The Abandoned Luna Came Back With Her Triplets

Chapter 5: Recognition and Deception

Chapter 5: Recognition and Deception

(Willow's POV)

Seraphina’s claws dug painfully into my arm, her overly sweet voice masking her irritation. She was trying so hard to act the doting mother, but the bruising grip she had on me betrayed her true nature.

"Clara, darling, let's hurry," she cooed, her eyes darting to the operating room door. "We don’t want to miss this chance to speak with Aila. Your father is counting on us."

The pain from her claws shot up my arm, but I suppressed the wince, schooling my features into a look of quiet innocence. I wasn’t Clara, but Seraphina didn’t know that. My oversized bow, identical to Clara’s, thankfully helped sell the illusion.

Already, I could hear my real mother’s voice in my head. "Willow, don’t provoke unnecessary conflicts." Oh, Mom, if only you knew what I was about to do...

"I think you're mistaken, Ms. Bell," I said, keeping my voice purposefully quiet, even meek, as I looked up at her. "Shouldn’t Daddy handle this instead of you?"

Seraphina’s grip tightened, her claws pressing slightly harder into my skin. Her forced smile twitched at the edges, threatening to break apart.

"I know what’s best for your daddy, Clara," she hissed in a low voice that dripped with venom. "And you would do well to remember that. Now stop stalling."

A part of me wanted to yank my arm away and snarl right back, but I knew better than to blow my cover. Not yet. If I acted out now, I’d lose any leverage I might gain later.

Instead, I made my voice wobble. "But it hurts..."

Her clawed fingers jolted away in an instant, more out of reflex than genuine concern. Seraphina was perceptive enough to realize her slip-up, but she covered it with a honeyed tone.

"You’re too sensitive," she said dismissively. "If you behaved, I wouldn’t have to hold onto you so tightly."

Before I could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps approached. Relief washed over me. Right on time.

I didn’t have to turn around to recognize the imposing presence fast approaching. Alpha Rhys Thorne’s low growl reached us before he did.

(Alpha Rhys's POV)

The moment I rounded the corner and caught sight of Seraphina gripping Clara’s arm so tightly that her little hand was turning red, my chest tightened in anger. My wolf surged forward, growling at the sight.

"What. Are. You. Doing?" my voice was sharp, a deep rumble in my throat that made even Jasper stiffen at my side.

Seraphina’s head snapped toward me like she’d been caught red-handed - which, to be fair, she had been. Her painted smile faltered, then quickly reappeared, the corners twitching nervously.

"Alpha! Oh, it’s..." She laughed awkwardly, releasing her grip immediately. "It was nothing! Clara was just being a bit stubborn, and I..."

I cut her off with a growl so low and menacing that my own Beta shot me a wary glance. I didn’t care. How could Seraphina, of all people, lay her hands on my daughter as if she’d forgotten who I am? Who Clara is?

Clara—no, my pup—rubbed her arm with a little pout. Tears glistened in her too-familiar green eyes, but she didn’t let them fall. Something stirred deep inside me at that sight.

"Alpha, you misunderstand!" Seraphina tried again when I didn’t respond. "Children—"

"My pup is not a tool for achieving some ridiculous agenda," I snapped, cutting her off again. There was ice in my tone now, and from the way her painted cheeks paled, I knew my message had hit home.

Seraphina opened her mouth one more time, likely to salvage the situation, but I held up a hand. "Enough." My gaze flicked briefly to Clara, whose small form was trembling slightly as she stared at the tiled floor. My wolf rumbled protectively.

"Never lay a finger on her like that again," I growled. "That's a command."

The barely concealed resentment flaring in Seraphina’s eyes didn’t escape my notice, but she quickly covered it, bowing her head in submission. "Of course, Alpha. I would never intentionally harm Clara."

(Willow's POV)

I bit the inside of my cheek, both careful not to grin and desperately holding back the urge to roll my eyes. Her act was so over-the-top that even my Alpha "Daddy" had to see through it. Right?

"I’m sorry, Clara," she suddenly said, her fake remorse so thick it almost choked the air. Her blue eyes glistened with crocodile tears as she knelt and reached toward me. "Please forgive me. You know I just want the best for you."

My wolf bristled. I wanted nothing more than to swat her hand away, but I forced myself to stay in character.

"It’s okay..." I muttered, faking hesitation.

Alpha Daddy’s grey eyes flickered down at me with soft approval and some residual fury still aimed at Seraphina. Oh, this was priceless.

"Alpha," Jasper interrupted with that annoying, hesitant tone of his. I swear the man always looked like he was about to run from his own shadow. "I hate to interrupt, but Dr. Aila—"

"Dr. Aila can wait," Alpha Daddy cut him off, his voice curt as he gave me his full attention.

I shivered preemptively when he crouched down to my level. His deep, unreadable gaze locked onto me, and a pang of something... peculiar, tugged at my chest. It wasn’t the same seething rage I’d felt before. This was... different.

"You’re not hurt, are you, Clara?" he asked.

I knew I had to tread carefully. This was dangerous territory. So I shook my head and lied through my teeth. "I’m fine, Daddy."

(Rhys' POV)

A feeling I couldn’t quite articulate struck me as I scooped Clara into my arms. Her weight settled against me in a way I didn’t expect.

Or... maybe I was overthinking. My thoughts had been a mess these last few months. Stress about the pack, my grandfather’s worsening health, even my regrets about Elina’s departure kept haunting me. Subtle paranoia had started creeping into the edges of my mind, coloring how I saw things.

Still, something about Clara’s scent felt odd... off. Quietly, I convinced myself it was the stress—I’d been staying up far too late.

"We’ll talk later," I shot back at Seraphina as I carried Clara down the hall without a backward glance. Her poorly hidden scowl didn’t escape me, even as her voice chirped a quick, "Yes, Alpha!"

(Elina's POV)

I had never been more stressed in my life.

Sitting in Valerie’s car, gripping the steering wheel with both hands, I felt my lungs constrict, twisting tighter with each passing second.

Next to me, Ethan read a medical manual like nothing was the least bit out of place. Behind us, Clara sat quietly—too quietly. Valerie, oblivious as ever, babbled about how amazing the kids were growing up to be. She even tried coaxing "Willow" for a game.

But as I glanced at the rearview mirror and caught Clara hesitating, my insides froze.

"Willow’s" movements were just slightly... wrong. Too muted. Too unsure.

I didn’t dare say anything aloud yet, but as we pulled away further from Onyx territory, my wolf had already figured out what I had not. This girl wasn’t Willow.

Valerie chattered on, seemingly unfazed by all the tension swirling in the car. But when I only mumbled "Rhys," her jaw actually dropped.

By then, my knuckles were white against the steering wheel.

(Third person's POV)

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the hospital parking lot as Rhys stood by his SUV, phone pressed to his ear. His conversation was interrupted by the sight of a familiar face in a passing car.

Time seemed to freeze as his eyes locked with Elina's. Five years hadn't dimmed the electric connection between them. In that brief moment, a thousand unspoken words passed between them.

Valerie's car sped away, leaving Rhys rooted to the spot, his phone forgotten in his hand.

Seraphina watched from the shadows, her perfectly painted lips curling into a sneer. So, the former Luna had returned. Her fingers quickly tapped the license plate number into her phone. She would need to act fast to eliminate this threat.

Meanwhile, in the parking lot, Willow observed everything from her position beside who she thought was her father. Her young face hardened as she caught Seraphina's malicious expression. No one would hurt her mother - not again.

Later that evening, at the Thorne mansion, Seraphina played the perfect hostess.

"I've asked the kitchen to prepare your favorite steak, Alpha," she announced sweetly. "And a nice vegetable soup for Clara."

Willow's nose wrinkled in disgust. "I want rare meat like Daddy," she demanded, knowing Clara's preferences.

Seraphina's smile faltered. "But dear, you never-"

"I want steak," Willow insisted, meeting Rhys's surprised but pleased expression.

The servants hurried to adjust the meal, while Seraphina's perfectly manicured nails dug into her palms beneath the table. Another small battle lost in her campaign to appear the perfect future Luna.