65

Julianne's POV

I walked into Arthur's warm office and stumbled into Jasmine and Arthur having a deep-rooted conversation; they were huddled in the corner, engrossed in whatever they were discussing. I was going to discuss some issues with him, most especially the witch issue. Their laughter and smiles made my stomach twist into knots

As I approached them quietly, I overheard them discussing names for their unborn child. My heart sank. I knew Jasmine wasn't pregnant. And to think that I had loved her was only to discover from Loretta that she was using a drug to grow her belly, thereby deceiving Arthur into believing she was truly pregnant; he decided to cut off our mating bond and make her his Luna instead. Why is Jasmine lying about being pregnant? I still want to know the reason for doing this. Does she want to spite me, or is her main aim just to strip off everything she believes I took when I came into Arthur's life with Antonia? Is this some kind of payback for getting the attention and affection she does not deserve? How long can she keep this up? What will Arthur do when he finds out about her lies? Would he apologize to me or realize his mistakes and deal with her?

“I think Xylene, Elgin, and Ulfred would be good names for the baby if the pregnancy turns out to be a boy,” Jasmine suggested, her voice bringing me back to reality; she smiled at Arthur, which further infuriated me.

“Won't you suggest a name for a girl?” She questioned, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Arthur's expression changed from happy-laughing emotions to annoying ones. “How many do I have to tell you that I don't need a female child? If I wanted a female child so badly, then what is wrong with Antonia?” He bites out. “We have to prepare as many names as we can think of because you are giving birth to a male child.”

“And how do you know I will be giving birth to a male child? Can you see the sex of the baby in my womb?” Jasmine eyed him.

Arthur leaned in and held her fake bump tenderly; his eyes screamed of affection and lots of emotions that I could not relate to, except it had only been once he looked at me that way when we both had sex with each other. “I know for sure that you will give birth to a male child; I can feel the noise of the baby matching rhythmically with mine. They is a good sign you know.” He answered which got me angry.

I wondered what exactly it was she was using on Arthur to make him so mad and crazy over her.

Jasmine's cheeks heated up, and she closed her in a pretense shy of embarrassment. I felt a wave of discomfort wash over me; it was weird watching the both of them talk that way. It ought to be me, and if I said that I was not pained, then I was telling a lie. Why exactly has Jasmine been lying to Arthur? I wanted to escape, I wanted to leave the place because it sucks to watch them smoke and laugh happily, but Arthur's eyes locked onto mine.

I turned to leave but his voice stopped me. "Julianne wait! Where do you think you are going to?" Arthur called out, his face beaming with excitement at seeing me.

My stomach churned. I hesitated, hoping to escape their awkward conversation. I didn't want to be a part of this charade. I don't know if I can sit with them while they list out the names of a fake child who is not in Jasmine's womb.

“I was just leaving, I saw you were busy doing something important, I was planning to come back anyways," I said, trying to make a quick exit, giving out unnecessary excuses

Arthur stood up, his hand grasping my arm. "No, stay. This discussion could wait for some other time, but yours is very important to me." He said, shocking the daylight out of me; his hand grasped tightly at my wrist; I hesitated, unsure how to extricate myself.

“Jasmine, could you give us a minute?.”. Arthur asked his tone firm but soft. “What we were discussing would be done later, and in the meantime, you can continue brainstorming ideas of male names for our son," Arthur suggested.

Jasmine's eyes widened in surprise as she glanced from Arthur's calm demeanor to me. "But, Arthur, I thought..."

"Please, Jasmine, I already told you what to do, so leave and go busy yourself with it. I need to discuss something very important with Julianne, and I can't wait." Arthur interrupted, his gaze stern.

Jasmine's face fell, and she gathered her belongings. "Fine, I will leave and do what you asked me to do."

As she stood up, I sensed a hint of protest in her voice. I don't want to be the interrupter to a discussion that was going on smoothly and lively.

"Arthur, can't we..." I began but he cut me off, glaring hard at me.

"No, Julianne. Jasmine would Go," Arthur said, his tone brooking no argument.

Jasmine's eyes flashed with frustration, but she bit back her words and stormed out of the office.

Arthur's gaze turned to me, his expression serious.

"It was good you came of your own accord, I needed to talk to you about something occurring continuously this day, and it is very important since it concerns the both of us."

I felt a surge of unease at these words. Want could it be this time around? The Nyx visited him and troubled the life out of him. Or…?

"What's going on, Arthur?" I asked, my voice breaking down, my fingers nervously switching into each other.

Arthur leaned in, his voice low. "I know something's off. It is just that I can't pinpoint the hell is wrong, if it is me or it is real.” Arthur's eyes were serious as he leaned in the more. "Julianne, I need to tell you something."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "What is it?"

"I saw a shadow lurking around Antonnia's house; I have sent this shadow twice in the morning around the room, but when I make haste to Antonnia's room, I either see the door open or closed, but I see no figure. It always gets to Antonnia's room and vanishes out of sight." Arthur said, his voice low.

A shiver ran down my spine. "What did it look like? Tell me what the shadow you have been seeing lurking around Antonnia's room looks like?" I demanded sitting up straight.

Arthur hesitated. "It was tall, dark, and seemed to vanish into thin air."

My mind raced. "It must be the witch." I nodded. "It must be Nyx. She once threatened to take Antonnia's life if I refused to join the coven and take my rightful place as their leader and the moon goddess."

Arthur's face darkened. "We need to protect Antonia from this evil witch; seeing what she did to me the day she attacked us, she is very dangerous."

Suddenly, Arthur's gaze turned intense. "Julianne, are you a witch?"

I burst out laughing. "A witch? Nonsense!"

Arthur's expression remained serious. "I had to ask if you are a witch."

I shook my head, still chuckling. "Me? A witch? Don't be ridiculous."

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "You seem calm about this, you are not panicked about the fact that you are accused of being a moon goddess when you are not."

I rolled my eyes. "That's because I know it's absurd. I'm just a normal person, I am a wolf, Arthur."

Arthur's gaze lingered as if searching for hidden truths.

"Fine," he said finally. "But I still don't understand why Nyx keeps on disturbing you if you are truly not a witch.” He shrugged, looking at me, waiting for some explanation.

But I can't and won't tell him anything, I want to keep Loretta's secrets.

“There is more to this matter than meets the eye, Arthur, even if I explain to you, you can't understand it at all,” I said.

….

I left the office and went in search of Loretta but I could not find her at all. In the process of searching for her around the whole pack, Josie I bumped into Jasmine; her eyes screamed of trouble and revenge schemes.

“It is a good thing we both ran into each other because I would like to give you this year king and give it to you for this last time, stay clsese8off Arthur, stay away from him.” She wanted sternly, her fingers pointing at my chest.

“And you expect me to accept just like that? Do you have any idea that Arthur loves me so much and how he touches me, sending butterflies to the pit of my stomach?” I questioned, licking my lips and rolling my eyes like a slut.

This act further infuriated Jasmine, and she stepped closer to me.

“I will destroy you and everything you have. MARK MY WORDS.” And with that, she turned and left.