Chapter 66. The Present Glory
Chapter 66. The Present Glory
Annabelle's POV
Mira sat beside me on the bed, disturbed about my sudden appearance in the pack without due notice.
“Why did you come here… alone?” She demanded, her voice tight, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
I didn't respond but gasped.
Tired of keeping up, I let out a little sigh, my voice cracking.
“I'm sorry …about everything,” I turned to Mira thinking she would express shock hearing me speak but she didn't look surprised at all.
This left me bewildered…maybe she knew I'd been faking it all along. And instead of confronting me, she decided to act along.
Or did Dad possibly leaked the secret?
“Angry about what exactly?" Mira said, her eyes fixed on me. “ That you hide the truth from me and from everyone?”
I exhaled. “We had plans….me and Alpha. That was why I decided to play along, pretending to be deaf when I'm not” I explained, my throat dried up.
Shifting a little away from me, Mira said with a low voice. “ I know you weren't deaf. I knew you could speak also” she paused and my brows furrowed.
“You do?” I asked. “But how did you find out?”
“Nevermind, Anna. You wouldn't understand even if I let out the thinnest secret to you” She muttered, her breath uneven.
Secret? The word rang a bell in my head.
What secret is Mira talking about?
Shifting my eyes back to Mira, I clenched my hand to her shoulders, my words rushed. “ When did you find this out? Is it Father who mentioned it to you?” I queried, quizzically.
Mira rose on her feet and gave me a gentle pat on the shoulders.
“I’ll get you water to refresh yourself. You look drained, "she said and turned away.
Days slipped pass. Nights stole in.
Three days have passed since I arrived at our pack yet Alpha has never made an attempt to come see as he promised.
It broke my heart. Most times, I had to hold on to the jewelry, hugging it tightly as though Alpha lived inside the little gem stone.
Since I arrived, Dad has been worried, raising different questions about my mate, Alpha Ashton.
To him, it is forbidden for me to return to his chambers after being lawfully mated with Alpha.
But what was my response? I told him Alpha was away on a trip and wouldn't be coming back anytime soon. That I had only visited to spend time with him and Mira.
He nodded but wasn't really convinced.
Then, he advised me to stay indoors to avoid unnecessary pressures from the pack members.
Mira, throughout the entire three days, had stayed by me, supporting me emotionally although I didn't mention anything about my relationship to her.
I laughed most of the time to her stories but those laughter didn't come from the inside.
That was how I've been carrying pain for days without letting anyone know about it.
I asked after Jason, my rejected mate and Dad told me he has been exiled and that no one has an idea where he might have wandered to.
I also realized that out of the six plots of lands given to my father, two were under construction with bigger structures that left the pack members wagging their tongues in envy and jealousy.
Since I became Alpha's mate, that fate has elevated my dad's status, earning him respect not as a common Beta but a prominent figure in our pack.
The story is no longer the same. Yesterday, we were nothing but objects of scorn and mockery in the eyes of our pack members—today, everything has changed.
The following morning, Mira and I decided to take a walk around. It's been four days since I arrived and had never left our chambers.
Villagers gnawed at me, my identity sealed before them.
Only a few with eagle eyes were able to recognize me.
Some even doubted it, using the opportunity to run after us to be sure if their eyes weren't pranking them.
“Annabelle?” I was surprised to hear my name from behind.
When I turned back, I sharply recognized the person. She was pregnant and looking unkept and shabby.
Telma is her name.
She used to be among the gang who mocked and said nasty things about me.
“Is that really you?” Surprise slipped from Telma's lips, her eyes flickering with doubt.
“Do you know her?” Mira whispered to me.
I nodded silently, surprised to see one of those who once mocked me standing alive before me, yet looking dead.
“Yes, I know her,” I replied to Mira.
“Oh, I see.” Mira giggled silently. “ She was abandoned by her mate in her present condition. That should be a pay back I guess” A scornful chuckle escaped from Mira's lips.
Shock gripped me. “Her mate abandoned her? Why?”
Before Mira could respond, Telma had already caught up with us In the place where we stood.
“Forgive me, Annabelle. I'm sorry for all I did to you in the past” Telma said, gasping for air.
Mira scoffed. “You must be really sick to address a Luna of a powerful pack by her name” She rolled her eyes, her voice laced with anger.
At that moment, Telma lowered her knees, begging for my forgiveness.
I sighed.
I intended to listen to Telma but Mira grabbed my hands at once, stopping me.
Dad must have narrated to her all that I went through in the hands of the pack members.
“You can't be seen on the street talking to nobody” A hint of anger sparkled in Mira's face.
And for once, I decided to dish out a dose of Telma's medicines to her.
Scoffing, I gently loosen my hand from Mira's grip.
Taking two bold steps forward to Where Telma knelt with her bulging stomach, I crossed my hands against my chest, my poise showing grace.
“You used to be very pretty back then,Telma. What happened…where are your cohorts?” I replied, my tone calm.
Mira laughed from behind.
Telma couldn't say a word or even look me in the eyes.
“You see,” I replied.” You were pretty yet your beauty only landed you in misfortune. I hope you learn from your mistake and raise your unborn child well…I'm sorry Telma but this is all I have for you”
My words hit Telma hard that she couldn't find words of expression.
Turning to Mira, my eyes brightened. “ Let's go, honey”
Mira gave Telma one horrible gaze and we began to walk back home.
Reaching home, my eyes collided with the horse tied just by the small shady tree in the compound.
My heart raced.
That must be Alph. He must have come visiting as he promised.