The corrupted troops circled them like hungry wolves. Ronan stood at the front, his eyes glowing with that strange light. Celeste clung to his arm, her face twisted with success.
"Surprised to see me?" Celeste asked sweetly. "I told you I'd never let an omega take my place." "You're working with them," Elara breathed.
"You've been working with them all along." "Working with them? Darling, I AM them." Celeste's form shimmered and changed. Her human appearance melted away, showing something ancient and terrible underneath. "She's one of the original beings," Elder Vera gasped.
"Like the stranger!" The silver-haired man nodded approvingly. "My daughter has played her part perfectly. Years of acting to be a jealous Beta's child, all to get close to you." Kael's ice burst outward.
"You used Ronan! You corrupted him!" "I gave him what he wanted," Celeste responded. "A family that would never leave him. Look how happy he is now."
