Chapter 15 15
Lacey’s pov
‘Why was she back?’ I asked myself rhetorically but of course, no one answered.
I tried to sleep but couldn’t, I just kept staring at the ceiling trying to block the numerous thoughts bugging me.
The night was cold and silent. The shallow sound of Andrea, my chief maiden, breathing was the only thing that reminded me that I wasn’t alone in this room.
I rolled my eyes, staring at the candle, it had already burned down to a stub. If she weren’t so exhausted she would have fixed this for me, but then I invited her in thinking Henry would join us but then he didn’t, I guess he hated my guts now.
And all these started ever since Laura now Chloe blueblood came Into the picture.
Andrea moaned rolling onto her side, her eyes wide open. “ Luna, are you awake?” She asked, her voice still filled with sleep. “What’s going on in your mind?”
I didn’t respond, I didn't have words, my fingers toyed with the edge of the blanket. It had the Sanders crest on it, of course, it was our bedroom, but he wasn’t here, I swallowed hard, looking away. “ It's Henry.”
“What happened to Alpha Henry?”
“He’s been acting so strangely of late… It’s terrifying.” I confessed.
Andrea blinked twice sitting up slowly, her gaze never leaving my face. “ What do you mean, my lady?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Ever since my sister returned, he’s been acting so cold towards me.” Even as I spoke the words felt so heavy on my lips. I pulled my knees to my chest wrapping my arms Around Them like a scared little girl. “He barely speaks to me, or even breakfasts with his family, if he’s not in the training ground, he’s only God knows where, he must be cheating.”
“You can’t say that, queen…”
“No… I know my husband, he used to be obsessed with me, but now he barely looks at me anymore. He isn’t moved by my nakedness, our nakedness, I can feel it, Andrea. Everything is tearing me apart, maybe this is my punishment.”
“No, Lacey,” for the first time, Andrea called me by my name, and she brushed the strand of hair off my face. “This isn’t any of your fault, it’s just what men do, they get tired of the very person who has been there for them during the hard times.”
“Still doesn’t change the fact that I’m a horrible person, I was glad when she got into that accident.” I retorted with venom laced in my tone.
We went silent for a few minutes, but Andrea's gaze never left me. They stared at me with concern and empathy. Trust me, that was the last thing I needed, some pity from some maid. I just wanted to regain control once again, I just wanted to be back in my prime.
She placed a hand on my shoulder, her perky breasts jiggling. “ Don’t let this feat get to you, you gave Alpha Henry a child, that alone secures your place as Luna, no one can take that away from you not even Chloe Blueblood, Eloise will be the heir, and there you have it…. Your leverage.”
I nodded, but my fingers didn’t stop trembling, “ What if that’s not enough? What if that isn’t enough to keep a man like you said, I heard a man can even throw you out along with your child because he reunited with his mate!”
Andrea was stunned she didn’t know what to say at this point she just looked away, grabbing her dresses scattered all over the bed. “ Excuse me, my lady.” She said.
I let out a sigh and swung my legs over the bed and stood, I also slipped into the golden silk robe as I walked towards the full-sized mirror staring at my reflection. A frown spread across my face, I’d added a few pounds these past few days, my blonde hair was the only thing that shimmered, and even the lines on my face couldn't hide the sadness and fear I felt.
Laura looked so much better than me now. It was as if she swapped my destiny, I always knew she always wanted to be, but then I never expected her to look better than me.
I scowled, picking up my earrings from the dresser table, fastening them one by one, choking back the tears that threatened to spill.
I needed to do something about this situation, I thought.
“I’d be visiting my parents, they need to hear about Laura’s…. Appearance, in the meantime make sure you clean up the room before your Alpha returns.” I gulped.
Andrea sat up and she was fully dressed now, “ Should I come with you?”
I grinned, shaking my head. “No. I need you to stay here and look after my prized possession, Eloise. Make sure no harm comes to her, protect her like your life depends on it because everyone wants her dead.” My tone hardened as I spoke. “ Remember, she’s the only leverage I have left on Henry.”
Andrea nodded but held my arm gently, “Please be careful, my lady.”
A smile played on my lips, a fake one.
“I’m always careful.”
I strode towards the forest green royal car waiting at the big gate, and as soon as the chauffeur saw me he bowed curtly, opening the door to let me sit at the back.
The journey to the Brown territory, my parents’ home, took barely thirty minutes. I almost dozed off when the chauffeur yelled. “ We’re here ma'am."
I smiled as I peeked out the window, I could see the Brown estate looming ahead of me, it was higher than I remembered.
Finally, the car came to a halt and I stepped out into the cold air. It was late, almost 10 pm but I couldn’t sleep, not until I satisfied my conscience.
As soon as the front door screeched open my father's face appeared, his hair had been completely covered with gray hair,
“Lacey!” He exclaimed, spreading his arms wide pulling me close in a right hug. “What is the Luna of the Sander’s Kingdom doing here at this time of night? Are you okay? ”
I hugged him back, shutting my eyes as I felt the peaceful impact of the embrace, he still smelled of tobacco. “ I’m fine, Father, where is Mom?”
“She should be asleep, now tell me the truth, why are you here?”
“Can’t I miss my parents?”
“I know you Lacey, you’re still my baby girl.”
“Well, I came to tell you that Laura is alive.” I dropped the bombshell but he didn’t look too shocked; it was as though he already knew.
“So it’s true…”
“Yes, she goes by the name Chloe… Chloe blue blood, but it’s Laura, in flesh and blood.”
“She can rot in hell,” my mother’s voice cut in.
She was right behind my father. She still looked as elegant as ever, her blonde hair tied neatly in a ponytail. “ She's no child of ours anymore. Our Laura died in that car accident, whoever this Chloe blue blood is, she is of the blue blood’s bloodline not the Brown’s.
I forced a smile, “So, it’s just me, then.”
My mother smiled back at me, pulling me close in an embrace. “It’s always been you, Lacey, always know that.”
By the time I left the villa, it was barely eleven pm, even though their words comforted me and made me feel better, I was still worried for Henry, and my claim to the throne.
But then I missed someone else, so I told the driver to take me somewhere else. I lied that I wanted to take a piss.
As soon as I stepped out of the car I trekked into the woods till I stopped in front of a small cabin standing alone at the edge of the woods, I paused before knocking twice.
The door opened and Theodore’s face appeared. He stood there, tall broad broad-shouldered, his jaw dropped and his mouth widened in shock to see me.
“Lacey… what are you doing here?” He asked.
Before I could say a word he pulled me close into a tight embrace and that’s when the dam broke, tears flowed down my cheeks like a waterfall.
He pulled away, “ Come in, it’s freezing.” He said carrying me inside the warm and cozy cabin.
As soon as we were locked in, “What are you doing here?” He asked again.
“ I’m here because I miss you…”
“I missed you too.”
He paused before grabbing me close for an intimate kiss, well we ended up making love in his satin sheets, both of us lay naked, breathing hard, sweating bodies rubbing each other.
I draw circles on his chest and whisper into his ears. “ I need to leave.”
“So soon? Stay the night, Lace. Please, for me.”
“My daughter needs me.”
“How’s she?”
“Alive… “
He cupped my jaw so I could look into his eyes. “You seem sad, what is it?”
“Of course I’m sad, would you do anything for me?” I asked in a seductive tone.
“Yes, Lacey, I’d do absolutely anything for you.”
I leaned close whispering into his ear. “I need you to finish what you started. Kill Chloe blueblood and I’d be yours forever.”