4

Imogene's POV 

Stepping into the limelight is something I've mentally trained myself for over the years. I had anticipated and imagined the look on everyone's face when they saw me and I wasn't disappointed, the horrified look on Orion's face was priceless and I enjoyed every moment of it.

Dad smiled warmly at me and gave a little nod. “I present to you, Imogene Krystal Blackwood. My daughter!” Dad introduced me proudly.

He smiled, seeing the confused look on their faces and went ahead to explain things.

“How can she be your daughter? She's the daughter of a maid!” A woman pointed out. Arizona to be precise.

“Imogene is my only child hence, I give you, my heir and as of today, the supreme alpha; Imogene Blackwood.” Dad said, conclusively.

There was a faint forced applause from the crowd and I smirked. I took the microphone to address them.

“The formal coronation will be done the next full moon which is in a week's time. Thank you! Let the party begin.” I said, dismissively and hugged my Dad who didn't forget to show how proud he was of me.

He happily introduced me to the important alphas and the younger ones were reluctant to approach me, still fazed and shocked at the development.

“Imogene!” A familiar voice called out.

I turned around to see Sophia walking up to me. She was teary eyed and looked very beautiful. “Sophia.” I greeted, warmly, extending a hand for a handshake.

She slapped my hand away and pulled me into a hug. “Thank God you're okay, I looked for you everywhere and thought something bad had happened to you!” She complained.

I smiled warmly as she broke the hug and pinched my cheeks sweetly. “Turns out you were doing far better than ever! Look at you! Making the biggest wave of the century.”

“How have you been, Sophia?” I asked, rather plainly.

“Breathing quite well, minding my own business and also trying to keep your place but now you won't see a need to reconcile with him, will you?” She pouted.

“I moved on the moment I signed those papers.” 

“You should come see me, we have a lot to catch up on, Orion's life is in shambles without you in it and the whore he feels he cherished can't even steal your title after five years..” Sophia said, cheerily.

I smirked, she was still pure at heart, caring about me. “I wish I cared but I don't. But it's nice knowing you've been well. I'll see you around.” I responded, politely.

“Who did you have to screw to make this happen?” I heard a venomous voice accuse me and I turned around to see Arizona walking over alongside Orion, wearing a sour expression.

“Excuse me?” I rebuffed.

“Oh please, we know the story of your adulterous mother, did you screw Alpha Blackwood just for all of this show? How could you be shameless?” Arizona scoffed, eyeing me like I was a piece of trash. I was impressed because she had grown more hostile in the passing years.

Her words drew attention and few people came around, I knew this scene so well, had anticipated it and planned for it as well.

“Don't be such a sour face, Arizona, You can screw someone else, no… your mate's best-friend, ruin his life, steal someone else's husband out of his family but she can't?” Sophia defended me as she laughed in disbelief and I smirked.

“A whore is a whore!”

I snickered and stood face-to-face with her, staring deadpan into her eyes. “I don't owe you an explanation, Arizona, next time you want to screw someone…” I took a pause and briefly looked at Orion.

“Aim higher and make sure they're not at the bottom chain.” I added, intentionally mocking Orion and her.

“Imogene!” Orion cautioned, growling slowly but I tut and eyed him, mockingly.

“It’s Alpha Imogene, dearest ex-husband.” I responded coldly, emphasizing the ex word.

“Al-alpha Imogene, how did you discover your true identity? Out of curiosity.” Alpha Kent of the Crimson Moon Pack, suddenly asked from the small crowd that had gathered.

“Why? Trying to cross check the facts, Alpha Kent? If I remember vividly, you didn't crosscheck before tossing abusive words and humiliations at me when I was wrongly accused of stealing.” I snapped and he immediately went silent.

I sighed and shook my head, all this stress wasn't worth it, I was too far above them to be exchanging words.

“Are you trying to get back at me, Imogene? Is that what all this is about?” Orion asked.

I gasped loudly at the audacity.

“You speak too highly of yourself, Orion. The past is in the past, or maybe not. By the way, Alpha Imogene. I didn't think I'll have to correct your acquaintance and you too. Excuse me.” I uttered dismissively and walked away.

I was more than elated for the rest of the night, seeing how conflicted Orion was and Arizona uneasy. I spoke to the other Alphas and they were shocked and scared as well which was my intention. 

After the party was over, I retired home to bask in the happiness of my achievements.

The next day, I decided to go shopping since Xavier wouldn’t stop bugging me about wanting some new toys. Though dad wanted me to go with an entourage, I turned down the request since I wanted some privacy with my son.

“Look Mom, it’s a dinosaur!” Xavier exclaimed excitedly as we toured the toy section of the mall.

I chuckled amusedly, staring proudly at my son. His childishness was one of the things that made me proud to be a mother. 

“Don’t wander off.” I called after him as he happily explored the whole floor.

I contemplated buying myself a couple of cute Rubik’s cubes, but my attention was drawn as I heard someone call my name.

“Imogene?” 

I turned around to see Orion trying to get past the guards. I motioned lazily for him to be let through and he walked up to me with an ugly frown on his face which I rolled my eyes at.

“What do you want?” I asked, uninterested as I twirled a cube in my hand.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He barked and I yawned. “First you disappear for years and now you’re the supreme alpha? Do you think I’ll stay put?” he questioned like I had taken his title from him.

I scoffed before speaking.

“Lower your gaze, Orion… and your voice.” I ordered, softly.

He arched his eyebrows, surprised and confused.

“What are-“

“You’re in front of the supreme alpha, don’t you dare raise your voice at me!” I interjected loudly this time.

He was startled and wanted to speak when a high pitched voice cut in.

“Daddy!”

Slowly, I turned around to see Xavier running towards us, arms open wide and I looked at Orion. He was shaken to the core and just stared at the mini version of him running towards him.

However, Xavier ran past him into someone else’s embrace and I heaved a sigh of relief seeing who it was.

“Avery?” Orion uttered, totally flabbergasted. Avery carried Xavier conveniently and played with him. I met him halfway and pinched Xavier’s cheeks.

“Look Dad, Mom said I can get any toy I want!” Xavier said, excitedly.

Avery chuckled and nodded his head. “Of course you can, you’re my son after all.”

Orion’s jaw dropped on the floor and he was dazed by what he saw. “What in the goddess name?” he exclaimed, softly.

Avery chuckled once more and I interlocked my arm in his, leaning against him in a suggestive and intimate way.

“Let’s go get what we need, darling, it’s getting late.” I suggested and Avery nodded slowly with a smile. I could see him wink at Orion before we turned around and began to leave but Orion stopped us as he appeared in front of us.

“Don’t you dare walk away from me! What the hell is happening?” he demanded, loudly.

Avery sighed deeply and walked up to him with Xavier in his arms. “What don’t you understand Orion? You thought I’d never have a family?” 

Orion looked at me for an explanation and I scoffed. 

“Mind telling me what the hell all this is about? This little brat looks exactly like me and-“

I shut him up as I held up a hand, flashing my diamond ring shamelessly. “Avery is my fiance, we're getting married and this is our son. I'll let your disrespect slide because of old times but there won't be a next time, be warned.” I blurted sternly.

Proudly, I faced my family and kissed Avery fully on the lips, pecked Xavier on the forehead and began to walk away. Orion boiled in anger and confusion, his entire life seemed to be crashing before his eyes as we walked away, but another familiar voice stopped us.

“Orion, that boy is definitely your son.”

Luna Celine.