The Price Of Being His Luna

CHAPTER 3- Two Slaps in One Day

ELENA

I ignored the sting from the slap that still burned my cheeks. Unlike other wolves, I didn’t heal very fast.

Mum said my wolf went dormant, after my childhood fever. One that nearly killed me.

After I’d recovered, she went completely silent. According to a traditional healer back home, she might reemerge in adulthood.

Mum hoped it would happen during my pregnancy. But nothing changed.

My thoughts went back to Regina. Did she have someone follow me?

None of it made sense. Lizzie wouldn’t talk…unless forced to. But how could MIL even know about her? And the timing… I had barely driven 30mins out of her office before Regina called. It didn’t add up.

The rest of the day blurred, between picking up Aria from daycare and signing off pack documents as I worried no one would manage them after I left.

————-

The evening had grown darker and slipped into the early night.

It was almost 7pm and Adrian still hadn’t gotten home. According to Trevor, he was going to be running late.

He had initially asked that I leave without him but what was the point?

The only reason we were attending the stupid event in the first place was to appear as a perfect couple.

I sucked my teeth softly. Maybe not stupid. It was the Lord Alpha’s 70th birthday afterall. Events like this always reminded me how small I was. The snide remarks from the elite were never something to look forward to.

I rubbed my clammy palms as I stared back at my reflection. Frankly, I really did not want to go alone.

Cami, my stylist, had originally chosen a shimmering green dress for tonight. But I didn’t match her excitement so I settled for the simple cowl-neck black dress that now hugged my frame loosely.

I glanced at the time for the umpteenth time.

How could Adrian suggest that I go on my own while he caught up later while fully aware of my anxiety around crowds and attention?

Goddess knew I would rather be in bed with my baby right now.

But with Regina’s threats and this family’s sick obsession with keeping up fake appearances, I had no choice.

Headlights spilled through the windows as soft screech of tires sounded outside.

Finally. Adrian.

I grabbed my purse and slipped into my heels, checking my reflection one last time before taking in a deep breath.

We were used to this. Fake smiles. Pretend affection in public. Then back to strangers the moment we got home.

I pushed the doors open, one hand lifting my dress while the other clutched my purse tightly.

“Greg?” I looked around. There was no sign of Adrian’s car.

“Luna.” He bowed politely.

“Isn’t Adrian here yet?”

“No.” He answered simply, holding the car door open for me.

“No.” I stayed rooted to my spot. “The point of this event is that we go together.”

“You can pick me up later.” I flicked my wrist, gesturing for him to close the door.

That was what we did most times anyway.

We arrived together and left separately.

“Let me call Trevor.” I fumbled through my purse for my phone.

“He already left.”

“What?” I paused, looking up at him properly this time.

His expression remained prim and unreadable.

“He’s already at the event.”

I scoffed in pure disbelief.

Just then, my phone beeped.

Becky: Attachment

Can you see this? Where are you?!

I tapped the attachment open.

The cutest picture you’ll see tonight. The caption read.

I blinked slowly as my brain struggled to process the image before me.

Adrian in a dark suit, holding out his hand to Sandra like the perfect gentleman as she stepped out of her limo.

My stomach dropped violently.

Out of habit, I rushed to the comments. Maybe because some stupid part of me hoped someone else would be shocked too. Or at least ask the right questions.

UserTonia: Finally the Alpha made a better choice.

UserClaire: I may not have bagged the handsome devil, but at least he found someone worthy of him.

My chest started to hurt. I expected tears to cloud my vision naturally, but they never came. Instead, my fingers curled harder around my purse until the metal studs dug into my palm. Still, I felt nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

I switched my phone off slowly.

It was almost funny how easily humiliation could turn into numbness.

Adrian had made his stance clear. One way or the other, I was going to be kicked out.

With Regina’s threat ringing in my head, I realized it was time to speak to mum.

I stepped into the car quietly this time.

“Take me to see my mother.” I ordered quietly.

Greg avoided my eyes as he slowly shut the car door again.

“Luna…” he started carefully.

“I said take me to see my mother.”

My voice came out calm. The kind that usually frightened people more than shouting ever could.

Greg hesitated for a second before dipping his head.

“Yes, Luna.”

The drive passed in silence.

I stared mindlessly out the window taking in the blur of buildings and scattered light, my thoughts too numb to form.

By the time we got to Mum’s, night had fully descended.

“El?” Mum’s face registered surprise as she took in my presence.

“Hey mum,” I forced a smile while giving her a hug.

She led me into her small cozy apartment. Nostalgia hit me the second I walked in.

It used to my humble home. The cream sofas and matching floors with a tiny mahogany table that sat in between.

“I wasn’t expecting you. What would you like to eat? You look lovely by way? Were you out with Adrian?”

She paused to turn when I wasn’t answering.

I walked over to the small dinning.

“Sit mum. We need to talk.”

“El? Is everything okay?” Her voice dropped.

“Just sit mum. Please.”

She calmly did, concern etched all over her features.

I took the chair across her.

“Regina said something today. She said she practically owns your restaurant. Is that true?”

A frown formed her brows. “She said that to you?”

“Is she lying? What happened? The restaurant was thriving. Did something happen?”

She looked down at her hands. “She said she wanted to help….”

“Help with what?” My patience was running thin.

She didn’t say anything.

“Mum!”

“What does it matter to you?” She snapped. “Last time I checked it’s my business. I can do as I please.” She paused briefly, “And Regina is hardly a stranger.”

“Well, you just sold your soul to the devil,” I spat. “Unbelievable, mum! Your blood, your sweat… Father’s money…”

Before I could finish forming the words, her hand came down hard on my cheek.

“Don’t you dare mention that word.”

That word. Father. That was the forbidden word. The word I was never allowed to say no matter how curious I became. Even now that I was fully grown.

My cheek burned. “Two slaps in one day.” I laughed bitterly, my voice filled with pain.

Regret flashed in her eyes but was replaced by anger almost instantly. “What does he have to do with anything?” She demanded, her tone raised.

“You never tell me about him! I shouted back, my voice raw. “You never told me what he did…or why you hate him so much!”

The sound of my voice echoed echoed into the silence of the night.