40

Chapter 40

Jenna's POV

My skin was cold in the hot corridor. I was composed on the surface, deep inside my heart was hammering against my bręastbone. I had waited months for this meeting. 

I imagined this night while going to bed so many times. But now as I waited in the corridor outside the grand hall, Pluto by my side, I was shaking. Jared was making everything tougher for me. 

"Jared, baby, what do you want? Your Mamma honestly can't tell why you're so grumpy right now." I watched his face as he pouted and cried the same old 'mum mum mum' song he cries when he's not in a good mood. 

"Luna, maybe I can take him out to the gardens for a quick stroll." Pluto came closer to touch Jared's hair. He screeched loudly, making Pluto flinch back. 

"I don't think he wants to go. But that's the problem... What exactly does he want then?"

Pluto didn't get to guess as I heard Oakley's voice on the mind link. He was asking me to be ready. 

Jace was sharing our story. This was his idea. He decided to share his story of how we met before I made my grand entry. This would make a stronger impact, he said. Because apparently the Alphas and Lunas were going to rebuke me, doubt me if I told the story from my angle first. 

Hence, he convinced me to let him share his side of the story first. 

That way it would create an impact, and no one would dare to raise fingers on me. After all, who would dare say the Alpha King was lying, though they may say I was. 

I heard hoots and claps from time to time; and each time my heart lurched. Because with each passing second, it meant my moment to walk inside was crawling close. 

"Nervous, Luna?" Pluto raised his eyes amusedly.

"A little."

"There's no need to be. You are fulfilling your role as Luna Queen very well. Without showing your face, you've helped so many of those Alphas inside who came today. They need to see the woman behind the Queen's title."

"Thanks." I didn't say much as I didn't know what to say. 

My mind was focused on my part of the story. I just hope my voice doesn't sound weak when I speak there. 

'Jenna, be ready. He's going to make the announcement.' Oakley's voice on the link installed steel in my spine. 

I faintly growled because Jared was wriggling in my hands now. His 'mum mum mum' cries were making me grumpy. 

'It's just anxiety, Jenna. Don't let it out on our son. He's probably uncomfortable in his clothes.'

'Maybe you're right, Gia. But he's really not helping.'

I was studying Jared's face when Pluto touched my arm, "Luna, it's time. Let's go."

I swallowed before pushing my right foot out. As we moved closer to the doors of the hall, my heart beat grew wilder and wilder. 

"I'm with you, Luna. I'll stand behind you all the time. Don't worry." Pluto whispered before we neared the door. 

I caught sight of the golden long vases placed on the side as a decor. Then as I came to the threshold, my throat thickened in mixed emotions. 

The moment I stepped in, all the guests went quiet like I entered a grave yard. The heads were already facing the door, waiting for my arrival, but the eyes went ajar as audible gasps left some of their mouths. 

For several seconds there was no sound. Just my heels clicking on the tiles as I made my way to the front of the room. To my relief, Jace left the staircase and came to me. He said something about our grumpy son and I replied absentmindedly. I don't know what I said because my subconscious was occupied by how people were reacting. 

However, I didn't get to notice much because I heard Jared squeal in joy. He was jumping in his father's arms. A fire of jealousy consumed me. 

So the little brat was missing his father. 

Jace barely got any time to be with him, hence all the fuss he was throwing was because the little prince wanted to be with his father. 

I opened my mouth to snarl at him, but just then murmurs started building in the crowd around. 

"Isn't that... Jenna? The cheater!" 

"It IS her!" 

"No way!" 

"She cheated on her Alpha mate. How can she be here in place of the Luna Queen?" 

"Is this some kind of a misunderstanding? Or perhaps a joke?" 

"I remember she was caught with a cab driver by her soldiers."

"And that baby..." Someone exclaimed loudly, grabbing everyone's attention and causing them to shift their eyes to my son. "How is it possible to be Alpha king's heir?" 

"Yeah!" Another added. "It's impossible. If she were pregnant with her Alpha mate's child. So... How could she have an IVF?" 

"She was pregnant with her driver lover's child!" A Luna's voice interjected. 

"Either way, it's not possible to have IVF if it was a natural pregnancy." 

"Alpha Chris, what's going on!" Someone close to Chris asked him. 

Now all the questionable gazes turned to him. That made me feel a little at ease. 

'You okay, love?' Jace touched my waist as he came closer. I observed Jared playing with the brooch on his left breast before I smiled. 

'I'm okay.'

Then we both looked ahead as some Alphas surrounded Chris. 

"Alpha Chris, what is this? When you came to meet me months ago, you claimed your Ex-Luna cheated on you while you thought the baby was yours. Why did the Alpha king's story talk about her having an IVF?" 

Another Alpha grabbed his arm, "Did you both agree to have an IVF?"

"But you only have IVF or similar procedure if you have underlying medical conditions." Alpha Shane was the one who said that. His eyes were narrowed in suspicion as he came closer to Chris. "Alpha Chris, does that mean you are infertile?"

Chris' face was white like he was a ghost. His eyes were wide in horror as his mouth opened and closed in anxiety. Behind him, his new Luna was attempting to hide herself in the shadows of the decorative curtains draped over the pillars. She was slowly creeping away as if to escape. 

I ordered Pluto to catch her before she gave the slip. 

Then I nodded at Jace as it was my time to share the story. 

"I'll tell you all the truth." My voice echoed in the hall. It was surprising because there were so many people and yet my voice echoed like it does in an empty huge room. 

"All of you heard the Alpha king's side of the story. I'll tell you guys my side now. Chris, would you like to say something first?" I strutted over to him. 

My chin was high, my shoulders held up and my stance poised. The Alphas and Lunas moved away to make a path for me. I noticed the Lunas' eyes lingering confoundedly on my dazzling crown as if they wanted to feel the weight of it on their heads too. 

"Yes, Chris? Want to say anything in your defense or shall I go on?" I acted like I was looking over his shoulder. "Hey, where's your new Luna? I don't see anyone behind."

Tbc…