CLAUDIA I was fast asleep when I heard Alpha Everett’s excited voice. “She is pregnant?! Yes!” I opened my eyes slowly, my vision was blurry, so I closed them again. I opened them the second time, and I saw Alpha Everett standing very close to him. Next to him were an elderly woman and Nellie. They all had bright smiles. When they saw I was awake, they chorused, “Congratulations, Luna. You are with a baby,” Nellie said excitedly, and I looked at Alpha Everett. He had a joyful grin on his face. It was my first time seeing him so joyful. “I can’t wait for you to put to bed! My first heir has arrived! We should celebrate!” He raised his hands in the air, and the others nodded in consent. I heaved a sigh and kept mute, I watched them rejoice, but not even a faint smile crossed my face. I kept my face plain. “I’ll announce the party! I need everyone to get to work! My wife is with a baby!” Alpha Everett hurried out of my chamber, jumping and laughing. ‘Why is he so happy about it? Is it
I gulped the last wine in my cup and slammed the cup on the table. I looked around me, and I saw more people from outside the packhouse. It’s unbelievable how news spreads. All my Betas and a few of the elders were seated around the table where I sat. Volker leaned closer to me and said, “Alpha Everett, you should give us a speech, don’t you think? I bet some people are yet to know why you called for this party.” I looked around and smiled. “That is true,” I responded and stood up. Volker raised his brass cup and hit it with a spoon to create awareness that I was about to speak. This call the attention of everyone, and they all went silent. I smiled and gave Volker a slight nod, telling him to stop hitting the cup. I started my speech afterward. “Good day, People of Jamba Kingdom! I’m so happy that some of you honored this impromptu celebration. Some of you may know why we are here, and some may not know. I’m here to tell you why I had called for this celebration.” I took a pause, ex
CLAUDIA I gazed at him in great hatred as he walked away. I regretted everything, the day I was told that Thorsten wasn’t my mate, the day I got married to him, the day I was born! I never saw any good thing for myself in his packhouse. I was there just to fulfill his desires, no one cared about my feelings. “Claudia!” I heard Clarence’s voice fill my ears. I looked up, and I saw him running toward me. “Clarence,” I mumbled. He got to where I stood and embraced me. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” He asked, looking at my face, and I shook my head. “I’m okay, Clarence. What are you doing out here?” I asked, cleaning the tears on my face with my palm. “I suspected something could go wrong when he walked out of the hall with you. I had to follow behind you to make sure you are okay,” He responded, and I heaved a sigh. “You heard everything, right?” I lowered my head, and he placed his hand under my jaw and lifted my head to meet his face. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Claudia. I hear
CLAUDIA “Shhh!” He placed his finger on his lips, and I bounced my head and clasped my lips. My heart kept racing as I stared at him in disbelief. ‘How am I able to see ghosts?’ “I need you to come with me. We have things to talk about.” He stretched his hand to me and my eyes widened. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to take his hand. “Ermmm, I don’t think I want to go anywhere with you alone. I’m scared,” I mumbled, taking a step backward again. He heaved a sigh and bounced his head. “I understand you think I’m dead, but I’m not.” He bent down and picked up a stone. I expected it to fall off his hand but it didn’t. “Can you see now? I’m not dead. If you want to know about your father’s death. You’ll come with me,” He said, and I gulped hard. “Claudia!” I heard Clarence call from behind me. I looked back and saw him carrying a cup in his hand. His eyes were on Alpha Joachim. He had the same confused look I had on my face. I turned to look at Alpha Joachim again. “Can I go with him
CLAUDIA Getting to the packhouse, I stormed to Annette's chamber and threw a heavy kick on her door. “Open the bloody door, Annette!” I banged on her door with my hands. “Claudia, please take it easy,” Clarence said, but I didn’t listen to him. Only I knew how hurt and angry I was. I could feel the wild in me arise in great rage. “Annette, if you don’t…” I stopped yelling when her door finally gave way. She was about to talk when I grabbed her freely loosed her and pulled her out of her chamber. I dragged her out and let go of her with great force that she fell to the ground very hard. “What the bloody hell!” She barked and sprang to her feet. Before I could do anything, she threw a very hot slap on my face, and I staggered backward, holding my chin in pain. “How dare you lay your filthy hands on me!” She yelled again, and Clarence moved closer to us. “Can you two please calm down?” He asked, and I shook my head. “Not until I vent all my anger on her. She killed my father, Clarenc
CLAUDIAI walked down the dusty roads with Nellie, and some other female maids, following behind me closely. They carried big pots and drums that were filled with food for the Wagner Clan’s youths. The guards at the packhouse wanted to follow me but I refused. I could go anywhere without them because I’m not a bad person. They should keep their eyes on the evil king instead. My conversation with Thorsten last night didn’t go as I planned it would go. I thought he was going to carry me swiftly in his hands and run out of the packhouse. But instead, he told me to be patient and give birth to Alpha Everett’s baby before running off. I was headed to the site where the youths of the Wagner clan were forced to work. I needed to see things for myself. I knew Alpha Everett wasn’t going to do anything about my compliment. He could even make the work more tedious for them because I confronted him. We arrived at the site shortly, and I saw that everyone was very busy. Those that carried sand
CLAUDIAI held mother’s hand and pulled her back to the site nervously. ‘What could have gone wrong this time? Why are the king’s officials invading the place all of a sudden?’ As we got back to the site, I saw the men in uniform jump down their horses. All the youths were standing in front of the house, waiting to hear the news these man had brought. I slowed down and stopped walking, also waiting to hear what Alpha Everett was planning this time. “Who is Thorsten?!” One of the men on uniform asked, and my gaze narrowed at them almost immediately. ‘Thorsten? What do they want from Thorsten?’ I stared at Thorsten from where he stood among the other youths, and I watched him step out. I wanted to interfere, but I kept my cool. I needed to know the reason they were after him first. Immediately he got in front of the official that had called him out, the King’s official lifted his hand in the air and threw a large slap on his face. “Ahh.” I gasped in awe, and so did everyone that wa
EVERETTI got to the palace and headed right to Claudia’s chamber. I had gone on a business trip for a month, and I had not set my eyes on her since I left. After I banished Thorsten, she never talked to me. All she did was ignore me until I left. I missed her and couldn’t wait to see her and her protruding stomach. Getting to her chamber, I knocked on the door and waited for her response. “I’m coming.” I heard Nellie’s voice loud and clear. She opened the door and when she saw me, she immediately lowered her head. “King Everett,” She said and made way for me to go in. I looked at the bed, and I saw Claudia sitting on her bed, her back was on the backrest, and her legs extended under the bedspread. “Claudia.” I divulged a very elegant smile as I approached her. She had that same angry look she had on before I left. “You are back. Welcome.” Her voice was low and cold but I didn’t care. I sat next to her on the bed and reached for her hand. I held her slender hand in mine and looked