LEONA’S POV
My first day of work went well. I successfully avoided my fiancé because Darren was on a business trip for weeks. Luck is still on my side. I will deal with him later when he gets back. One thing that stresses me out is my future in-laws. It seems like Madam Sonia is so fun of me and wants to create close family ties.
“Leona, you have to go. At least your fiancé’s parents are nice and approve of you.”
Sophie was referring to the dinner invitation Madam Sonia prepared. She wanted me to treat them as family. And since I am her husband’s best friend’s daughter, she wanted me to treat her as my mother.
“You mean we are going,” Sophie drops her jaw, “I told her I’m with my best friend, and she invited you as well.”
“What are we going to wear?” she gasps softly.
“Clothes,” I sneered.
“Are you for real? Leona, they are not just your future in-laws; they are the owner of the leading fashion company in our country. It will be an honor to meet them!”
“Point taken. But seriously, be simple. They are not the typical rich people you've read about in those magazines. They are very kind, down-to-earth, and simple. You will never feel any awkwardness towards them.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Madam Sonia, she’s very kind and warm. You can tell how good her heart is. And Don Rafael may look strict, but he ensures his son is treating other people with respect. Otherwise, he will cut him off his will,” I laugh at the thought of Darren being cut off his inheritance.
“Wow, at least you know you're in-laws are good people. Nowadays, married life becomes miserable if you don’t get along well with your in-laws.”
“Yeah. That is why I’m wondering why Darren’s behavior is way too different from theirs. They seemed to be good parents and raised him well.”
“Oh well, it happened. Not all fruits are the same.”
“Exactly.”
“Ah!” Sophie almost bumps her head into the front glass of my car, “What’s wrong with you?”
I accidentally stepped on the break. The billboard shows Darren’s face. Brilliant and so handsome. He looks so sleek in his tuxedo. It was an advertisement for one of Flame’s perfume brands for men, and he was featured as the brain and ambassador of the company. It suits him very well.
Although I don’t like his rudeness, I realize how attracted I am to him. And despite his ill-mannered, my heart longs for him to acknowledge me as his fiancé. Being rejected was crucifying. Especially I know for sure that he is my mate. My instinct tells me he is.
“Leona? Hey! Wake up! They were honking at us!” Sophie snaps her finger on my face.
“Sorry, I was distracted,” I started the engine and drove away.
“With the billboard or with your world again that you created in your conscious mind? Leona, you got to stop daydreaming.”
“Who said it’s a dream?”
I told Sophie some part of my life in the world of the beast. She doesn’t take it seriously and thinks I only hallucinate being homeless back then.
****
I chose a simple black dress while Sophie wore a nude color. I was skeptical about attending the dinner invitation, but Sophie convinced me. She is more excited than I am. Meeting the famous family in town, I can’t blame her.
As expected, Madam Sonia and Don Rafael wore simple clothes that I think they wear daily. Gladly we didn’t overdress.
“Leona dear, It is nice to see you again!” Madam Sonia gave me a big hug and pecked my cheeks. Don Rafael did the same.
I introduced Sophie to them, and they welcomed her with open arms. My heart was pounding as we entered their mansion. My eyes are roaming around, hoping for a sneak peek of my fiancé’s though I know he is out of the country right now.
“I hope you like pasta. I cooked my son’s favorite, the meaty pasta, and steak. He’s a meat person,” Madam Sonia led us to the dining area where I thought the table could be seated by ten people.
It was huge and looked heavy. In my mind, it was probably made of oak trees. And the two sparkling chandeliers made it more expensive in my eyes. I bet its price can buy me a small house in the urban area.
“Maybe one day you can teach me how to cook your pasta and steak.”
“I would love to, dear. So tell me, did you find a job in the city? Amanda told me you have already settled here. I can make a recommendation if you like,” she signaled their personal butler, and shortly they were parading the food to our table.
My stomach hurt for a second with Madam Sonia’s question. I glared at Sophie to warn her not to say anything about our job. I want to keep it a secret as much as possible.
“Ah, I~I’m still searching.”
“How about you, Sophie?”
Sophie almost choked on the water she drank. She pinches my leg under the table while lying to my future in-laws.
“Tell me if you need my help, and I will make some calls.”
“Thank you, Madam Sonia. That’s very kind of you,” Sophie force a fake smile and hide her nervousness while drinking her wine.
I notice Don Rafael’s silence. Not a single word comes out of his mouth. His eyes are fixed on his food, but he barely touch it. I was supposed to open a conversation with him when he suddenly acted strange.
“We need to go back to that mountain,” he grab Madam Sonia’s arm. He looks stunned and scared.
“Ah, excuse us for a minute.”
Madam Sonia calls the name Ruben and a guy dressed in all white that looks like a nurse approach Don Rafael and slowly pulls him out of the table while the latter keeps repeating his words. He want to go back to the mountain. What mountain is he referring to? Why does he need to go back?
“Sorry, my husband is not feeling well lately. But anyway, where were we?”
“Ah, the job? Is Don Rafael okay? What happened to him?” I can’t help myself from asking. He wasn’t like that when we first met. He looks tough and intelligent, but now he is different. Agitated.
“Dad. Call him that way, and he’s fine, dear. He’s been sick but on his way to recovery.”
“O~Okay.”
We ended our dinner earlier. Don Rafael was screaming in his bedroom about the mountain. He wanted to go back. He will fix everything. What does he need to fix?
Madam Sonia apologized and excused herself. She told the butler to take care of us and hurried upstairs. I heard Madam Sonia asking for the syringe when we were in my car. She probably wants to give Don Rafael medicine to calm him. What the heck is happening to him? Is he going nuts?
“Leona, what happened to Don Rafael? Does he always like that?”
“No. He’s not. I don’t know.”
“Sorry, but he looks crazy to me.”
I didn’t comment on Sophie’s observation. But deep inside, I know he is. Only it’s hard to say anything yet not knowing the whole story.
VICTORIA’S POV“Imbeciles!” I roared thunderously, “How can a pack of rogues outsmarted you?!”“Victoria, calm down. Your know how rogues think. They will do everything to get what they want. No one expected that,” Alpha Scott defended our guards. I wanted to cut off their heads and feed them to the lions. “How can I calm down when they have Leona now? Tell me!”Sooner or later Leona will recover and came back to help with the uprising. She needs to pay her debt. A life for a life. She killed my father, then I will kill her.“First, we must find their nest, retrieve Leona and pursue the execution day fast. The council will suspect now why we didn’t showed them Leona.”“Exactly. What are we going to do now?” I asked. “Attack first. Kill them all especially Leona and her boyfriend. I smell something’s fishy with him.”“Very well,” I send out my men to search the rogues hideout. Well see if Leona can escape again. When alone, I went to my father’s grave and reminded of myself my promi
DARREN’S POVWe used the shortcut that Ellen showed me. It was one of the fastest way for us to arrive in the pack. One of the spies informed us that Leona was taken out of her cave and now facing the whole pack for her execution. She was tied up on a poll and very weak due to beating. The spies would sometimes suck in the cave and gave her food and drinks to survive. Victoria ordered now to feed Leona to weaken her. “We are going to attack the pack that’s it?” I asked Ellen again for clarity. They will be a diversion while I help Leona to escape. Today, they will kill Victoria. “Are you nervous Darren? You’ve been asking the same question since yesterday, and I still answer the same thing.”“Yes, I am very nervous. I’ve been to a fight but not the whole pack. I’m afraid what would happen during the battle.”“Don’t be. Keep your head on this battle, and stay focus.”“Right.”Ellen joined Anna and the other Rogue while I will have to go to other wolves who camouflage as members of
DARREN’S POV“Drinking her blood. I am not sure about that. Our situation right now is very complicated. Leona needs my help.”“But your curse will be permanent on your birthday. Its up to you,” the healer walked away. Tomorrow is my thirtieth birthday. The day set for me to lift my curse, and Leona was still in the cave, lock in a silver cage, and fighting for her life. If I drink her blood, we will all end up dead in this place. No ones going to save us but ourselves and I’m sure Victoria deployed all their guards to tighten the security in triple. “Hey, what have you decided to do tomorrow? If you want to tell Leona about the blood, we could sneak inside the cave and tell her,” Ellen said. She took a break of polishing their weapons. “I have to save Leona. Maybe if we get lucky tomorrow, I could tell her about the blood and drink it before the day ends.”“In that case, braise yourself, and relax. You need your strength tomorrow. We need you.” Ellen went back to her chores. I was
DARREN’S POV“Did you sleep well?” Ellen checked on me in the guest room. I didn’t sleep well last night and kept staring at the moon while everybody was sleeping soundly. “Not really. First time in this place I guess.”“You have to get use to it. By the way, breakfast is ready. The Omega will come here later to serve your clothes and everything that you need.”“Wait, what? The Omegas? I don’t need their help. Just give me the clothes and I can take care of myself.”“Apparently, that is not how it works here. You are the Alpha, we all serve you.” Ellen left before I could even uttered a word. So that was what Leona told me. She was an Omega and her undying duty was to serve the Alpha and the future Luna. Without her knowing that she is the true Alpha. And as expected, the Omegas came with some clothes Anna picked for me to wear. Aside from that, they arranged my bath and asked to scrub my body which was too much. I totally declined. “I can take care of myself. Thank you,” I deman
DARREN’S POVEllen and I waited at the end of the cave. Indeed, Victoria visits Leona after sunset. She was pleased to captured her and tortured her. I wanted to intervene, but Ellen stopped me. I am no good to Leona dead. “What’s your plan? It better be a good one,” I walked out of the cave so as not to hear my beloved Leona’s scream. I cannot bear to witness her suffering.“We will save her on the day of her execution. In front of the whole pack and the council.”“Why not right now?! What if Victoria kills Leona before that day comes?” “She won’t. It is her pride to kill in font of the entire pack the true Alpha of this pack.”“Huh? What do you mean?” “Come with me.” Ellen led me to jungle. Out of the packs domain. We need to stay hidden especially her. She was an outcast now. A rogue. Victoria caught her but was saved by other rogue werewolves who oppressed the current Alpha. They had been trying to remove Alpha Riley and now Victoria on the throne. But none of the council lis
DARREN’S POVWe were waiting at the Eldrich’s property impatiently. Nothing shows up. Leona was out there somewhere in the forest.I packed my bags. I can’t stay and let the hours passed by. Leona’s life us at risk. “Bro, you can’t go out there and search for Leona. God knows what was waiting for us there. It's not safe!” Rupert stopped me. “I need to do this. Leona is out there fighting for her life and what am I doing? Nothing. What if no one come huh? Who’s going to save her?”“But Mariko said someone will come. Have faith, bro.”“You can stay here if you like,” I continued packing. No one could stop me. Not even Rupert. When suddenly, someone was at the door, knocking loudly. Rupert opened it and was taken aback. A werewolf entered the house. “Darren!” I face the werewolf and was about to shift, but it shifted back to human form and mentioned my name. I quickly told Rupert to go to Leona’s room and check some clothes for the woman. She was panting and fell in my arms. I cove