4

Tallula was pacing in her room, the accusation of snooping Oscar had hurled at her still stung her feelings.

She felt unsure of how to proceed. Just as she sank into a chair, Mary, an older woman who was part of her maidservants, entered the room and saw her mistress looking distressed.

“Luna, are you alright?” Mary asked, her voice soft.

Tallula looked up, her mind filled with confusion. “Mary, I don’t know what to do. The king… he accused me of sneaking around when I merely tried to follow the figure I saw going into his quarters last night, and he was so mean. I don’t understand what’s going on.”

Mary hesitated, then stepped closer. “Miss, there’s something you probably should know. I think the reason the king has been distant from you is… well, it’s because of his first love.” She said.

Tallula’s brows furrowed. “First love?”

Mary glanced around nervously before speaking. “Before you came here, he was deeply in love with another woman named Evelyn.”

Tallula’s heart pounded with the weight of this revelation. “Oh. Why didn’t anyone tell me about that?”

Mary sighed. “Well, it’s a sensitive subject. Mentioning her name brings up a lot of bad memories. But our lyc an king… he never really got over her.”

Tallula sat back, the pieces falling into place. Oscar’s coldness, his secrets, the mysterious visitors every night. Everything made sense now. “He’s still in love with her, isn’t he?”

Mary nodded slowly. “I believe so. And it’s tearing him apart because there’s this… competition between him and his brother.” Mary revealed.

Tallula didn’t even know he had a brother until now. She frowned, her confusion clashing with her hurt. “A competition? What kind of competition?” she asked.

Mary sighed and looked away. “It’s complicated, even I can’t tell what it’s really about, but I think it’s involving the kingship.”

Tallula’s silence gave away her confusion.

“He’s trying to protect the pack,” Mary continued, “… but he’s also trying to deal with his feelings for his first love, who he was hoping would give him an heir.”

Tallula felt a mix of anger and sadness. She had married Oscar, hoping for a fresh beginning, but she was just a pawn in a much larger game of his.

And her father, had he known about this all along? She wondered.

“What am I supposed to do now, Mary? How can I compete with someone from his past?”

Juliet looked at her with sympathy. “You deserve to be happy, Luna Tallula. Maybe you should talk to the Alpha at another time. Perhaps you could both settle it out.”

Tallula shook her head. “I’ll have a better chance of pissing him off. Maybe, he’d even order for my head to be delivered to him in a platter of gold,”

“No, Luna. I think…” Mary tried to reason but Tallula stopped her.

“Thank you, but you may leave now.”

…

The next day...

6:49 AM.

Tallula sat in front of a mirror, staring at her reflection with the thoughts of Oscar and his lover heavy on her mind. She still hadn’t fully recovered from the revelation about Oscar’s true motives.

And right now, the unexpected appearance of him in the room, without the courtesy of knocking, surprised her.

“Oscar…” she said as she sighted him through the mirror and struggled to get up from her seat.

“I need you to get ready as soon as possible. We have a guest arriving soon.” He stated, ignoring her nervousness.

She managed to turn and face him, her eyes dull. “A guest? Who?”

Oscar hesitated, his jaw tightening, before revealing. “My twin brother. We have an important event and his presence is needed, just as yours is too.”

“What kind of event?” Tallula inquired.

Oscar replied, avoiding her gaze. “Just know that it’s important, and for me to maintain a certain image, you have to be presented as best as you can.”

Her heart sank further. “So, I’m just a pawn in your game?”

Oscar’s eyes flashed with something… guilt, maybe? But he quickly hid it. “It’s not like that. I have to make decisions for the good of the pack.”

Tallula stood, her fists clenched. “Decisions that involved using me? Marrying me while you still loved someone else?”

Oscar’s shock quickly appeared on his face, and she guessed he didn’t think she would find out about his first love so soon. He turned to leave, but then paused at the doorway. “Be ready in an hour. It’s not a request. It’s an order,”

With that, he was gone, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

Tallula took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

She had to face his twin brother and whatever this competition between them was about, but her heart was heavy with the knowledge of King Oscar’s intentions with her.

Tallula stood in front of the mirror, feeling the weight of Oscar’s words pressing on her. The dress the maids had chosen for her was beautiful, but it felt more like a cage.

She didn’t want to meet his twin brother, especially not under these circumstances.

The revelation about Evelyn had left her feeling useless, and now Oscar was using her again, this time to make his brother jealous.

Oscar entered the room again. ‘Twice in one day, he must be desperate,’ she thought.

His eyes scanned her appearance critically. “You look perfect,” he said, though his tone lacked any warmth.

Tallula squeezed her eyes, trying to keep her emotions in check. “Why does it matter so much to you? Why do I have to be part of this competition between you and your brother?”

Oscar didn’t flinch, but his desperation was quite evident. “It’s not just about him. It’s about showing everyone that I have everything under control, and that I’m stronger and more capable. Having a beautiful wife by my side helps solidify that image.”

Tallula’s eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away. “And what about my feelings? What about the fact that you’re using me to play your games?”

Oscar’s face didn’t soften even for a second, but then he shook his head. “This is bigger than us, Tallula. You have to trust me.”

“Trust you?” Tallula laughed bitterly. “After everything, I’m finding out now? After Evelyn?”

Oscar’s expression hardened more. “You have to do this. You don’t have a choice.” He expressed.

She wanted to refuse, to get up, walk away and never look back, but she knew that would only make things worse. Taking a deep breath, she nodded reluctantly. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

“Good. I wouldn’t want to have to force you to it.” He replied coldly.