7. "Almost a Good Life"

Etizia’s POV

In the Esquar Pack, I went through the worst. I couldn't eat to my heart's content, couldn't dress up nicely because my stepsister despised it, and was treated like the lowest of the low.

I didn't expect my life in the Renoir Pack to be any different.

But then, the maid informed me that Alpha Nox had commanded everyone to treat me like their Queen.

I couldn't believe it. Why would a merciless Alpha King do such a thing?

Could it be because I am his wife? His Luna? His mate?

Is it possible for him to do this even without any love between us, but only a bond forged by the Moon Goddess?

Days went by, and it dawned on me that Nox wasn't just joking around.

"Luna, are you not enjoying the food? You barely touched anything else," the chef in the castle questioned me.

I glanced at him and replied, "Oh, I love everything. I'm just too full. You really went all out with this feast. I can't possibly eat it all."

"Thank goodness. I was worried my cooking wasn't up to par for you," the chef breathed a sigh of relief.

"Luna," my maid, Hany, entered the room with a bouquet of flowers. "The Alpha King sent you another bouquet today."

I gazed at the flowers and requested, "Could you please put them in a vase?"

"Of course, Luna," Hany responded as she began arranging the flowers.

"The weather outside is lovely," Hany mentioned while working on the flowers. "Would you like to go for a walk?"

I glanced out the window and admired the beauty of the clear blue sky. "That sounds like a great idea. Let's go outside," I suggested.

With Hany by my side, we stepped out of the castle and relished in the sensation of walking on the lush green grass, feeling the earth beneath our bare feet.

Taking in the magnificent sight of the castle, I couldn't help but marvel at how stunning the world was.

In Esquar, my world was never this vibrant and colorful.

Being Nox's wife, I was fortunate to have a blissful life. I ate well, slept well, dressed well, and had plenty of time to rest. However, Nox never appeared before me again.

Since our first night as a married couple, Nox had not visited me. I could sense his presence in the castle, but he never greeted me.

All he ever did was send me a bouquet of flowers every day. That was the extent of our interaction.

"I should be thankful that the man I used to fear is keeping his distance," I reassured myself.

But then, I found myself feeling a little sad.

"No, it's just because of the connection I felt. He's my mate. The connection made me feel this way," I blamed the Moon Goddess.

I kept walking, lost in my thoughts.

As I stared at my feet, I couldn't help but think about my original plan before coming here. I was bound by my destiny as the Luna of the Alpha King. All I wanted was to escape.

"But do I still want to escape now?" I questioned myself.

My dream of being with someone I love was shattered when Timothy rejected my love. And here I am, living a content life.

"Maybe staying here is the best choice for me," I pondered.

Biting my lower lip, I caught a glimpse of werewolves running somewhere. I know everyone here is busy, but today seemed busier than the past few days.

Curious, I turned to Hany and asked, “What is today’s occasion? Everyone seems occupied.”

Hany replied, "We're expecting guests from the Diamond Pack, a strong Pack next to Renoir. They're newlyweds, and they're here to visit the Alpha King as a formality."

When I heard about it, I suddenly felt excited hearing more. After all, the peace between Diamond and Renoir were an impossible dream in the past. But now, it is not. 

"Why are they visiting, and why wasn't I informed earlier?" I asked.

Hany explained, "It's customary for strong newlywed couples to visit the Alpha King. It wasn't your responsibility to accommodate them; that's why you weren't informed."

I nodded in agreement. It won't tire me out. But since I have nothing to do here, I'm starting to feel a bit bored pretending to be a Princess.

"Do you think it's okay if I go take a look?" I inquired.

"Of course. There's nothing wrong with that, Luna," Hany replied. "After all, one of the guests is your brother-in-law."

I was expecting Nox to have siblings. But I didn't see any during the wedding, so I was curious.

"Is his brother also wearing a mask?" I asked.

"No, his brother never wears a mask to hide his face," Hany explained.

They say siblings usually have similar features. Maybe Nox looks like his brother.

'It's time to find out.'

Excited, I turned to Hany and asked, "Where can I find them?"

"At the entrance of the castle," she answered.

Without hesitation, I quickened my pace and ran.

As I sprinted, I glanced down and realized I had forgotten to put on my shoes. But I was already close to the entrance, so I just kept going without them.

The werewolves who caught sight of me running gave me strange looks as if I had completely lost my mind.

I wasn't here to play the part of a dignified Queen, so their judgment didn't bother me.

At last, I reached the entrance of the castle's main door.

Trying to catch my breath, I spotted two figures in the distance - a man and a woman.

The woman lovingly adjusted the man's necktie, and they looked so adorable together.

I glanced over at the man standing across from me, blocking my view of his face. He had silver hair and a strong build.

"Is that my husband's brother?" I wondered to myself.

Hany, who had just arrived by my side, replied, "Yes, that's the Alpha King's older brother," as she caught her breath while holding my shoes.

I was about to step forward to introduce myself when a familiar scent reached my nostrils.

'This scent...!' I gasped quietly.

My eyes instinctively darted back to the man with silver hair.

No way. Why does he smell like someone I know?

"No way. Their hair colors are completely different," I whispered, desperately wishing I was mistaken.

Yet, the man gradually glanced over his shoulder, almost as if he could feel my presence.

As he pivoted towards me, our eyes locked.

My heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest when I realized who he was.

"Ti..." I stammered, my voice quivering. "Timothy," I spoke the name of the rogue wolf I had once fallen for.