Luna Sia - POV
I wanted to answer Leia's question, but the memory of the past made me hesitate. My sons had warned me not to reveal the truth to her, as it could trigger the curse and weaken her.
"I'm sorry, Sia. It came out wrong," Leia apologized quickly. Seeing her concerned face reminded me of her mother, Jia, who always had a soft side.
"No worries, dear. How about you taking me to the shop? I'm not familiar with this place," I suggested, knowing it was a lie. I wanted to spend time with Leia after all the misunderstandings that led to Nas and Leia's exile from our pack. I regretted that I couldn't stop my mate Reo's decision.
I'm sorry, Jia; because of my ignorance, your daughter and your husband suffered so much.
Leia walked me to a fancy boutique, and I asked her to help me select a suitable gown. It reminded me of Leia's childhood, when she sobbed because she was a lonely child and didn't have a brother or sister. That's when my little boys promised Leia that she would always be their stepsister and that she was never alone. The three of them were cheerful kids until the accident happened to Jia and Leia.
"Sia," I broke out of my stupor at her voice.
"This color will suit you well," Leia said, twirling the gown and showing me the designs. Her genuine smile reminded me that Jia was my best friend and like a sister to me, and losing her was devastating.
My phone buzzed, and I saw it was Kai calling. He must have been worried that I opened up to Leia about the past. He knew I was sympathetic and likely to reveal information. I excused myself and stepped outside.
"Kai, I'll talk to you later," I said sharply, irritated with him for nagging me. I glanced toward Leia and saw that she looked uncomfortable. Could she hear like a shifter, even though she had no wolf?
"Is there anything else I can help you with, Sia?" Leia asked.
"No, thank you. I think we're done with the shopping. Thanks for your help," I replied. Leia smiled at my words, but I sensed she wanted to leave quickly and looked troubled. Perhaps the thoughts of last night were still haunting her.
*****
Leia - POV
"How about we stop for dinner, Leia?" Sia suggested as we neared the mansion. I didn't want to accept the dinner invitation.
"Leia, are you okay?" Sia asked.
"Yes, I'll join you for dinner," I replied, not wanting to seem impolite to her, though I didn't wish to stay around Sia as she emitted a comforting aura. At the same time, I felt some mystery surrounding the Blackmoon Alphas and Luna Sia. I will find out what the mystery is.
Upon entering the dining room, Sia sat at the head of the table, and I sat next to her, as per her request. I froze when I saw two men, Mr. Xavier, and Mr. Kai, walked into the dining hall in casual attire. They were both models; they could pull off anything, and even a sack would look good.
"Mom, I see you invited Ms. Agnor for dinner," Mr. Xavier said.
"Of course, she was a real help and an excellent employee," Sia added with a smile, returning the gesture. As dinner was served, we quietly ate, but sometimes I felt the gaze of both alphas on me, or was that my imagination? I excused myself to go to the washroom, but I went to the rooms to see if I could find the wooden box.
I had to be quick, so I thought about investigating in the Alpha's Room and took a whiff of the scent. One scent came off as an orange belonging to Alpha Xavier, and this scent of fresh-cut grass belonged to Kai.
I quickly checked the drawers and found nothing in Alpha Xavier's room. I quickly searched Kai's room and found nothing. The locker looked odd to me when I was about to exit the door. I couldn't check; it frustrated me, but I tried to study the locker.
I heard footsteps coming closer. Of course, those alphas must be looking for me. After all, I have snooped around enough. I had to exit, which I quickly did, and I returned to the table to find only Luna seated.
"Leia, why are you panting? Are you okay?" Sia asked, looking at me with a suspicious gaze.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Sia. Can I leave now? It's already late at night," I said, grabbing my hand quickly and leaving without waiting for an answer.
As I took my keys out of my handbag, a letter fell out of my bag, and I picked it up from the ground.
Letter Context
"Leia, you want to know the truth about your past. Can you stand the truth, which is more painful, if you are strong enough to meet me at the Gazebo tomorrow at 05:00 pm, Sia?"
Leia - POV I had taken sick leave from work and was pacing back and forth, feeling on edge after receiving Sia's letter. I knew going to the office in this state would not help, and it could raise suspicions about my unusual behavior, causing Vincent to suspect and force me to reveal what was bothering me. I assumed Sia didn't want her sons to know about our meeting and preferred speaking with me privately. I checked the clock like a lunatic, and all the questions seemed crazy. After showering and dressing up, I left my suffocating apartment. My nerves calmed down after taking a sip of warm coffee and a bite of the bagel. As I sat in the café, I watched people hurrying to get to work. It reminded me that I had been doing the same thing for five and a half years with no time to relax, which was hard for me as a workaholic. I opened my laptop and scrolled through my social media, finding Alpha Francis and his wife Leena's family photos, which looked happy. It brought back memories of
Leia - POVKai's angry grunt silenced the gossiping she-wolves, who cowered in fear. Xavier approached me, glaring at the offenders. Vincent, who was following the Alphas, chimed in."Vincent, dismiss this battalion from their post for disrespecting Leia," Xavier said bitterly."Alpha, forgive us; we need the job," the she-wolves pleaded."You should ask forgiveness from Leia, not us," Kai ordered, causing the mocking she-wolves to feel remorse for their actions."We apologize, Ms. Leia; we said those words and hurt you. Please forgive us and spare us this time," the she-wolves begged in unison, bowing their heads in apology. I was used to being picked on and looked down upon, so I didn't know how to react."Leia, are you alright?" Daisy asked, noticing my body shiver. I had endured the mockery and shaming of being wolfless in the Blue Wood pack. I felt the weight of Kai and Xavier's gaze on me, unsure how to comfort me."Take them away from here," Xavier ordered, and Vincent followed
Alpha - Xavier - POVLeia strolled into her room alongside Daisy, and Ana's hand remained on my arm, but I gently untangled her grip. Ana looked at me, perplexed. "Xav, something seems to bother you. Is everything okay?" she asked."I'm sorry, Ana. I need to attend to some work urgently. Can we reschedule our date night for another time?" I murmured."Ana and Caroline, we apologize for canceling our date night due to a heavy workload," Kai responded."Honey, we haven't seen each other for months, and you want to cancel our date night? That's not right!" Caroline grumbled."I agree with Caroline. I've been away from the Pack for months on business, and I understand that pack affairs come first, but keep in mind that we will be engaged soon." Ana added."Ladies, let's cut the Alphas some slack this time." Ana and Caroline stopped whining after Mother spoke authoritatively. "I know my sons have agreed to marry you in exchange for your fathers' help in finding a cure for my illness and d
Leia - POV "I've reviewed the documents and still have much more work to do than just analyzing three contracts before forwarding them to the CEO of another company," I remarked, feeling frustrated. "God! Women, do you only know work and nothing else?" Daisy said as she appeared in the doorway with fresh bagels and a coffee mug. I snatched them from her and unwrapped the bagel to enjoy the coffee. "Seriously, I got those for myself," Daisy spat, irritated. "You shouldn't have walked into my room with bagels and coffee if you didn't want them to be taken," I joked with a smile, and Daisy shook her head in amusement. "How long will you lock yourself in this room, Leia?" Daisy asked, taking a seat on my bed. I continued typing the email, avoiding her gaze. "My life is in danger, and they keep things from me. What do you think I should do? I'd rather work than go insane thinking about the mystery I'm surrounded by. There's no choice but to follow your boss's orders," I explained, ta
Leia - POV"You're still the Blackmoon Pack, Alpha Francis," I taunted, and he responded with a cold gaze."Why are you so stubborn and arrogant?" Alpha Francis asked as he got out of his vehicle, and a sense of dread set in. The calm night had turned cold and eerie, and he stood so close that I could feel his breath on my neck."I don't understand why you're provoking me and making it sound like a mistake. You rejected me as your mate, and we have no business with each other," I said. I stood firm before Alpha Francis, but I felt fear creeping in."Can I tell you the truth?" I nodded, maintaining my composure, and his lips curled up."I don't think you can handle it. But I can tell you one thing, Leia. I will bring you to my Pack.""I'm not interested. I'm not a wolf, remember? You rejected this wolfless woman." His eyes betrayed guilt at the mention of the event. I had expected him to smirk at me with a mocking look."I will make sure you come back.""Good luck with that because I h
Leia - POVAn urgent voice pierced through the silence of the mansion, startling me awake. I sat in bed, blinking my eyes checked the time. It was just after midnight."Xavier, get the shamans and Dylan and Gordon!" Kai's voice echoed through the halls, urgent and panicked."Mother, please don't leave us," Kai cried, his voice cracking with emotion. I climbed out of bed and hurried to the stairwell, where I could see the shamans rushing in. Two male wolves walked in with them, their postures exuding an aura of power. I followed them to Sia's room, where I could see that she looked weak, her heartbeat barely discernible.Despite not having known Sia for long, I panicked at seeing her so ill. Kai was worried, while Xavier remained calm, directing the shamans to examine Sia. The two men I'd seen earlier spoke with Xavier."Mr. Dylan Loafer and Mr. Gordon Cane. I need you both to find a cure, or the deal is off the table," Xavier said, his voice commanding and firm. I recognized the surn
Leia - POV The words of the old witch were as sharp as a knife, and each one hit me with force. "My father did what ___," I choked, tears brimming."Veronica, I told you not to be insensitive when you speak," Xavier warned her, and she sighed."It's all right, Xavier. I am fine." I held back my tears, not wanting to break down in front of anyone. It was better to cry alone in my room later."Tell me what happened to my mother. What do you mean by the Tiger clan attack, and why did my father have to sell his soul and explain my curse?" I took my seat opposite Veronica and looked directly into her brown eyes."Give me your hand to see the past," she said."Wait, you can see the past?" Kai asked in surprise."Not every detail, just small, dreadful events," Veronica added as I placed my hand in hers. She closed her eyes and sat straight, waiting to tell me what she saw, even if the little details could reveal something about the past lives of my parents and me."I see you were six years
Alpha Xavier - POV"Who the hell are you to ask me such a question?" I hissed, my voice sharp and biting. Ana met my gaze with an intensity that briefly betrayed her pain.I turned on my heel, intending to catch up with Leia and inquire about her health, but Ana's small hand halted my retreat."Xav, why are you stuck in the past?" she implored, her voice thick with emotion. "I regret what I did to you. Please give me a second chance." I yanked my hand out of her grasp, my irritation simmering beneath the surface."I can't trust you, Ana," I snapped, my tone clipped and cold. "You broke my trust and my heart a long time ago. If you think a contract marriage can rekindle those sparks, you're fucking dreaming."Ana's desperation only seemed to grow. She grasped my hand again, her eyes pleading. "I will do anything to regain your trust and forgiveness.""If you truly want my forgiveness," I countered, my patience fraying, "break the contract proposal. That will prove to me you've matured