Chapter 9 9
Lacey POV
As I watched Henry through the crack of the wooden door, I heard him speak to Scorpion, his right-hand man, in a low voice that was almost a whisper.
He told him to find out information about Laura, everything there is to know about her new family, and why she was back.
I quickly hid behind a pillar as soon as the guard scurried out of the room.
But my heart skipped a beat, why was he so curious about her all of a sudden?
I understand he was in shock, I mean, we are both shocked she is back and alive, but there was something else in his composure, it wasn’t fear or anger it was guilt, like he still desires her, and like his mate bond hasn’t faded off even after all these years.
I swallowed back the lump in my throat as the anger threatened to erupt inside of me.
The fact that he had to go behind my back to find out information about my sister was alarming.
What happened to doing things together, as a family?
After everything I’ve risked for his pack? After bringing a whole child into the world, he dares to stab me in the back?
No! I won’t let that happen.
I’ll show you why they call me, Lacey, the icy twin.
I grasped my chest as if for support, as I looked back at him standing over the window staring down at the window.
“Maybe they were meant to be together, maybe I was never meant to be his mate,” I muttered under my breath, wiping the tears that rolled down my cheeks.
Now wasn’t the time to be sad or grumpy, I’m the Luna of the Sanders clan, I need to address the entire pack and guests at my daughter's naming ceremony.
I forced a chuckle as I straightened walking back into the grand hall.
As I stepped in, the sound of laughter almost made me go deaf, people were cheering, clinking glasses dancing in happiness, and toasting to my newborn daughter Eloise.
I cleared my throat before speaking loudly. “Hello, everyone, I regret to inform you that the naming ceremony has come to an end, alpha Henry isn’t feeling too well, so as he gets some rest, you may all find your way home.”
Murmur erupted across the hall, and everyone looked puzzled but I didn’t care. They didn’t matter to me, none of them did.
“Thank you all for coming!”I hailed as they all shuffled out of the hall, within minutes the hall was empty just remaining my staff, maidens, empty plates, and bottles of wine.
“Can someone clear this place up?” I asked, my voice laced with impatience and irritation.
They began to get to work, mopping and dusting everywhere clean, I supervised them, before turning back to face Andrea, my chief maiden who held my daughter singing songs to her to make her fall asleep.
I watched in admiration, what would I do without her?
Then something caught my attention, the important guest had dropped their gifts on the table, money, gold, and everything valuable one can think of. Perhaps this was the good thing that happened tonight, not the presence of my stupid sister.
I scoffed walking back to the master bedroom where Henry and I shared.
Morning came but the thought still wouldn’t leave my mind.
I touched the space beside me, Henry was gone, I rolled my eyes, yawning, this shouldn’t surprise me anymore, it should be normal, he never told me when he was leaving, he just disappeared like a ghost, the same way he had been disappearing this past few years since the news of Laura’s death.
Speaking of ghosts, I could have sworn that she died in that damn car explosion five years ago. Or so I thought.
I wished she had never come back, her presence was never needed here.
“Good morning my lady,” Andrea said smiling as she stepped into my room, she was cradling Eloise in her arms.
“Morning, Andie, do you have an idea where my husband went?”
“Oh, Alpha King Henry has gone for training with his guards.” She cheered and I nodded.
As always, always leaving me alone.
I fell back onto the mattress, my heart racing and pounding for no good reason.
“Are you alright, my lady?” She asked as Eloise waved her tiny hands at me.
I smiled, “I’m fine, Andrea, I’m just stressed. The naming ceremony was so hectic, I’m sure you understand.”
“Yes, I do, my queen.” Andrea nodded, her chartreuse eyes catching the gleam of the sunlight. She has always been my confidante for years. Without her I would have died of boredom, she knew things no one else did.
She knew the secrets I buried in the grave, she knew the past mistakes I made, and my sins. One I’m never proud of talking about and others I write boldly on my chest.
“How is she?” I asked peeping at my child.
“She is fine, she didn’t cry at all, she has been quiet and strong, just like you.” She said, as she gently rocked Eloise.
“Bring her to me!” I whispered as I reached for my baby, kissing her all over her face as she giggled. “I’ll make sure she is stronger than me, she shall inherit this kingdom, I’ll kill anyone who stands in my way.”
Andrea and I exchanged smiles.
“What do you think about my twin sister who just resurrected from the dead?” I inquisitively asked Andrea.
She tried to hide her smile, damn, she was always a fan. “Well, my lady, I think she is overrated, the way everyone praises her like she is some god, oh please. You did the greatest thing ever, which is giving Alpha Henry an heir, you won at the end, and she? Well, let her just keep fighting the enemies.”
My heart fluttered instantly, I thought she was going to pick the enemy's side. “Thank you so much my chief maiden, you are a rare one.”
“Shall I put the baby in her room?”
“Yeah, when you are done with her, meet me in the grand living room, I need a tummy massage.”
She bowed curtly. “Anything you want, my lady.”
As soon as she was gone I stood instantly, still wearing a furry robe that reeked of luxury and riches. As soon as I stepped into the living room, my staff and maids bowed to greet me. While I sat on the seat two maidens fanned me while the others knelt to massage my feet, it was as if they could read my mind.
“Oh, how I love being Luna?” I chortled, gesturing to another to pour me wine.
I was already deep and intoxicated in their hands navigating all over my body, it calmed my mind in some ways and made me feel so relaxed.
That moment was cut short when the door burst open and Laura… Now Chloe stepped in, standing there looking fierce and bold as ever.
I caught a good glimpse of her hair, she had dyed it brown, still can't wrap my head around how much she has changed.
I slowly rose to my feet, hiding my shock with a fake smile that didn’t reach my eyes.
“Nice to see you again, sister.”I purred in a sweet tone.
“Cut the act, I know what you did.” She cut me off then went ahead to accuse me of having a hand in her death.
I gestured to the maidens to excuse us, but Andrea who had just returned remained there rooted to the ground, she was there for emotional support.
“I would never do such a thing to my own twin, that is pure evil,” I said softly, widening my eyes in shock and obliviousness.
Laura’s lips turn up. “I hope you are telling the truth, because if I find out you’re lying, not even your shield maidens or guards can save you from my hand. Not even Henry.”
I swallowed hard and she turned to leave.
“Wait…” I said and she stood still. “ Can we…. Can we start over? I know I’ve been cruel to you in the past but I've changed…”
“I don’t care… You were cruel to Laura, not Chloe.”
With that, she shook her head and said she had other things to attend to and that was all.
She disappeared like dust in the wind.
I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
A few minutes later, Henry returned. The sound of his boots echoing from a distance, he looked sweaty and exhausted but he had a puzzled look on his face.
“What’s this I’m hearing about Laura paying us a visit?” He asked.
I rose from my chair. “Why are you acting concerned all of a sudden? She is my twin! I should be the one who is worked up about her return ”
“Well, she was once my best friend and my…”
“Mate?” I asked, laughing bitterly. “Well, you humiliated her on her eightieth birthday, remember? You rejected her in front of everyone and chose me, you only got close to her because you wanted me, has that changed so fast because I grew fat?”
His lips parted but no words came out.
“It’s good you have nothing to say,” I chuckled, pulling out a dagger and staring at the reflection in the blade. “ She is our enemy now, we should treat her as one.”