The ceremony...Desmond was finally making his move that he would be going to introduce Sander as the next heir of the House of Marquis Verlice and the next Alpha of the Rising Diamond pack.The act that he wished to discuss with me was just a decoy. In reality, he was really making a decision without me.I opened the door of his study room without bothering to knock. I came to see Desmond who was wearing his spectacles as he always did in the past as he looked at me to meet my darkened expression."No," I immediately said as soon as I locked the doorknob. "You are not going to do this to me, Desmond."He clasped his hands together and looked up as if he was a god. He didn't even falter even though he saw that I was mad right now. "Our pack members deserve to know that their Luna and our offspring are here already."My blood boiled more upon hearing this. "I am no longer a Luna here and Sander is not going to be the next Alpha, I told you," I said through gritted teeth.With my words,
"We should go to your father's chamber. I am certain he is waiting for you." I ushered him to take his hand so we could go to the east hall."Mama, don't you want to come with us?"I was already fixing my bed when Sander asked that. "No, Sander." I turned at him wearing his nightshirt given by his father.Tonight was the night when Sander was going to sleep in Desmond's chambers. It was Desmond's request actually. Sander immediately agreed after that since they were establishing their relationship as father and son.Hugging the stuffed toy given by Desmond, Sander nodded. "Okay..." he said in a dejected tone. Hesitant, Sander turned at me. "Mama, about the ceremony..."I just kept my smile plastered even though upon knowing the fact that tomorrow was the ceremony for Sander. He was well aware that I disagreed about the ceremony Desmond was about to hold. He was not that naive to know that something was not right between Desmond and me ever since the day we discussed it.I knelt befor
I was silent the whole ceremony for Sander. I tried my best to put up the best smile because I didn't want to ruin this day for my son.He was now introduced as the son of the Alpha. Now that Desmond made this bold move, it meant that any movement from me that I would do something to separate him from this pack would be courting death.Shit... He was moving quickly as I expected. I should have known better.While Sander was busy playing with the other children, I came to see Declan and Mariana."So long, sister-in-law?" There was sarcasm smeared in his tone.I scoffed. "Long time no see, Declan." Then I glanced at his mate. "Mariana.""It has been a long time since we saw each other, Seraphina," Mariana said with a smile."You still dare to come back here after what you have done to my older brother?" Declan said through gritted teeth. His amber eyes were sparkling in anger."Declan..." Mariana hushed him, shaking his head. But Declan expressed that he was displeased that he was being
I returned to the ceremony after I remained calm. I looked for Sander and didn't bother to try to speak with Desmond's pack members.Why would I? They ridiculed me when they didn't know that it was their Alpha who ruined our marriage.Why must I waste my time dealing with them?I was way more worried for my son than anybody else.Sander approached me with a familiar young boy who I hadn't seen for seven years. "Mama, look! I have cousin Daniel with me."I gasped seeing Daniel again. "Danny!" I exclaimed.Daniel, who was ten years old now, gently bowed his head. "Greetings, Mama Ina." He had a gentle smile as his eyes looked excited.Sander creased his forehead at what Daniel called me."It has been seven years, Danny!" I exclaimed as I greeted him with a hug. "You are a grown-up boy now. I am excited to meet you again!" I squeezed him so tight.Daniel coughed. "I am... too, Mama Ina..."I creased my forehead when he sounded like he was going to be out of breath. When I checked it, I g
We were having a peaceful dinner with Declan, Mariana, and Daniel when Declan spoke up."Is Daniel no longer an Alpha candidate in the Rising Diamond pack, brother?"Desmond squinted his eyes at Declan. "Let's not discuss that in front of our kids, Declan. This matter should be discussed with adults only," he said frigidly.That earned Declan a silence. I knew that even if he already got married and had a family, he would always follow his brother's command. He knew when to shut up but he didn't know when to shut up if he was going to slander me.Desmond glanced at Daniel. "How's your study, Daniel? Are you guiding your sisters, too?"Daniel nodded with a smile. "Yes, Papa Mund. As their older brother, I also applied your teachings," he said politely.He nodded his head. "Good to know." He drew out a smile.I knew that Daniel had a soft spot for Desmond. He also cherished his nephew just as I cherished Daniel before.Desmond turned at our son. "Have you enjoyed your ceremony, Sander?"
Desmond made a one-week stay at the vacation house located at Elian. Sander couldn't hide his excitement as soon as he eyed the mansion."Wow! It is big! Bigger than our flat, Mama!" Sander exclaimed, raising both of his hands.I smiled and nodded. "It is, sweetheart." I heaved out a sigh, feeling nostalgic somehow."I am certain you will love it here, son," Desmond said as he got down and helped Sander to get down, too. Sander giggled when his father raised him up before he turned to me to offer his hand. "My marchioness..."I frowned at that other endearment he came up with from the past. "I do not need your help," I uttered in a harsh whisper, afraid that Sander might hear me.It was a good thing that he was being entertained by George, the caretaker of Verlice's vacation house. He was already in his mid-50s still having jet black hair and round-shaped eyes.Desmond chuckled when I got down on my own. "Feisty... I wonder if you can still put that up when I tie you up in our bed, Se
It took a lot of consoling before I managed to finally calm Sander. I convinced him that it was not his father's fault even if that was not the truth.I must not ruin Desmond's image. Sander needed a father figure. He must experience a complete family Desmond and I never got to have."Are we alright now?" I asked as I lifted him up in my arms.Sander sniffed and nodded. "Yes, Mama," he said in a meek tone before his eyes looked behind me. He frowned and immediately hid his face by burying it in the crook of my neck.Even if Sander was not saying anything, I knew that Desmond was behind me. I knew by then that he was watching us from a distance. I turned around to see his melancholy expression. He didn't dare to approach us. He was only a few meters away from my standpoint."Mama, I don't want to be here..." Sander said when he glanced at Desmond but he immediately hid his face again. "Mama..."I caressed his back while Desmond and I's eyes met. "Don't worry. We shall retire now, sweet
"Let's set a camp here," Desmond announced. "Near the lake would be suitable. What do you think, Sander?"That was what Desmond thought when we finished our morning meal and we were taking a stroll around the vacation house. We happened to halt in front of the lake which Sander didn't hesitate to wade in the water."Hmm!" Sander said. "Or a picnic. We haven't done it back in the pack, Papa."Desmond nodded. "We can do that. I shall tell George to make preparations.""No," I chimed in. Desmond looked at me, creasing his forehead. "You know that I do not want anyone who shall make the preparations," I said unhappily.At first, Desmond was perplexed at my words. It took him a few moments before he realized what I meant. He smiled. "Ah, yes. Indeed. I have forgotten. My apologies, seraphim. I shall not do that then."I almost frowned when he called me in that endearment again. I just ignored it and glanced at Sander who was looking at us."Is there something wrong?" I asked because he had