Episode 14
1187 Words
Clara’s POV
“Save your energy for being Luna Clara.” Xavier’s words hung in the air.
He let go of my hand and strode away, long, confident steps that left no room for argument.
“In fact, based on your performance over the past five years, I don’t believe you’re qualified for that position anymore.” His words echoed in my mind when I stared at his back. My fists clenched tightly, nails digging into my palms.
Is that really how everyone sees me? Ridiculous, foolish, shallow, weak, pathetic. Betrayed, yet still clinging desperately to a husband I couldn’t leave. Whose mate walked in with his mistress right beside me, and I was meant to stay ignorant?
But… What if they’re right?
What if I was foolish? Without my wolf, can I even be the Clara I used to be? Without the title of Luna Clara, would anyone trust me? Can I survive and prove I’m still the warrior I was? These questions weighed heavily on my chest.
I exhaled slowly, tension leaving me in shallow puffs, when I heard footsteps behind me. Caleb.
“Alpha King… What did he say to you? You two were awfully close just now,” he asked quietly, his eyes unreadable.
I didn’t answer. Why was he suddenly concerned? Where was he when I was being whipped and Emilia almost got hurt? Busy comforting Frost?
“I’m asking you,” he pressed, tone sharper. “Where did Alpha King go? He should be at tonight’s banquet.”
“He left. I don’t think he’ll attend tonight,” I said, closing my eyes. My back ached, sore from the lashes. Thank god Xavier was gone. I doubted Caleb would force me now.
“So… why were you so close?” He cleared his throat, continuing. “A few days ago… were you at the Moonshadow Restaurant? I thought I saw you and Alpha King together in the corridor.”
I blinked, shocked. How could he have noticed me? Wasn’t he supposed to be chatting with Frost and his friends?
“No, I was with Lora that day. Didn’t you forget?” I said, heartbeat hammering against my ribs as I met his gaze.
He stepped closer, eyes scanning my lips and neck like he was hunting for traces of my moment with Xavier. Of course, he found nothing and apparently relaxed slightly.
“Alpha King is important to Silvercrest. Don’t meet him privately. Understood?”
“Yes,” I replied coldly. “The ritual just now made my back ache. Since Alpha King left, can I go back to my bedroom and have a rest?”
“No. The banquet goes on as planned.” Caleb’s arm slid around my waist. “You can rest on the sofa.”
Fine. At least I could stay with my kids. Let him and Frost deal with Natasha and the other ranked members—they didn’t matter to me anymore.
After a few words of reassurance, Caleb was called away by Natasha. Her eyes burned with disdain, but I ignored her. I walked over to the sofa where Emilia and Ethan were sitting.
Emilia recoiled slightly, curling into her brother’s arms. Seeing me approach, Ethan rolled his eyes and scooted over. He still hated me.
I sat down, gently taking Emilia’s small hand.“Emilia, thank you for protecting mommy. Are you okay?”
Her eyes flicked to the scratches on my back, voice trembling. “I’m fine, Mommy. Does it hurt?”
I shook my head, couldn't help pulling her into my arms. I hadn’t expected Emilia to protect me. Maybe she’ll be willing to come with me when I leave.
It took Emilia a long time to calm down. The hiccuping sobs tugged at my heart. She asked about daddy several times but Caleb was busy socializing throughout the entire hall, introducing his new Gamma Frost.
“He will come to see you soon." I didn’t want to let down my little daughter so I lied. And to distract her, I peeled an orange from the table and passed the segments to my puppies.
“Your hands are dirty. I don’t want your orange,”Ethan snorted.
Emilia opened her mouth, like she wanted to say something for me, but I gave her a small shake of my head, a silent “I’m okay.” Maybe… Ethan just needed more time.
“Hey.” Ethan called out to me, his voice flat, eyes on floor. Not Mommy. Not even Clara. Just a cold, careless sound, like I was a stranger passing by.
“I need to use the bathroom, but I’m scared. Can you come with me?”
I frowned and didn’t answer at once. The way he spoke hurt more than I expected.
“Are you deaf?” he snapped, impatience sharp in his tone.
I swallowed. I wanted to correct him, to remind him who I was. But I didn’t. I must take every opportunity to make him like me.
“Sure,” Finally I nodded. “Mommy will come with you.”
I followed him to the bathroom and leaned against the door to wait. Maybe when he came out, we can have a real talk. I believed that Ethan loved me. It's just like I’d just been gone too long, and Frost had taken up too much space in his life. I couldn’t blame him.
After the flush, I reached out to open the door for him. “Ethan, can we have a small talk?”
Ethan stared at me seriously, his little feet nervously tracing circles on the floor. “Hmm… there’s something in your hair. Let me get it out for you first.”
I blinked. It’s the first time he wanted to get close to me. After setting my bag down, I kneeled down to his height and tilted my head. I even held my breath, afraid of missing any of his cute movements.
I felt his fingers moving in my hair. I lowered my head, thinking it would make things easier.
Then I saw his other hand.
I saw him sneak a necklace from his pocket into my bag. After pretending to pull the dirt off my hair and looking up, he grinned at me.
I watched my son’s innocent face, a shiver crawling over me. Ethan… was scheming, even against me.
I stood, but Ethan didn’t bother to wait or took my hand.
“I have nothing to talk about with you.” His voice was flat. Distant.“I’m going to find Dad.”
I looked at this boy who shared my blood, my DNA, my very essence. This boy I'd sacrificed everything for.
I couldn’t stop my voice from trembling as I asked, “Ethan… Do you hate Mommy?”
He didn’t answer, didn’t stop.
Near the end of the banquet, when I sat in the corner sharing a small cake with Emilia, a timid omega maid’s voice broke through.
“Luna… Luna Natasha wants to see you.”
I took a deep breath, straightened up, and followed the omega’s lead.
- Writer
