BE MINE: THE FAKE LUNA'S PRICE

SIX

LILY:

Vergil’s voice bouncing off the palace walls is what wakes me up the next day. I must have fallen asleep from the fear of what might happen, as I find my fists clenched and my heart hammering fast in my chest. I jolt upright with my eyes wide as he continues barking orders like a wild animal. My legs move slowly and I push myself to the door, pressing my ears to it.

“If they want blood, I’ll give them blood!” he roars, causing a lump to go down my throat as fear engulfs me. There is a lot of commotion going on, and I swear I can hear something shattering. Is he tearing down the place?

What if he knows and is coming at me? When I can no longer stand being by the side, I step out of my room towards his voice.

“I SAID CANCEL IT—no, actually it is fine! Go ahead with the f*****g funeral! Let them bury the goddamn corpse first, because I do not care either!” He roars into a phone, pacing the reception.

Is the funeral happening before the coronation? I question myself. As I move closer to the railing, I freeze. A guard pushes a bed past me and into a room—this accounts for all the noisy scraping and thudding of furniture.

When the call ends, Vergil tosses his phone so hard it smashes into the wall, crushing into pieces. He tugs at his tie like it’s choking him, rips it off, tosses it to the ground, walking into the living room. I rush downstairs to see him on a couch, his feet furiously tapping the tiles.

“What is going on?” I ask, and his head snaps up, his eyes locking onto mine furiously. Without a word, he grabs the remote from the table beside him, turns on the flat screen television, and throws the remote to the couch.

“Mathew is a goddamn bastard and I am going to kill him!” he sneers, pointing at the television. My eyes move to the screen where a reporter appears.

“Following the tragic death of former Alpha Sebastian, the Snow Hound Pack has been unstable, and tensions are rising as the brothers continue their battle for the throne. Now, new allegations shake the kingdom with rumors of a fake marriage. Alpha Vergil Storm, who hurriedly wed yesterday evening to a commoner, is being questioned for its authenticity…”

A photo of me appears, and I look as horrible as ever, with Vergil gripping my hand as we are attempting to get into the car.

My eyes descend to the title on screen, “FAKED FOR THE CROWN? ALPHA VERGIL’S MARRIAGE UNDER FIRE”

The room spins, but not in fear or shame—it is victory, seeping in quietly into my heart. Vergil turns the television off, tossing the remote on the floor.

“This has Mathew written all over it,” he growls, teeth clenched, breathing hard. “And once I sit on that throne. Once I sit on that f*****g throne, he will pay. I swear!”

He racks his head through his head.

“My coronation has been canceled,” he snarls. “And the Elders are on their way here.”

“What is the moving all about?” I ask, trying to know if I can weigh into the situation, obviously for my gain. The words of the maid really encouraged me, reminding me why I am doing all these in the first place.

Getting from nothing to something isn’t easy, and if I must play the dirty games of those in power, then so be it.

Vergil paces around the room as he speaks.

“A new bedroom,” he mutters. “I’m setting up a new bedroom for the both of us, because the Elders will want to see where the ‘happy couple’ sleeps.” He doesn’t look at me as he says this, and I can tell he is looking for a solid plan, so I decide to offer one.

“You’re trying, Vergil. Really close, but don’t you think… maybe… we should have a room with two beds in it?” He stops pacing, glaring at me with narrowed eyes. I step closer, lowering my voice. “Think about it. We don’t know who reported us, and it could be anyone in this palace. The maids, guards, or cooks. I am not liked here very much, and they might be out to sabotage me. The moment one of them sees me come out of one room and you from another, it’s over. But if we share the same room with different beds, we’ll both always come out from the same place, and no one will know.” He stares at me for a moment and I hold my breath, hoping he will buy the idea that will keep us both in the same space for me to carry out my plan.

“Lily, that’s brilliant!” he exclaims, clapping my shoulders. He nearly hugs me but pulls away immediately without even thanking me, but I do not care, as he is falling right into my trap.

A few hours later, the Elders arrive. There are five of them. When they get to the bedroom, I am in a robe as we had planned, and they inspect every corner, hoping to find an irregularity. Vergil kisses my cheek, and holds me close while they go through our closet, and every other thing. They nod in approval, and soon they are out of the palace.

Relief washes through us, mostly for me, as I have scored a point to bring my mate closer to me.

Later in the evening, I take a long shower. I don’t rush, and I make sure I apply the best perfumes. Vergil already set up the new room with double beds, and I intend to solidify my plans. I step out, and change into my silk nightwear, exposing my thighs and legs. Then I head to the vanity, sitting in front of it.

I oil my body slowly, starting from my legs, then to my thighs. My fingers do not rush as I press the oil into my skin, focusing on my lap. The door swings open in no time, and Vergil stands frozen for a second with his eyes pinned on the slow trail of my hand as it glides up my skin. I act like I do not see him at first, sneaking a glance from the mirror before turning around abruptly, placing a hand on my chest.

“Vergil, I didn’t see you there,” my words startle him and he shuts the door walking in.

“Good night,” he mutters coldly, walking to his bed, and I try to hide my smile in the mirror. I have him where I want and it is a matter of time before he falls for me.

I do not know what Mathew has done to him, but I must unite with my mate…