3| Putting her in her place

LORIA'S POV

I sat on the edge of the hospital bed in a white gown while a nurse stood Infront of me.

“Loria Moonclaw,” she said.

“Yes.”

“You understand the procedure?”

“I do.”

She smiled like this was ordinary… maybe for her, but for me this was the first step of my revenge game.

Tyler had wanted to come. But I told him no. If anyone from Aurelia saw him here too, the plan would start with a crack. So I sat alone and let the doctors talk around me.

Varex arrived later than the appointment, just as I knew he would. He didn't sit close.. it almost looked like he was avoiding me for a reason but it only looked funny because if I was ready to make him crawl to me, he wouldn't stand a chance.

He only looked at the papers and signed where they pointed.

A doctor came in with a calm voice.

“External fertilization. We already have what we need from Alpha Varex After this, you rest for a short while and then you may leave but will return later for examination to ensure the fetus has been implanted properly.”

I simply nodded, while Varex stood by the window with his hands in his pockets.

I did not look at him for long. Every time I did, my stomach turned and hatred filled my body like I could strangle him if I got the chance to.

How could someone who committed murder feel so untouched ?.

I immediately waved my mind off him because he clearly didn't deserve my thinking time.

I simply focused on the process undergoing before me.

When it was done, the doctor told me to remain still.

Varex finally spoke after a few minutes. “You will move into the mansion today.”

“I already planned to.”

“A driver will take your things from your old place.”

“ That won't be necessary, I've already called for my driver to bring my things over. So he'll come pick me from the hospital to your mansion.”

He looked at me in annoyance. “Do not make this difficult and don't try to act over smart.”

I rolled, relaxing on the bed.

“ If you have a problem with me, walk up to me and tell me directly because I know I've done no one wrong…” He stopped in the tracks and left the room without another word.

Maybe he was talking about Me… not not me, Millie. So he actually remembers he committed a crime, Good.

After the rest time, I changed back into my clothes and walked out with my coat over my arm.

I immediately saw my driver who stepped down and opened the door, but at the same time, j saw cars I couldn't recorgnized, tinted and lined up at the back of my car… this was clearly Varex’s doing.

I got in and he headed to the mansion while the cars followed.

Servants came out before the engine even stopped. One reached for my bag, they all behaved differently like they were given a lecturer on how to treat me.

“Show me the room,” I said flatly.

She led me to the east wing where the guest room was. I could definitely move there on my own but I was being careful with my behaviour to avoid any kind of suspicion at all.

Immediately I arrived at the room, I scanned it to see it was nice but needed a few things to make it feel much better.

I put my bags down and opened the wardrobe.

“I need more hangers,” I told the girl at the door.

“Yes, Miss Loria.”

“And I want the balcony door unlocked at all times.”

“Yes.”

“No one enters this room without knocking.”

She nodded quickly, bowed and left.

I unpacked slowly, dropping a photo of Nick inside my wardrobe after laying a simple kiss on the glass frame.

I had only spent a year with him, but the bond we shared was much deeper than I could explain.

When I stepped back into the hallway, I saw Clara who was standing like she was waiting for me to step out.

Deep down I wished I had known she was there… I would have stayed longer in my room till she leaves in frustration or walks into my room uninvited.

“Loria.” she began and I simply staired at her with my arms crossed.

She stopped in front of me and looked me up and down like she was checking for dirt.

“I think we need to understand each other early.”

“Say what you came to say.” I said bluntly knowing she wasn't here for peace talk.

“You are a surrogate,” she said. “That is all. I am the Luna of Aurelian and I am Varex’s wife. You will stay inside your boundaries, take your money, and get lost when this is over.”

I smiled a little.

“You should mind the way you talk to me though.”

Clara’s eyes sharpened.

“Excuse me?”

“The heir of the Aurelian pack is in my womb,” I said. “Not in your title, so if I were you, I would choose my words with more care.”

Her face changed. “You think carrying a child makes you important?”

“ Yes it does Ma'am and I should be respected for that. Trust me if you show me the respect I deserve, I won't be on your neck but if you get on my nerves, I'll make your life a living hell.”

She stepped closer.

“This house has one Luna.. and that's me. You have no right to talk to me the way you wish and you certainly have to right to threaten me understood? Just stay here carrying the child for a few months and collect they money you are looking for and fuck off.”

I looked at her from her shoes to her hair.

“Use some of the money you already spend on this house and buy better clothes, because you certainly have no fashion sense at all.”

A sound escaped from a corner and I knew immediately that servants were enjoying the show going on.

Clara’s voice rose.

“You do not speak to me like that.”

“I just did.”

“Varex will hear this.”

“Then tell him,” I said. “Tell him the woman carrying his heir does not like being talked to like hired help. Let us see whose voice he answers first.”

She stared at me, breathing hard, but I didn't shake. My eyes were fixed on her the entire time. My era of being kind to people who don't deserve my kindness was definitely over.

“Enjoy this while it lasts and don't think I'll go easy on you if you continue this way.”

She left without saying anything else. I simply watched her, knowing because she married Varex, her life is automatically ruined along with his especially as she isn't a woman of good character.

I had already heard a lot about her and she didn't know what this pack signed up for or what she accepted.