CHAPTER 273

CHAPTER 273
Chapter 273

"My goodness, Haven!" Rosie exclaimed the moment she and Avena stepped into the room, " You're looking so so beautiful, just like how it's supposed to be, every mother should be jealous," She said, rolling her eyes. Haven giggled a little; she knew Rosie was referring to Natasha.
"Oh, stop buttering me up, Rosie. You girls are ready too?" She walked to meet them.
"You know it, goodness, this is going to be the First time I'm witnessing an event since I came here," Rosie gushed. "I've never attended a werewolf event before."
That's right, sometimes Haven kept forgetting Rosie is Human.
"Don't worry, it's just as every other naming ceremony you know." Haven had smoothed her gown. "Shall we? I want to get this done and over with this ASAP."
She sighed. If it were up to her, she wouldn't even attend this event in the first place.
"You know, you can always stay back, you don't have to go if you don't want to," Avena said. "I'm sure they'll understand."
"No, Avena." Haven shook her head. "I have to be there. I'm the Luna after all, it won't look good for Lucious if I don't go."
Rosie rolled her eyes. "Again with worrying about the Alpha." They walked into the elevator, and Avena pressed the buttons. " He's still not come home, has he?"
"Actually, he came last night."
"What?" Both Rosie and Avena's eyes went wide. "Did he now?" It was Avena who asked
"Yes," Haven nodded, "But he left soon after, Natasha called."
"Natasha, that bitch!" Rosie cursed, "Goodness, I'm telling you, Haven, she's definitely trying to keep the Alpha away from you. You can't let her do that."
"I don't know.." Haven didn't want to believe them. " I think something was wrong with the baby again."
"I really don't trust that woman," Rosie snorted.
"Me neither," Avena supported, "Rosie is right, Natasha must be up to something."
Haven sighed, "Well, whatever it is, I really don't care. Natasha can't come between me and Lucious, we're mates, and I'm sure she knows that." They were walking into the reception hall now. The moment they did, Haven felt someone's eyes on her. She looked towards the center where she saw Lucious, he stood in the midst of some guests whom she guessed were here to congratulate him, but his eyes and concentration were on her only.
A small smile spread across his face, and Haven found herself smiling back.
Seconds passed, and they both allowed themselves to get lost in each other's gaze.
"Earth to Haven!" Rosie elbowed her gently while Avena laughed
"Ouch! What was that for?" Haven rubbed her arm
"You should run into his arms instead of staying here and staring like that, you know?" Rosie said mischievously, and Avena giggled.
"You both are crazy" Haven rolled her eyes and looked up again, she saw Lucious engaged in a conversation with someone as they walked away.
A slight pang of sadness hit her. She really missed him.
"C'mon, don't be sad." Avena grabbed her by the arm.
"Yes," Rosie grabbed her other arm, "We might not be the Alpha, but we're just as fun, right Avena?"
"Right!" Avena answered, "We can't stand here all evening, let's go have fun!" They dragged Haven with them amidst laughter. The hall bubbled with so many people. Alphas, Betas, and a lot more.
"Goodness, I didn't know a naming will be this tiring" Rosie blew out, it's been hours since they've been here, moving from one place to the other, smiling and accepting greetings from other guests.
If being a Gamma's partner was this stressful, she wondered what being a Luna would feel like. It definitely wasn't a burden she'd want to carry on her shoulders. She glanced towards Haven, who was staring at something uninterestingly. Avena and Rosie tried their best to cheer her up throughout the evening, but it didn't quite work. They could see the sadness hidden beneath the smile on her face.
"I'm actually tired," Rosie whined. "How much longer will we be here? My legs are aching from all the standing."
"Just till they announce his name," Avena informed, and Haven nodded. "They're about to do that now," She added. Everyone had started to gather around the stage.
"Oh, good!" Rosie was a little excited, "I wonder what the child's name would be. Let's go hear"
"You guys carry on," Haven said when they started to move. "I'll— I'll just hang around here"
"Why should you? You should come with us," Rosie insisted.
"I think Haven is right," Avena supported Haven this time around. "I don't think she needs to be there anyway. The parents of the child will be called on stage and well…"
"Oh.." Rosie understood and cleared her throat. "Speaking of the devil.." Her eyes caught Natasha catwalking into the large hall. A tight-fitting gown hugged her body perfectly, revealing all her womanly curves. They hadn't seen her all evening. "The bitch is here," She scoffed, making Haven and Avena turn to look at her, too.
Natasha's eyes met with Haven's, a wicked smile made its way up her face as she made her way to them.
"Oh my oh my, if it isn't our 'Luna' Haven." She smiled wickedly. "It's been a while. What are you doing here all alone?" One of her brows raised, and her eyes darted around. "Where's your 'Alpha '? I can't see him anywhere around— oh— there he is." Her searching eyes found Lucious. " Way.. way over there.. Away from you," She chuckled lightly.
"Well, I can't see him by your side either, " Rosie retorted
"You, Human bitch!" Natasha scowled, "How dare you talk to me like that?!" Rosie opened her mouth to say something more when a hand held her arm. She looked back to see Haven shake her head at her.
"Don't. It's not worth it," Haven simply said.
Natasha scoffed, "You know what will be worth it? The look on your face when Lucious brings me up on stage and introduces me to everyone here as his partner and the mother of his child!" She spat and glared at Haven one last time before storming off.
"Urghh, I hate that bitch" Rosie groaned, her fists balled. " What does she think of herself? And what does she mean by introduce?" Her eyes looked towards Avena for an explanation.
Avena sighed, "It's time. Let's go see"
"Wait! Tell me—" Rosie started to say as Avena dragged her away while Haven stayed behind. More and more people gathered around the stage. It was time to announce the child's name, and like Natasha had said, both parents would be called on stage. Lucious would have to introduce his partner to everyone here tonight, and it ached Haven's heart to know it wasn't her.
Haven saw Lucious walk up the stage as the ceremony started. The time to announce the child's name soon came, and as expected, Lucious will have to introduce Natasha, the mother of his child, to everyone here tonight. Haven's heart ached as she stood there, listening to Lucious sing praises of Natasha.
The more he talked, the more Haven's heart slowly broke. Her eyes met with
Lucious's tears pooled in her eyes. Her eyes left Lucious' and met with Natasha's, who was smirking wickedly as if to say, 'I knew the expression on your face would be worth it!'
"... the woman who, because of which, happiness was finally brought into my life. Ever since she's returned, my life has been filled with nothing but joy." Haven couldn't stop her tears from streaming down her face.
How could Lucious do this to her? How can he be praising another woman while she was right here?
"She's given me the best gift a man ever asked for..." He continued, and Haven couldn't take it anymore. Her chest tugged painfully as she turned and started to walk away. She wouldn't give Natasha or anyone the satisfaction of seeing her break down.
"This woman is none other than Haven." His words made Haven halt, her face scrunched up in confusion. She spun around abruptly and saw Lucious was staring right at her.
"Yes, she is none other than my partner, my woman, my mate, my Luna, and the love of my life, Haven.