Luna For Seven Days

17

Ember’s POV

Two days later…

What I didn't know was that I would feel so nervous about the last day of our deal. I hadn't slept well the past night.

I recalled and reached out to Hannah through i********:, and she explained that my mother was being guided by palace guards. So thinking of it, there was no way to take her away from the hospital.

Even if I did, I could die for taking such a bold and silly step. Alpha Vander will see no reason to spare my life, and if unluckily he finds my mother again, she could be killed at a spot.

After thinking it over again and again, I gave up. She would be brought to the palace, and whatever it is he wants to do with us…he could do it.

I was so ready for his demon to be unleashed on me, but no matter what, I would do my best to protect my mum.

Hannah had sent me his wedding invitation and I forwarded it to Alpha Vander, just so he would recall his promise to my poor friend. Even if I have to go with his guards, I don't mind. All I need is to be present that day for Hannah, even if that would be the last time.

I peeped through the window and it was still dark, so I stood up, put on something casual and began scrolling through i********: to pass time.

Minutes later, I jolted from the bed upon hearing the sound of the door.

It was 5 am, so it bothered me who it was.

“Where is she?” came his voice, low and grumpy.

I rolled my tongue above my lips, “Alpha King…”

He walked in with a guard and slammed the door shut. “In five days, my beta will be here. On that day, I will introduce the real you to him so he can get along with the game. You mustn't mess up or I'm snapping you to death.”

The real me? I wasn't getting it.

With my palm stuck at the chest of my dress, I climbed down from the bed. “Alpha, what exactly do you mean by that?”

He glanced at the guard with a signal, and the guard approached me. He dropped something on the table before us and went backwards.

“That contains a mask. They are about five, but will give you the same facial look.” he started, his palms dipped into the side pockets of his pajamas. “From today, you will become a slave. There will be a gathering of the alphas by evening, that is when you will be introduced as my slave, but you must have that mask on.”

My brows creased. It still sounded odd to my ear.

Wear a mask? Being introduced as his slave?

Of course, I know alphas introduce their slaves and that makes them special than the other slaves. They can also be shared among the alphas if the owner permits it.

But…what will happen when I'm not putting on the mask?

“I have made sure they're treated so there are no side effects. It only has a duration until it is disposed of. Since your mother is still hospitalized, I don't know how long it will take for her to recuperate fully…..that means I'll start with you. Make sure not to get on my nerves if you want to live long in this palace.”

He paused, sighed and continued.

“As a slave, you must always have this mask on. But otherwise, you will be yourself. What I mean is that, in the eyes of Camila, my consort, my beta and guards, you are a disguised slave…..they all know the real you. But in the presence of the servants, other slaves, other alphas, your face with this mask on is who they know as a slave. This is because, if matters arise in the future and my Luna is needed, you are bound to still take that role.”

My eyes lit up. So this was his plan? To have me keep playing the role even after the deal ended? Is it because I became his slave, or did he have the intention of crowning me but changed his mind because of my mother's crime?

Nothing was adding up. So, I will have two personalities in this palace…

The slave some people know, and the acting Luna behind the mask.

“Alpha….” My chest rose and fell to the fast rhythm of my heart. “Why is Camila your consort when she's supposed to be your Luna? Won't it be better if she wears a mask that has my real face when needed? That way, you won't fall victim to….

“It's none of your business. Just focus on not messing things up.” Then he closed the distance between us. “No alpha king out there should know that you are the slave they see. To them, the face with the mask should be my slave, and this real face that I'm gazing at should be my Luna.”

Bile rose to my throat and I almost threw up, but battled to quench it down.

“It is your mother who will suffer most and I'll make sure she doesn't last long like she caused my parents. Then I'll see to it that until the end of your life, you will find no happiness….just pain, sorrow, depression, trauma, frustration and so on. I promise you.” he pulled a straight face, brows knitted.

My body went stiff. The deal has ended and this is the beginning of my suffering in his hands. I won't get to taste his d**k again, nor will he crave me. We are now sworn enemies.

“Please, reject me!” was all I could ask for. I wouldn't want our matebond to betray me from now on.

But he scoffed. His left hand landed on my jaw and he tilted it up with his middle finger. “Who said I reject mates? Didn't you hear me tell Alpha Abel that?”

So he meant it. I thought he just made it up.

“I won't….either of us has to die for it to end, and that person is gonna be you.” He growled and brushed his thumb against my lips.

Air left my lungs. I felt hollow inside.

“So, what about Hannah's wedding? You made a promise…..

“And I keep to my promise. That is why you have two personalities now. You're going to her wedding as my Luna, so you should know what personality to take." Then he stepped back, glanced at the package and swiftly turned backwards. “You will be taken to the slave mistress by one of my guards, so make sure you wear the identity of a slave.”

I stood there, immobile, watching as they vanished from the room.

My fingers curled into a fist, heart wrenched in disgust. I almost burst into tears, but my wolf held it all to herself.

So this was it…..the moment I've been waiting for. His acting Luna behind the mask? What a nice name….

I got seated on the floor, fingers tapping on my cheek. “Uston should be his beta, right? He wasn't present at his coronation. Does it mean he's been changed? Did he make investigations about my life and cancelled him from being his beta?”

Deep down, I wanted it to be true….that Uston was no longer going to be his beta. The shame of standing before my ex as a disguised Luna and slave at a time…..

Still, what if it's he who's his beta?

I sighed, but not in relief.