Alpha’s Runaway Luna

Chapter Two

Chapter 2

DELLA'S POV

I couldn’t breathe the second Stacy stepped in. It all felt like some f****d up nightmare.

She had on a light blue gown that stopped just above her knees, the bodice covered in tiny beads that shimmered like she’d rolled in crushed diamonds.

Her legs looked endless, tanned and smooth, the kind that made you feel short and awkward even if you weren’t.

Stacy's dark coloured hair was swept up in this effortless twist, a few strands fell loose making it look like she had done it in five seconds but it came out perfect. She had always been like that and I hated it.

The whole room shifted toward her like gravity had changed direction and the whispers got louder by the minute. "Oh my Goddess, is that Stacy?"

“She’s back?”

“When the hell did she get here?”

“Look at that dress. Goodness, she’s stunning.” Their words filled my ear and if I wasn't sick to my stomach before I was now. My vision blurred and the lights from the chandelier only made it worse.

My hand was still locked in Ian’s, but it felt wrong now and the fact that he was frozen with his eyes wide and lips parted as he stared made it worse.

Anger raced through me and I yanked my hand out of his. As if he had just gotten electrocuted, Ian turned to me with a confused look. "Della—"

“I need to check on the caterers,” I blurted, shocked at how calm I sounded. “Just want to make sure they’re not messing up the trays or… something.”

“Della, it’s not the time—” He whispered, throwing a glance at Stacy again, like he couldn’t help it, then back to me. “Stay. We’re about to—”

“I have to.” I said, already backing away. “It’ll just take a second.” He opened his mouth, but I turned before he could argue more.

Unlike when I first walked in, no eyes were on me and I walked out of the room, heels clicking on the marble.

Instead of heading for the kitchen as I had promised, I went straight to the small restroom off the service corridor—the one guests never used.

My heart drummed as I locked the door and the tears came down fast. I pressed my palms to my eyes, trying to stop them, but they kept coming.

My corset suddenly felt too tight and the boning dug into my ribs every time I sucked in air. The gold necklace Tonia had clasped around my neck earlier suddenly weighed a ton, cold against my flushed skin.

I clawed at the clasp, yanked it off. It clattered into the sink and I gasped as I stared at my reflection. My eyes had taken on a red color with dark mascara stains running down my face.

I looked small. Faded. Like I’d been bleached out next to her light blue glow. Jealousy was a bitter emotion and I hated the fact that she was always capable of making me feel it.

I hated it. Hated how much it hurt to see the way Ian looked at her. Like she was the missing piece he’d been waiting for. Like I’d just been placeholder furniture.

But the baby… God, the baby was worse.

I pressed a hand to my stomach. It was still as flat as ever but I knew it was growing. Alive.

And I’d just watched the woman who was supposed to end all this walk back into his life wearing a dress that screamed “I’m home.”

If I told him now, right after Stacy showed up it would look like a trap. Like I’d gotten pregnant on purpose to keep him. Like I was trying to force his hand. I didn’t want that.

More tears threatened to fall but I pushed them back. We had a deal; I was to take her place until she was back and that just happened.

Taking a deep breath, I slid down the wall until I was sitting on the cold tile, knees to my chest, arms wrapped around them. I don't know how long I sat there but I couldn’t fall apart in front of everyone.

Trying my best, I touched up my makeup, rinsing off the mascara stains, and with my heart still racing I stepped out the door.

I took slow steps up the stairs the slow music getting louder each time. Temptation won and I turned to find Ian and Stacy dancing.

I tried to act numb but it only hurt more. I was his f*****g Luna that was supposed to be our dance.

My heart broke with each second I spent staring at them. How perfectly his hand wrapped around her waist or how gracefully she swirled. They moved together as they’d never been apart—like every step was muscle memory.

They seemed so immersed in a conversation and it only made them look more perfect and I only felt myself fade even more.

If that wasn't enough sign that I wasn't needed I don't know what else was. Running a hand through my clipped hair, I ran up to my room.

The door shut behind me with a soft click and I leaned against it for a second, breathing hard. Out of nowhere strength filled me and I yanked open the closet, grabbing the smallest suitcase I had.

I grabbed my clothes out of the walk-in closet throwing them into the luggage. Midway through packing, the tears came back.

Harder than before, at first, I tried to ignore it wanting to get out before anyone would notice but memories of his hands on her made it worse.

My throat felt stuffed and the expensive gown now felt like it had a mission to strangle the life out of me. Frustrated, I yanked the lace letting it fall to the floor.

I pulled on the first thing that my hands landed on which just happened to be one of Ian's old sweaters. It still smelled like him and I hated to admit that it made me feel better.

I zipped the suitcase and walked out of the room without taking another glance. There was no way I could stay here, not with Stacy or the fact that I had a baby growing inside me.

The thought of him losing it sent a chill down my spine. The last time a staff member spilled wine on an important guest’s shoes, he’d fired half the household staff on the spot.

No second chances.

It wasn't worth the risk so with a firm mind, I grabbed the suitcase and slipped out the back servants’ stairs. The music faded the farther I got and it slowly began to sink in that I had nowhere to go.

I walked away from the large gates, the gravel crunching under my sandals as I searched my phone for a nearby hotel or a bus leaving the pack. Anything.

I had been so immersed in my search that I didn't even realize the bright headlight charging towards me until it was too late.

A scream left my lips as a car came into contact with my legs. It barely had enough force but it was still enough to knock me down. A scream tore through my lips and I tried my best to stand up only to fall back on my ass.

A man stepped out of the car muttering something inaudible. I could barely see him but he looked tall and in a suit probably heading for the ball.

“Are you okay?” His voice sounded rough, nothing I had ever heard before. “I didn’t see you—”

I couldn’t see him clearly, maybe it was the tears or the stress but for some reason that didn't matter.

“Please,” I whispered, grabbing his arm as I tried to get back up. “You can't leave me here."

I watched his mouth move but I could barely hear the words as the world went dark.