-Crystal-Everything seemed to return to normal after a while and there were not many questions about the pregnancy as I was able to cover it well with the help of my very good for, Lisa.Asher had not been able to do anything because I had threatened to expose him if he did and Derick had helped me speak to him just as I requested as well.Although we were no longer living as before, Asher had maintained a distance and tried to keep away from me as much as possible. He was still mad and I did not expect anything less. But I believed with time he would get over it.I stuck around in the palace. Not like I had any choice of leaving anyway. I can’t. What explanation would I give for that? To the people, I am still the Luna.However, despite all the chaos that was not worried me the most. I had been feeling nauseous and sick of late and only got to find out I was pregnant.I had been cold to my feet but held myself till I saw Derick and announced it to him. He looked at me as if I had a
-Aria-I sucked in a deep breath as I stood before the council yet again just like I had stood before them a few hours after I had reawakened in Jasmine’s body. Unlike the first time, I had no confidence in myself and what judgment would befall me.I had woken up to find out I had been unconscious for a long. Prisca recounted all that had happened to me and the memory returned. It was funny how my body wasn’t wrapped in bandages and I was still in good piece after that fall. Except for the thudding headache I felt, it was almost like It had not happened. But it did.I did not have the time to fully recover or even ask any questions when I was paraded before Adonai and the elders. I was to get even more shocked by the allegations that I had thrown myself over those stairs just to disgrace the alpha. My mouth threw open in shock. Like who in his right senses would ever do such a thing?I wanted to laugh and tell them there was no way in the world, I Aria would ever do that. Did they see
-Aria-I sat on the bed, resting my head on the pillow while listening to Ms. Ellen's ceaseless laments about what had happened. The meeting at the council had ended, and I am now in my room with Ariel, Prisca, and Ms. Ellen. My head was still banging and the talks were not making me feel any better."Why is all this happening to me," Ms Ellen lamented for the umpteenth time."Mother can you calm down please," Ariel said. She was obviously fed up and the irritation was obvious on her face. I could not tell if the expression on her face was one from the long-lasting beef she had with me or of one trying to put her feelings in check after a failed attempted murder.I could not get my mind off the thought of who might have been behind it. It could be possible that whoever it was that had killed Jasmine has returned with a stronger resolve to get rid of me for good and this time around, he or she is bent on achieving that no matter what. I was not safe anymore. I knew I wasn't from the b
-Prisca-I had not gone far after I walked out of Jasmine's room that I heard hasty footsteps behind me and I had no doubts as to whom it was.I did not know if I should hasten my steps to lose her or slow down so she would get to me. I knew she wanted to talk to me, there was something decisive about the way she was walking and I was certain nothing good was coming out of it."Hey you," she was already closing in on me and when she called I knew there was no way I could prevent it. I sucked in a deep breath to steady myself and closed my eyes briefly before turning round to face her hard countenance."I am sure you do not need anyone to tell you how much I do not like and approve of your relationship with my daughter, Jasmine. Do not get me mistaken. I have no reason to hate you simply because you are not opportune to be like us. But I would have loved that you stayed where you are instead of trying to force yourself where you do not belong."I opened my mouth to speak and she raised
-Crystal-Days had gone by and everything was going well and almost returned to normal. I was able to successfully get rid of the baby and I continued my affair with Derick while I sought to make peace with Asher. It was a risky bait and I was sitting on the fence but I did not care. I had gone far in the game to be scared of the actions I was taking and had also gone far to go back. I made sure to look my best this evening because I wanted to lure Asher to bed. My mother, a cunning woman who was too like my friend Lisa had told me that I could get anything, especially from a man if I knew how to play my games well. Once Asher can lay with me again, it will not be difficult to get him to forget everything that has happened.I strolled down the hallway towards his room which I had avoided for days since the issue we had. But to my uttermost shock, the guard maiming the door did not want to let me in when I got to the door. I scoffed in disbelief, squinting my eyes questioningly at h
-Adonai-I paced around restlessly in the room in deep thought. It had never happened to me before that I was in this state of confusion and to make it had even worse it was all because of a woman. I battled with my feelings while trying to understand them at the same time.How I was not able to punish Jasmine despite everything she had done was what gnawed me. It was unlike me and I needed the softness off.I had thought of making Jasmine my wife since I found her worthy of the place of a Luna. But her behaviours were off and I could make her my wife without raising questions. The elders of the people of the pack had witnessed everything she had done and it would make me look like a weakling to take her back.This made me wish she was not as stubborn as she seemed. If only she had stayed in her place quietly, all these wouldn't have happened and I could easily make her my wife. But she had been so dramatic. I realised to my dismay that it might have been the reason I wanted her.I sq
-Lara-It seemed everything was working for my good, I thought to myself, and every disappointment was a blessing. I never believed it, well not until recently.When the alpha had still chosen Jasmine to be his date for the ball despite all she had done, I could not believe it. I was so upset and even more to think that Vera and Agatha were happy about it.They had come to my room when I refused to go to the ball and tried to convince me to attend it. But instead of making me better, I could see the mockery on their faces under the facade of concern.It is the reason why they had refused to join forces with me to bring Jasmine down. If they had cared enough, they would have done it. Especially Vera. I knew Agatha did not have the kind of self-will for it but if Vera wanted to, she could.After all, she had been the alpha's favorite before Jasmine came. She would have her way with him more than any of us and she was a better competition for Jasmine. Yet she had refused to do anything a
-Dante-I had watched Adonai's expression keenly during the meeting with the council, and I could tell he was sceptical about the decision he had made. It was like always, whenever he had to face the reality of the fact that he could never have a child.It was one of the things that comforted me. Adonai might be a very powerful man respected by all, but with everything he had, he could never have a child and that made a lot of difference. It pleased me so much to see the helplessness on his face whenever the matter pops up.He did try to look strong but I could see through the helplessness when he made that statement of marrying any one of his mistresses if she could get pregnant for him.I went to his room after the meeting as a caring younger brother to sympathize with him but deep down, I wanted to watch his misery some more."You have made some nice designs here," I commented on one of the drawings he made. He grunted something inaudible in acknowledgement. I walked to his window
-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
-Adonai- I paused and turned round to behold Aria's questioningly eyes on me and Zafa."Aria?" I called under my breath, unable to believe my eyes even though it was a thing I wanted so badly. I let go of Zafa and he staggered, hitting a table. I care less about him as I hurried to Aria and held her hands. "Aria you are alive.""What happened?" She asked as she tried to sit up."Please don't stress it," I held her back gently. "You have been in a coma for days now.""Coma?" Her eyes widened a bit."Yes," I replied as I explained. "You were poisoned." I turned towards Zafa's direction as I spoke and she followed my eyes."What?...what about my baby?" She suddenly panicked."Hey calm down...""My baby, did....did something happen to it?""Calm down now," I said slowly as I sat beside her on the bed. "Look at me. That is something we don't know for now but the most important thing is you are alive.""No," she shook her head vigorously. "Nothing must happen to my baby.""Come on, we can
-Dante- If only I had known that killing Dan would make Adonai think of the option of using Zafa, I would have thought of something better. But Dan was a fool and the reason for my hasty decision. I was livid. He dared go behind my back to seek Zafa's help.He must have told him I forced him into it and I cannot have such foolishness go free. My only consolation was that the poison would have done severe damage to Aria by now that there would be no help for her.Let Zafa try all he can, and Adonai try to get all the medicine men he can far and wide, there's nothing that can be done.I have made all my strategies and they are ready now. I have strong support within and outside the pack. This is only but a distraction before I pounce on Adonai finally. He wouldn't be able to fight back because his hold on the pack is weak.Almost all the elders and men in the pack are by my side. I have penetrated them and talked them into believing Adonai was no good anymore. Aria made it even easier