Chapter 4

Alvara's Point of View

As promised, I didn't tell Eugene about what had transpired at the primary school. Not out of fear for what the Beta and Gamma might do to me, oh no. I didn't tell him because I knew he would cause a scene. The Cilliers family was well off to no end, especially Eugene and his mother. They owned several mines in the area and lived better than ninety-nine percent of the pack. A select few shared the same wealth, but the rest of the pack was suffering under Eugene's rule. Finances were coming in short and more and more people went homeless each passing month. Eugene refused to help anyone until Eiecrunt had suggested lucrative trade. More than lucrative.

Alpha Ciaran's contributions whilst Alpha Stefan was still alive brought in enough money to keep people off ot the streets. Now, the amount had doubled, as far as I could tell from the brief conversation I had had with Eugene about it. For the most part, I was just another figure head he kept tabs on. Controlled. But I was not stupid. Everyone could see that Alpha Ciaran was being overly generous with his contributions this time around. Throwing in the school supplies was just another show of how far his money stretched.

"I already started on dinner, seeing as you were frolicking around with two males." My mother-in-law sneered from where she stood. Ingredients lay about on the countertops, some opened and others still sealed off. I only nodded at her and walked to where my apron lay.

Picking up a knife, I started on some mushrooms and moved along to onions. Angelique hovered over my shoulder a second longer before she started peeling the carrots, staining her hands orange. The back door slid open, letting a breeze drag by and I shivered in response. When was the last time I had had a full meal?

"I am glad to see my two favorite women are busy with dinner," Eugene purred and kissed his mother's cheek. My eyes lingered on them a second longer than it was supposed to. Thankfully, the Alpha didn't notice and brushed a kiss to my temple as well. "How did everything go with the Beta and Gamma?" He asked and picked up a slice of mushroom, popping it into his mouth. Stiffening slightly, I peeked at his face. There was a smile and lines creasing around his eyes. Good, the sentinels kept their mouths shut about earlier.

"It went over rather smoothly. Beta Ozias says that he will personally select the new technology for the classes and even throw in an astro-hockeyfield." I replied, continuing my cutting. A hand tugged at my waist, forcing me to turn towards him. The smile was gone, replaced by a frown.

"You know how much I hate it when you don't look at me when I speak to you." He whispered and pinched my stomach between his fingers.

"I'm sorry, I am just trying to help your mom cook for tonight. I didn't mean anything by it." I explained and tried to turn back to the vegetables. His hand tightened and I swallowed the growl growing in my throat.

"Have you tested yet?"

"I have and it was negative. I am sure it is nothing to worry about."

"It has been almost eight years now. We should have had pups by now." He growled in reply and I flinched. His mother looked towards us, her eyes nearly glowing when they land on her son.

"Have you tried the advice I gave you, Alvara. It got a lot of women pregnant last year." The former Luna patronized, her smile sticky sweet. Averting my gaze to Eugene, I touched his face gently.

"I understand you wish for pups, but the Goddess will bless us when she thinks we are ready. Don't rush it."

"Oh, so you don't want kids right now, is that it? I should have fucking known." Eugene seethed and let go of my waist. My face fell, but our eyes were still locked. His stubble felt prickly against my palm and I just wanted to pull my hand away. I kept it firmly in place, knowing how he would react if I tugged it back.

"That isn't what I am saying. I am saying that the Goddess knows best and that her timing might not be our timing."

"Or yours," He hissed and flung my hand from his cheek. The creases between his brow rippled as his jaw tightened. "You know what, fuck it. If you don't want kids right now, I won't push you. Just know it fucking hurts." Eugene pulled away from me completely, stalking to the back door again. His shoulders were tense, strides long.

"Where are you going?"

"Out!" Something inside me caved in a little at the word. Hollowed out the last shred of my soul. I knew where he was going. Knew to who he ran so often when things didn't go his way. Mates meant for life, for better or worse. It also meant that cheating was never an option. Eugene treated it like an option.

"If you dare leave this house, you might as well never return." I hissed and slammed down the knife on my cutting board. Angelique stilled beside me, taking in the spectacle.

"What did you just say to me?"

"I know where you go when you feel threatened in the slightest way. I know whose bed you warm. Don't mock my intelligence by denying it."

"Do you think so fucking little of me? I would never fucking do that to you!"

"I said, do not mock my intelligence, yet here you are, mocking it." I pressed every word from my chest, even as it grew tighter and tighter around my heart. For so long I had tolerated everything he put me through, just for him to go fuck other women. That wasn't a mate!

"Well, seeing as I get accused of it relentlessly, I might as well do the crime I am being persecuted for!" He screamed and slammed the door shut on his way out.

My breathing grew ragged. Tears blurred my vision. That would be as much of a confession as I would ever get. Clasping at my chest, I stared at the knife on the cutting board, my mind wandering dangerously close to the brink. A throat cleared and I looked up at my mother-in-law. Her face said it all, excluding the hands wrapped over her chest.

"He would never do that to you. Eugene is a good man and mate, you just don't see everything he does for you. Pays your bills. Feeds you. Let you stay home when everyone else is forced to work," She shook her head. Her butterscotch colored hair reminded me so much of her son, it nearly pained me to take in. "Stop taking him for granted and start doing your part within the pack." Her eyes dipped towards my stomach, scowl on her face.

Another throat cleared from the door leading into the living room. Alpha Ciaran was leaning against the doorframe, his eyes hard when he took me in. Turning my head, I wiped the tears from my eyes and brushed another smile across my face. His eyes settled on me again, more agitated than he was a moment ago.

"I am sorry if I interrupted anything. I just wanted to invite the Luna for a walk tomorrow morning. Alpha Eugene said he was busy and I am afraid I will get lost if left alone." He pointed his smile at the former Luna and I could have sworn her knees buckled a bit. I frowned at him, unable to discern why he would want me to show him around. It wasn't as if this was his first time visiting.

"I am afraid that it would be seen as inappropriate to leave the Luna alone in your care, so she must decline," Angelique voiced, flipping her hair over one shoulder. "But I would be more than happy to take you." Her words stung my ears. If the thought of me going with him troubled her this much, how could I decline such an offer. I smiled a bit more brightly at him.

"It would be my honor." I accepted and his face matched my own in brilliance. Angelique made a noise only comparable to a dying cow and turned her head to look at me.

"Eugene won't like you going alone with him." She hissed.

"Alpha Eugene will think me an apt wife for taking care of his esteemed guests. Don't worry, I can take two sentinels with me." Because they were easy to pay off if unsavory things happened. Ciaran noted this. Noted how I had reassured her without compromising myself or him.

Guards were watch dogs and dogs loved steaks more than kibble on their dinner tables. Whoever paid the best now had their loyalty.

Angelique opened her mouth, but Ciaran cut her clean off. "I am looking forward to it then, Luna."

The way he rolled the Luna off of his tongue sent my mind spiraling. It was an unsaid promise from his side. Of what, I had no clue, but something woke up inside of me that had been sleeping since I was nineteen.

Excitement.