chapter 2

Chiara’s POV

“Where’s Lorenzo?” I asked one of the gammas as I walked toward the villa del branco, keeping my voice casual, forcing down the suspicion burning in my chest.

“He’s… having lunch with Ginevra,” he replied, eyes flicking away, as though saying her name aloud might spark trouble.

Last night, Lorenzo never returned after our heated encounter. I had expected him to still be in the villa when I woke, but his presence was gone. I brushed it off, telling myself that if I proved my worth—if I did well as Luna—he’d eventually acknowledge me. Love me.

That morning, I reviewed reports, inspected the vineyards and livestock, hoping he’d notice my efforts. Hoping I’d run into him.

I didn’t.

Instead, I found out he’d been with Ginevra.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips, sarcasm slipping out before I could stop it.

“He never eats lunch with me.”

The gamma shifted uncomfortably, shrugging. “The Alpha has his priorities.”

“Right,” I muttered, turning away as anger flared. I wanted to scream, to demand answers, but the rage only made me feel smaller. How could he disregard me so easily?

When I entered the sala da pranzo, Ginevra gaze snapped to me immediately, a smug smile playing on her lips. She was seated beside Lorenzo—too close, deliberately so. He didn’t even look at me, focused instead on his food.

I took a seat across from them, asserting my place as Luna.

“Well, well,” Ginevra mocked. “Decided to finally join us?”

“Is there a problem with that?” I shot back, meeting her gaze.

She laughed softly, without warmth. “I just find it amusing that the perfect Luna can’t even keep her husband’s attention.”

I clenched my jaw and ignored her, accepting my plate from the omega. Ginevra wasn’t done.

“Oh, come on, Chiara,” she pressed, smile sharp. “You know he doesn’t care. You’re just… convenient.”

Lorenzo glanced at me briefly before returning to his meal, leaving me to handle her alone.

I inhaled slowly. “Convenience is something you wouldn’t understand, Ginevra,” I replied evenly. “Desperation rarely allows for it.”

Her smile faltered for a moment before she leaned forward, voice low and poisonous.

“You think you’re untouchable, but you’re nothing more than a placeholder. Eventually, Lorenzo will realize he deserves more.”

I didn’t look away. “Funny. I was just thinking you should be careful. Temporary pleasures don’t always end in permanent rewards.”

Annoyance flashed across her face, but she quickly masked it with a fake smile, sliding her hand onto Lorenzo’s shoulder—claiming him.

I glared at her. She looked pleased, knowing whose side he’d choose.

Lorenzo finally looked up, glancing between us before fixing his gaze on Ginevra.

“Are you done?” he asked, impatience lacing his tone.

She shifted, irritated by his lack of affection, but my brief satisfaction vanished when Lorenzo turned to me, eyes cold.

“Don’t you have something to be doing?” he asked bluntly, dismissing me.

I swallowed hard.

“Right. I’ll be going.”

I stood, hands trembling as I forced myself to walk away, leaving them behind—together—finding whatever twisted satisfaction they took in belittling me.

I didn’t get far before I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see Noemi hurrying to catch up, a mix of concern and guilt etched across her face.

“Chiara,” she called softly. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea Lorenzo would be like that. He just… he needs time. I promise.”

She must have seen what happened in the dining room; she came to my side immediately.

“Time,” I murmured, bitterness bleeding into my voice. “I’ve given him all the time I have. And last night… I thought maybe things had changed. But…”

“Chiara, darling,” Noemi said gently, “he’s never been in love before. You’re the first person he’s ever let this close. I know it doesn’t look like it now, but he’ll come around. Last night… that was a good start, wasn’t it?”

I looked away, heat rising to my cheeks. “Maybe,” I whispered. “But it’s hard to believe that when he treats me like this.”

Noemi squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Trust me. He just needs to realize what he has in you. Give him time. He’ll come around.”

A month passed, and Lorenzo barely came home. There was always an excuse—pack business, meetings, duties. When he wasn’t busy, rumors reached me instead: lunches with Ginevra, private meetings, quiet moments he never shared with me.

Noemi words replayed in my mind like a prayer. Give him time.

So I did.

I smiled. I stayed patient. I fulfilled my duties as Luna, waiting for the day Lorenzo would finally see me.

Maybe I was the one who needed to make the first move. I couldn’t keep waiting for him to notice my presence. If I loved him, shouldn’t I be the one to reach out?

The door to Lorenzo’s office was slightly open. What I thought were quiet voices turned into something else entirely.

I froze, staring through the narrow gap.

Lorenzo had Ginevra pressed against the wall, her legs wrapped around his waist. His mouth traced her neck slowly, deliberately. Her eyes fluttered shut as she tilted her head back, whispering,

“Yes, Lorenzo… I’m yours.”

The way he held her sent a sharp, twisting pain through my chest. I wanted to look away. I wanted to run. But I couldn’t move.

I was forced to watch as he kissed the most sensitive part of her neck, her body trembling as a soft moan slipped from her lips.

I backed away silently, my vision blurring with tears.

Maybe Ginevra was his fated mate.

Maybe that was why he gave her everything—especially the things I had desperately wanted, and needed, as his wife.