I'M MORE THAN A SURROGATE LUNA

A threat in the shadows

Valtor’s POV

I walked down the dimly lit hallway, my fists clenched in anger, as soon as I moved far away from the room, I punched my fist hard into the wall, my fists went straight through the wall.

I inhaled deeply, swallowing hard. If only Rachel knew the urge I was fighting from pinning her down and taste those lips of hers, if only she knew that just her striking resemblance with my real Rachel was more than enough to trap me in my lustful zone.

If only she knew that I badly wanted her to be the woman that I lost years ago, if only she knew that this was just as difficult for me as it was for her, she wouldn't be so bothered about fitting into my wife's shoes.

As I neared my office, I heard quick footsteps behind me.

“Valtor.”

I turned to see Daniel, my brows furrowed in curiosity as I tucked my hands in my pocket.

“What is it?” I asked. “Is mother still doubting Rachel?*

He shook his head. “In fact she is with Ashley, telling her same old stories about her mother but Joana left.”

I nodded in affirmation and turned to go but he stepped forward. I stopped, turning back to him.

“Don't,” I frowned, getting the message from his eyes.

“You know I'm right,” he shrugged, he paused leaning closer. “You should have told her about Ashley, why did you keep this hidden from her?”

“I wanted her to stay away from Ashley,” I revealed, my voice cold. “I don't want Ashley to get involved in this, you know why I brought that fraud here.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” Daniel shook his head, his face flickered to a mixture of disbelief and disappointment.

“What?”

“What did you tell her when you took her to the room?” he demanded.

“I told her to pocket her emotions and stick to the original plans.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk….” He kept making that noise, shaking his head, disappointment etched on his face.

“That was long—very long,” I said, inhaling deeply. “A long one brings out a scolding.”

“I find it curious, how can you be so good at almost everything but really bad at talking to women,” he leans closer. “Sometimes I wonder how you get laid by different women without talking to any of them.”

I chuckled, a satisfied smirk appeared on my lips.

“But I really think you should go back and talk to Rachel,” he said, his tone firm. “She just found out about Ashley, you should have told her from the beginning.”

I let out a slow breath, keeping my face blank. “I don’t owe her an explanation, neither do I owe you,” I said and turned to go but Daniel stepped in my way.

Daniel shook his head. “She’s pretending to be Rachel, but she’s still a person and a broken mother. You threw her into this mess without warning. If she breaks under pressure, everything could fall apart.”

I clenched my jaw. He was right and I hated that he was right. Without another word, I turned and headed back to Rachel’s room.

I pushed the door open, stepping inside, my eyes darting around the empty room.

Where the hell had she gone?

I inhaled deeply, catching a faint trace of her scent. It led out of the room, down the hallway, and toward the gardens.

I inhaled deeply, using my super hearing aid to listen to her conversation. My jaws dropped open, realizing that Allen was the third voice.

"You are not Rachel."

Damn it, Allen was going to find out the truth, I had to stop him.

I rushed towards the garden. I saw him standing in front of Rachel, gripping her wrist tightly. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with fear, Sharon stood nearby, looking tense but silent.

“Allen!” I barked, rushing to them.

Allen turned his head to me, before he could say anything, I grabbed his arm and wrenched Rachel free.

She stumbled back, and Sharon caught her.

Allen’s sharp eyes locked onto mine. “She’s not Rachel.”

My fingers dug into his arm before I shoved him back. “Stay away from her.”

Allen straightened his coat, dusting it off like nothing had happened, he turned back to her.

“I knew something was off the moment I saw her,” he said. “She doesn’t smell like Rachel.”

Rachel's fingers were trembling slightly, I could tell she was rattled but trying to stay calm.

“Are you saying that I brought in a fraud?” I asked, stepping in front of her.

Allen scoffed. “Don't try to act like you cared for her, Valtor,” He growled, his gaze flickered toward Rachel. “Who are you really? Did Valtor force you into this?”

“Allen, what exactly are you implying here?” I asked coldly, stepping forward. “I know my wife—” he interrupts.

“Not like I did,” he blurted out, slowly turning his eyes to me. “Everyone knew that I knew Rachel more than you did.”

“She is my wife not yours.”

“Yes, only we know what was behind the scene,” he turns to Rachel. “I'm warning you, you don't want to get on my nerves, trust me.”

Rachel clenched her fists, but before she could respond, I stepped in again.

“That’s enough,” I said, my voice like ice. “Leave.”

Allen’s smirk vanished. He glared at me for a long moment, then turned away.

But before he left, he gave Rachel one final, lingering death glare.

Rachel let out a shaky breath and turned to me. “Who was that?”

I clenched my jaw. “My stepbrother—allen.”

She frowned. “Your stepbrother?”

I ignored her, Instead, I turned to Sharon. “You had no right to bring her here.”

Sharon lowered her head, her hands clasped in front of her. “I only wanted to help.”

“If you wanted to help so badly, you wouldn't have brought her to meet her murderer,” I snapped.

“Murderer?” Rachel's jaws dropped open, her eyes widened in fear. “Was your brother the one that tried to murder me?”

I ignored her, still facing Sharon. “This should be the last time you bring her out without my permission,” I warned.

Rachel stepped in, standing firm. “Don’t blame her, she didn't force me to come and he was the one that came to meet us.”

I gave her a sharp look, warning her not to interfere.

Sharon nodded. “My lord, your anger is justified.”

“Valtor,” Rachel called, I shot her a death glare, she swallowed hard, pursing her lips together.

“Wait for her outside, I want to make sure my wife is fine,” I ordered, my cold eyes locked on Rachel.

Sharon quickly ran outside.

Immediately I grabbed Rachel by the waist, pinning her on my body, I leaned closer. “The next time I see you and Allen together alone, don't blame me if my actions are impulsive, do you understand?*

She nodded, her eyes filled with fear.

“Good,” I said, stepping away, gesturing to her to leave, and she rushed out immediately.

I inhaled deeply, running my hand through my air. Allen was now a problem, I have to find a way to deal with him and fast before he destroys everything…. again.