Chapter 2: A replacable placeholder

I never met Erica in person. I only saw her in one of Vlad’s photo album. And just like how beautiful she was when she was still young, it intensified when she became a woman. She had a sharp jawline and cool emerald green eyes. She also has two deep dimples that adds the beauty she already possessed.

Her eyes suddenly landed on me and she took me in from head to toe with a frown. I fought the urge to smooth out my dress. I could almost swear her face hardened and her eyes slanted threateningly like my existence insulted her. 

I had never met her before, but I could feel my heart racing as she stared at me. She has something about her that I couldn't quite put my finger on but it made my leopard rustle.

It took a while for me to notice that Clyde was standing closely beside her in a black tuxedo. That would probably explain her reaction to seeing me. I wasn't surprised they were friends. Erica was more family than me to them. Clyde hated me since day one, since the day Vlad introduced me as his mate. I saw the disappointment in his eyes but didn’t say anything.

Both of them looked fresh out of the magazine and I'd stick out like a sore thumb beside them.

 Despite my heavy reluctance and their eye piercing glare, I made my way over to them. I just needed to know where Vladimir was and if everything was okay. Erica would probably know where he was since she was the last one Vlad was with. 

Clyde took one glance at me and I could see the annoyance written plainly on his face. It still burned a bit that didn't care or would ever believe that his younger brother constantly ignored me or gave me a cold-shoulder whenever I was in their house. He would often tell me he didn’t want me as his sister-in-law whenever Vlad was not around, that cats are never welcome in their pack and family.

Clyde said something to Erica beside him and I knew it wasn't good. He was probably still on his hate hunt. My stomach twisted as I braced myself for his insulting remarks. I almost stumbled as I made my way there. I didn't get far, however, as before I reached where they were, a large shadow fell over me almost blocking my view of Clyde and Erica.

I step backwards trying not to collide with him. I was surprised I didn't see him but he had moved stealthily. He was an extremely tall blonde-haired man in a black suit that hugged his rugged physique. He has the same eye-color, the same shape of nose, lips and face as Vald. If I didn’t know better, I would have mistaken him as Vlad but no. As soon as his upper red lips arched, I knew who I was facing, its Valentine, Vlad’s second brother and an Elder. Unlike Clyde, he was very vocal in expressing how he hated and despised me and almost made my life hell whenever he’s around. I didn’t invite him. Why was he here? 

"What the hell are you doing here?!" he growled loudly as he approached me and I flinched, feeling the force of his voice all the way to the pit of my stomach. His voice rang out above the soft music and the friendly chatter, drawing everyone's attention to us. His eyes burn with rage.

I could feel chaos starting. But this time I won’t let him drag me to the dirt like he always does.

"What are you doing here?!" he roared again.

“I organized this party so naturally I’m here,” I said

His cold eyes looked me up and down disdainfully. He was never friendly or at least civil with me so I decided to fight tonight. If I let him trash me the whole night, everyone will be laughing at me. 

“You are not welcome here. This party is for family and wolves only. Cats are not allowed here.”

“You have no right to decide whether I will attend the party or not. I paid for this venue, I arranged everything so the least you can do is to respect me as your brother’s wife and mate,” I replied as I pushed the fear away.

He was disrupting the party and I didn't want his hatred to be the cause of it for such an occasion. All the wolves were around us now and the atmosphere had shifted. I didn't like that I was at the center of the commotion and was kind of nervous with everyone watching.

 "I know who the fuck you are but it still doesn't explain what you're doing here?"

 "I'm Luna and I organized everything here, Valentine." I responded. “If you could please control your temper and let everyone enjoy the night, that would be great,” I said

I didn't know what his problem was. I just have to walk away and avoid him for the rest of the night. I turned my back away from him and was ready to leave but there was no getting away from him. There was nowhere for me to run. He was bearing down on me, like an eagle ready to spring on its prey.

"Luna? She said she was Luna," he said roughly to Erica who had just laughed. Valentine then looked at me. "You have the nerve to even show your face at this engagement party and then try to ruin everything."

I didn't know what engagement party he was talking about or was he delusional because I specifically planned everything for Vlad’s thirtieth birthday. I stared back at him in disbelief at a loss for words. 

"I think you have mi-" I tried to respond.

"Erica, why is this bitch here anyway?" he directed to Erica again, cutting me off.

 "It was Vlad’s idea. Apparently he told me that the placeholder will come," she replied coyly with a soft sigh, even though her mannerisms were dainty and elegant.

 "The placeholder until the real one comes back," Clyde laughed, making a show of it and rolling his eyes.

The disrespect could not be missed and my leopard hated this. Everything suddenly felt like it was happening quickly. The room was filled with whispers and everyone had pressed forward, gathering around us to see what the commotion was about. I didn't understand why everyone was looking at me so shocked.

 "Erica is the real Luna of Vlad’s pack, Cheska. You were just the place holder. You thought you really belonged in our family and that Vlad accepted you as a mate? No! Erica is our worthy sister-in-law," Clyde proudly introduced. “And their engagement happened before you arrived,” he added. “See that ring around her finger? That our family heirlooms. Vlad had given her that earlier but too bad you never witnessed it.”

No! No! No! He’s lying right? Even I was unsure of that, especially that ring. No wonder it was so familiar. Vlad had promised me that ring. 

I was suddenly piecing it together however I still didn't understand. Erica was Vlad’s friend. He told me that. He promised me everything and I believe that.

"No you're lying. I'm Vlad’s mate, not a placeholder," I corrected though I’m trembling.

 Valentine and Clyde laughed and looked at Erica in an I-told-you-so way. Erica merely shrugged and smiled back at them. I could feel my cheeks heat up.

"If you're my brother’s mate, then you should have known where he really was for the past four years, those business meetings, those sudden out of town emergencies. All along he was with Erica and doing who knows?”

At first, I thought I didn't hear right. I could feel my insides clench and my breathing got heavy. This is when I started to fall apart when my very world started to dissolve before my eyes. 

"That's a lie."

Valentine smiled menacingly and a shiver ran down my spine. This man would never pass anything that would hurt me and I knew he was telling the truth.