THE MOONLIGHT DECEPTION

The Perfect Day CLARA’s POV The day I married Alpha Adrian Veyron was the day I thought all my dreams had finally come true. People called me lucky; they said I was blessed, every smile and every whisper around me reminded me of how “fortunate” I was. But standing there in my gown, with dozens of eyes watching, I only felt the weight of proving them right. I wasn’t born a daughter of the Moreau family. I was the child they found abandoned on the borders of their lands. They took me in, gave me food, and gave me their name, but never gave me the place their real daughter, Seraphine, had. Seraphine was the jewel of the family, the one everyone adored, while I was the shadow in the corner, the one who fetched the tea, washed the dishes, and followed orders. The omega who should be grateful she had a roof over her head. And yet, here I was, standing beside Adrian. The Alpha everyone admired. The man I had secretly loved for years. He was tall and strong, with eyes that could silence a room, and when his gaze met mine across the aisle, I forgot how to breathe for a second. The ceremony was beautiful, simple, but filled with power. The grove was decorated with white blossoms, and their petals were drifting down like blessings. The pack stood proud, and the elders nodded as if this moment secured a bright future for us all. “You will stand beside me,” Adrian said, his deep voice steady as he repeated the vows. His hand held mine tightly, and for a second, I let myself believe every word. When the final blessing was spoken, the crowd erupted with cheers and howls. My smile felt too big for my face, but I couldn’t stop it. For once, I wasn’t invisible. As the crowd slowly faded away, Adrian leaned toward me. His lips brushed my ear. “You look beautiful, Clara.” Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Thank you.” “You don’t have to be afraid,” he said quietly, as if he knew the trembling in my hands. “You’re mine now.” Those words nearly broke me with joy. Mine. No one had ever claimed me like that before. We walked together through the halls toward our chamber. The silence between us was comfortable and heavy with anticipation. My stomach flipped nervously, but my heart kept whispering, This is love and this is real. When the door closed behind us, I froze for a moment. It was just us now. No pack and no witnesses. Just Clara and Adrian. He reached for my hand, his thumb brushing against my skin. “You’re nervous.” I laughed softly, feeling embarrassed. “Is it that obvious?” “Yes.” His lips curved faintly, almost a smile. “But don’t be, because I’ll take care of you.” I wanted to believe him. I nodded, unable to find words. He stepped closer, his hand rising to touch my face. My breath stopped for a second when his fingers brushed my cheek. “Clara,” he said, his voice lower now and gentler. “You’re my wife. Tonight, you belong to me.” My heart thudded against my chest. I whispered, “I’ve always wanted this.” He kissed me then. It wasn’t rushed or careless. It was slow, almost searching, like he was testing how much I would give. I kissed him back, trembling but eager, pouring every bit of longing I’d carried for years into that moment. When he lifted me into his arms, I gasped. “Adrian—” “Shh,” he murmured against my hair. “I’ve got you.” That night, we consummated our marriage. It was clumsy at first, filled with nerves and uncertainty, but Adrian was patient, guiding me and whispering words that made me feel safe. For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged somewhere. When it was over, I lay curled against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. “Do you regret it?” he asked softly, his fingers tracing my arm. “Never,” I whispered. “I’m happy.” He kissed the top of my head, and for that moment, I thought he meant it when he said, “Good. Sleep now, Clara. You’re mine.” I drifted into sleep with a smile, believing I had finally found love. That night, after a long day of praying, Adrian would continue to show me love. I woke up coughing. My throat was burned and felt so dry that I needed water immediately. I noticed Adrian wasn’t beside me, but I didn't need to bother about that now, as I needed water more. I pushed myself out of bed, dragging my robe over my shoulders, and walked out with the intention of going to the kitchen. The hallway was dim and silent, and only the faint glow of lanterns was guiding my steps. As I moved down the passage that led to the kitchen, I slowed when I reached Adrian’s library chambers because I heard his voice. But he wasn’t alone. Another voice answered him, low and unfamiliar. My stomach tightened. I didn’t recognize it, but curiosity gripped me too tightly to walk away. Quietly, I stepped closer, holding my breath as I pressed my ear near the door. At first, their voices were muffled and hard to catch. Then Adrian’s words came through clear, sharp, and deliberate. What I heard was so shocking that I almost gasped out loud.