Chapter 128 THE PRETENDER’S GAMBIT

Chapter 128 THE PRETENDER’S GAMBIT

ALPHA DAMIAN POV

It was already late at night when I finally returned to the palace. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a cold silver light over everything. My body was exhausted from running back and forth, but my mind was wide awake, burning with determination. I had the spelled rope hidden safely under my shirt, its warmth pressing against my skin like a promise.

I went straight to the children’s room first. I needed to see them before facing her. I pushed the door open quietly and stepped inside. The three of them were fast asleep on the big bed, curled up together under the blankets. Ryker had his arm protectively around Elara. Thorne was holding her hand even in his sleep. Their small faces looked peaceful now, but I knew they had cried earlier. The fear of what their “mummy” had become was still fresh in their hearts.

I walked closer and knelt beside the bed. My chest ached as I looked at them. These were my babies. They had already been through so much, losing their real mother to this monster, watching her hurt people, living in constant fear. I leaned forward and gently kissed each of their foreheads.

“I’m here,” I whispered softly. “Daddy is here. I promise I will bring your mummy back. Just hold on a little longer.”

I pulled the blanket higher, covering them properly so they wouldn’t feel cold. Elara stirred slightly and murmured “Mummy…” in her sleep. The word stabbed straight into my heart. I stayed there for a long moment, just watching them breathe, gathering strength from their innocent faces.

“I will protect you,” I vowed quietly. “No matter what happens tonight.”

After making sure they were comfortable, I stood up and left the room, closing the door gently behind me. My steps felt heavier as I walked down the hallway toward the royal chambers. I knew Gotham would be there. I had to play my part perfectly now. One mistake and everything could fall apart.

I pushed the door open without knocking.

Gotham was standing near the window, still wearing the dark seductive gown. She turned when she heard me, her red eyes narrowing.

“What do you want?” she scoffed angrily, her voice cold and sharp. “Are you here to challenge me again? To beg for your weak Leena?”

I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I walked closer and slowly dropped to my knees in front of her. I lowered my head, keeping my voice humble and broken.

“I am ready to serve you,” I said quietly. “I am ready to do whatever you want.”

Gotham froze. She stared down at me, clearly shocked. For a few seconds, she said nothing. Then she stepped closer and ran my fingers down my chest, testing me.

“You expect me to believe that?” she whispered suspiciously. “After everything you said earlier? After you kept calling for that weak woman?”

I stayed on my knees, not moving. “She is gone. I see that now. You are stronger. I… I want to serve the stronger one.”

Gotham studied me for a long time. She caressed my chest again, her touch lingering. I forced myself not to flinch. I kept my head down, pretending to submit completely. Finally, she laughed softly, sounding satisfied.

“You are finally becoming smart, pet,” she said.

“Good. If you need anything, feel free to let me know.” I said and walked out of the room without another word. I heard her laughter echoing behind me as I left. My fists clenched tightly at my sides until my knuckles turned white. My jaw was locked so hard it hurt.

I knew this was only an act. I knew I had to get close to her. I knew I had to tie her with that rope when the moment was right.

But pretending to submit to the monster wearing my mate’s face was one of the hardest things I had ever done.

I took a deep breath and whispered to myself.

“Soon, Leena. I’m coming for you. Hold on just a little longer.”
……..

LUNA LEENA POV (Trapped Inside)

The next morning came too quickly. Gotham woke up in my body feeling refreshed and powerful. She dressed in a bold dark gown that showed a lot of skin, then stood in front of the mirror admiring herself for a long time.

“Today,” she whispered with my lips, “I will test that pet of yours. Let’s see if he is truly broken… or if he is still pretending.”

She called for the guards and gave them orders. Soon, the two men who had led the protest yesterday, Torin the blacksmith and Garrick the farmer were dragged into the palace courtyard. Their hands were tied behind their backs. The entire pack was forced to gather to watch. People stood in fearful silence, mothers holding their children tightly.

Gotham walked out with confident steps and sat on a raised platform so everyone could see her. Damian was already there, standing nearby with a guarded expression.

“Bring them forward,” she ordered.

The two men were pushed to their knees in front of the crowd. Their backs were bare, ready for punishment. The people watched with horror in their eyes.

Gotham smiled and turned to Damian. “My pet,” she said sweetly, “these two men dared to speak against me yesterday. They tried to turn the people against their queen. I want you to punish them. Whip each of them fifty times. Show me your loyalty.”

The crowd gasped. Everyone turned to look at Damian.

I screamed inside my mind, fighting desperately against the walls that trapped me.

No! Damian, please don’t do it! They are our people! Don’t let her use you like this!

Damian stood completely still for a long moment. His jaw was tight. His hands clenched into fists. I could feel his pain and conflict through the faint mate bond. He looked at the two men on their knees, then at the terrified crowd, and finally at me at the red eyes staring back at him.

Then he bowed his head respectfully.

“I will do everything you want,” he said quietly.

He stepped forward and took the whip from the guard’s hand. The leather cord looked heavy in his grip. The two men lowered their heads, preparing for the pain.

Damian raised the whip.

The first lash landed on Torin’s back with a loud crack. The man groaned but didn’t scream. Damian continued, his face blank, delivering each strike with controlled force. Fifty lashes on Torin. Then he moved to Garrick and gave him the same. The sound of the whip echoed through the courtyard. Blood ran down their backs. The people watched in shocked silence, some crying, some turning their heads away.

I felt like my heart was being torn apart.

Damian… why? Please stop…

Gotham watched with satisfaction, my red eyes glowing brighter with every lash. When Damian finished, he dropped the whip and stepped back, breathing heavily. His hands were stained with blood.

Gotham stood up and clapped slowly.

“Well done, my pet,” she said loudly so everyone could hear. “You are finally learning to obey. I am pleased.”

She turned to the crowd. “I spare these two men today because they are strong. But let this be a warning. Next time, I will not be so merciful.”

The people remained silent, too afraid to speak. Gotham smiled and waved my hand, dismissing them. The guards dragged the bleeding men away.

Inside my mind, I was crying.

Damian… how could you…? Have you really given up on me?

Gotham laughed softly in my head, mocking me.

See? I told you I would take everything from you. Even your precious mate is starting to belong to me now.

I felt broken. The man I loved had just whipped innocent people in front of the entire pack. I didn’t know what to believe anymore.

……

ALPHA ADAMIAN POV

I walked slowly toward the children’s room, my heart heavy with guilt and exhaustion. The spelled rope was hidden carefully under my shirt, pressing against my skin like a secret promise.

I pushed the door open gently. Ryker, Thorne, and Elara were sitting on the bed together. The moment they saw me, their small faces changed. They didn’t run to me like they used to. Instead, they looked at me with hurt and anger in their eyes.

I knelt down in front of the bed, trying to smile. “Hey, my loves. Daddy is here.”

None of them spoke at first. Elara looked away, her eyes watery. Thorne stared at the floor. Only Ryker met my gaze, his small jaw tight.

“How could you do that, Daddy?” he asked quietly, his voice shaking. “How could you hurt those men? They were just trying to help everyone. You whipped them… in front of all the people.”

I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I wanted to explain everything the plan, the rope, the need to make Gotham believe I had submitted. But they were just children. They wouldn’t understand why their father had to do something so cruel.

“I know it looked bad,” I said softly. “But I promise you, there is a reason. You will know soon. I’m doing this for Mummy. For all of us.”

Thorne finally looked up, tears in his eyes. “We don’t like this new Daddy. We want our old Daddy back. The one who protects people.”

Elara started crying quietly. “Mummy wouldn’t want you to hurt people…”

Their words cut deeper than any whip could. I reached out and pulled all three of them into my arms, hugging them tightly. They resisted at first, but then slowly hugged me back, their small bodies trembling.

“I’m still your Daddy,” I whispered against their hair. “And I love you more than anything. I will bring your real Mummy back. I swear it. Just trust me a little longer.”

I stayed with them for a while, kissing their foreheads and holding them close until they calmed down. When a guard knocked on the door and told me that “the Luna” wanted to see me, I felt my stomach twist.

“I have to go,” I said gently. “But I’ll come back soon. Be good for now.”

I left their room with a heavy heart and followed the guard down the hallway. When I entered the royal chambers, Gotham was waiting for me. She was wearing a very seductive, almost transparent nightgown that barely covered anything. The black silk clung to Leena’s body, revealing the curves I knew so well. My eyes instinctively looked away. All I could see was my mate’s face, my mate’s skin but it wasn’t her controlling it.

“What do you want?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.

Gotham smirked and stretched out on the bed, patting the space beside her. “Come closer, pet. I want you to massage my legs. They feel tired after such a long day of ruling.”

I hesitated for only a second, then walked over and knelt beside the bed. I took one of her legs gently and began massaging it with slow, firm strokes. My hands moved over Leena’s soft skin, but my heart ached with every touch. This was not my wife. This was the monster wearing her body.

Gotham watched my face closely, her red eyes studying me. “I like you better now,” she purred. “When you are an obedient pet who listens to me. You finally understand who is in control.”

She suddenly reached down and raised my chin with her fingers, forcing me to look at her. Then she leaned in and kissed me. Her lips pressed against mine, hungry and demanding. I felt a sharp pain in my heart. This was Leena’s mouth, Leena’s taste, but it wasn’t her. I fought every instinct to pull away. I had to make her believe me. I had to get close enough.

I kissed her back, pouring all my acting into it. I climbed onto the bed and moved on top of her, still kissing her deeply. Gotham moaned softly against my mouth, clearly enjoying it. She wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer.

While we kissed, I slowly reached under my shirt and pulled out the spelled rope. My hands trembled slightly as I took both of her wrists and brought them together above her head. She was so engrossed in the kiss that she didn’t notice at first. I quickly wrapped the rope around her wrists and tied it tight.

The moment the rope touched her skin, it began to glow with bright golden symbols. It tightened automatically, binding her hands together.

Gotham’s eyes snapped open in shock. She tried to pull her hands free, but the rope held firm.

“What did you do?” she snarled angrily, her multi-layered voice filled with rage.

I pulled back and looked down at her, a small, tired smile on my face.

“You will be out of my mate,” I said quietly.

“ Bastard!” she yelled, thrashing wildly on the bed. She tried to use her dark power, but the rope glowed brighter and weakened her. Her red eyes burned with fury as she screamed desperately, twisting and turning, trying to break free.

The rope held strong. I stood up from the bed, breathing hard, watching the monster who had stolen my wife struggle helplessly. It was working.
The real fight was about to begin.