“Alastair, whatever human you choose from that building will be nothing more than bait. Surely, Caris is too far gone to understand that this child is more than something to satiate her hunger! Are you willing to risk that for her-” “A human?” I impatiently took a step towards Toran, restraining myself from grabbing him up by the collar. “Yes! I will gladly risk a human’s life!” I exclaimed my words bordering on desperation. “Whether it be a child or an infant. If it brings Caris back! If..if the baby can keep her sane for but a moment long enough for me to get through to her, then I will do whatever it takes.” I hadn’t realized how sure I was about this plan until I said it out loud to Toran. Sure, it was a cruel plan, but I was bordering on desperation at this point. Valene was an infant when she was adopted from the Caring Arms Orphanage by the Alpha of Shadow Veil, Alastair Wade. Life has always been decided for Vali, being a Gold Blood as well as a Vassal to the now widowed Alpha and his daughter Harlyn. Now nearly nineteen years old, Valene has found contentment in being the human servant to the wolf who adopted her and his daughter. Then came the Lycan King. When Ares Barbosa shows up at Shadow Veil with his pack, everything changes for Valene and everyone she holds dear....in ways that she could never have imagined.
Lihat lebih banyak"Ceraikan Rara! Ibu sudah nggak kuat punya menantu bodoh seperti dia!”
Rara yang baru saja ingin menyambut kepulangan Nizam, suaminya, sontak membeku saat mendengar ucapan sang ibu mertua.
“Tadi, ibu Ratna, kenalan baru ibu yang kaya itu, datang ke sini. Eh, si Rara malah nyuguhin air putih, bukan jus jeruk. Emangnya dia kira kita nggak punya modal buat menjamu tamu!?”
Dari suaranya, Rara yakin itu adalah Endang, wanita yang menyandang status sebagai ibu mertua Rara sejak empat tahun ke belakang.
“Nggak cuma itu, Rara keluar menjamu tamu cuma pakai daster! Ibu Ratna sampai kira dia pembantu! Gimana Ibu nggak malu!?” ujar Endang dengan marah. “Udahlah, Zam! Ceraikan Rara saja sekarang, terus nikahin Jeny!”
Rara membelalak.
Ibu mertuanya … bilang apa? Menyuruh sang suami untuk menikah lagi?!
‘Nggak, Mas Nizam nggak mungkin ngelakuin itu sama aku …,’ batin Rara dengan yakin seraya mengingat perjuangan suaminya itu untuk mendapatkan restu dari kedua orang tua pria itu empat tahun yang lalu.
“Bu, semua ‘kan sudah Nizam atur." Suara Nizam terdengar. “Jeny akan jadi istri kedua Nizam, sedangkan Rara tetap jadi istri pertama.”
DEG!
Hati Rara hancur berkeping-keping saat mendengar ucapan sang suami. Air mata membendung di pelupuk mata.
Jadi, benar? Suaminya ingin menikah lagi?!
Endang mendengus kasar, masih tidak begitu puas. "Kamu sih dulu kepincut muka cantik Rara doang! Nggak mikir ke depannya!"
Nizam mengusap kasar wajahnya. "Ya, mana tahu akan begini, Bu." Wajah lelah itu bercampur dengan emosi. "Aku nggak nyangka banget sekarang dia malah makin jelek dan nggak bisa ngerawat diri." Dia pun menegaskan, “Kalaupun memang Rara nggak begitu membanggakan sebagai menantu, tapi paling nggak dia bergunalah di rumah untuk bantu-bantu. Lumayan kita nggak usah bayar biaya pembantu.”
Hati Rara sakit bagai diiris sembilu saat ini. Tubuhnya bergetar menahan tangis sembari menatap daster yang dia pakai saat ini. Terlihat sangat usang dan bahkan ada robek kecil di beberapa bagian.
'Karena ini Mas Nizam bilang aku jelek dan lebih cocok jadi pembantu?' ratap Rara dalam hati.
Namun, apa daya Rara? Bagaimana cara dia bisa merawat diri jika dirinya saja tidak pernah diberikan uang lebih untuk sekadar membeli make up atau baju baru?
Tidak, tidak perlu bicarakan alat make up atau baju baru. Kalaupun punya barang-barang itu, Rara juga tidak akan sempat menggunakannya! Selepas subuh saja Rara sudah harus berkutat dengan begitu banyak pekerjaan rumah!
Menyapu, mengepel, memasak dan mencuci semua baju penghuni rumah ini adalah pekerjaan Rara sehari-hari. Selagi Rara melakukan hal itu, ibu mertua dan kakak iparnya hanya bersantai selonjoran di sofa!
Jadi, apa berpenampilan seperti ini sepenuhnya salah Rara?!
Tak tahan, Rara langsung membanting terbuka pintu depan untuk melabrak Nizam dan Endang.
“Apa maksudnya semua ini, Mas?!” Rara berseru dengan suara lantang, matanya yang berkaca-kaca memancarkan kekecewaan. “Kamu mau menikah lagi!?” Dia memandang ibu mertua yang tampak menatapnya kesal. “Siapa juga itu Jeny!?”
Nizam tampak kaget dengan kedatangan Rara yang tiba-tiba. “R-Rara?” Dia tidak menyangka sang istri telah mendengar semuanya!
Berbeda dengan Nizam yang gugup, Endang tampak memasang ekspresi mengejek. “Iya, Nizam mau nikah lagi sama perempuan kaya! Kenapa? Nggak senang?"
Rara terperangah mendengar ucapan Endang. “Ibu! Wanita mana yang senang melihat suaminya menikah lagi dengan wanita lain?! Terutama tanpa persetujuannya!”
Endang langsung melotot ke arah Rara. “Kamu berani ngebentak Ibu sekarang?! Dasar menantu kurang ajar!”
Baru ingin Endang melayangkan tangannya ke wajah Rara, tapi Nizam menghentikannya. “Sudah, Bu. Jangan marah-marah. Nanti darah tingginya naik lagi ….”
Rara menatap sang suami. "Mas, ini semua hanya karena paksaan ibu ‘kan, Mas?" Dadanya terasa sesak. “Kamu nggak benar-benar tertarik dan ingin menikahi wanita lain ‘kan, Mas?!”
Nizam membuang muka, seakan malas ditanyakan langsung oleh Rara yang tampak kecewa.
Rara menghampiri Nizam dan menggoyangkan lengannya. "Jelaskan padaku, Mas! Apa benar kamu mau menikah lagi?!” Dia menggertakkan gigi. “Kalau iya, kenapa?!”
Karena cengkeraman tangan Rara, Nizam pun akhirnya merasa jengkel dan menghempaskan tangan sang istri dengan kasar.
"Karena aku bosan hidup miskin dengan perempuan lusuh seperti kamu!"
Nizam menatap Rara yang membeku di tempatnya. Muak sudah melihat wajah istrinya yang kuyu dan tidak secantik dulu itu.
“Masa kamu nggak ngaca sih? Kamu itu sekarang cuma beban di rumah!”
Bulir bening mulai mengalir menuruni wajah Rara.
“Udah nggak kerja, dandan untuk menyenangkan suami pun nggak pernah! Bisanya cuma bersih-bersih dan ngurus anak doang, itu pun nggak sepenuhnya becus sampai ibu harus setiap hari marah-marah sama kamu!”
Nizam memutar bola matanya dan melanjutkan.
“Beda dari kamu anak yatim-piatu yang nggak bisa apa-apa, Jeny itu anak orang kaya yang cantik!” Nizam memasang senyum kemenangan melihat wajah terluka Rara. “Kalau aku menikah dengan Jeny, dia bisa membantuku dapat kerjaan di Jaya Corp! Aku bisa jadi kaya! Sedangkan kamu, bisa apa?!”
Mendengar nama perusahaan itu, Rara mengerjapkan mata. Jaya Corp? Apa suaminya sedang membicarakan tentang perusahaan ternama dengan aset miliaran itu? Wanita bernama Jeny tersebut menjanjikan Nizam posisi di perusahaan itu?
“Sekarang, kamu bisa lihat ‘kan bedanya kamu sama Jeny sejauh apa?” tanya Endang dengan senyum penuh puas. “Udah kayak tanah sama langit!”
Rara tak bisa berkata-kata. Dia sulit percaya dengan apa yang dia dengar.
Jadi, karena dirinya tidak berdandan maupun membawakan kekayaan, Nizam lebih memilih untuk menikah lagi?
Selain itu, semua hanya untuk posisi di sebuah perusahaan!?
Perlahan pancaran cinta penuh harap yang sebelumnya masih sempat hinggap di sepasang manik Rara berangsur menghilang. Hanya ada kekecewaan dan kebencian di sana.
Karena Rara tidak berbicara, Nizam berkata, “Sudah, aku capek! Cepetan kamu siapin air hangat buat aku mandi …,” titahnya seraya berjalan melewati Rara ke dalam rumah.
Nizam yakin bahwa Rara tidak akan bisa berbuat apa-apa selain menerima keputusannya. Lagi pula, selain dirinya, wanita itu sekarang sudah tidak punya siapa-siapa lagi.
Sebenarnya, Nizam pernah dengar Rara punya satu kakak laki-laki. Akan tetapi, kakaknya itu tidak setuju dengan pernikahan mereka. Alhasil, saat Rara menikah, kakak laki-laki Rara yang tidak pernah Nizam temui itu memutus hubungan dengan sang istri.
‘Ya … kasihan sih. Tapi … salah sendiri bucin,’ batin Nizam dalam hati.
Sadar bahwa Rara hanya terdiam di depan rumah, Nizam menoleh. Pria itu menautkan alis dan berseru, “Rara! Kamu tuli, ya?! Cepat siapin ai–”
“Cerai.”
Nizam terbelalak.
“Apa?”
Rara menoleh, menatap dingin ke arah Nizam. “Aku minta cerai,” ulang Rara dengan penuh keyakinan. “Kalau kamu memaksa menjadikan Jeny istrimu, maka ayo kita bercerai!”
VALE:The first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of orange and pink as Valene and Harlyn stood on the outskirts of Shadow Veil, their backs turned to the familiar pack. The weight of exile hung heavy in the air, a bittersweet reminder of the decisions they had made.“This is a big step to make, Vale,” said Tobias as we stood at the city line of Shadow Veil. “It is,” I said. I couldn’t bloody well deny his truth. Harlyn and I’s relationship was still on the mend. There were definitely some kinks that needed to be worked out, but I felt an obligation to her. Not only to her but to Shadow Veil as well. I refused to make it easier for Dronnigan to find me. “But you remember what my mother said, Tobi. Even if Harly wasn’t leaving, I’m not sure that I’d have a choice. Not until I find a way to get rid of him for good.” I said. “Yeah, that’s true. I’ll be shoving off soon too.”“Your dad can’t be happy about that.” Tobias glanced back at the beta and his son. “Not really, but both he
VALE:“Harlyn Caris Wade. You almost took the life of your best friend. Your actions of attempted murder have cast an even bigger shadow on the pack. It’s not just because of what you did, Harlyn but who you are to the people surrounding you.”Harlyn’s gaze fell to the ground. There was visible shame in her eyes as these words were said. She knew that all of it was true, and so she kept silent.“You were acting in a rash state of anger and a thirst for revenge, and because of this, you’ve committed crimes of a reprehensible nature.” She looked up at him, and took a deep breath, but still, she did not say a word. It was clear that she was anxious though.“What do you have to say for yourself?” Silence enveloped the great hall, everyone silently and apprehensively waiting for her to speak. Until she finally did. “I…I’ve never been a really good friend…a good master…and especially a good sister. Her eyes wandered the room, but not for long as she finally found the gaze that she was
Alastair:The tension was palpable as the pack and clan leaders stood in the great hall for the judgment that would have to be carried out.As I sat in the Alpha’s chair, looking over the crowd, I could see that every face was etched with tension and sorrow. I couldn’t blame them; this was a big night, and one that I was not looking forward to.My stomach turned constant flips, a clear reaction to my anxiety as this day approached. I was dreading every second up until this very moment, and I could sense that I was not the only one.Agnes and Penny stood there, hands and feet bound as they waited for the room to gather its awaiting crowd for my judgment. They stood before me, Toran on my right and John…struggling internally, but nevertheless on my left. Both Agnes and Penny’s heads were bowed before me as they waited for me to proceed with the grave charges pinned against them. When the sound of the meeting hall’s large double doors could be heard closing, I knew that it was time to
The room was dimly lit. It was clear that she was in a cell of some sort. “Hello, my love.” Her voice was calm and soothing, and yet filled with sorrow. Though she wasn’t facing me in real time, I could sense the shame in her demeanor as she could not even look into Tobias’s eyes while relaying her message.“You know that before you were born…your father and I had an affair.” she chuckled bitterly. “Of course…I didn’t know that he was married or mated or whatever the hell they call it!” She snapped and then took a deep breath to seemingly calm down. “But that is neither here nor there. I did end it, baby, I truly did…once I found out that-what…kind of situation I was placed in. That…that wasn’t good enough for her though…so…that’s basically how my life ended that night.”There was so much pain in her voice as she said this. I couldn’t imagine how much it pained her to relive that evening. But she had to. She needed to confess her truth.“When I was brought back…all of my emotions we
VALEAfter Damian plied me with a few more drinks, I stumbled home to the inn and got me a room to stay at. Since everything that went on with Harlyn, I had been saying with dad, knowing that while he wouldn’t express it aloud, he needed the support. On this night, however, and maybe even the days to come, I’d probably be staying put here. There was far too much on my mind to be placed in the same vicinity of someone who was going through as much as I was.I knew that dad was hurting, and I also knew that if I saw that, if I had to witness it, I’d try and do everything within my power to heal him of that hurt instead of focusing on not going insane due to my own. I stumbled into the bathroom, and started the shower. Then I sat there on the side of the tub, leaned my head against the cold ceramic. It felt good against my flushed drunken skin.Suddenly, I didn’t think that I had the energy to take a shower. Maybe I should just stay here and close my eyes.“I see you have had an…intoxi
VALE:There was a look on his face, one that spoke so many volumes to me and still I could not accept it. I recalled watching as Ares pulled away from Tobias’s thoughts and memories. He was slow facing me, very reluctant.“Is it true?” I had asked him. Somehow, some part of me knew that answer but I needed Ares to confirm.It wasn’t like I thought the worst of Tobias-even in spite of his new lifestyle; not like he necessarily chose the lifestyle that was thrust upon him. I could never say that Tobias was a dishonest person. That’s why…I already knew. Still, there was something about my connection with Ares that would solidify this for me. “Tell me, Ares!” I approached him, desperate for him to answer. “Is it?”When he nodded sullenly, I backed away from him, and sorrow immediately enveloped me. My heart ached.“So…it was a lie?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing even though I knew that it was true. My dad tried to approach me. I could tell that he was as distraught as I was abo
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