CHAPTER 137

CHAPTER 137
ANASTASIA

"A toast to Crescent pack's future Luna, Anastasia!" Casey cheered, lifting her glass into the air.

Linda and the maids cheered out loud, while I just gave out a light smile, raising my glass a little.

It's ten in the night, and my stepmother and step sister organized a Bachelorette party, to celebrate my mating ceremony in advance.

A celebration father refused Linda to host, about five to seven times today, fearing that my so-called mother will harm me.

He didn't make this fear visible to her. No, he just spoke like a man who didn't want any disturbance at his home.

But Linda wasn't going to allow this opportunity slide out from her fingers. She was keen on getting father to say yes. Even going as far as faking motherly love and affection, over an imaginary wish to make this night memorable for me.

Trust me, we won't be having this party if not for Diego. He noticed the tension rising between my father and Linda, and chose to support Linda's wish, assuring father that I'll be fine.

His promise was enough to calm father's worry.

That's why I'm here with these animals, acting like I care about this arrangement.

I haven't forgotten the past.

This is the same kind of party Linda and Casey held before my wedding to Damian.

The same vibe that looked like a dream at first, until reality slapped me across the face, imprinting a problem Diego and I were battling for long.

"Be careful around them. They are up to something," Diego had said to me after we returned to the room, from the gathering we had.

In his hand held the bottle of the substance Casey had given to Diego, to deceive him into thinking I'm unfit to be his wife.

"I'm a hundred percent sure that the drinks and snacks meant for you, has been laced with the drug. But I know you can handle this. You're my queen," He had said, taking me romantically by the chin for a passionate kiss.

And ever since I arrived, I've been watching both Casey and Linda's movement around a different tray with drinks and snacks.

They served me from there, proving what Diego had warned me about.

"Drink up, sis. It's your day," Casey said, gulping down her drink while staring at my glass.

I gave her a brief eye lock before letting out a smile, dropping the glass down on the side table without drinking a thing.

When Linda and Casey saw this, their countenance changed.

They both shared a quick glance at each other, before Linda came over to my spot and asked, sitting next to me, "Why aren't you drinking, my dear? It's your night."

"I see no reason to celebrate this when tomorrow ain't my wedding. It's just mine and Casey's birthday party," I reminded, raising my brow.

My stepmother chuckled like I had made a joke, getting the maids, who joined us as per Linda's instruction—to make the party more lively—to laugh along with her.

"Silly girl. Can't we hold it now?" She giggled, placing her arm over my shoulder.

"Everyone will be super busy for your wedding. We won't have the chance to celebrate you."

"Yes sis. Grab this opportunity and party like crazy!" Casey cheered once more, walking towards the music player they had placed at the corner in the room.

Before she could turn the mp on... "I knew I wasn't imagining it," I scoffed, gaining everyone's attention on me, even Casey's.

"You called me sis. Not the first or third time. You've been calling me that ever since you and your Alpha came over to stay with the family," I pointed out, looking right at a confused Casey.

"I don't understand, Anna. Is there something wrong about the way she called you sis?" Linda questioned. Her curiosity shooting high.

"I mean that's what your sister calls you. You're both sisters."

"Not to Casey," I smirked, finally strucking a chord in my dearest sister.

She knows exactly what I'm saying.

Her faded smile says it all.

"It's hard to tell if you're really happy about my new found love or you're looking for another way to preach to me about my Alpha being horrible."

"What are you saying, dear?" Linda asked, looking over at Casey, hoping she'd say something.

My stepsister, who thought Anastasia De Great has forgotten all the crap she said at my party, gave out a chuckle and said, "Anna, you know I said all that out of love. I really didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

"Love indeed," I hummed, rising to my feet, approaching her.

"Your way of showing love can be amusing... Sister. Maybe next time, keep your advice to yourself. Okay?" I smiled, standing before her.

Casey's eyes showed nothing but rage.

I know she wants to launch her fist at me to ease her temper. But if they want their silly plan to work, they have no choice but to keep this drama going.

"Okay, Anna. I've heard you," She said, letting out a sigh.

"I am sorry," She apologized, wrapping her arms around me for a hug.

"Awww! I love it when you girls settle your differences. You make me proud," Linda shrieked in joy, getting the maids to applaud Casey and I, to boost this sisterly bond.

But unknown to them... "I don't accept your fucking apology, Casey," I whispered to my stepsister, feeling her body shiver on me.

Oh, she got that message really good.

"You tried to seduce my mate and turn me against him. You already said it that night at my party. We aren't sisters anymore. And I have accepted that with all of my heart. So if you think this drama will sway me back into your sisterly bond, then you're completely insane."

A stunned Casey immediately pulled away, dropping her shocked gaze on me.

I chuckled like a cunning beast and carefully walked passed her, turning on the music myself.

"Congratulations to me!" I cheered this time, throwing Casey one last look of pride, which left her feeling disturbed, before I walked over to the maids, getting them to dance with me.

As we danced, I noticed Linda going over to Casey's point to find out what happened.

I don't need to use my wolf hearing to eavesdrop on their conversation. Their face expression is enough.

I acted like I didn't see them and kept dancing, until Linda came over with my glass, offering it to me to drink.

"It's your day. Enjoy!" She said, placing it in my hold.

I had no choice but to take it from her. If I decide not to accept it over and over, they'll suspect my behavior.

"Looks like I have no choice," I muttered within, gulping down the wine as they wanted.

When step mom saw this, her face immediately brightened like the sun in the sky.

She gave Casey a signal and my stepsister went over to the tray with the drink prepared specially for me, and poured more into another glass, dancing over to serve me.

Again, I gulped down the wine and gradually pulled myself away from their point to dance in a different corner. Still, they came nearer like flies to a corpse, offering me another glass.

"They want to fill my system with the substance so I can't escape their scheme tomorrow," I observed, still acting unaware.

To get them off my tail, I faked dizziness and said to step mom, rubbing my forehead, "I think I'll call it a night. I suddenly feel tired."

"Oh, no problem, Anna. Do get some rest," She said, patting me on the shoulder.

I smiled and left the room, heading up the stairs while faking weakness.

From the corners of my eyes, I spotted Casey and Linda watching me from the entrance.

They want to make sure their weapon is working perfectly well.

I was soon out of sight, making way to my room to meet Diego. That's when I picked a presence following me from behind like my shadow.

It was getting closer and faster.

Quickly, I pulled out my hidden dagger from my pocket and turned over speedily, pointing the sharp edge of the silver blade right on the neck of... "Don't you ever get tired, Damian?"

My Ex-mate froze in his spot, shocked by my swift action.

"You...you carry that around?!" He breathed out fearfully, feeling the blade touching his skin.

"For horny wolves like yourself, I make sure I keep a treat close by, just in case," I chuckled, pushing the dagger closer.

Damian gulped, backing away immediately.

"A weak woman doesn't hold a weapon like a fully active being!"

"So you were spying on me, huh?" I raised my brow, amused by this psychopath's obsession.

"You thought you could snatch me from behind, straight into a hidden corner, and then fuck me the way you've always wanted? You're really begging for death, Damian."

"You and I know very well that we belong together!" He spoke strongly, almost stepping closer to me, but a bit.

"You are my mate, Anna. And no one can change that truth."

"This yammering here and there about me being your mate, blah blah blah... It's of no use to me, Damian," I shrugged, letting him know... All over again.

"Your claim would have been valid if you had said it to everyone that very night of our wedding. But you had other plans and chose that over me. And here you are using that crap on me, because I'm what? Stupid?" I swayed my head, crossing my arms.

"If I were you Damian, I'll zip my lips before I lose my tongue."

"I won't zip a thing when..." He paused, looking right behind me.

Damian lost his confidence in an instant, as he drew back step by step.

And I know exactly why he's acting like a pup now.

"Is there a problem?" Diego questioned, placing his arm over me, possessively.

Damian couldn't speak but walked away quickly.

"I thought he was going to repeat his last statement to your face."

"He should have. I'd have love to rip his tongue out."

I giggled, heading back to the room with my Alpha.

In there, Diego asked about the party and I told him the stunts Linda and Casey pulled, forcing me to take the infected drink.

"I need to take my pills before the drug takes an effect on me."

"There's no need for that," Diego said, taking hold of the tablet cup in my hold.

With a careful and soft wrap around my waist, he said, pulling me closer to his body, "You can't get infected if the drink didn't have anything in it."

"Wait, are you saying you..." I gasped, understanding what he meant.

Diego smiled and revealed, "I had a feeling they'd want to force my Luna to drink their poison, so I swapped the original for a much better one."

"YOU'RE THE BEST!!" I screamed out, jumping right on Diego.

He held me tight with his strength, laughing out happily.

"I love you so much!"

"Daddy loves you more," He professed, locking lips with me.

I kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck.

When our lips parted a bit he revealed a secret to me. "I kept the spiked drink safely for both Linda and Casey. Someone's got to drink their own medicine tomorrow."

"Spoken like a true Alpha Lord," I chuckled.