Departure

Lady-Luna Millie's POV

St. Liliths Hospital

Redmon, Illinois, USA

May 21, 2524 AD

Three days after waking up in the hospital:

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Warning: Mature themes such as language, sex, violence, abuse etc is in this book. Reader discretion is advised.

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             I was discharged from the hospital within a few days. Packing my bags was a slow process, given my six-month pregnant belly.

Serena had brought us disguises, and I hoped they would work. I changed into a black wig, oversized sunglasses, and a dress two sizes too big before leaving the room with Serena, who was wearing the blonde wig version of my disguise.

The TV in the lobby broadcasted photos and old footage of Lord Oskar and me from different events in the Colony.

My heart raced as I saw the images, but I took a deep breath and walked out, hoping no one would recognize me.

    “We need to go this way, my Lady-Luna.” Serena whispered as I followed her out of the lobby into the outdoor awning.

Letting Serena guide me through the paparazzi swarming outside, their cameras flashing as they tried to catch a glimpse of anything worth writing about.

We moved quickly through the crowd; we were thankful to the Goddess above for our disguises. No one paid us any attention. We walked a short distance down the pathway, about 20 feet from the paparazzi, before allowing Serena to call the Limo Lord Oskar allowed us to use.

  Within minutes, a Limo with the Starlyn symbol on the hood was pulled up. Serena quickly helped me into the Limo, and I sank into the plush seat, grateful to be off my feet.

    I moved aside for Serena as she got into the Limo and closed the door behind her. Once in the Limo, Serena signaled the driver to move by knocking on the visor and the driver hit the gas before anyone had time to notice.

Once the Limo started moving, I removed my wig. Serena also removed her short blonde wig, revealing her dark red curls underneath.

Removing my wig cap, I ruffled my bronze blond hair. I looked at Serena, thankful the Limos and windows weren't see-through, as I unbuttoned my clothes to change.

      “Did you bring what I asked?” I inquired.

Serena nodded and got out of the large blue bag. I asked her to get out of the manor and handed it to me.

Grabbing the bag, I quickly got into it. I chuckled, seeing that Serena had packed spare clothes for herself. I was grateful my assistant took the time to care for herself as she cared for me.

    Soon I found what I had requested under the clothes in a medium-sized black box. Opening it, I saw a gold handheld mirror in the main manor, the same one I used to call my family back home.

Excitement bubbled up within me as I closed the box, placing it next to me and got out my spare clothes which was a purple Sunday dress and beige flats.

As I finished changing, I handed Serena the bag that still held her spare clothes. Serena took her clothes and started to change. I looked away to give her some privacy as I asked her about the journey to the manor.

     “Did anyone give you any issues at the Primary Manor?” I asked concered about Serena still having to run over there as we needed to move our things to the safe house.

“No, they were not really paying attention to me.” Serena said as I waited for her signal when she was dressed.

I raised an eyebrow as I stayed turned around. “Why not?” I asked.

      “Lord-Alpha Luis was on the phone with the former Lady-Luna and Lord-Alpha while Eddy and Gracie were not there. I left without any issues, but most of the servants were sad you were gone and asked me to send you their best wishes." Serena said causing me to feel a twinge of sadness for those back in the manor.

     "You may look now." Serena said as I looked at her in her jeans and flannel, smiling that she was now free to dress as she wished.

“Thank you, Serena. I appreciate everything you’ve done.” I said softly.

Serena smiled warmly. “Anything for you, my Lady-Luna.” she replied.

     “Though when I was leaving the manor, Eddy did stop me.” Serena abruptly said as she moved our disguises into the bag. I looked at her with concern.

“And what happened?” I asked, worried now about us though looking to Serena's smirk I became more confused.

“Eddy just talked to me away from the manor so no one would see us and asked how you were. I gave him vague information.” Serena said, shrugging her shoulders.

   I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“Thank goodness. I was worried Eddy might have tried to stop you.” I said finally.

Serena shook her head, her smirk turning into a reassuring smile as she finished packing our disguises and pulling out her tablet from the bag's side pockets.

    “Eddy seemed more concerned about our well-being than anything else.” Serena said, as I felt a pang of sorrow for Eddy.

Serena moved to sit beside me as the Limo stopped at a stoplight, holding her tablet and showing me the screen.

"As requested, all the finance of your businesses and salaries." Serena said as she showed me the screen.

     Luis had hardly paid attention to any of the businesses for the past five years, handing them off to me alone so he could pursue more personal matters such as schmoozing other Elders and Alpha Vampires.

I began overseeing half of the companies and scholarship programs. Serena and I had activated a notice to be sent out within the day; I had planned to break the bond even if I became incapacitated from the pain. Thinking of this i barley notice the Limo moving again.

Joy filled my heart as I looked at all the offers and letters from Luis's financial partners wanting to continue our work for the three branches of what used to be Starlyn Co.

      The first the Starlyn Estates, a real estate company, which I ran with Serena for the past three years. The next was Starlyn Net, a tech firm, has been run by Eddy for two years. Lastly, there's Starlyn Institutes, which I had supported for four years by myself.

This was why I was determined not to leave the companies solely to Luis and his new mate, as he had been absent from the business for a long time. Which left me enough time to move all the partners and my skills to my new venture, Starwood Industries.

Starwood was a vision of a company aimed to combine magic and technology in groundbreaking ways. Using only my Luna salary and personal investments to finance it.

      Even then, while I was in the hospital, even while unconscious—Serena made the necessary moves for me. She ensured everything was in place for the launch of the new company.

During our three days at the hospital, between resting and ensuring the twins were healthy, We contacted my lawyer, Mr. Adda, and his partner, Mr. Cenric, to ensure this was legal and everyone in our ally circle was on board.

Serena showed me the progress on her tablet, highlighting how Luis's financial partners were eager to continue working with us. I took comfort in knowing the foundation for Starwood's Industries was solid, as some even signed our NDA and refused to testify about any prior knowledge before Starwood's launch.

      I smiled at our success, knowing the business would finally launch after the divorce was finalized.

“Serena, you’ve done an incredible job,” I said, feeling gratitude and excitement.

“Thank you, my Lady-Luna. It was a team effort,” Serena replied, happilly which allowed me to relax more.

    “My lady, the twins—do you wish to tell anyone?” Serena asked, glancing at my swollen stomach.

I looked down, feeling the twins kick. “No, I cannot fully trust anybody until the divorce is finalized.” I replied, my voice firm.

Serena bit her lip, a sign she had more to say.

    "Serena, what is it?” I asked, sensing her hesitation.

“Lord Oskar… do you what he does right for the colony?” Serena asked cautiously.

I quirked an eyebrow. “Yes, I think so.” I said, feeling another kick from the twins.

“Maybe I should tell you exactly what my Sire/Maker does for the Colony.” Serena said, her tone serious.

I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension. “What do I need to know?”

“As the ranking Elder, Lord Oskar, his decisions can impact the Colony and our plans.” Serena said softly.

      I rolled my eyes, trying to stay calm.

“Okay, I know that part; that’s why we have lawyers. Plus, Lord Mordecai and Lady Priscilla still would have a say.” I said, referring to Luis’s parents.

Serena shook her head; her expression grew grim.

“No, Lord Oskar is Lord Mordicai's older brother, who raised him after their parents died during the formation of the Colony in Ancient Greece. Securing Lord Oskar is key to keeping Lord Mordecai on your side.” Serena urged.

    I looked at her, remembering the rumors.

“I thought Ranking Elders were just mentors in the Colonies. Why does Oskar have so much influence?” I asked.

Serena glanced around nervously as the fields outside the Limo began to blur past. She leaned in and whispered as most fledglings would be killed for speaking against their sires/makers.

“When the brothers moved from Greece to England, they agreed to share the growing manors. They continued this agreement in case anything happened to the Colony before shifters and vampires got rights.” Serena said.

     “Okay, but why do they keep both of them now?” I asked.

Serena sighed.

“The details are iffy though it's believed that Lord-Alpha Luis's first mate died, causing a fire that led to Lord Oskar's mate dying when the brothers tried to separate the Colony as it grew,” Serena explained.

I frowned, trying to piece it all together, slightly angry. I had never known about Luis's first mate.

     “Okay, but then why let Luis be the leader and call him the Lord-Alpha if he technically only runs Lord Mordecai’s half?” I sensed a growing dread as I asked the question.

Serena looked at me as we pulled up to the gate.

"Luis is the last heir to both brothers. The Alpha/Luna titles came into play when werewolves and lycans began sharing territory with the Starlyns. It was adopted because he would need to lead both colonies if the brothers were brought down, and Lady Priscilla could not serve the Colony.” Serena explained.

   "Okay, we'll be careful, and I am sure I can watch myself with Lord Oskar." I said, hiding my fears of staying with this man.

Serena glanced at me, her expression serious.

“Yes, but know this, and that is all I can say while we are here: Lord Oskar has a way of getting what he wants.” Serena said, looking at me as the Limo grew quiet as we both saw the outskirts of the secondary manor approaching.

     The Secondary Manor like the first, showcased Greco-Roman architecture, with towering columns and intricate stone carvings. Surrounded by lush gardens and meticulously maintained grounds.

We were buzzed in through the gates, and the size of the manor became even more apparent. As the limo continued up the long driveway, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease.

But with Serena by my side and our plans in motion, I knew we had to see this journey through, for ours and my unborn children's futures woul all depended on us surving this and facing Lord Oskar the rumored bloodthirsty ruler of the Colony himself.

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