I Became The Alpha Sealed Luna

[02]WelcomeToYourNewHell

The novel blew up fast. Every girl was talking about it, even Georgina’s co-workers. She didn’t like romance, but her friend Cynthia made her read it.

It was about a were-lion girl who survived her clan’s murder. Lots of suspense, twists, and hot guys in a reverse harem.

Georgina’s favorites were Professor Reymond, the kind jaguar, and Ester Lacrosse, the feared werewolf lord with a brutal sense of justice.

But with the female lead, Ester acted like a browbeaten housewife. Georgina loved his portraits. In person, he was even more terrifyingly beautiful.

Tall, blond, cornflower blue eyes, cream suit. He looked at her and her blood ran cold.

Wake up, Georgina. This isn't funny anymore.

Ester took her hand and led her to the dance floor. The orchestra played a slow waltz, and the werewolf lord took charge of the dance, effortlessly covering her fumbling and missteps. When it ended, Georgina was sweating buckets despite the air-conditioning.

A group of ladies surrounded her as soon as they parted, taking her to the side of the hall and chatting her ears off. Almost all the conversation entered from one ear and flew out the next. Georgina wanted to go mad. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember how she got here.

"Are you alright, Darlea?" the man who escorted her asked, coming near her side. She jolted from his sudden approach, the cup of champagne in her hand slipping out. The man caught it smoothly. She colored, mumbling thanks as she collected it back. "Something is bothering you, isn't it? Your heart has been pounding like crazy ever since the wedding."

Georgina looked at her chest. Wait, he could hear it?

"Talk to me, Lea. You know there's nothing you can't discuss with me." The man lightly touched her forearm, drawing closer to her.

The emotions visible in his emerald eyes made Georgina uneasy. A sharp ache pierced the back of her skull the more she gazed into his eyes. She dropped her stare, chuckling awkwardly and putting space between them.

"It's nothing," she gave a short wave. "I'm just excited by all this." Her heart lurched at the lie. Judging by the clouding of the man's expression, he noticed it too.

"Darlea..."

"I need a bit of air. Please excuse me," she cut in, dropping the cup on the table. She definitely bolted away, heading towards the open veranda that led into a large maze.

Without thinking, Georgina plunged in to put distance between herself and the hall. Her legs started aching fast.

She found a gigantic fountain in an open space and dropped onto the edge. She kicked off the torturous shoes and cracked her neck.

A few minutes later, a stray memory flashed across her closed eyes, drawing a loud gasp from her. Immediately, her hands flew to her neck, the phantom pain of the knife still tingling.

"What the heck is wrong with that woman?" Georgina groaned. "Why did she have to come after me? It was that stupid man she wanted to marry who paid me to disrupt the wedding. Why did she have to kill me?"

She paused. Turning to see her reflection in the water, Georgina felt frightened when she saw no mark or stitches on her neck. "Why am I still alive?" She pulled her head closer to the water. "I know I died, so why..."

A hard, sharp object hit her on her back. Georgina cussed, banging her thigh against the heavy stone of the fountain. She veered. Another one hit her right on her forehead. But that wasn't all. It felt as if a heavy force was propelling her back. She struggled against it, but it was futile.

With a low splash, she fell into the fountain, and her head smacked the tiles. Water filled her mouth. Quickly, she broke the surface, choking and gasping.

An impish laugh ripped through the silent maze, the delight unmistakable in that childish voice. Eyes wide, Georgina quickly located the culprit. It was a boy with messy hair, the shade of sunlight, and eyes like the sky on a windy afternoon. He wore blue, checkered pajamas while seated at the top of the maze wall.

Georgina's temper flared. "You snotty, rude, devil-incarnate basta—"

"I wouldn't finish that word if I were you."

Chills that had nothing to do with her drenched form froze the rest of her sentence in her throat. At once, she located the owner of that husky, nonchalant voice.

Ester Lacrosse strolled into the center of the maze like he had nothing else to do. His suit jacket was gone, leaving a white shirt that clung to his lean muscles. He had his hands in his pockets, smiling in a way that made a person feel like they were about to collide with a raging tsunami. Her anger died as swiftly as it had grown.

"Dad," the boy called, leaping down into Ester's waiting arms.

Georgina went as pale as a corpse, wishing more than ever she could travel back twenty seconds in time and shut her mouth.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. How could she not have recognized Nathaniel, the precious son of Ester?

In the book, the werewolf lord had slaughtered an Alpha’s family because of an offhand insult made to the boy. The resemblance was obvious, for goodness' sake.

"I waited for you to come read me a bedtime story, but you didn't show up," Nathaniel pouted, arms crossed in fake annoyance.

Ester smiled, the glacial look in his eyes melting away completely. "I'm sorry, I was kinda occupied."

Nathaniel's forehead scrunched. "Because of her, right?" He pointed rudely at Georgina, whose panicked expression was priceless.

Ester glanced at her from over his son's head. The stony glare was enough. She sank back into the water without thinking.

"So now that you're married to her, you won't have time for me anymore."

Ester softened like butter over a heated pan. "I'd never do that, Nathan. I already promised that to you, remember?"

The boy huffed. His cheeks puffed out as he glared at Georgina.

"Yet you didn’t listen," he said. "I told you not to marry her. And you did anyway. I don’t want another mother. Okay?"

"Don't worry about that." He set the boy down and leveled narrowed eyes on her. "She'll never be your mother." He vowed it, but it sounded like a threat in her ears.

Cheery, Nathaniel stuck out his tongue at her, then grabbed his father's palm. "I'm sleeping now. I want you to read to me so I can sleep well." He pulled Ester toward the path, an indulgent curl appearing on his father's lips. Then, as though he remembered something unpleasant, Ester stopped. "Arnold?"

An orange-eyed, brown-haired man appeared like an apparition. Georgina started.

"Please take Ms. Darlea to her chambers so that she can clean herself up. It's quite troublesome to have to explain to my charming in-laws why their precious princess is drenched in my fountain."

Arnold bowed respectfully. Ester and his son left, chatting away and pretending Georgina didn't even exist.

"Please take my hand, Miss." Arnold stretched his hand out before her, intending to assist her out.

Shame wouldn't let her agree. "No, that's fine. I can come out myself," Georgina responded, rising from the water. The material of her dress had become heavy and uncomfortable. The deep V-neck at the front emphasized the curves of her breasts. She climbed out as gently as possible, slipped on her heels, and crossed her arms over her chest.

"This way, please."

Dripping and shivering, Georgina followed Arnold upstairs. The bedroom was huge. Extravagant enough to drop her jaw.

This is your room, Ms. Darlea," he said. "Everything’s in the closets. Call if you need me." He left.

She stripped, sank into the steaming bath, and exhaustion dragged her into sleep.