Inner Turmoil: Mona’s POV

Mona’s POV

Actually, after Keisha introduced Mona to her uncle, something a bit concerning happened..

*HOURS EARLIER*

Mona’s POV: 

Keisha and I were already finishing up with the table settings, but my mind was miles away. I was staring into the empty air, a plate hanging forgotten in my hand, still trying to wrap my head around it.

*Keisha’s uncle?*

Hell no. What the actual fuck?

“Mona?” Keisha’s touch broke through my thoughts, jolting me back. I almost dropped the plate.

“Y-yeah?” I stuttered, turning to her.

“Are you good?” she asked, her face full of concern as she held my arms, turning me fully toward her.

“Yeah,” I said, forcing a smile. “W-why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well, you’ve been acting off since I introduced you to Uncle Sebastian,” she replied with a soft laugh, releasing her grip. “Like you saw a ghost or something.”

I let out a nervous, forced laugh and turned to set the last plate down.

“Hey,” she said, catching my wrist before I could. “If you’re worried because of what I said about my uncle—”

“No, no, no,” I cut her off, finally placing the plate. “I’m just a bit tired, that’s all.”

Obviously, that was a lie.

I was more than worried. But not for the reason she thought. I was worried about the crushing, impossible awkwardness between me and her uncle now. And how she’d react if she ever found out.

“If you say so,” she said with a small smile, rubbing my arm. “But honestly, you don’t need to worry about him. As long as we don’t get in his way, he won’t get in ours.”

“Noted,” I replied, my smile not quite reaching my eyes.

“So…” Keisha dragged out the word, a familiar smirk playing on her lips. “What happened with you and Kade when I left?”

Happened?

“What do you mean, ‘what happened’?” I said, letting out a more genuine laugh this time. The question was actually funny. “What was supposed to happen?”

“Mona, please don’t act dumb with me,” she laughed. “I mean, what did you two talk about?”

“That’s what you should have asked,” I smiled. “Your first question made it sound like you’d caught us in the act or something.”

She shrugged, a wide, knowing smile spreading across her face. “It’s not like I’d put it past you.”

I gasped, then laughed. “Please, Keisha. It was just an introduction. He asked if I lived at Nightfang.”

“And what did you say?”

“I said yes, obviously,” I shrugged. “I wasn’t about to tell him I’m married to an Alpha.”

“Hm,” Keisha hummed, nodding slowly as if she were skeptical. “Right. The famous Alpha of Blackwood. Best keep that card hidden.” 

“You have to promise you won’t tell anyone, Keisha. I’m serious.”

She mimed zipping her lips shut and throwing away the key. “My lips are sealed.”

“Good,” I nodded, and we shared a smile.

And just then—

My phone rang.

I looked at Keisha in panic before slowly pulling it from my pocket.

“Who is it?” she mouthed.

“My mom,” I said, my own voice hollow as I stared at the screen.

I swiped to answer, my gaze darting from the phone back to Keisha. I pressed it to my ear.

“Hi, Mom,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

“What is going on, Mona?” she demanded, skipping any greeting.

“I don’t… what do you mean?”

“Marcello said you left the house in the middle of the night in a rage and haven’t been back since.”

“Mom—”

“Everyone has issues in their marriage, Mona,” she cut me off. “You’re not the first and you won’t be the last. Do you understand what your union with Marcello means to us? To our pack? We were already worried you haven’t given him a pup in six years, and now you run away?”

“Mom, will you at least let me speak?” I asked, irritation already sharpening my voice. “Did he even tell you what happened?”

“Listen to me,” she said, her voice stern and final. “What happened does not matter. You need to go back home and apologize. You are too old for these tantrums.”

“Tantrums?” I repeated, a sarcastic, shocked laugh escaping me.

“For once, just listen. Go reconcile with your husband. I don’t want to have to drag this out,” she pressed. “No more excuses.”

“I need you to also listen to—“

And then, the line went dead, leaving nothing but a hollow dial tone buzzing in my ear. 

I stared at the silent phone in my hand, disbelief cold in my veins. She hadn't even cared enough to let me finish a sentence. Was that all I was? A living sacrifice for the good of the pack?

Tears threatened, hot and humiliating, at the sheer indifference of my own mother. I clenched my jaw.

“What did she say?” Keisha asked softly as I lowered the phone, my grip slack with shock.

I swiped a hand quickly beneath my eyes. No. I was done being weak. I’d swallowed their poison for years.

“Doesn’t matter,” I said, shoving the phone deep into my pocket. “Blackwood can burn, for all I care.”

“It’s about Marcello, isn’t it?” Her voice was a mix of concern and quiet fury.

“Forget it. I’m not letting them ruin tonight.” I forced a brittle smile, hugging her tightly to steady myself. “They can’t touch me here anyway. Just… forget it.”

I knew Marcello wouldn’t dare send guards after me. He could only handle this quietly and that’s why he informed my mother. The scandal of his Luna fleeing would be nothing compared to the truth of why she left when the pack elders summon him. 

“You’re sure you don’t want to talk?”

“Certain.”

With a final, worried glance, Keisha led me to my room before leaving to get ready herself. It was the largest guest suite, situated in a separate wing from the main family quarters. She’d already arranged everything—my things were unpacked, and hanging in the wardrobe was a stunning black gown. It glittered under the lights, with a daring slit that went way above my knee and a neckline that promised confidence.

It was perfect.

I slipped into it, the cool fabric a new kind of armor. I turned before the mirror, and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t look away. I looked… powerful.

Finally ready, I stepped out into the hallway, heading toward the distant pulse of music and celebration.

My phone buzzed violently in my clutch.

*Ugh.*

I stopped, leaning against the cool wall as I pulled it out. More messages from Marcello. My eyes skimmed the desperate, pleading texts, each one fueling a colder resolve. I rolled my eyes, thumb moving to power the device off—

When I sensed a presence.

A figure stood quietly in the hall before me.

My head snapped up.

It was Kade.

“Everything okay?” he asked, a brow arched, hands tucked casually in his pockets.

“Yeah,” I lied, my voice too bright. “Everything’s fine.”

He raised an arm, planting his hand on the wall beside my head, gently enclosing me in his space. “Doesn’t seem like it, though,” he said, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. His green eyes held mine, shimmering with playful concern.

“I’m fine, really,” I insisted, offering a low, shy laugh.

“If anyone’s bothering you, just say the word.” He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I’d be more than willing to throw a few punches on your behalf.”

“Punches?” I let out a soft, disbelieving laugh.

Before he could reply—

“Kade!”

The voice, sharp and commanding, came from above. Our heads snapped up in unison. It was him. Sebastian.

I swallowed hard, my breath catching. It felt like being trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea.

I quickly looked away, but Kade held his father’s gaze. Sebastian ordered him to fetch someone—the head guard, Jonah—his tone leaving no room for debate.

“See you at dinner, princess,” Kade murmured, flashing me a charming smile and a wink before he finally pushed off the wall and walked away.

His footsteps had barely faded when I heard another, heavier set descending the stairs. Sebastian’s. They drew closer, each step measured and firm.

I braced myself, half-expecting… something. A word. A glance. Anything.

But he simply walked past me. As if I were a stranger. As if the previous night had never happened. The chill of his dismissal was more shocking than any confrontation.

That cold pretense is what finally made me speak. My voice, quieter than I intended, stopped him in his tracks.

“Do you always run away from women you sleep with?”