VANESSA’S POV
"Luna, is something wrong?" Jenna asked me curiously, concern etched all over her face. I dragged Jenna into my room hurriedly, trying not to stumble. "They think I am barren. The Elders think I cannot produce an heir for Declan ," I wailed once we got inside. "Because I have been married to Declan for three years without an heir, the Elders and everyone think I am barren." Jenna looked at me with pity. "But you know you are not," she said, trying to console me. "Because I know does not mean they know! What have I done to deserve all this pain, Jenna? Is loving him a crime?" "No, My Luna. It is no crime to love a person." "Then why does it hurt this much?" I cried, hitting my chest like that would take the pain away. "Why does it hurt enough to kill me?" My eyes watered as I recalled how I had gotten here in the first place. How I had found myself married to Declan in the first instance. As the daughter of the previous Beta of our Pack, I had grown up with Declan 's family after my parents were murdered in a pack attack. I loved him from the very day I set my eyes on him. He was two years older than me which meant he was going to find his mate sooner than I did. On his eighteenth birthday, I summoned all courage to confess my feelings to Declan , but I was met with disappointment when Ellena, an omega, appeared out of nowhere as his mate. It was a twist that was unexpected because she was only at the birthday party to serve and wipe tables. Although Declan 's parents had vehemently disagreed with Declan and Ellena's union and they had even suggested he married me, he was adamant and insisted he will marry Ellena even to the point of wanting to elope with her. I watched in the shadows, my heart breaking into pieces at the turn of events, until a rogue attack occurred and Ellena disappeared. Everyone believed she was dead and Declan almost went mad looking for her. Marrying me was Declan ’s dying father’s last wish and it was a dream come true for me. I was happy at the turnout of events, believing within myself that my love was enough to help Declan get over Ellena. I was prepared to give it all to him if it meant having him to myself. I thought he would finally notice me. Oh how wrong I was. "Please stop crying, Luna." Jenna's voice snapped me out of my walk down memory lane. "You have to be strong because all this is just a phase and it will soon pass by," she added. I wish. Oh how I freaking wish. This was no phase. This was my life and my burden to bear until the end of time, except I changed it. Except I do something about it. Except I found a way to make Declan love me, I was doomed to this life forever. "Do you think he will love me if I give him a child?" I spat out the intrusive thoughts in my head. "Luna—" "I need your help Jenna," I told her, urgency ringing in my voice. "You have to help me." My thoughts were a swarm of ideas, possibilities of things I could do. Jenna regarded me very carefully, her gaze questioning. "I will do anything you want me to do , Luna. As long as it is in my capacity to," she said. I was stupid for encouraging the plan brewing in my head, but like I said earlier, I was desperate. Desperate for Declan 's attention, desperate to give him an heir. Maybe he would love me if I bore him a child? Maybe he will look my way finally and embrace me with open hands? Maybe he will finally forget Elena and then we can live a happy life together? Because I was fed up with competing with a woman who was not even alive. I was fed up of him ignoring my existence. I looked up at my maid with tear glazed eyes and a newfound determination in me. "Now listen carefully, Jenna. I have a plan," I said. "A plan?" She repeated. I nodded. "I am going to sleep with my husband tonight, and you are going to help me do it." "But, Luna—" she started to protest. "You can't..." "You said I am the Luna of this pack and I have authority. Is that not what you told me?" "I did, but..." "Then listen to me. You will seduce my husband tonight," I said, cutting her off. "Luna..." She spoke up again. "You will do as I say Jenna!" I snapped furiously. "I command it!” I repeated sternly. Jenna flinched at my outburst, stepping back a bit. I have never flared up at her since the first day she became my maid, but I was in no mood to apologise for yelling at her, so I proceeded in telling her my plans. "You are going to go into Declan 's room with your flimsiest cloth and the stringed wine in the cellar. And then you will seduce him and get him drunk. Drunk enough not to know what is happening but good enough for him to still be conscious. After that, you will give me those clothes and I will take it all from there." Jenna stared at me with wide eyes, disbelief clearly evident on her face. "Do you really have to do this?" She asked. "There is nothing else I can do, Jenna. This is my last hope," I answered with finality ringing in my tone. I could see that Jenna still had the protest in her, but she already knew it was pointless to argue with me because I had already made up my mind. "I will do as you say, Luna. If this is going to help you then I will gladly do it." I went back to the party like nothing had happened, smiling at Declan as I took my seat beside him again. Now I just had to wait for the end of the party to execute my plan. It didn't take long before Declan decided to retire to his room, he did not tell me but I knew when he stood that he was already leaving. My heart thumped loudly in my chest as he left, looking around for Jenna and exhaling in relief when she showed up minutes later. She smiled sadly at me and followed my husband. I went into my room and waited, biting my fingers in nervousness. Jenna came back a while later. "Is it done?" I questioned eagerly. "Yes, Luna," she answered, sighing. "Luna, you still want to go ahead with this?" "It is too late to back out now, Jenna," I told her. "Now, quick. Give me your clothes," I pressed and she took it off, handing it to me. Jenna's scent enveloped me as I trudged on her wears, that was my aim. For Declan to lie with me, I had to make him think I was Jenna. If he knew it was me, he would throw my ass out before I would say Jack. I crept into Declan 's room stealthily, smiling warily when I saw him sprawled on the bed. My gaze skittered around his drunken form, seeing he was already half naked, with his belt hanging loosely against his hips like he had been trying to take off his trousers. "You are back," he drawled drunkenly, his eyes half opened. I knew he was not talking to me, he thought I was Jenna, but the fact that there was no hostility in his voice made me smile again. It was the first time his tone was soft with me. "I am," I whispered carefully, "did you miss me?" "Come closer," he beckoned and I did. He pulled me on top of him, his hand caressing my cheek lightly. He leaned forward and kissed my lips softly. I melted into him, letting his tongue slide against mine, deepening the kiss. His hand snaked underneath my shirt, making me moan at the feel of his fingers pressing against my bare skin. He lifted himself up slightly, making the gap between us smaller and pushed his erection between our bodies. The feeling of his hard member against me sent shivers down my spine. I wanted him. I wanted Declan so badly, so I leaned down and kissed him again. He reached for my cloth and whispered huskily. "Take it off, love."VANESSA "Take it off, love, they are a nuisance," Declan whispered into my ear. His voice was as smooth and silky as his breath that blew over my face. I could feel his warm breath against my ear and I shivered at the sensation of his strong arm encircling me, holding me close against him. His body felt like fire to my skin, but not in an uncomfortable way… It was nice, sensual. Like he was the heat from a fireplace that you would sit near during the winter. I hurriedly took off the cloth, not wanting to delay the moment any longer. Once the offending garment was removed, we kissed passionately. His fingers tangled in my long black hair, making sure to hold on tight. I moaned at the sensation of his touch. The feeling of his lips on mine made my head spin and it wasn’t just from kissing. My skin felt electrified and it didn’t help that he was pressing against me. It didn’t matter though because all I wanted to do was get lost in his embrace. I wrapped my arms a
VANESSA’S POVI opened my eyes to an unfamiliar world. The beeping sound of the machine and the smell of antiseptics filled my nostrils, giving my brain the not so subtle reminder that this wasn’t the room I woke up in every single day. That revelation made me jerk up in utter shock. I regretted trying to stand up immediately as I was welcomed by an immense pain that caused a banging in my head. My entire body burned and that was when I realized that my body was covered up with different cuts and fresh bruises.I sank back into the bed immediately, unable to take the pain from standing on my own. Using that opportunity, I scanned my surroundings, and it looked like I had been hospitalized. No surprise there. With the number of cuts on my body, I couldn’t have survived without being connected to drips and being put on medication.But the real question was: how? How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was Declan denouncing me as his Luna. I left through the back door and—
VANESSA’S POVThe reflection of the sun that was peeping through the window casted its glow through my eyelids, and that was what woke me up.My eyes scanned the room and it landed on the clock that was hanging on the wall. It was 9:15 in the morning.I don't remember when I fell asleep while crying my heart out last night, but I felt a little relieved this morning. Maybe that was because the pain I was feeling had reduced, and I didn't wake up to a throbbing headache, or maybe it was because the constant feeling of putting on my best behaviour just to be seen and acknowledged by Declan was out of the list — either way, I feel much better.I got up from the bed to stretch my body and that was when I noticed a note on the nightstand. "You can change into the dress lying on the bed if you need something after freshening up. You can find your way to the kitchen if you are hungry — you will find what to eat there. I will come fetch you soon and take you back to where you belong. ~Trista
Chapter 6: IRON-HIDE’S LUNA. VANESSA’S POVI stood there in utter shock as I watched Tristan lie with a smile so genuine, I could have believed him myself if I didn’t know the truth. Luna? His child? What is he talking about? This man wouldn't even spare me a glance at the hospital room when the doctor was announcing my pregnancy, and here he was— lying to the elders of his pack, not minding the consequences."What are you talking about?" The pretty lady was the first to break through the silence that had followed Tristan’s words while the elders shared a confused look among themselves."Alpha, just a while ago, we were just talking about finding you a mate, and you didn't mention anything about having a mate or someone carrying your child. What is with this shocking news?" One of the elders asked. "I understand that this is a little surprising, and this is honestly not how I planned to inform you all. To be fair, I didn't share the news earlier because I wasn't sure what your re
VANESSA’S POV-THREE YEARS LATER-I closed my eyes and began to count, with a playful smile tugging at my lips. "Hide all you want, I will find you at the count of ten," I announced, giving Dame more time to find his hiding spot."1, 2, 3… Ready or not, Mommy is coming for you!" I announced, before beginning my search.I started my search from the lounge, carefully checking behind the curtains down to the couch as I looked around for Dame.I took a careful step, making sure not to make any sound as I tiptoed around the room in search of my little son. I searched the kitchen but it was empty, so I went into Dame's room— it was empty too. This boy sure does know how to play the game and he never ceases to show how much of his favorite the game was. I opened the door to his rest room and there he was, hiding behind the doors. I smiled. “Got you!” I called and as soon as he realized he got caught, he ran out of his room, bounding down to the stairs while giggling with so much delight
DECLAN’S POVI woke up to the harsh morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a cruel glow on the invitation letter that lay on my bedside table. My eyes narrowed at the elegant script, my anger bubbling just beneath the surface. It hadn't even been up to twenty-four hours since the meeting ended and he had already sent an invite. Just what exactly was he trying to prove? That he was better than me?It was already stupid enough that all the Alphas made a unanimous decision to make Tristan the head of the alliance three years ago and now they do the same by agreeing to hold the party in Tristan's pack. It was a slap on my fucking face. Another salt rubbed on my wound that has refused to heal in the last three years. Tristan—the mere sound of his name sent anger coursing through my veins. He was an arrogant man who thinks he can do whatever he wants however he wants just because he is the closest thing to stand as a true competition among the other Alphas. It’s no news
VANESSA’S POVThe last two days have been hectic. I have been busy preparing for the party since Tristan told me about it. It was going smoothly and wasn’t too much of a trouble for me, well except for the part that my anxiety was high up the roof. I tried to brush off the thought of Declan but it kept recurring no matter what I did. I even hoped to the goddess that this was all just a dream and there was no party but with each preparation I made, it was clear that this was real and I would be meeting Declan again. I couldn’t help but think about the betrayal Tristan and the people of the pack would feel. What will they think of me? I knew Declan and he wasn’t the type to let things like this go. He was the type to drag things out, to make things worse and damn the consequences. I struggled to act cool about the whole thing to avoid Tristain's suspicion, but it was harder with the disturbing thought that Declan would ruin everything for me.More than often, Tristan has asked me
DECLAN’S POVTonight is the Alliance's party and if I really wanted to sabotage the party, it was best to start with getting on Tristan’s nerves just a little. Well, it’s not so little when I have come in here with one of the random females who warms my bed especially when I was meant to attend with my Luna instead. I didn’t have one and I could have come alone but where is the fun in that? And the female—Vivian, I believe her name was—was more than happy to tag along to a party filled with powerful men.As we stepped into the party, we were welcomed by the fancy lights and an even more fancy setting. The colors of the table clothes were warm and pleasing and matched the overall vibe of the party. The further I went into the hall, the harsher a strange feeling tugged at me. Something about this hall, everything about it seemed oddly familiar but I brushed it off. It couldn’t mean anything. My gaze travelled around the hall, settling on the tables that had the nametags of each of the