Chapter 23

Chapter 24
LILA'S POV

The unfamiliar she-wolf is charging at me with rage.

All I can do is cower and press my eyes tightly shut and brace for the impact of her attack.

“Josephine, STOP!” Alec's voice booms, and everywhere immediately goes pin-drop silent as I slowly open my eyes.

The wolf had stopped a few inches away from me.

Alec stood in between the both of us, eyes fixed on this 'Josephine'.

She shifts back in the next minute, taking her sweet time to pull on the dress one of the pack members hands her before smiling at Alec.

“Alec! It's been forever!” She squeals going in to hug Alec.

Much to my surprise, he hugs her back.

A weird pang hits me in my chest seeing my mate touch another female that wasn't me.

Was it jealousy I was feeling?

Who was she, and why was she hugging me like it was completely normal?

“I'm sorry if Josephine here scared you, Amelia; she's known to be quick-tempered at times.” He jokes, turning to face me with the lady hanging off his arm.

“I didn't realise you were a friend of Alec's; I thought you were just some weak omega trying to step out of her place.” She smiles at me sweetly.

Why didn't her statement sound genuine, though?

“Josephine, meet Amelia, Kael's…wife, and Amelia, meet Josephine. We used to be the best of friends growing up.” Alec introduces, and I ooh in understanding.

“Yeah, I came back to town when the news got to me that you were back. Does it mean that you and Kael have settled your difference?” She turns to Alec.

Was she best of friends with Kael too?

The pack members around gradually begin to disperse, and I think that's my cue to leave too and give the newly reunited friends some space.

“That's not the reason I returned; I came for what's mine.” Alec's statement makes me halt in my retreat.

His eyes are locked in on mine, and I can feel Josephine's curious stare too.

“Uhm, I'll excuse myself. Sorry, I need to go tend to my garden.” I mumble the excuse, hurrying off before Alec can object.

I've had enough training for one day.

What would have become of me if Alec hadn't interjected and stopped Josephine from attacking me?

I needed to become stronger.

I couldn't keep relying on getting saved whenever I found myself in a tight spot.

Remembering how Alec hadn't said anything to Josephine's assumption of me being a 'friend', my heart feels heavy.

I didn't mind that he had introduced me as Kael's wife; it made me feel tingly even.

I just wished he could also say I was his mate without it looking odd.

Likewise, I wished I could be able to correct her that I wasn't his friend but his fated mate without stirring up more trouble.

I return to my room and take a shower, rinsing off all the sweat from hours of training.

Changing into a simple dress, I head out to check my garden.

It crosses my mind how I hadn't seen Camille all morning, so I decide to stop by hers and Adrian's room.

After a while of knocking and not getting an answer, I push the door open and head in.

The room was empty and cleared out.

Had they left?

Silly of me to think that maybe she would have notified me first.

It wasn't like she let me know before appearing here in the first place.

It was for the better that she left, even.

After all, she, my dad and my mum had gotten all the power they aimed at after marrying me off.

What more could they want?

Aside from still wanting to kill me, of course.

I leave the room and continue on my way to the garden.

Once I'm there, I busy myself with the flowers I was trying to grow, humming a tune softly as I work.

“None of my sources mentioned a wife in Kael's life.” A voice startles me, and I turn to see Josephine standing behind me with a smile.

“Oh, perhaps it's because I only got married to him about a month ago? I haven't been here long.” I reply, offering her a friendly smile.

“Or possibly it's because you don't matter much, and you're only here for power. You know Kael can never love you, right?” She spits at me, her smile dropping.

So she was indeed faking it.

I look away, feeling shame settle in me at the hidden truth in her words.

He had almost an entire wing of the estate cut off for me.

He didn't sleep in the same bed with me, nor did we share a room.

He hadn't consummated our marriage or even marked me.

Our marriage was really just a power deal, it seemed.

But why was I finding it difficult to try running away again?

Why couldn't I bring myself to think of another escape plan without thinking of him and Alec?

“I'm his wife, and soon I'll be announced as Luna; we'll learn to live with each other.” That's the only reply I can come up with that doesn't sound rude.

She begins laughing at this, flipping her perfect black hair over one shoulder.

She drags her eyes from my muddy feet that I had been moving around in the garden with after taking off my shoes to work better.

Along with my mud-smeared dress and hands, and then meets my eyes with hers.

“Keep deceiving yourself; I grew up with the twins, and no one knows them better than me. You should get ready, darling; I'm going to prove to them and everyone in the pack that you're only here for their money and power.” She announces.

Giving me one last condescending look, she struts off.

Just when I thought I was free from Camille's own drama, Josephine appears to take over.

What could she possibly be plotting?