Chapter 30

Loretta's POV 

I was both shocked and oddly amused when the guard announced that Eleanor had come to visit. Yet, as I thought about it, I realized I should not be surprised. I had been expecting her arrival for some time now. In my mind, Eleanor was the one pulling the strings, the mastermind behind the plans meant to ruin my life.

I stepped aside and welcomed her into my room. The space was dimly lit, with shadows dancing on the walls, and I could see the flicker of surprise in her eyes as she entered. She looked startled, as if she had not expected to see me here at all. What could she have imagined? Did she picture me locked away in a dark dungeon, tied and chained like a prisoner? I wondered if the suffering I endured under Sebastian was not enough for her.

With a sharp tone, I asked, "I hope you're happy seeing me suffer." My words dripped with sarcasm, meant to wound as much as to provoke. Eleanor's face remained calm and innocent. "I don't understand you," she replied softly, her voice gentle and confused. I laughed at her simple reply. "Don't think I don't know you're behind all this," I said, my tone biting. "I can see your hand in everything that's been happening to me. It is all too neat, too perfect. You are behind it all, Eleanor, and I must applaud you for your skill."

Her expression stayed puzzled, but I knew better. In my mind, I thought, Eleanor was a good actress. Not only did she have a hidden, darker side, but she was also very good at pretending to be innocent and naive.

Seeing her determination to keep up the charade, I decided to play along for a moment longer. "Now that you've seen how miserable my life is," I sneered, "why don't you leave now?" My voice was heavy with sarcasm and bitterness, expecting her to take the bait.

But Eleanor did not back down as I had expected. Instead, she stepped closer and said in a firm, steady tone, "That's not why I'm here." There was no hesitation in her voice. "I'm here for something else."

I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity now mixed with a hint of genuine interest despite myself. "What is it?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light even as my heart pounded with unexpected anticipation.

Eleanor took a deep breath, her eyes flickering with memories of the past. For a long moment, the silence between us was filled only by the soft hum of the wind outside. Then she spoke, her words slow and careful, "Remember when we were little? I recall you mentioning that we did not share the same mother." Her voice was quiet but steady, carrying the weight of a long-held secret. "I need to know now... Who is my mother?"

Her question hung in the air like a fragile thread, connecting the past with the present. I stared at her, feeling a mix of emotions welling up inside me. The question was simple, yet it carried a power that could change everything. In that moment, I realized that beneath our tangled schemes and bitter words, there was a truth that she desperately needed to confront.  

   

I hesitated for a moment, the memories of my own secrets and the burdens they carried flashing through my mind. The room felt colder, and the distant sounds of the storm outside seemed to echo the turmoil inside me.

"Why do you ask?" I finally managed, my voice softer now, the sarcasm melting away into genuine curiosity. "Do you truly want to know, or is there another part of your plan hidden behind this question?"  

Eleanor's eyes held mine steadily. "I have spent so many years in doubt," she said quietly. "I have questions about my past, questions that you might know the answers to. I need to understand who I am and where I come from. Please, Loretta, help me find the truth about my mother."  

Eleanor's POV 

I walked slowly down the long corridor, and memories of my past life began to rise inside me. This was the same hallway I had walked when I was the Luna—the two long years I spent in complete bondage and hatred. But now, I was not that person. The moon goddess had given me another chance, and I carried that new hope in my heart.

As I approached the Luna’s room, I noticed a heavy guard presence. Many armed guards stood watch outside the door. I wondered why there were so many. Was the pack under attack? Were the werewolf hunters on the prowl? Or was Sebastian worried about something personal? These questions spun in my head as I drew closer.

Outside, the rain had begun to fall again, and dark clouds gathered in the sky. At first, the raindrops were soft, but soon they grew heavier. The wind began to howl, and thunder rumbled in the distance. It was clear that a storm was brewing, and its angry sound matched the tension inside me.

I stepped into the room, and what I saw made me pause. The room was stripped bare, with hardly any furniture and far more guards than one would expect. In the middle of the sparse space sat Loretta on a hard, cold bed. She looked like a prisoner in solitary confinement, her eyes filled with both anger and despair.

Before I could fully understand the sight, Loretta started blaming me for her misery. True to her nature, she found someone to blame for her suffering. I decided to ignore her bitter words and focus on the reason I had come—to learn the truth about my mother.

Taking a deep breath, I looked straight into her eyes and said, "Loretta, I am serious. You are going to tell me who my mother is and where I can find her." My voice was firm and unwavering

, leaving no doubt about my determination