Selena’s POV
I was shocked at first to hear what she said, for I had not expected her hatred of me to be so obvious, without even the slightest disguise, but I soon calmed down. I know this is the true attitude of most people here towards me, and I can't escape it.
I suppressed my heart's sadness and uneasiness, tried to use a calm voice to say: "Excuse me, where did I offend you? Today is our first meeting."
Penelope sneered, circling me in a tight space, looking me up and down. I could feel that she was a very sharp and agile werewolf, and her wolf was much stronger than my Claire.
Penelope was staring at me like I was her prey.
"You didn't offend me? You're such a pretentious b.itch! You must be very proud right now. You married Charles with a disgusting scheme, and you're still alive!"
I was stunned to hear this. Yes, in the past, people who got engaged to Charles have been rumored to die one after another. Stella probably didn't want to marry Charles because of the rumor. But I've married Charles, and so far, I'm doing just fine, no accidents, no health problems.
"B.itch, don't pretend to be pathetic. Don't think you're an exception. I'm telling you, every woman who marries Charles dies, and you're going to die too!" Penelope cursed at me.
I grasped the key message of her words. "If you care so much about him, why don't you marry Charles, or are you afraid of that horrible rumor? But look, I'm still standing here! You can't scare me with a rumor."
Penelope was furious. She probably didn't expect a skinny werewolf like me to talk back. Her chest heaved with anger. She took a step forward and kicked my suitcase. The clothes inside fell to the ground.
"You just keep talking and you're never going to be the real Luna of the Black Valley Pack. You know what? Charles's fated mate will only be me! And you will die a horrible death." She stepped forward and used the tip of her high-heeled shoes to kick my dress on the ground, looking disgusted. "What trash? Your b.itch's clothes look like they were picked up from the garbage dump in the slums..."
My heart ached as I crouched down to protect my dress from Penelope's footprints. Stella gave them to me before she left. She thought they would suit me better and told me not to wear baggy t-shirts and shorts like I used to when I went to Black Valley Pack. She advised me to learn how to dress, which is a necessary skill to be a good Luna.
Thinking about what Stella and I had said before we parted, I suddenly missed her. Although she was sometimes willful and said some things that made me sad, we were always close family. She always defended me in front of outsiders, never hurt me.
I felt hot tears running down my cheeks.
There was a knock on the door, and Penelope stopped giving me a hard time. She immediately stopped her actions, took a step back, and kept her distance from me.
The maid's voice was at the door, and I didn't even know if she had heard my conversation with Penelope. "Miss Wilson, Miss Taylor, dinner is ready. Please come down and eat."
Turns out Penelope's family name is Wilson.
"I know," said Penelope, tidying up her blonde curls and tight, ruffled rose-colored dress. She opened the locked door and was ready to leave.
Before she left, she turned to me and sneered. "See you later, Selena. We have a lot of time together."
I looked up at her and saw her say with her lips: "Don't think I will let you go. You will die one day. We'll see!"
I tried to ignore Penelope's vitriol. I didn't have time to pick up the clothes scattered on the floor because I couldn't be late for dinner on the first day. I scrambled to find a pair of flats among the jumble of clothes. At the moment of changing shoes, the pain of the ankle eased a lot. I was saved!
I quickly left my room and went to the dining room on the first floor. Charles' house is a classic aristocratic style. The furniture is covered with intricate carvings, emitting a warm luster. The style of the restaurant also remains the same. When I entered the house, I saw a huge oil painting of dozens of werewolves. They wore the typical clothes of all ages. The only thing they have in common is their aquamarine eyes. These must be Black Valley pack alphas.
In front of the painting is a carved wooden dining table with a marble tabletop. Charles's father was sitting in the middle, slicing the steak slowly. Charles and his mother sat on either side of Charles's father in comfortable household clothes.
Penelope was sitting next to Charles. She and Charles's mother seemed really close, and they laughed and talked as they stirred borscht.
No one was waiting for me, so I slipped into the empty seat next to Charles's mother, the furthest seat from Charles.
"Oh! Moon goddess, look at her, she came to dinner without changing her clothes! Is this your Red Moon Pake's habit?" Charles's mother said unhappily.
I sat down awkwardly to find Charles frowning and Penelope curling her lips into an imperceptible evil smile. I pretended not to see her provocation, which made her face even more distorted.
For this dinner, I'm still the one the Charles family neglected. Thanks to a waiter who dutifully served, swapped dishes and poured wine for me, the meal was not that difficult. I know people don't like me, so I don't talk and just enjoy the food in front of me.
From time to time, Charles, his father, and Penelope talk about the business of the pack. Their attitude is very relaxed, as they do every day. I listened in silence, identifying information that was useful to me.
"... ... speaking of parties ...... Louis, Vanessa, we're getting ready for the pack party next month. I've contacted the most famous bakery in Newman... ... and as for the champagne, I've got some great choices .... " Penelope naturally discussed the pack's party with the two elders.
Charles frowned even more. "Penelope, now that Selena's here, you don't have to worry about the party. She'll be in charge from tomorrow."
Penelope's eyes bulged. "Why? ! I'm always in charge of our pack party!"
I put down my knife and fork and looked at Charles. I don't know why the topic suddenly came to me. I know that I am a contract marriage bride. I cannot become a useless waste and I must play my role. As a Luna in name, I will try my best to do a good job at this party if they ask me to. But what bothers me is that my conflict with Penelope got so bad on the first day.
"Because I am married, Selena is my wife in name. She is the Luna of pack in the eyes of others. She should fulfill her responsibilities."
Penelope didn't give up and asked Charles' mother for help. "Vanessa... Please..."
Vanessa winked back at Charles, trying to get him to agree. "Penelope already has a lot of experience with parties, and Lunas from other packs know her. Everyone respected her and praised her. Selena... ... We've never heard of her before. What can she do? If she blows the party, we'll lose face. I do not want to see such a shameful thing happen."
"Mom!" Charles put down his knife and fork, too, and looked seriously at Vanessa. Knowing she couldn't convince her son, Vanessa shrugged and lowered her head to cut her plate until the steak was very finely chopped.
Charles then stared directly at Penelope. "Do you have a problem with what I'm saying?"
His voice was deep but warning. I immediately felt the overwhelming pressure of the alpha in all directions, suffocating me. It occurred to me that the story about Charles might not be entirely made up. For a moment, I actually felt his dominance, as if his next move was to grab Penelope by the neck and snap her throat.
Penelope clearly felt it, too. She lowered her head and whispered, "I see." But for some reason, I don't think she was convinced.
Now, everyone's eyes have a different meaning: confusion, doubt, disgust, hate or something. They were like spotlights on me, and all around me there was endless darkness. I knew I had to act like a good wife, smile in the eyes, and play my part.
It's time for me to take a stand. "Thank you, Charles. I'll take my responsibility. I won't let you down, and I won't let our pack down," I said.
I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Even though Charles and I are not in love, I will be a qualified Luna as long as he needs me. I will work hard, as I once did behind Stella's back, even though I know that being a Luna is a thousand times harder.
