IRENE'S POV
I threw my head over her thighs as I sobbed like a child. Her gentle pat landed on my head, over and over again.
"It's going to be alright, Irene," Aunt Teresa said in a soothing voice. I shook my head against her hand.
I could hear my heart breaking at his rejection and words of comfort reached nowhere near to piecing my heart together.
"I mean it, Irene," Aunt Teresa sighed. She was adamant on making me feel good this morning.
After Karson walked out of the room, he was yet to return and I just couldn't stand the terrible feeling that plagued my heart.
So here I was in Aunt's room, crying my eyes out.
"Don't shed so many tears, Irene. Your eyes will be puffy," she grabbed my face and jerked my head up. I could barely see her through my blurry vision but her face was in a small pout and her brows were knitted in a frown.
Her long black hair was let down and she looked like a goddess.
"Look at you," she sighed. "You're so pretty, don't ruin your face, Irene." She wiped my tears with her thumb and pressed her lips to my forehead in a kiss.
I closed my eyes as I tried to relax into it but more tears only poured out when I remembered that Karson didn't even kiss me.
I groaned, throwing my head back as I sobbed even harder. "He didn't- hic- he avoided- hic- I don't know why- hic- but he didn't- hic-"
"Stop crying, Irene. I can't make out your words-"
"He didn't make out with me!" I cried harder and stopped to swallow the lump in my throat before I continued again.
"It's because I'm wolfless and I'm not even his mate! I have nothing- he hates me,"
"He doesn't hate you," She tried to assure me. "He just doesn't understand-"
"Understand what?" I cried. "I don't understand either. Make me understand-"
"Irene!" She grabbed my face again and stared into my eyes. "You can't force your destiny. When the time is right, you'll understand. I have faith in you, Irene."
I didn't even have faith in myself but her tone was convincing and the way she stared at me with no joke.
She wiped my tears again and I didn't have the heart to produce any more.
"Trust me, my dear. You're Luna now and I'm sure you'll be more powerful than ever before."
****
I held onto her words and made them my strength but as the days rolled by, my frustration was beyond me that I would lock myself in my room- as Karson never returned- and cried.
Our matrimonial bed had become my personal bed. The room we were supposed to share was now my own room.
The only time we bumped into each other was during breakfast where we ate in silence or going past his office to mine.
The Luna position came with a lot of responsibility and I was still being eased into it. But with Karson's attitude still on my mind, I was always mentally and emotionally stressed by the end of each day.
"Luna, is everything alright?"
I snapped out of my thoughts at the Beta's voice. Wayne stared at me with a worried look. He had been in my office for a few minutes now but I could hardly recall the issue he had raised.
"I'm sorry," I hurriedly apologized and dropped my pen on the desk, giving him my full attention. "I'm fine. You were saying?"
He didn't look the least convinced but he had to go on either way. He smiled and the wrinkles around his mouth stretched. He had gotten very old over the years, I guess it was time for him to retire but that was his and Karson's decision to make.
"Maybe you should get some rest later,"he suggested and I could only offer him a smile. "I was asking your opinion about weapon storage in the Pack. While we don't have any impending threats, I was thinking it wouldn't be bad to restock and increase our budget."
"A few of our warriors with friends from other packs have mentioned the endless amount of weapons over there. I'm afraid they feel ours is lacking behind," he explained.
"I understand. But having an endless amount of weapons calls for a higher maintenance budget. If we do that, the tax will increase, the pack members will suffer and all we'll have are weapons while exploiting others," I sighed. "We're building a nation not a military zone. Even during war, we can have enough money and gain the upper hand."
"I'm afraid I'll have to decline the request to stock more weapons. Instead, could we cover it by high maintenance of what we already have?" I suggested.
Beta Wayne was already nodding with a satisfied smile on his face, "Yes, that could work. You're right. You're a blessing to us, Irene. Our budget is in safe hands. Our Alpha is really lucky to have you by his side."
I smiled in response to his words and watched him excuse himself. It was only fair to have brains, in my opinion. After discovering I was wolfless, I trained myself in other ways to help strengthen the Pack and I knew I was successful each time I received praises.
Even worse, there was something strange that I had started to notice. Wayne's daughter visited Alpha Karson every day.
"Where is the Alpha, Joan?" I asked the maid that served my tea.
"He's in his office, Luna," she fidgeted for a while, biting her lip.
"With who?" I already knew what she wanted to say. The thought of her answer was already making me squeeze the document I was holding.
"Lexie, Luna Irene," she replied in a murmur.
I offered her a smile, "Thank you. You can go now." She bowed before rushing out of my office.
I leaned back on my seat with a hand over my face and a tired sigh leaving my lips.
Her constant visits to the Alpha's study was becoming alarming. They spent every minute together and he rarely had lunch or dinner with me.
Her giggles were loud and every time I heard it, I could hear my heart breaking but I would lift my chin and wear a smile.
I had loved Karson for years and a little thing like this shouldn't be able to shake me.
I shrugged it off my shoulders and tried to concentrate on my duties. I successfully distracted myself till evening but soon came the migraines that were impossible to ignore.
I called it a night and started to walk down the hallway. When I approached Karson's door, my heart began to pound.
I wondered if he was still in and if he was with her. It was almost 9p.m already and she was supposed to be at home. Besides, I was yet to have dinner and I wondered if he had eaten too.
He had successfully avoided me for a whole month, sharing his attention between his work and Lexie. It was strange to think about but I didn't want to ponder on that.
Especially when my thoughts would play detective, questioning itself if she was his mate or not. But she wasn't of age yet for him to find out.
That was the only thread of hope that I clung onto.
"Maybe I could ask if we could have dinner together," I wondered and I slowed down when I got to his door. Karson's scent was faint but it tickled my nose either way, making my nipples hard and my core already wet.
Being wolfless, I could hardly distinguish between people by their scent nor could I smell everyone but Karson's scent was one I had thought myself to remember.
His scent was like wild roses in an open field while Aunt Teresa's scent was warm and sunny.
I cherished the little gift I had from having two werewolf parents as Aunt Teresa had told me. We never spoke much about them and I wondered why. All I knew was that they were good people who would do anything for the ones they loved.
Sometimes, I wondered if they didn't love me enough to stay alive.
Exhaling softly, I held the cold door knob of Karson's office and I pushed it open.
"Karson, I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with-"
The rest of the words died in my throat. My eyes widened and I heard my own heart shatter.
Dizziness washed over me and my knees wobbled but I gripped the door hard to keep standing.
Karson had Lexie in his arms in a hug while he backed her against his desk. His mouth was on her neck and the way she held onto him tightly as if she was in slight pain, I could already tell what was going on.
The mate bite he had refused to give me, he was bestowing it upon her. He had marked her without even stopping to consider our mating ceremony-
Was she... No! I shook my head even as my thoughts already confirmed it. My lips trembled as tears filled my eyes at the realization.
Karson was hell bent upon meeting his mate. He hates our arranged marriage because he didn't have the chance to find his destined mate.
She was his mate.
The sight before my eyes was growing on my pierced heart that continued to shatter even more.
The sight burned right into my head that I was sure I could never forget it even if I were to lose my memory today. I would at least remember that the only man I had ever loved, had finally found his mate and I was nothing to him.
I stepped away from the door like it would explode at any minute.
"You're only my mother's choice," his words before our mating ceremony began to hunt me.
My breathing became ragged and I clutched my chest, tugging at the neck of my dress as I found it hard to breathe.
I staggered backwards with eyes wide in horror. I turned and ran into my room, slamming the door behind me. I sagged to the floor with my knees hunched up to my chest.
My hands shook and so did my shoulders. The tears fell and all I could do was stare into my palm before slowly placing it over my face.
IRENE'S POV The pain I felt was like a deep hollow of nothingness that delved deeper and deeper even when I tried not to think about last night. The image was engraved in my head.I hadn't slept a wink. I sat up in my bed all night with my thoughts all over hell's half acre. My shoulders were slumped and my hair was let loose to drop down, covering the side of my face.There was a knock on my door but I didn't lift my eyes from the sheets. The knock sounded again and it took a while to recover. I lifted my gaze and sighed, drilling a hole into the door.I didn't want any visitors. I simply wished to sit in my bed all day but that couldn't happen. I muttered a weak "come in," and mentally mocked my sorry tone."Luna?" A maid stepped in and I locked eyes with her. She gasped with her eyes going wide for a brief second before she lowered her eyes.Did I really look that bad in just one night?"B-breakfast has been served and the Alpha's mother has asked me to come fetch you," she stutte
IRENE'S POVFIVE YEARS LATER"Carl! Karin! Mummy's leaving!" The nanny announced with a loud voice and in less than two seconds, two preschoolers ran out with their chubby cheeks.The boy- Carl- was holding his favorite dinosaur toy with his black hair disheveled on his head. His smile was wide as he ran out and his arms opened wide while Karin- the girl- had her usual frown on her face. She practically glared at everything as she approached.I squatted before the couch as they approached me. I wrapped my arms around them, pulling them into a hug when they got closer."M-Mummy," Carl stuttered excitedly. When I pulled away and stared into their faces, Karin was wearing a smile. She only ever smiled when she was around me.The nanny was already complaining that she was scared of her. But what could a four year old do to a full grown woman?"Karin, did you pull your brother's hair again?" I arched my brows and she tensed with her smile freezing on her face. Her dark hair was in two pony
IRENE'S POV"Irene?"I blinked out of my shock at Alpha Lucas's worried tone. His grip on my shoulder was strong and the look on his face was one of concern that made me wonder just how long I spaced out. But given the way my heart was pounding and my palms sweaty, I think I would rather ditch that thought and head home right now.I could feel his stare on me. I felt choked. My past had finally caught up with me. Why did I agree to come here again? I wished I could take back the hands of time. I would turn Alpha Lucas down and spend time with my kids instead.I glanced back at Karson and I sucked in a breath when our eyes met again. No doubt he recognized me despite how different I looked now. It was easy to recognize Karson. I mean how could I forget the man who made me run away from the only home I've ever known but still gave me two beautiful departing gifts without even knowing?Was he here for that? I clenched my fists by my side. There was no way Karson could've heard about them
IRENE'S POV"You were gone for quite a while," Alpha Lucas said the minute I got to the receptionist to take my room key. The other Alpha's around were already heading to the elevator and I spotted Karson standing next to the entrance with a phone to his ear. He had his back turned to us."Irene," Alpha Lucas sighed. "Are you sure you're alright?" He asked, looking worried. "You've been acting off ever since we got here. Are you worried about-""No!" I yelped, slapping a hand over his mouth all of a sudden. My yell caught the attention of everyone around and they stared at us in shock. I turned my neck slowly to see I had gained Karson's gaze as well.He squinted his eyes at me and then at the Alpha who was already holding my wrist. Lexie walked in with her eyes trained on us and I withdrew my hand sharply. "Sorry," I apologized and took my key from the desk."Do you want to talk about it?" Alpha Lucas asked. "We can go get a drink if you'd like-"I shook my head, "I'm sorry. I think
IRENE'S POVI was drenched in cold sweat immediately but even under his watchful eyes, I took a deep breath and relaxed my shoulders."Yes, my dear?" I answered in a sweet and calm tone. I didn't miss the way Karson recoiled in a bit of shock. He seemed to be having trouble deciding how to react but his fists were clenched by his side."I miss you too. Yes, I'll be back soon. I only stepped out for a little while," I said into the phone, reducing the volume to the barest minimum. I couldn't take my eyes off Karson. Not just because he was naked- it was still strange staring at him in all his glory. He looked ready to go again- I lifted my eyes to his own immediately even as my face flushed. I didn't want to be caught leering."Make sure you get enough rest, okay? Okay, good night," Fuck! I lost my train of thought. Where was I? Yes! It wasn't just because he was naked, no. It was the way he stared at me or rather, the way he glared at me and at my phone. Was he pissed at the call I wa
IRENE'S POVI fell back on the bed with a hand draped over my face while I pressed my phone closer to my ear. The ringing sound of the call was cut short and Nanny May's groggy voice came through."Oh! I'm so sorry!" I quickly apologized. She sounded like I had just pulled her out of a very deep sleep. "I didn't realise you had gone to bed already.""No, it's fine, Irene. I only just went to bed. I tucked the kids in thirty minutes ago," she said, sounding much better than earlier."Well, they just called me that’s why I thought you'd still be awake-""What!' I jerked the phone away at her shocked tone. "I could've sworn they were already asleep. I mean I checked up on them like ten minutes ago and they were sound asleep.""It's alright. They do that sometimes," even after tucking them in for the night, Karin would wander to my room and pull a prank by yanking the sheets off me. She was overly energetic most times."I'll go check up on them again," she suggested. "I was also going to
IRENE'S POVI could feel his gaze on me the minute I stepped into the conference room. There were many Alpha's and Beta's around so how he still managed to find me with his eyes made me wonder if he had been waiting for me for a while now.I took the leisure of looking around the room and when my eyes landed on him, I could swear my heart skipped a beat. Maybe I was just startled that our gaze met but even with that, I had to admit that Karson in a suit was freaking hot.The look on his face was hesitant that I glanced at his feet, hoping it wouldn't move. After what happened last night, I didn't think I was ready to talk to him.As if the woods sex wasn't enough, I dreamt about it all night. His hands, his lips were touching and caressing me everywhere. I felt like a pervert just standing here.I quirked my head when his feet moved and I saw he was still looking in my direction.The room was suddenly too stuffy for me and I felt I would choke on those penetrating eyes. I looked aroun
IRENE'S POVWith their attention turned towards something more interesting, the conference decided to take the time to investigate the rogue. Alpha Lucas was silent all through but he gave his permission in the end.I guessed the reason for his silence was that he too wanted to get to the bottom of this. It was just strange to see him this deep in thoughts."We'll work together. We'll divide into a few teams and get on with the investigation.''"Alpha's are allowed to pick their team members and they are also in charge,''That was no new information. None of the Alpha's here would actually let someone of a lower rank lead them. I moved closer to Alpha Lucas, it wasn't a debate that I was part of his team but the stare that Karson threw my way was enough to make me halt.Surely he wasn't thinking of putting me under him, right? He wasn't supposed to want me that much, right? What the hell was he planning this time? I couldn't catch a break around him. Why wouldn't he just take his eyes