession and the only thing she thought to do was stick to her end of the deal.

She pulled her phone and quickly dialed Hayden's number.

"I have what you need."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: THAT'S A BIG CHAPTER! SO HAYDEN FINALLY GOT IT!! WELL, HALF GOT IT! WHAT DO YOU THINK? LEMME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS!! IF YOU LIKED THIS CHAPTER THEN VOTE PLEASE!! YEA, THAT'S IT!! BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!