Three

Raven's POV

I froze for a second, watching Lily dart to me like she was launched from a catapult.

She stood in front of me, glaring at her dad and Sienna, along with everyone else. “Stop saying bad things about mommy!”

Her words sent shock into my head.

I blinked, a fuzzy feeling crawling in my heart.

So what if Marcus cheated? I still had my baby with me.

When I finally regained my senses, I grabbed my daughter. “What are you doing here? I told you to stay inside.”

“No. They are all bad. They keep bullying mommy.” She pouted, her eyes ready to spill tears.

I felt my heart grow soft.

“Lily, that's not a very nice thing to say.” Marcus squinted at Lily, his hands balling into fists.

“Then stop bullying mommy!” Lily shouted back, and even I was shocked.

Despite being a five-year old, Lily was exceptionally smart for her age.

She had never thrown tantrums before, so hearing her yell was a first.

I quickly scooped Lily into my arms, cradling her to my neck. “They aren't bullying me darling. Remember, I am Luna. Who would dare bully someone as powerful as me?”

“Then why are you crying again? Is it that bad woman and her son?” Lily turned to Sienna, throwing her a glare too old her age.

“Lily!” Marcus chided. His voice loud, it boomed, frightening Lily.

Startled, she jolted, and I cradled her deeper in my arms. “Don't yell at our daughter like that!”

I glowered at Marcus, resisting the submission he tried to impose on my wolf.

I stood my ground, meeting his gaze.

For my daughter, I would do anything.

“Is that how you train your daughter?” Marcus snarled, clenching his fist.

Sienna threw me a look. “Don't be mad at the little child Marcus. I am sure she's only saying that because Raven had put them in her head.”

“Mommy didn't tell me anything!” Lily refuted before I could get a word in. “You and everyone are bullying mommy, and it's all daddy's fault!”

Sienna scowled, the smile on her face slipping. “I am sure this is all a misunderstanding.”

Even before Marcus had announced her as his mistress I had always known Sienna was a green tea bitch.

“Lily, don't say that to your aunt Sienna.” Joan tried meddling in. “She's now your second mom. You should treat her with respect.”

I calmly looked at her.

At this point, I had no idea how this same woman I had helped for years could turn her back and be among the first to stab me in the back.

Among everyone in the pack, Joan had been the closest, since she was the beta's spouse, but it seems to me she had known Marcus was cheating.

She might have been two timing me the whole time.

Ha. This pack was really something.

From its alpha to the members, all of them were black soldiers.

I looked over at Marcus who had been silent the whole time.

His glare on me never waned, and when I locked gaze with him, it intensified.

Still, I refused to back down.

“My daughter belongs to me. I decide who she calls mom or not.”

If I didn't stop this here, things would only get harder from here on out.

Marcus narrowed his eyes, nodding. “Very well then, but don't regret it later.”

“I promise you, I won't.”

Marcus wrapped his arms around Sienna once more, leading her past me.

Just as she passed, she lowered her voice. “Word of advice, leave willingly or I'll make your life a living hell.”

I stilled. Raising my eyes to meet hers.

Everyone had supernatural hearing.

Even from a mile or two away, we could hear a twig snap, but everyone around pretended they heard nothing.

I squared my shoulders, tightening my grip on Lily. “Go ahead and try. My life's already hell before you come in.”

I spat, turning around to leave.

“Just you wait!” I heard Sienna say, but I ignored it.

She can try all she wants, but nothing moves me anymore.

….

For the next few days, Marcus had undeniably distanced himself from me and Lily, but I didn't mind.

I liked it this way.

Seeing Marcus act so in love with Sienna and her son Ethan hurt me in many ways, but I chose to focus on Lily, and my duties as Luna.

“Hi, sweetie.” I beamed, kissing Lilly on her forehead. “What’s wrong?”

It was still early in the morning, and I had to prepare Lily for preschool, but she looked undeniably gloomy.

Lily shook her head, poking at her food. “It's nothing mommy.”

“You sure?” I frowned, noticing the strange behavior in my daughter.

I knew her quite well. Today I had prepared her favorite food, spaghetti and meatballs, but unlike before when she got excited, she barely looked at it.

“Come on baby, you know you can tell mommy anything.” I cooed, feeling my heart tighten at the sight of my daughter's droopy face.

Lily stabbed her food again, her voice quivering. “Dad.”

That one word sent a stab in my heart, and my eyes reddened.

Marcus had been truly ruthless.

After the arrival of Sienna and Ethan, he had been ignoring the both of us.

“Look here sweetie.” I grabbed her face, pushing a smile onto my face. “How many hands do you have?”

Lily looked down at her arms. “Two?”

“And legs?”

“Also two!” She giggled.

“Good girl,” I cooed. “Can you do anything with one hand and a leg?”

Lily shook her head. “No.”

“That tells you, two is a significant number.” I gently stroked her head. “You and mommy are two. Meaning we work perfectly with each other.”

Lily frowned, tilting her head. “So does that mean we don't need daddy?”

“Yes and no.” I smiled. It was so wrong my dear, but I didn't want my child hurt anymore.

“I want you to know that when you have mommy by your side, then you shouldn't worry too much about your daddy. Okay?” I forced a smile, but I knew I failed. Miserably.

Not when Lily looked like she had been enlightened. “I get it now mommy. Thank you!”

I smiled, genuinely but it didn't last long before it was shattered.

“Awwwn. What a cute little girl.” Sienna said. “It's too bad you are a bad mother. Teaching your child to hate her father? That's low. Even for you.”