THE ALPHA'S HUNTRESS

The scent of rotting flesh clung to the air like a curse, thick and inescapable. In the damp shadows of a crumbling cell, Ingrid Hearst sat motionless, her wrists bound by rusted chains that had long since worn grooves into her skin.

A sliver of moonlight teased her through the cracks in the stone wall, mocking her. The pale glow wasn't hope-it was a reminder of the freedom she could no longer grasp.

She's long gone. Years of relentless torture had left her numb, drained her to the core. Her once bright ocean-blue eyes were now dull and lifeless, and chapped lips that could only moan in pain.

In the shadowy depths of the place, a voice shattered the oppressive silence.

"The eclipse will begin in an hour! I don't see anyone to sacrifice but her!" It thundered, reverberating off the wall, followed by advancing footsteps.

"Let this worthless fool serve as payment, her existence doesn't matter to us anyway!"

One of the women named Kaya exclaimed, as they came close to the cell, Ingrid recognized them, their eyes were fueled by disgust locked onto Ingrid's.

"I just don't get why my father even took this useless, wolfless bitch where we can't even fill our belly with food." The other named Lara replied. "He was too good of a man. Well, too bad, good weeds die early."

A bucket of cold water splashed on Ingrid's body. She couldn't react nor protect herself, she'd gone numb. As she huddled in the darkness, Ingrid knew that her fate was sealed.

Ingrid was nothing but a mere pawn in their madness, a tool to satisfy their insatiable thirst for wanting her gone. She could only pray for a miracle to save her from this living hell.

The cell door creaked open. Ingrid's breath caught in her throat as the dim torchlight revealed the menacing silhouettes of the two women stepping into the cell. As they approached, the air grew heavy, Ingrid's heart pounded in her chest, echoing through the stone walls of the cell.

"Let's move her, quickly!" Lara commanded.

The two gathered their strength to make her stand up but Ingrid was far from weak to even move a muscle. At this point, she's just a living corpse.

"Eugh, she smells rotten! Do you think he would like this piece of scrap?" Kaya whined. "I mean, she's all nothing but skin and bones! She's wolfless! What if he doesn't like her? He's going to kill all of us!"

"Ugh! Do you think I care about any of that, Kaya? What matters to me are the coins. Nothing else." Lara rolled her eyes as she handed a piece of cloth to Kaya. "Take this, cover her eyes."

The other girl fell silent and quietly did what she was told. Kaya clutched on Ingrid's shoulders, while Lara stood behind her, wielding a massive wood, pressing and poking it against her back, compelling her to move forward.

Ingrid does not belong to the Tenebris Tribe. Her life before this was a mystery. Found as a baby in a wooden basket on the village doorstep, she was taken in and raised by Alistair Hearst, one of the most skilled and feared Alpha there is. Under his stern yet kind guidance, growing up, Ingrid even though wolfless, had become one of the region's most skilled assassins, overtaking his adoptive father's legacy.

However, ever since Alistair's unfortunate passing, Ingrid began to taste the bitter symphony of life. She was treated horribly, for in their eyes, she's nothing but a curse. A curse that made their living unfortunate, because the moment their father took and raised Ingrid, their village began to fall and crumble into pieces. They conclude that their village's misfortune began with her.

Kaya clutched on Ingrid's shoulders, while Lara stood behind her, wielding a massive wood, pressing and poking it against her back, compelling her to move forward.

Ingrid's voice fell silent, her spirit drained beyond the core of her being to even protest. Though she yearned to complain, her body lacked the strength to muster a word.

Blindfolded. She felt the rough grip of unseen hands enveloping her, pulling her forward into the unknown. With each step, uncertainty gnawed at her, unable to shake the feeling that these hands were guiding her toward a fate darker than any she had endured before.

After minutes of walking in deep silence and darkness, she felt the hands that had been gripping her bones and skin loosen their grip. As her blindfold was lifted away, Ingrid was welcomed by the cold breeze, yet, amidst the solitude of the cold night, a realization dawned upon her: she was not alone.

The moon, nearly red, shone brightly in the dark sky. Ingrid looked around and realized that everyone in Tenebris had gathered behind her. They looked at her without any sign of remorse or pity.

Lara and Kaya were beside her, their eyes fixed ahead causing Ingrid to follow their gaze and saw four hooded figures standing completely still a few meters away, their entire body and face covered in a hooded black cloak, casting an eerie yet mysterious atmosphere in the air.

"Walk." Lara whispered to her with authority.

However, Ingrid did the exact opposite and remained rooted in her place.

"Are you fucking deaf?" Lara annoyingly said. "I said, walk."

As their gazes locked with hers, fear seized her, clawing at her insides. The five men standing before her emanated an eerie aura, eight pairs of red eyes piercing the darkness like lightning bolts.

"Hand us the girl." The fourth man spoke.

"Our deal." Lara stepped forward and grabbed Ingrid by the arm. "Coins first before the girl. Thirty gold coins."

The man to Lara's left extended his arm, a small bag nestled within his grasp. Without hesitation, Lara's reflexes were quick enough to snatch the bag away from his hand and check its contents. As she inspected, a satisfied grin stretched across her lips as she confirmed the glimmering presence of gold coins within.

She again grabbed Ingrid by the arm and pushed her with force, causing Ingrid to trip and fall to the ground. With trembling hands, Ingrid quickly crawled towards Lara, reaching for her foot.

Her fingers grasped desperately as she pleaded with cries when she realized what was happening. Her movements were almost affronting as if she were about to touch the ground itself with her lips.

"N-No, please! Don't . . . don't do this! You can't do this to me!"

Faint gasps escaped the mouths of the people of Tenebris except Lara, they were taken aback, in disbelief, all of them. Because ever since Alistair's death, Ingrid hasn't talked since then. Not a single word.

Every beating she had endured, every torture she suffered, she didn't make any sound. This was the first time they heard Ingrid's voice and it carried agony and was full of hatred, a voice born of pain, shaped by the horrors she had endured.

"You can do anything you like with her. Whatever that man desires. Kill her if she doesn't satisfy him enough, that's the least of our concerns." Lara announced as she stomped on Ingrid's hands as if it was a piece of paper.

"Lara!" Ingrid shouted desperately. "N-No, take it back, please! You can't sell me out for coins like this! Your father wouldn't want this!"

That statement made Lara stop walking, her grasp on the bag tightened. She faced Ingrid once more, her expression blank.

"My father is not here anymore, is he? Alistair was dead to me the moment he decided to take you in."

With that, all of them turned their back on Ingrid. No one of them dared to even dare to even look back - a clear sign of how much they want her gone off their lives.

"C–Curse you! All of you!"

Ingrid trembled, her chest tightened. Her fingernails gripped the ground, every emotion in her was felt. Anger, hatred, and resentment clouded her mind. Everything was messing with her head, spitting words that satisfied the demon inside her.

"Cherish those gold coins of yours while they last! The moon will bear witness to your greed! The day will come, and you will pay! This land, already a crumbling ruin, will fall further into chaos!" Her voice cracked with emotion, the weight of her despair heavy upon her shoulders. "Eat any food while you can, for you will all devour each other's flesh as your souls will burn deep in the hell of fire!"

Ingrid's screams echoed, her tears flowing until they ceased. She was emotionally and physically tired, drained, and devastated, leaving her numb and empty, like a hollow shell. 'They sold me out . . . just like that?' she thought.

"Woman. . ." A voice pierced the tension. One of the men cloaked in black called out, causing Ingrid to snap out of her distress.

"W-What is it that you want from me?" She faintly mumbled, almost whispering in the wind.

"The assassin who managed to kill Alpha Trevor of Ironclaw years ago. The wolfless omega. It was you, was it not?"

Ingrid can't help but let out a weak laugh upon hearing what was said. "That woman died years ago. You can't find her here, because I killed her already. . ."

Ingrid's body, already battered and broken, finally gave out. As darkness closed in around her, the last thing she saw was the red moon glowing above, like an omen hanging heavy over Tenebris.

The hooded figure crouched in front of Ingrid. He studied her for a long moment before his gaze dropped to her chest. His pale hand brushed the few strands of hair from her chest. There, partially hidden by her torn clothing, was a white crescent moon tattoo, a birthmark.

"Take her to Zagreus Hawthrone," he commanded, standing. "Tell him the search is over. We found the girl."

INGRID.

The jolt of consciousness hit me like a slap. My body snapped upright, trembling, cold sweat rolling down my face. My breaths were shallow, my pulse hammering in my ears like a war drum.

Where was I?

I forced my gaze to scan the room. Dim torches flickered along the massive chamber walls, their shadows playing tricks on my mind. Gold and maroon patterns lined the walls, their elegance a sharp contrast to the filth I'd grown used to.

I got up from bed not minding my sore body. My feet met the cold wooden floor, and I steadied myself, taking in my surroundings. The room's only door stood slightly ajar, revealing a sliver of a dimly lit hallway beyond. I crept towards it, heart pounding against my chest.

Peeking through the crack, I saw the hallway was empty. I slipped out of the room, my breath shallow and controlled. The mansion-or was it a castle?-was unsettlingly quiet. Each step felt like a gamble, my senses sharp and ready.

Rounding a corner, I found myself in a grand dining hall. A long table stretched out before me, laden with an array of foods: roasted meats, fresh fruits, and pastries.

I gulped. My stomach growled at the sight, reminding me of how long it had been since I last ate. But I couldn't afford to be distracted. I needed to get out of here.

As I moved forward, a sound froze me. Slow, deliberate footsteps echoed from the hallway ahead. Panic surged through me. My eyes scanned the room, searching for anything I could use as a weapon.

A wine bottle caught the chandelier's light, glinting on the table. I hesitated only briefly before seizing the wine bottle from the table.

With a swift motion, I brought it down hard against the edge of the table. The bottle exploded into fragments, the sound echoing loudly in the room. I seized a large, jagged shard and darted behind one of the room's thick columns, pressing my back against the cool stone.

Holding my breath, I listened as the footsteps grew louder, each one sending a jolt of adrenaline through my system. The door to the dining hall creaked open, and I risked a glance from behind my hiding spot.

I waited anxiously, my heart pounding inside my chest. The closer it rings in my ear, the more timid I become. I waited for the footsteps to walk behind the column I'm at, and when I saw a shadow walk past by. I took a deep breath and with all my might I swallowed my saliva and swiftly stepped out behind the column to accost whoever's approaching.

As our eyes met, I took that chance and quickly aimed the sharp end of the bottle towards his neck. I caught a glimmer of surprise within his red eyes but it quickly disappeared and turned into a smirk.

"Who are you and where am I?"

Despite me pressing a shard bottle on his neck, that annoying grin never left his face. It's like he's more entertained by the fact that I'm about to slice off his neck and never even feel shaken about it. He's about to die and yet he finds this fun?

"Is this your way of saying thank you to someone who just saved your life?" He let out a low chuckle. "Hm, feisty but you're welcome."

"Answer me or I will kill you right here, right now." I threatened him even though I know more than anyone I can't.

"How about you put the bottle down first, sweetheart?"

I remained silent, withholding my words. I am vastly aware that he could see the trembling of my hand as I held onto the bottle. My gaze remained fixed solely upon the depths of his eyes, watching every movement of his face - his eyes were full of delight and amusement.

"Answer me, or I'll make this bottle find its way into your throat," I warned and pressed the jagged-edge bottle harder, prompting a trickle of blood to escape from his neck. This will instill a sense of fear in him, right?

"Speak." I insisted, my resolve unyielding.

With a hint of mischief, he answered, "I am Zagreus Hawthorne, a royal baron of Arcane."

"What do you want from me?"

"I know this is a lot for you to take in." He let out a long sigh. "Your people . . . sold you to me, in exchange for 30 gold coins."

I scoffed. Did he really have to slap that all over my face as if I'm not aware?

Memories of everything, every suffering, every pain that had unfolded came back to me, causing a rush of emotions and quickening my pulse, they were like nightmares, feeding off my fear like vultures circling a carrion. Always looming over me like a shadow.

With a gentle touch, he delicately removed the shard bottle away from his neck using his two fingers. "Can we sit down, please-"

"No." Yet, just as quickly, I returned it to its place, nestled against his throat.

There is something in him, one that unsettles me, even though he is undeniably attractive. His pale skin and bright crimson eyes are making him glow and stand out but still he looks like someone who knows nothing but to trick and deceive people.

I cannot trust him. I can't trust anyone anymore.

He gestured to the table, his tone softening slightly. "I prepared all these foods just for you. You should at least eat."

"I'm not hungry-"

My stomach growled at the delicious scent, betraying me. I gulped when I saw how the smirk on his face became wider.

Ah. Damn it.

I maintained my silence, my grip on the bottle never moved an inch to his neck as I stared into the depths of his blood-like eyes, searching for any sign of weakness.

Yet, to my dismay, all I found was a glimmer of amusement, as if my futile attempts at defiance only served to entertain him further.

"Even though your little tummy says otherwise?" He teased. "Please? I owe you now and you shall obey me."

༻♱༺

Ingrid let out a sharp breath before putting the shard down. At one end of the table, Ingrid sat, her eyes were wide with delight at the feast before her.

She gulped and took a peek at the man who sat across from her. A mischievous smirk is playing on his lips. "Please, be my guest."

Ingrid swallowed hard once more and finally, she dug into the food with fervor, stuffing my mouth as if it were her last meal.

"Ingrid, right? Daughter–adopted daughter of Alistair Hearst." Zagreus said, his voice smooth and laced with curiosity. "So, this is the infamous assassin who took down Alpha Trevor years ago. I must admit, I expected something . . . different."

Ingrid stopped and remained silent, her gaze unflinching. Zagreus' eyes narrowed as he noticed her staring.

"Got questions in mind?" he asked, his voice a low growl.

Ingrid smirked as she wiped her mouth with a towel. "I've heard terrible things about you, but I didn't know you'd be this desperate to find yourself a beloved."

Zagreus arched an eyebrow. He took a wine glass off the table and drank. "Then you must have heard the tales wrong."

"Have I?" Ingrid's eyes gleamed with challenge. "So, what's the catch? What do you want from me?"

"Exactly, sweetheart. Why do you think I chose to save you where I could have just let you rot in chains and die?" He mumbled as he placed the wineglass off the table.

Ingrid looked at him, forehead frowning. "Quit beating around the bush and just tell me. You saved my life so that you can play and kill me yourself, is that it?"

"Not quite but you know well I can suck the life out of you whenever I feel like it, right?"

Ingrid had heard of him, of course - everyone had. Zagreus Hawthorne is a powerful royal vampire of Arcane. He commanded both fear and loyalty, his presence as formidable as the lands he governed.

"What do you want?"

Zagreus leaned forward, his eyes firm. "I'm here to offer you a deal and perhaps we could come to an agreement."

Ingrid crossed her arms. "I refuse."

Zagreus chuckled. "You see, I kill dogs who defy and disobey me. Which is why they fear. However, I believe you'll find my offer quite compelling."

Ingrid challenged, "Is it to become your beloved you demand? Sorry, but I don't do weddings."

"I'm not looking for a beloved. Oh, sweetheart. Love is for the weak and I don't do love." Zagreus smiled a predator's smile. "I need someone with your . . . particular talent. Someone who can handle delicate matters discreetly."

Ingrid's thoughts whirled and she was not expecting this but she wasn't born yesterday. "So, you want me to kill for you?"

"In a manner of speaking," Zagreus said, smirking. "There are those who threaten the stability of my reign. I need them dealt with. Permanently."

Ingrid scoffed. "You're a royal vampire. A Hawthorne. Your bloodline was the first kind to be immune to sunlight yet you can't deal with your enemies?"

"Well, it would be a waste if I don't cherish the monster Alistair made while it lasted, right?" He said in a rasping tone. "The very first wolfless omega who had an Alpha bleed under her sword."

Ingrid's blue ocean eyes burned with intensity. "Well, sorry to burst your bubble but you got the wrong person. The 'monster' you were looking for was long gone. She's dead."

"Is she? Your life belongs to me now. I decide what you are and what you are not." He said with much authority. "Food, protection, supplies. . .your freedom. Everything you need to start a new life. Name it. All I ask is for your service."

Ingrid bit her cheek. The weight of his words pressed down on her. A weapon. That's all she was to him, to anyone. But if being his weapon meant she could carve out her freedom, then so be it.

"Then you have mine," she said, her voice firm. "But do know this, I am no one's pawn."

Zagreus chuckled. "Of course. You're far too valuable for that."

Ingrid's stomach swirled, but she drove herself to remain calm. "Just be sure you're the man of your word."

"I always keep my word, sweetheart," Zagreus replied. "But remember, Ingrid Hearst. Fail me, and the consequences will be dire."

Ingrid never once missed, every mission is an absolute. Target is a target. Kill is a kill. In a battle of war and blood, she and her blade always have the last laugh.

Ingrid's expression remained steady as she met the man's piercing gaze, she remained confident, knowing the talent she possessed.

"Whose head do I have to kill?"

Zagreus leaned back, satisfaction dripping from his every word. "The Alpha of Enigma," he said, his grin turning wicked. "Kill Vesarius Rage."

As Ingrid made her way through the dense forests of South Arathia, Ingrid could feel the tension in the air. The land itself seemed to shudder under the weight of that man's presence.

She had heard tales of him-how he commanded not just respect but a primal fear. He was more than a werewolf; he was a force of nature.

Days turned into nights as she traveled, each one colder and darker than the last.

The deeper she went in search of Enigma, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. It was as if the very air was charged with danger.

Ingrid did not manage to have sleep as the name of this man, her target, got stuck in her head, repeatedly, playing tricks with her mind.

Vesarius Rage.

Ingrid finally reached a small village on the outskirts of a dark forest. The villagers were wary, their eyes darting around as if expecting danger at any moment. She approached an old woman sitting by a fire, and when she saw Ingrid her face lined with fear and worry.

"You!" Ingrid was caught off-guard when the old woman suddenly grabbed her shoulder. "You poor woman! What are you doing here alone?!"

"H-Hello there." Ingrid said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm looking for a place called: Enigma, could you perhaps tell me where I can find it?"

The old woman looked at her with a mix of pity and fear. "Why would you seek him?" she asked, her voice trembling. "No good comes to those who cross his path."

"I have no choice," Ingrid replied. "I need to find him, my life depends on it, depends on him."

The old woman sighed, her eyes filled with sorrow. "He resides up ahead, in the Blackwood, a forest where no light penetrates. Few who enter ever return. Be careful, child."

Ingrid thanked her and continued on her way. The Blackwood loomed ahead, its trees twisted and gnarled, their branches like skeletal fingers reaching for the sky.

The air was thick and heavy, and each breath was a struggle. Her black assassin attire are perfectly blending in the shadows, every sound was amplified, echoing through the trees.

Ingrid's senses were on high alert, and every muscle tensed for the inevitable confrontation.

She moved silently, her footsteps barely sounding on the forest floor. The deeper she went, the more she felt an oppressive presence, a sense of being watched. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she pushed forward.

Every rustle of leaves felt like a warning, whispering to her to turn back. But she couldn't-not when she was so close.

Ingrid tightened the grip on her dagger, its blade glinting faintly under the scarce light. Her breath misted in the cold night air as she moved with silent courage. Ingrid was no stranger to danger, but something about this forest made her skin prickle.

"Keep moving," she whispered to herself. Her voice was steady, but her heartbeat wasn't. "You have to keep moving, Ingrid."

Her foot stopped at a towering wall, black veins were all over it. She used her dagger to get most of the thick black veins enough for her to pass through and when she finally came to a clearing there it was.

Beyond the towering stone wall covered in those dark vines lay a sight Ingrid had never expected. Enigma was nothing like the crumbling ruins she had imagined. Instead, it was a dark grand castle, vast and imposing, its stone walls clean and strong despite the age of the forest around it.

At the front of the palace stood two enormous lion statues, between them was a large fountain, its water clear and sparkling, a strange contrast to the gloomy forest outside.

The palace itself was a strange mix of beauty and menance. Its tall spires reached into the sky, and its windows gleamed faintly. Though the castle felt alive, there was a heaviness to it, something that made Ingrid uncomfortable.

Enigma was magnificent but carried an undeniable air of danger, like a treasure with a hidden curse.

However, before she could step forward, the feeling hit her.

It was a cold, sharp sensation running down her spine. The distinct feeling of being watched. She slowly turned, her dagger held at the ready.

"I-I can sense you. Show yourself," she demanded, her voice cutting through the stillness like a blade.

The forest answered with silence at first. Then, a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the shadows. No. Three pairs. Each a shade of gold, piercing through the darkness. Slowly, the figures emerged.

Massive wolves, their fur a mix of black, brown, and white, stepped into the moonlight. Their sheer size dwarfed any natural predator Ingrid had ever encountered. Their eyes gleamed with intelligence, and their movements were deliberate, almost predatory.

One of them, the largest, let out a low rumbling growl that sent a shiver down Ingrid's spine. It's been a while since her last encounter with a werewolf.

"D-Don't come any closer," she muttered, her grip on the dagger tightening.

The middle one, a sleek beast with a scar on its chest, stepped forward. In a movement so fluid it seemed unnatural, it began to shift. Bones cracked, muscles twisted, and fur melted away to reveal a smooth pale skin.

Before Ingrid stood a man-no, a creature that wore the guise of a man. His dark hair was tousled, and his golden eyes held a glint of mischief. He was tall, his frame lean but muscular, and the smirk on his lips was enough to unsettle anyone.

"Oh, look, who do we have here?" he said, his voice smooth as he teasingly sniffed the air between them. "An. . .omega?"

Ingrid examined the three. Their eyes are gold regardless of whether they are born or bitten, it only means that they have not taken an innocent human life.

Ingrid flinched, though her heart pounded in her chest. She raised her chin, meeting his gaze with defiance. "I-I'm not a threat. I-I got lost deep in the woods since I was being chased by some v–vampires."

Ingrid purposely dropped her dagger and raised both her hands in the air to raise no suspicion but the man only chuckled, a low, velvety sound that made the other wolves behind him tense with anticipation.

"Lost, huh? Then turn back." He took a step closer, his bare feet silent against the forest floor. "This is no place for little humans to wander alone. Especially not you."

Ingrid's eyes narrowed. "You know who I am?"

In the blink of an eye, Ingrid is pinned on the cold ground with the man on top of her. Causing Ingrid to be caught off guard. She quickly grabbed a pocket knife on her ankle and aimed it at the man's neck.

"Oh, I've heard stories," he said, playfully curling strands of her hair and from her chest he saw the white crescent moon tattoo. "The infamous Ingrid Hearst. An assassin. Traitor. And now. . .a trespasser."

His words stung, but Ingrid didn't let it show. "If you know me, then you should also know that I don't take kindly to threats."

He stopped, tilting his head as though considering her words. Then his smile widened, revealing sharp canines. "Oh, it's not a threat. It's a warning."

"Who are you?" Ingrid dared to ask. "Are you. . .V-Vesarius Rage, Alpha of Enigma?"

The other wolves growled low upon hearing that name being spoken, their voices rolling through the forest like thunder.

"Turn back now," He said, not answering her question. The man took Ingrid's dagger with ease before he got up, leaving Ingrid on the ground defenseless. "Enigma isn't for you. It never was."

Ingrid stood her ground. "I didn't come this far to turn back."

The man's smile faltered for the briefest moment, replaced by something unreadable. Then he sighed, shaking his head. "Stubborn."

She exhaled, the tension in her body easing slightly. But she knew this was far from over. Whatever lay within Enigma, it wasn't going to be simple.

"You're not going to find the answers you want. Turn around now, and we'll let you leave in one piece."

The wolves behind him stepped forward, their movements slow and deliberate. It wasn't an attack, but a clear show of power.

Ingrid stood her ground. "And if I refuse?"

The man sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair. "Then you're either very brave or very stupid." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low growl. "Consider this your only warning. Leave now, or you'll wish you had."

The air between them crackled with tension. Ingrid's heart raced, but she refused to back down.

"I'm not leaving," she said firmly.

"Suit yourself. But don't say we didn't warn you." He stared at her for a long moment, then let out a low chuckle. "The man you're looking for is not someone to be disturbed. He bites."

He stepped back, his body shifting once more into the form of a wolf. The pack melted into the shadows, their glowing eyes lingering on Ingrid for a moment before disappearing entirely.

Ingrid exhaled sharply. The forest was silent once more, but she knew better than to think she was alone. Steeling herself, Ingrid turned toward the ancient gate and stepped inside.

She stood firm, resolute in her decision. There was no turning back now. Whatever lay within Enigma, whatever kind of monster resided in this place. Ingrid made up her mind and will do whatever means necessary to make Vesarius Rage, the Alpha of Enigma kneel before her.

And she knew exactly how to do it and that is: to make him fall for her.

A slow smile crept across her face as she stepped forward. Little did she know, this first bold move was the start of a game that would cost her more than she could have ever imagined.