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 the sound turned my insides into mush.“Mommy can’t catch me!”“Oh yes, she can and she’s coming fast! You better run!”At my words, he picked up his pace but the sight of his little feet and the pitter-platter of them was so cute I couldn’t even catch up with him. He kept running down the stairs while I hoped he wouldn’t fall and just when I thought he would fall and I already panicked, reaching out for him, he bumped into someone.Tristan sweeped Dame right into his arms and I let out a sigh of relief."Daddy is back!" Dame exclaimed excitedly in Tristan’s arms.Tristan’s eyes were bright with adoration as he held my son in his arms like his. In the past three years, I’ve noticed that his eyes only brighten up like that when he is around Dame and I never thought someone like him who was as hard as stone would care so much for Dame.“What did I say about running down the stairs and in the house at all?” Tristan said, playfully tousling Dame’s hair. I slowly walked up to them knowing they would get lost in each other again and forget I’m even there.“It’s bad and—and I can fall.” Dame responded, his voice tiny and quiet.“And if you fall?”“I get hurt.”“So are you going to keep disobeying daddy?”Dame shook his head and Tristan rewarded him with a smile and another ruffle of his hair. The boy giggled with delight.Tristan looked exhausted and I could tell why. He had just come back from a meeting he had to travel to two days ago, and it seemed to have taken a toll on him. I could see dark circles under his eyes. They made me doubt if he had slept at all since he left for the business.I would have cautioned Dame to let him be if I don't already know he loves him as much as Tristan adores him too."Why did you stay away for so long? You said you would come back home right away," Dame pouted his face, as he stared at Tristan accusingly. Sometimes, Dame acted and talked way too old for his age and trying to caution him has never really worked. Tristan’s advice was to let him be because the boy was smart."Daddy had to do a couple of things, I am sorry for returning late," Tristan made a face that made Dame laugh again. Tristan also chuckled and staring at them made me realize just how perfect my life has been since coming here.I would be lying if I said I didn't envy the relationship between Tristan and Dame. Ever since I gave birth to him, he has been nothing but kind to us. Dame has been my joy ever since I had him. His first cry had me bursting into tears too because he was real and he was mine. Finally, I can actually claim someone to be mine and it was the best feeling ever for someone like me who has never really owners anything or anyone.Dame had my eyes—a bright hue of hazelWell, the rest of his features reminded me of someone who I have buried thoughts of him deep in the darkest part of my mind where it can’t hurt me anymore.It's been three years since then.Three years since the day Tristan asked me to be his pretend Luna.Three long years of deceiving the pack members for my sake and in that same number of years, he has provided shelter for me and Dame and even provided me with a new family—the pack members.Everyone loved and respected me as the Luna of the Iron-Hide pack. Not once have I ever been disrespected over a certain situation and that is why I tried to tend to their needs as long as it was within my reach. It wasn’t hard to keep doing the same I did in the past as the Luna of the Wild-Heart.However, I still fight the guilt that eats me up from deceiving such lovely people. I do not know how Tristan managed to convince them about my identity and no one has truly questioned it.I held up my own side of the bargain by making sure no one ever sees through our deceit. I still carry my foundation around to cover up the mark on my neck. Well, a scar now. One which reminds me of a life I wish I never lived and of a time I wish I could take back.I would wear a turtleneck on a sunny day, and tie a scarf around my neck when there is no cold just to cover up whatever traces foundation and powder couldn't conceal. I feared that if I wore something revealing, someone would see the scar and I would ruin Tristan for sticking by me all these years.Despite my fear and insecurities and my self-consciousness, everyone showed me love and acceptance despite not being one of their own.Well, all except Rhiannon— the pretty woman who caught me eavesdropping when I first got here. She was the daughter of an elder in the pack.Up until now, I don't know what relationship she has with Tristan.There are rumors but I’ve never concerned myself with them no matter how curious I get. Tristan saved my life and the least I could do was keep my nose out of his business. Asking him would have been an invasion of privacy, so I kept my curiosity to myself.It's been three years already, but she still hovers around Tristan at the slightest chance she gets and those are one of the times Tristan’s moods turn sour. I may not know what exactly defines their relationship but I was certain the truth would be ugly and disturbing.Rhiannon also has a way of looking into one’s soul in search of answers. Her presence irks me and whenever she’s around, I have to put up extra pretense because she had eyes that looked like they could see through I and Tristan's bullshit. She eyes me suspiciously and that alone worries me."Mommy, look! A gift!" Dame snapped me out of my thoughts, as he showed off the gift that Tristan bought from his trip."It is beautiful," I smiled, as I stared at the box in his hands."Dame, why don't you go into your room to play with your toys? I want to talk to Mommy," he said gently, and Dame nodded in response.He dropped the boy to the ground and we watched him scurry off.“Hey.” He said. For some reason, his mood still remained light despite the fact that Dame who he shows that side to was now gone. The only other time is in public, when we are keeping up appearances. Just a subtle grip of the waist and a few cheek and forehead kisses here and there."How did the meeting go?" I asked as soon as Dame was out of sight.Tristan and the other packs who are members of the Alliance have been working hard to put an end to the violence that had been spreading around by the rebel rogues. No matter how hard they tried, the rogues kept adding up with each passing day which worried all the pack members.However, in the last three years, they have been able to control the attacks of the rogues which means that the alliance has proven fruitful and people across packs are safe. I didn’t know much about it but I knew Tristan was the head of the Alliance."It went well and we will be holding a ceremony for the victories over the past three years," Tristan informed me and I smiled, happy for the achievement."That’s great news!”"It is, and the party will be held in our pack," Tristan’s words made my smile freeze.“Why?” I blurted before I could help myself and if Tristan noticed the change in my mood, he didn’t show it and only continued.“Perks of being the head of the alliance, I guess.”He shrugged it off like it was nothing when to me, it was everything.The alliance is made up of Ten packs who are of the northern hemisphere. The shared borders which is why orchestrated attacks by the rebel rogues affect them all.And of course, The Wild-Heart pack was a part of the Alliance.If they are going to have a party to celebrate their victory over the past few years, I do not expect anyone to not be in attendance—including the man I was married to for five years. The true father of my son.Declan.My heart raced from all sorts of possibilities and just how things could go wrong with him being in the same space as I was and making me lose everything I have gained without him all this time.Over the years, I have come to realise that Tristan and Declan detest each other for some unknown reasons. I couldn't question him because he never really told me what was happening unless it concerned me. I knew my place as his pretend Luna.Most of the things I know were from the conversation I eavesdropped on when he was having a meeting with the elders and I sometimes, I admit it was hard to not want to learn what was going on with Declan and his pack.I must have gone pale because Tristan touched my arm softly.“Vanessa, are you okay?”I snapped out of my thoughts.“Yes.” I cleared my throat, “Yes, I’m fine.”“Are you sure? You don’t seem fine to me.”There’s no way I’m outing myself even before the party and so I forced a smile.“Really Tristan, I’m fine. What were you saying again?”He nodded and continued, "The party. All of the Alphas as well as their Lunas will be there, so if you don't mind, could you handle the preparation? Events like this are usually handled by the Luna and it would be strange to start appointing people to do it when you should be the one in charge. I hope it won’t be a bother to you seeing how it’s not truly your responsibility.”I understood him perfectly but I was willing to do what I was meant to do."Of course, there is no problem with that, I will handle it," I said with a forced smile."Thank you," Tristan said as he fished out a list of the Alphas that would be attending. As soon as I took the list, I scanned through it, hoping that Declan's name wouldn't be there, but my joy was short-lived— of course, his name was at the top of the list.“When is the party?” I asked, hoping it would be far away and give me enough time to prepare.“In two days.”My heart sank.“Thank you, Vanessa. I’ll leave it to you. ” He said again and I nodded.He then walked past me to get to his room in the house.I gripped the list tightly in my fists when he was out of sight. My heart raced at the danger of having Declan here in front of everyone else while my mind already began drawing pictures of everything that could happen if he sets his eyes on me.The party is taking place in two days and there is hardly anything I can do to stop it. Irrespective of what happens on that day, I won't allow Declan to ruin me all over again— no matter what it takes, I will protect my new life here and protect Dame’s future too. I won't allow Declan ruin me all over againDECLAN’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
DECLAN’S POV.For the very first time in my life, I had no words to shoot back at someone. I was left dumbfounded, caught off guard by the words and the best I could do was stare blankly at him. "Are you a bad man?" He asked again.What the hell does someone even say to that? The boy came closer to me and like he carried a plague, I stepped back to create space between us. I’ve never actually dealt with a child before. Heck, I have never even been in the same room with one.When the words pup and child are mentioned, all I see is: poop, diapers, drool, snotty cries, sleepless nights, madness and oh, more poop! And now here I was, standing in front of one that embodies the whole package. It irked me. I felt trapped by the boy and the last time I felt that way was when my father was dying and his final wish on his deathbed was for me to marry a woman I never wanted. That thought made all of the feelings I’ve tried so hard to bury since I finally got closure by getting rid of her, r
VANESSA’S POV. I looked everywhere for Dame but he was nowhere to be found. My entire being was plunged with fear and I blamed myself for leaving him behind with the maids. I should have known better. I shouldn't have gone to sleep knowing how much of a risk it was to not be around Dame tonight.He was nowhere around the house and the more a thought occurred to me, the more agitated I get, trying to clamp down on the thoughts and delude myself. There was now way Dame was at the party. My thoughts were cut short by the sound of a commotion no doubt coming from the hall where the party was being held. A dark brooding feeling curled up in my guts. Something was terribly wrong and I knew it. I was in nothing but night wear but I couldn’t care less as I went down a flight of steps towards the hall where the party was being held. Dame is somewhere out there and I need to find my son. I ran into the hall and what seemed to be a party wasn’t much of that anymore. The hall that was neatl
DECLAN’S POVI didn’t stop running.With an unknown pup in my hands, I didn’t stop running.From the very moment I pushed through the throng of people that were already outside the hall, my pace only got faster as I found my way to get to a safe distance with the little boy in my arms. Running without actually looking where I was going led me into the woods surrounding Tristan’s pack and I didn’t stop until I was sure that we were safe and were not followed by anyone.An explosion rocked the forest, sending birds flying off their trees with terrified screeches and I laid low. From where I stood, I watched the flare flames and of smoke coming from the direction of the heart of Tristan’s pack. It was easy to tell that the godforsaken rogues had set fire on the pack and I was only lucky to have gotten away without getting hurt.Asides from the sound of crickets echoing into the night and of toads croaking out, there was nothing else that posed a danger to me and the child I had brought w
DECLAN’S POVSince choice eluded me, the only option was to take the boy back home with me. Before coming to that conclusion, I really considered just leaving him at the hospital to be the doctor and nurses’ problem.I couldn’t stop blaming myself for taking the boy with me and I cursed the instincts to save someone that I never thought I had. Heck, I couldn’t even save Ellena back then in the face of death. Things like this is why I always look the other way when anyone needs a favor. Heartless. Wicked. Selfish; call it whatever you want but I’m reality, the act of kindness is a burden on its own. I wouldn’t say saving the boy was me being kind but look where it got me anyway? Leaving the boy at the hospital would be a terrible idea and it might take months, goddess I hope not, to get him to talk. I realized it was better I do it myself since I brought the problem upon myself too. I mean, how hard could it be to get a little put to talk? And so, I took home since I couldn't have
VANESSA’S POVIt's been two weeks.Two weeks of living in what feels like a torment on my soul.Two weeks of tears, pain and anxiety.Two weeks—the longest periods I have ever been away from Dame.Everyone keeps saying the same thing: I should give up. I should accept that he is gone. If we ever find him, it would be his dead body anyway. He’s only a child and there was no way he could have survived being alone for two weeks. The rebel rogues killed him already. They are probably holding him hostage to strike a deal. I shouldn’t put the pack in more distress. It’s only one child, I could still make another.Every time they said those words to me, I shut my mind off because there was no way in hell I’d just accept that my baby was gone forever. I refuse to give up. My baby is out there somewhere. He was smart and barely stressed me out like people said babies would, but he’s probably scared wherever he was out there. Scared and in danger. How could I give up knowing that? Just like ev