Invitation

Georgina Sinclair's POV:

Danica and I face each other on the training mat. I keep my stance and my eyes locked on her. She mirrors my stance but in a more confident and poised way. Her gaze sharpens and making her look fierce and cold. Seeing this, I can already tell that Danica doesn't need any training at all.

And without warning, she lunges and slams a kick into my chest. The air flies from my lungs while I stumble back. But Danica doesn't wait for me to recover. Her leg swings toward my ribs but I block it with my arm alone. It was a painful kick but I don't flinch. But my instinct kicks in and I duck low to deliver a punch in her direction.

She yelps in surprise and falls hard to the mat. But Danica doesn't stop at all. With a growl, Danica launches herself at me with a tight fist aiming straight to my jaw. That is going to be a full-blown assault. For a moment, I am now facing a warrior in a battlefield and she wants to kill me now.

I dodge her attack but Danica quickly changes the direction of her punch and it hits me on my shoulder. Pain creeps down to my arm. Danica looks pleased and grins at me. Then she whirls again and tries to swing her free leg toward my head.

I dodge it and making Danica to stumble forward. I twist my body and elbows her jaw. She tries to move away but I push my body to shorten our distance until my elbow hits her nose.

Danica lets out screams while the others who are watching our spar lets out a cheer. Soon, blood starts dripping down from Danica's nose. I am about to ask her condition when the door bursts open.

"Danica! Danica!" Ryan's voice booms while he rushes in.

In a blink of an eye, Danica crumples to the mat and starts sobbing.

"Alpha Ryan... L-Luna Georgina forced me! She attacked me! Our baby... Oh no... No..."

I freeze on my spot.

Baby? What baby? What is she trying to say? That Danica is...pregnant? But Ryan cannot hear my thoughts and starts glaring at me. His face is contorting in fury.

"How could you do this?!" he growls while storming toward me.

Before I can explain, his hand wraps around my throat and tightens it. I grab his wrist but his grip tightens more.

"R-Ryan!" I choke out. "S-Stop..."

Ryan growls at me before shoves me backward until my back crashes on the floor. I hold my own neck and starts gasping for air.

"Alpha Ryan, this is not Luna Georgina's fault—"

"Shut up!"

Ver and the others who saw my sparring with Danica tries to explain the situation but Alpha Ryan ignores it all. When someone tries again, Ryan turns his sharp eyes and gives a warning growls at her. They have no choice but to listen and lower their heads in submission.

"Stay away from her, Georgina. This is my last warning to you and to everyone. She is pregnant with my pup!"

Ryan gives me a disgusted look before he scoops Danica into his arms and storms out of the training hall. He just leaves me sprawled on the floor with a hand on my throat and struggling to breathe. Ver approaches me and tries to ask my condition but I can't answer her.

I feel more hurt to to hear what Ryan had announced to everyone. During our marriage, I always to the Moon Goddess to give me a child. But she never answered my prayers. And now, Danica just spent a few weeks with my husband and she gets pregnant that quickly?

It's a betrayal that cuts deeper me than any words combined.

Ver helps me to get up. When I look around, those who witnessed what happened here starts whispering to each other.

"The Alpha's mistress is pregnant."

"Is Danica going to be our future Luna?"

"Shut up. She might hear us."

"Is that important anymore? Luna Georgina is now finished."

I can only purse my lips and shut my mouth.

"Just ignore them, Luna." Ver whispered to me.

I don't know how I make it back to my room. But I collapse on the bed and stares at the ceiling with a blank gaze. I can still feel the pain from my neck but I ignore it. I am about to close my eyes when my phone vibrates on the nightstand.

I blindly reach for my phone and sees an invitation to my business email.

'Luna Georgina Sinclair,

You are cordially invited to attend a formal gathering at my estate. I look forward to discussing matters of mutual interest with you. — Marius Peddleton'

I blink my eyes in surprise. I try to read the email to make sure that I am seeing the right words. I even checked the email address to see if it's real or if someone is trying to fool me. But I cannot see any flaws in it.

But Marius Peddleton? The Alpha who is known for being powerful and elusive? The reclusive Alpha Marius sent me an invitation?

For all I know, no one can simply receives an invitation from him. Yet here it is.

I am not sure how to feel for a second. I've been in the business line for years now. But I cannot remember having any contact or even a small talk with Alpha Marius. That is why I am deeply confused about this.

Then slowly, a flicker of purpose returns in me. Maybe I can use this as my way out. Maybe this is my chance to reclaim my dignity and honor. Maybe this is my chance to turn things around.

"Thank you." I whisper although I am unsure if I am thanking the Moon Goddess or the fate itself.

Because of this email, a small hope flickers in my chest. And when everyone is finally asleep, I slip into the woods. I need to shift and feel Lira, my wolf.

"Lira." I softly calls her name. "Lira, please take over."

I close my eyes and waits for my wolf to respond. But to my deeply surprise, nothing is happening.

"Lira?" I call her name again. "Lira, please. I need you! Lira!"

But still, I did not receive any response. My surprise quickly transform into panic. Without thinking, I start running into the woods.

"Lira, don't leave me! Please! Lira, I need you!"

There is no response. I cannot even feel her presence. Realizing this, I collapse to my knees on the ground. My wolf is gone. She is not yet dead. But my wolf becomes dormant.

My wolf cannot bear the pain of the broken bond. So she retreated deep inside and while enduring the pain betrayal. And maybe, Danica's pregnancy was the final blow.

"Lira..."

After realizing this painful truth, I return to the mansion with a numb and hollowed heart. The thought of ending my life with my sharp claws is sometimes slipping in my mind. When I reach my room, I curl myself on the bed and close my eyes.

I just want to be swallowed by this pain and completely disappear.

But morning comes and I am still here. I am still breathing and moving but my heart feels numb from everything. I am planning to stay in my room all day if not for Ver's knocking. When I give her my permission, Ver enters the room and looks at me.

"What is it?" I asked without looking at her.

"Luna Georgina, an invitation arrives and it is addressed to you."

That gets my attention. I slowly sit up and receive the envelop from Ver. When I open it, an elegant with sharp strokes quickly welcomes me. I can also smell a faint scent of sandalwoods and fresh grass in it. But what surprises me is the name written on it.

This invitation comes from Marius Peddleton. Not only he sent me an email. He also sent me a physical invitation. And this is not just a random invitation since my name is clearly written on it. The party will happen in two days.

"Alpha Ryan also receives an invitation." Ver suddenly said. "But I noticed the color of your invitation is different from his. So before anyone can see it, I snatch the invitation and delivers it to you."

"Oh, Ver... Thank you."

For a second, hope flickers in me again. If Alpha Marius is troubling himself to send an invitation in my name, then really wants to meet me. Although I am not sure the reason why, but I don't want to waste this opportunity.

After taking a deep breath, I lock myself in my room and starts my preparations. I start reviewing the outlines of my business, it's talking points and possible questions that they might ask from me. I write every piece of information and answers that I have. I will not show up in front of this powerful Alpha as weak or emotional. I will show up sharp and prepared.

Although I already heard that Ryan had received his invitation, he doesn't contact me. He doesn't return to our shared room or send someone for me.

And on the morning of Alpha Marius's party, Ryan finally walks into my room. I am combing my hair when I feel his presence.

"Georgina." he curtly called.

I turn around and feels a little hopeful. As his Luna, I will be by his side to attend the party.

"What is it?" I still asked.

But Ryan avoids my eyes.

"For the party tonight, I want Danica to stand by my side."

My heart drops in an instant.

"What?"

"She is now pregnant with my pup." Ryan said. "That is enough reason for her to stay with me."

"She is your mistress, Ryan! Mistress!" I snap. "And I am your Luna!"

"But it will be awkward for her." he muttered. "So it's better if you just stay here."

Then Ryan turns around and leaves. I can only stand there and watch him leave. A party that Alpha Marius Peddleton is hosting can be considered as one of the most important event of the year. But my own mate is excluding me.

I take a deep breath and calm myself down. I am once again disappointed but this is not the first time Ryan did this to me. So I go downstairs to eat my breakfast. But when I pass the hallway, I can hear our servants' voices.

"The designer that Alpha Ryan called has arrived, Miss Danica."

"Alright. Tell her to go to my room." Danica sweetly replied. "I need to look beautiful for tonight's party."

"But you're already so beautiful, Miss Danica."

Danica giggles in happiness.

"But I need to be more beautiful since Ryan insisted I should stay beside him all evening."

Rage is burning in my chest seeing her basking in stolen glory. Without a word, I storm back to my room with a pounding heart. I had enough.

Grabbing my phone, I call Gamma Ver.

(Luna Georgina?)

"Do you have any appointment tonight?"

(No, Luna.)

"That's good. Go to my room later and help me in my preparation for the party tonight." I said and hang up the phone.

No one can push me aside like this. Not without a fight.

Tossing my phone on the bed, I open my cabinet and pull out the finest dress that I own. It is a new red mermaid dress with a deep neckline that shows elegance and power. I also choose my jewelry, heels and bag that will match this outfit.

If Ryan will have his mistress tonight, then I will appear to that party alone.

I don't need a cheating Alpha on my side to prove my worth.