Nebulous 1

"Oh, my God. Keep going, honey. Keep going. Oh, you really are my little whore. Now spread your legs wide. Ah, yes. That's it. Just like that." 

Emory Abernathy stopped in her tracks at the bedroom door when she heard repeated moans and a few inappropriate words. Her brow furrowed, and then she turned to see Fernanda Barrett—the Watcher of Zyranos Palace—standing behind her. "Does Alpha have a guest?" 

"Yes, Luna," Fernanda replied with an unreadable expression. Her face dropped slightly as she explained. "Alpha has had guests since you left the country a week ago." 

"Oh." Emory let out a short murmur. Then she took a deep breath as she turned. She walked through the connecting room and Fernanda hurriedly opened the door for her. They stepped outside. "You should have told me that Alpha was entertaining a guest. I nearly interrupted his fun." 

Fernanda was stunned, unable to speak. She could only hear Emory's words with the realization that she shouldn't be surprised. After all, this wasn't the first time Myles Abernathy—Alpha Consort of the Zyranos Pack—had brought women to the palace. Nor was it the first time Myles had made love to another woman in Emory's room. 

At first, Fernanda couldn't accept it. Myles' infidelity infuriated her. She couldn't stand to see Emory treated so badly. So, she reported Myles' affair, but Emory's reaction wasn't what she expected. 

Emory didn't forgive Myles' behavior; rather, she excused it. She rationalized Myles' actions, and infidelity became commonplace at the palace. Ironically, she often blamed herself for not being able to give Myles the attention he deserved. 

"I know Alpha must have been lonely because I was gone. But there's nothing I can do about that," Emory said with a guilty look on her face. Regret seeped into her heart. "I am the Luna Queen. I have to take care of the pack, and that means I have to travel a lot."

Emory wasn't just a Luna; she was a Luna queen. She was the one who led and ruled the Zyranos Pack. 

Therefore, in Fernanda's eyes, it was completely inappropriate for Emory to be treated unfairly. Even if Emory weren't the Luna Queen, infidelity was still a grave disgrace and a crime that no Alpha should commit, especially an Alpha consort. 

Myles should have treated Emory with the utmost respect. He shouldn't have spent his time indulging other women; he should have helped Emory instead. After all, if anyone should have understood the burden Emory carried, it should have been him, her partner who was also her cousin. 

But there was nothing Fernanda could do. If Emory wasn't going to deal with Myles' infidelity, then she had no choice but to swallow her own bitterness. 

"So, let Alpha have his fun, and for that, call Orlando and Sienna. Tell them to meet me in the study." 

"Luna, you just landed half an hour ago," Fernanda said instinctively. She didn't want to contradict Emory's orders, but it was her duty to serve her and put Emory's well-being first. "You should rest." 

Emory shook his head and continued walking. "You know I can't rest in another room, and unfortunately, Alpha is in ours with his guest at the moment." 

Fernanda bit her lower lip. She held her breath as a wave of heat surged through her chest. Then she spoke in a slightly shaky voice. "I'll call them right away." 

"Oh, one more thing." Emory entered the study. She walked over to the desk and sat down. "Bring me some tea and a light snack." 

Fernanda put Emory's bag on the desk. "Yes, Luna." 

Emory didn't have to wait long. Shortly after, there was a knock at the study door. Orlando Chaves, the Beta, and Sienna Alvarez, the Gamma, entered. 

They discussed a few things. Basically, Emory wanted to be updated on the state of the pack and the business in her absence.

Emory listened intently to Orlando and Sienna's reports. She focused on them while Fernanda served her a cup of tea and a plate of snacks. "Thank you, Fernanda." 

Fernanda gave a small nod, then started to leave. She reached for the doorknob, but didn't leave right away. She looked back briefly, watching Emory sip her tea. Only then did she step out completely. 

"Also, Luna," Sienna resumed after reporting the progress of the construction of the children's hospital for the pack. "According to Pierce's information, the Hallowed Pack has sent another drone around the Echora Forest." 

Emory froze for a moment. Her brow furrowed slightly as she looked down at her tea and spoke. "This month alone, they've sent drones to spy on our territory five times. They're really asking for trouble." She set her teacup back on its saucer. "Jaxon really underestimates me. Does he think I'm too scared to play his games?" She scoffed. "Orlando, I order you to burn his wheat fields. By any means necessary, I want that fire on the national news within 24 hours." 

Orlando nodded. "Yes, Luna." 

The discussion ended. Orlando and Sienna left while Emory continued her work. She decided to occupy herself and pass the time while waiting for Myles' guest to leave. 

Morning turned to noon. Emory blinked as Fernanda entered, reminding her that it was time for lunch. 

"What about the Alpha's guest?" Emory asked as she rubbed her neck, then touched the diamond necklace she was wearing with an uncomfortable expression. "Has she left?" 

"Not yet, Luna," Fernanda replied, watching Emory's reaction. "Should I ask her to leave?" 

Emory let out a long sigh. "No need. Instead, ask them if they would like to be served lunch." 

Fernanda remained silent, not wanting to prolong the conversation. Besides, her attention was now drawn to Emory's discomfort. "Ever since you were a child, you've never liked wearing necklaces, Luna. You always felt uncomfortable wearing one. You even said it made you feel suffocated. So how about I help you take it off?"

"Oh no, Fernanda." Emory shook her head quickly, rejecting Fernanda's good intentions, because for her, the necklace was not just any necklace. "This isn't just any necklace I can take off. It's a gift from Alpha. You know that, right? He had this necklace made especially for me, and it's unique in the world." 

Once again, Fernanda could only remain silent as she watched Emory smile. Emory lowered her head and looked at the pendant—a perfectly round, two-centimeter white diamond set in an elegant white gold setting. It radiated sophistication, with the unique detail of a tiny black diamond, no larger than a speck, set precisely in the center. 

"Very well, Luna," Fernanda replied, her voice subdued. She bowed respectfully. "I will go to the Alpha and ask Denise to bring you your lunch." 

Emory nodded slightly, but something suddenly occurred to her. "Wait, Fernanda," she called, stopping Fernanda's footsteps. She asked, "Have you changed the tea I usually drink?" She glanced at the half-full cup of tea. "It doesn't taste the same." 

"No, Luna," Fernanda answered carefully, her eyes unblinking as she looked at Emory with a look that was hard to decipher. "I didn't change it. And I wouldn't change it without your permission." 

Emory cleared her throat easily. "You're right," she murmured as she reached for the teacup and inhaled its aroma. "So, is it just my imagination?" Her expression was uncertain. "Even the tea Lacey made during my trip didn't taste like it usually does." 

"I'm sure it's because you're too tired, Luna," Fernanda said with a calm smile. Emory met her gaze and Fernanda reassured her. "It's a sign that you need to rest soon." 

Emory seemed unconvinced. "Do you really think so?" 

Fernanda nodded. "Yes, Luna." 

Fernanda's certainty couldn't shake the confusion that still clouded Emory's mind. Her thoughts continued to swirl, leaving her with an unsettling feeling.

Emory's fear grew. Her heart raced and her breathing quickened. She touched the chain around her neck several times, noticing that the back of her neck was now damp with beads of sweat. 

"What's happening to me?" Emory asked, growing increasingly uncomfortable. She glanced at the air conditioning, which was set to normal, a pleasant coolness. "Why do I feel so hot? Am I—" 

"Emory, say hello, dear." 

Emory's words were cut short when a voice suddenly echoed in her mind. Her eyes closed as a fleeting image passed by, as if trying to escape the confines of long buried memories. 

Emory groaned; her eyes still closed. "What was that?" 

But then, darkness. Everything went silent again. The voice and the brief image disappeared, sinking into the abyss of emptiness. 

Emory gasped, her heart beating erratically. Sweat trickled uncontrollably, now drenching her face and body. 

"P-perhaps Fernanda was right." Emory swallowed hard. She stood up, only to find that her legs were shaking. "I-I'm too tired. I need to rest right now." 

Emory staggered as she walked. Several times she nearly collapsed and grabbed the wall to steady herself. Occasionally she had to stop, not from exhaustion, but because she felt she was losing control of her body. Her limbs were too heavy to move, forcing her to close her eyes and take deep breaths to calm herself. 

Unfortunately, the self-control Emory had built up crumbled the moment she heard the moaning sounds that greeted her in the room. She had just passed through the connecting room, thinking that Myles' guest must have left by now since it was already eleven at night, but the scene before her shocked her. Myles' guest had not only stayed—he had multiplied. 

Myles didn't notice Emory's arrival, completely unaware that she was watching him, her eyes wide in disbelief. Undeterred, he continued to indulge in the sex that made him oblivious to his surroundings. He grabbed the hair of a woman who was sucking on his manhood while he teased the clit of another woman who was sitting on his face.

Emory stood still. Her body froze as she continued to watch the scene, her emotions swirling in chaos. Her heart ached. A wave of heat surged through her, making her fists clench tightly. 

Emory's mind raced. Logic kicked in and she told herself. This is who Myles is, so why am I suddenly unable to accept his behavior?

Emory knew full well that this was how Myles enjoyed himself. Myles loved sleeping with other women, and it was because she was often busy. He needed pleasure to keep from feeling lonely. So, there was no reason for her to get upset about his habits now. 

No. Emory growled and shook her head. She took a step forward. I'm not just upset, I'm angry.

Without warning, Emory grabbed the first woman's hair. The woman gasped in shock and accidentally grazed Myles' manhood with her teeth. 

Myles cursed. Reflexively, he pushed the second woman away from his body. "What the hell?! What are you—" 

A loud thud cut off Myles' words. The sound came from the first woman's body, which had been thrown into the air and hit the wall with a sickening thud. 

Myles froze. He looked at the still body of the first woman on the floor. Then, in disbelief, he turned to Emory. "Emory? What are—" 

Again, Myles' words were cut off as Emory ignored him and jumped onto the bed. She grabbed the second woman by the throat and squeezed hard as she lifted her into the air. 

The second woman let out a painful moan, her legs flailing wildly. She slapped at Emory's hands, trying to free herself, but it was no use. All she could do was whimper. “He-help.” 

Myles' eyes widened in panic. "Emory!" he screamed, grabbing Emory's arm and trying desperately to loosen her grip. "Let her go! You could kill her." 

Emory didn't move. Her face was stone-cold, her eyes blazing with rage and hatred. When Myles tried to pull her arm away, she kicked him.

Myles was completely shocked. In a matter of seconds, he realized that Emory had kicked him in the stomach. He hadn't anticipated her action, and as a result, he was thrown off the bed and crashed to the floor. 

A painful moan escaped Myles' chest. His back hurt, but he ignored it. He stood up quickly, intending to help the second woman. Unfortunately, it was too late. 

The second woman was no longer moaning. Her legs had stopped kicking and her wide-open eyes had lost all signs of life. Emory's grip hadn't just cut off her air supply, it had crushed her neck. 

Myles stood frozen; his body gripped by a chilling realization. His face turned pale, especially as he watched Emory release the woman's neck and drop her lifeless body carelessly onto the bed. Emory did it with such calmness, without an ounce of mercy!

*