-Lara-I turned round abruptly, hiding the bottle beside me. It was Maria, the chief cook. I breathed out in relief, at least it was someone I could talk down. I braced myself to find my composure."Are you, by any chance, talking to me?" I asked her with a frown."Yes please," she replied, approaching me. "I do not know what you were doing here.""And how is that any business of yours?" I scowled at her, searching her face to see if she had noticed me pouring the content into the food "Well, I am put in the place of being responsible for this place, and the last time I checked, you are not a Cook. So permit me to say it beats me what you are looking for here," she said, trying to sound as polite as she could, but we both knew it was all a facade.I relaxed with a grim smile on my face."Well, I am not a servant like you are, and I am not restricted to any part of this building. I can go anywhere I wish, and you do not have any right to question me. You may be in charge of the kitche
-Lara-After waiting for the stipulated amount of time when the drug would start working on the alpha, that is, if he had eaten the food. Urgh! Why do I keep doubting if he would have eaten it or not? I know he would, I hoped he did.I walked out of my room and headed for his. I prayed not to come across anyone who would question me, and thankfully, I got there without being noticed. Now the next thing I had to deal with were his guards.I walked to them confidently."I want to see the alpha," I told them, not being cowed by their unfriendly looks."What for?" One of them asked."He sent for me," I lied without thinking of the consequences if they happened to find out. The guards exchanged looks and turned back to me."The alpha did not tell us that," the other said."Well, it is not my fault that you are ordinary guards, and the alpha must not tell you everything," I said mockingly before realising that I might get them pissed and they wouldn't let me in or they would go confirm from
Crystal-"Okay, can you calm down?" Lisa said when I complained to her about what Asher had been up to."How do you expect me to calm down when it is obvious I am going to lose the alpha if I do not do anything about it? And just when I thought I was able to get done with the problem that came up and then now this," I lamented."You are not going to lose the alpha," she assured me. "I am not going to let that happen, so calm down. Let's find a solution to this, okay? First, let me get this straight, since when did this start?"I paused to think."I have been noticing it since before Asher found out the pregnancy was fake," I told her and she frowned at me."Then why did you not do something about it till now that you have allowed it to get to this point?" She questioned."Don't blame me," I cried. "I was not sure about it from the beginning okay? I only noticed that she might be a distraction.""What are you the Luna for then? You should have gotten rid of her immediately," Lisa comm
-Adonai- I sat up slowly on the bed, placing my hand on my head. It felt heavy and I wondered why. I stared into space blankly, trying to get myself. I could not recall the events of the past hours and it seemed I had been unconscious.It took me a while to notice the figure on my bed and I almost jumped in fright. I don't share my bed with anyone and I could not recall sending for anyone to spend the night with me. I peered closer to look at the face of the woman beside me and recognised her as one of the mistresses.My face squeezed into a frown. How did she get here? I paused for a moment when I noticed it seemed she was not breathing. I was gripped with fear and I quickly shook her to confirm.She opened her eyes weakly and I breathed a sigh of relief."What are you doing here? How did you get in here?" I questioned her immediately."I am alive," was the only thing she muttered and she seemed to be happy about it. I scoffed and stood up from the bed. I headed straight to the ward
-Crystal- I paced around in my room, trying hard to hold back my tears as I tried to wrap my head around what I had just seen with my eyes. I still could not believe it. Even when I had called Lisa's name and they knew I had found them out, they two continued! Like I had never been there before. I couldn't contain the shock I felt.I sat on the edge of my bed, drowned in my thoughts. I did not know for how long I was seated there till I heard a knock on the door. I did not answer it. I did not want to. I wanted to be alone. The knock came again and the door opened. Monalisa walked in casually as if she was not the same person I had caught with my husband a few hours ago. She had the guts to complete the evil act she had started and even freshened up before coming to meet me."What are you doing here?" I stood up abruptly and asked with rage in my voice."I know you know why I am here already Crystal, but I will tell you regardless. I am here to apologize to you for what's happened be
-Adonai-Fuck! I am losing my mind. I can't concentrate. I am always thinking about her and it is always affecting me. What is happening to me? What is so special about her anyway? Maybe it was because she had been free to engage me in conversations and that was why I missed her company now.Yet I did not want to show it. It made me look weak. I need to do something to get her off my mind. I dressed into my training regalia and headed for the training ground. I began to train like I always did but I still could not get my mind to focus. I remembered the day she had come to meet me here.How come my mind always had a way of bringing her back to my thoughts no matter how hard I tried? I had told the council of elders that I would get down with any of the mistresses who gave me a child, but I was not even trying with any of them. Ever since that Lisa or whatever her name is, I did not send for any of them. It was Jasmine I wanted. I did not find any other as attractive as her anymore. Ve
-Aria-"Which of the maids?" I asked, trying hard to conceal the hurt I felt."I am not sure which," Prisca was saying when a knock came on the door. She glanced at me. "Let me get it."It was a guard who came to say the alpha wanted to see all the members of the royal household."Maybe they want to announce it," Prisca whispered to me. I did not reply. When I got there, everywhere was filled in the courtroom. The council of elders and a few honouries, including Ms. Ellen, were seated. My eyes met with Ariel's and I could swear I saw a spiteful smile on her face. Dante was seated with the elders as well and I did not miss the same expression on his. They seemed to be glad about the news. I looked away and stood in a corner close to where the other mistresses stood. They did not look very happy about the new development. Another person who did not look happy was Ms. Ellen and I could understand why. She would have preferred I was the reason why everyone had been summoned like this.Fin
-Adonai-I took in a deep breath as I hurried to my room after the meeting, glad that it was finally over. For some reason, I was uncomfortable announcing that in front of everyone. I did not know what was wrong with me. This should be great news, and I should be happy, but I was not as happy about it as I thought I would be. The curse was over. That mistress held the key to my freedom and I did not know. I should be thankful to her and reward her greatly even more than I had.But I was still not happy about it. My stupid mind was still on Jasmine. I tried as much as possible to avoid her eyes. There was pain and confusion in them, the same that reflected what I felt inside. Of course, I wouldn't look like I cared. Lara is carrying my child, and there is nothing I can do about it if Jasmine is hurt.I placed my hands on my table while I tried to steady myself. It should have been her...it should have been her. I jumped up abruptly when my eyes caught a figure at the door."Hey, congra
-Prisca- Yes! My plan has finally worked. I am going to exchange marital vows with Adonai and legally be his wife.It does not count that I am impersonating Aria. He is not going to be tied to Aria in reality but to me.I sat beside him, before the crowd with my face veiled and a sly smile across my face which no one could see.A few people had suggested I take off the veil so they could behold my face but Adonai politely declined. No one pushed it, and I successfully got tied to Adonai.I had feared that Dante would have wanted to expose me because he didn't seem pleased with the plan, but he didn't.I was led to Adonai's room while the party continued in the hall. There I took off my veil and sat comfortably on his bed.He was not here yet, for he was still having some drinks with his visitors. I chuckled happily. Alas, my dream has come to pass.The door opened and I quickly adjusted. I hissed when I saw it was Ariel."What are you doing here?" I asked sharply. She did not reply b
-Adonai-It took a while before what she said registered in my head."Are you insane?" I retorted, placing a finger on the side of my head."No, I am not," she responded confidently."How then can you say such a thing?""I am only trying to help you, alpha," she said. "Think of what the people at the table will say when you return there without a bride.""And have you thought about what it would be when they also realize that you are not Aria?""They wouldn't have to know. A bride can be veiled. You are not under any law to reveal your face to anyone. I believe that they might think that is what you want and they will respect it."I hesitated, trying hard to think about what Prisca had said. She was right. I would be seen as a fool if I returned to the people with the news of Aria eloping with another man and there would be no wedding.It would be the second time I gathered people and something ruined the ceremony."You know what, you are right. But this is just for the ceremony. You
-Adonai- I took in a deep breath to steady myself when Maria approached me, her face strained with worry and told me Aria was nowhere to be found.I had asked her to go get her since the ceremony was about to start."What do you mean by she is nowhere to be found," I asked, my voice in a low whisper so the people at my table would not hear."Even I don't understand myself," Maria said. "But she is not in her room and no one seems to have seen her."No, this cannot be happening now. I braced myself and tried to remain calm."Uhm, gentlemen, I will be right back," I addressed the men at my table."Is everything fine?" Dominick asked as I excused myself and I told him all was well. All was not well at all. A few minutes to the start of my wedding the bride is nowhere to be found.I walked with long strides towards Aria's room with Maria following steadily behind me."I was wondering if she had to quickly do something outside the palace because it doesn't seem like she..." Maria trailed
-Aria- I groaned in pain as I opened my eyes. I tried to move but discovered I couldn't, I was tied firmly to something I could not see, a pole or something.What's going on? I tried to think. The last thing I remembered was being prepared for my wedding and then strange faces appeared in my room.I looked up sharply when I realised what had happened. I was in an empty room that was void of anything normal in a location I could not fathom.I recognised the faces in the room as the ones who had walked in on me."Who are you and why did you kidnap me?" My throat was dry, as well as my voice. None of them bothered to give me an answer."Hey, say something. Who sent you?" I pushed."Keep it down Aria," a very familiar voice said. "This is not the palace where you speak anyhow you like and everyone is answerable to you.""Prisca?" I muttered under my breath but she heard."Tis me, yes," she stretched her hands out in a show of dignity. "Flesh and blood."I looked on in shock. Is this a dr
-Aria- I was being dressed by the maids for the wedding when Adonai walked in, and they all trooped out to give us a moment."Is anything the matter?" I asked, searching his face."Not really," he replied with a small smile on his face. "I just wanted to see you."I rolled my eyes at him."You see me every day," I pointed out."Yeah," he replied with a sigh as he walked to a stool and sat in front of me, his eyes watched me tenderly."What?" I shook my head with a chuckle."You know, there is this old story we heard while growing up," he said."Okay?""That you become too excited and overwhelmed about someone or something because you are about to lose it.""Hmm." I breathed out. "Never heard about that before. But why are you talking about that? Are you thinking I might leave you?""No. I am relating it to how excited I am about getting married to you," he said and took my hand in his. "Are you ready to become Mrs. Adonai and Luna of this pack?""You think I am ready?" I threw back a
-Adonai- Today is the day I officially get married to Aria. I was sure my face radiated the joy I felt within. I could not hide it.I walked around the building, watching as the maids and guards ran around to put things in order. It is going to be a very big ceremony. Invites have been sent far and near, and all the provinces and clans, big and small packs, would be gathered for the wedding.Werewolves coming from far distances had arrived the night before. Dante approached me with a grimace on his face."So you are finally getting married to Aria," he commented."So am I," I said with the same energy."Well, how does that make you feel?" He wanted to know and I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to discern his reason for asking."Complete, I guess. A man with a family.""Mmm," Dante hummed and nodded. "True.""And after this, you also have to settle down as well. You have a fiancé already, so that wouldn't be hard, I guess?"He chuckled."Well then, after you."While we spoke, alpha Do
-Aria- My heart skipped a beat when I lifted my eyes to the door and saw Adonai. He walked in with a blank expression on his face, approaching us slowly."Adonai, Zafa here was just telling me that he was leaving the pack. It was what we were discussing before you walked in," I jumped in to explain hurriedly when he had not asked me anything.Adonai did not respond. I tried to read his expression, but he hid it well. He stood beside me and faced Zafa, who looked back boldly as if Adonai had not walked in on us almost about to kiss."Is that so?" Adonai finally spoke, addressing Zafa."It is indeed so," Zafa confirmed, unshaken."But you did not tell me," Adonai said dryly. "You came to my wife to tell her but I am not aware of what is going on.""She was the one that sent for me first," Zafa replied. "And I did plan to tell you, though, she is the reason why I came to this pack. Either way, you would have known anyway."I was worried about the way the two were going. I wouldn't want
-Aria-I moved away from the view of the window and sucked in a deep breath. I was getting better already, but health came with its problems. I was not on good terms with both Zafa and Adonai, and the two avoided me.I had thought Zafa was acting up because of his feelings for me, but when I found out what happened, it was already too late.I confronted Adonai, too, and now he was upset with me even though he had taken off the sentence on Zafa and he was a free man again. That did not solve anything.And it is funny to think that the wedding ceremony was just in two days and the couple were not talking to each other. Adonai might as well as just call off the wedding for now, or postpone it. I loved him and can not wait to get married to him but at least, not like this."Never have I seen a bride looking like this a few days before her wedding, except, of course, she doesn't love the groom, which is not the case for you," Prisca commented."A lot of things are going on in my head," I t
-Adonai- I couldn't help the joy that radiated all over me, happy because both Aria and my baby were safe and in good condition. I quickly took my bath so I would return to Aria and spend some time with her. She was all that mattered to me and not this ungrateful pack I led.I would take a break from everything and create a special date for me and her. I have put plans for all the wedding preparations to kick start with immediate effect. I am wasting no time in making her my wife, whether the pack likes it or not.I walked into the room to meet her talking with Prisca, who excused us immediately after I walked in."Hey love," I greeted Aria brightly as I dragged a stool and sat close to her."Hi," her voice was less enthusiastic than before but I decided not to dwell on it."So how are my babies doing," I asked as I rubbed my hands against each other."Good," she answered shortly."Okay..." At this point, I was sure something was wrong. "Is everything alright? Why are you sounding th