134- The Spiral of Wolves and Lies
POV Lunara Grimwald:
Kellan let out a laugh dripping with scorn.
“But it will matter when you see him chasing other females because you’ve gotten ugly, fat, and uninteresting to him.” He shrugged. “I’m just trying to do my job as a good father-in-law and give you proper advice.”
The alpha’s contempt and lack of respect were revolting. As far as I was concerned, he could choke on his own venomous tongue and die with it lodged in his throat. His opinion—just like Alessio’s, or any other male in that pack—was irrelevant. They were all despicable, every single one.
If Alessio took interest in another female and forgot about me, it would be a blessing.
I smelled him before hearing his steps. My body stiffened.
“I see you’ve made yourself at home,” Alessio said, walking through the front door. “Missed home?”
Kellan sat on the sofa, watching us.
“I’ll make the most of the time I’m stuck here,” I retorted.
One dark eyebrow arched.
“The time you’re stuck here?”
A poisonous smile curled at my lips.
“Do you really believe I’m going to spend the rest of my life by your side?”
At the first opportunity, Alessio, I’m running. Again.
He was in front of me in a heartbeat, moving so fast my hair shifted with the air he cut. I clenched my teeth and held my breath, nauseated by his scent. Once—years ago—it had been one of my favorites.
“Shall we discuss how I’ll kill you without hesitation if you set one foot outside this village?” He clicked his tongue. “And then I’ll go after your precious little sister, so she can entertain me.”
My heart sped up, pressure rising instantly at the mention of my sister.
“You’ll never find her…” I whispered.
He laughed.
“For now, no. But once she transforms and her wolf scent strengthens, then yes—I’ll find her.”
It was an empty threat—Elowen could be anywhere in the world. Hard to track. Or so I prayed.
“What do you want?” I hissed.
He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms.
“I’m very sorry about everything that happened between us in the past. I shouldn’t have rejected you at the altar.”
“How kind of you to regret it,” I mocked.
He shook his head.
“I didn’t say I regret it—I said I lament it.”
“Even better,” I snapped.
“It was my fault,” Kellan cut in, rising from the sofa. “I was the one who created the plan. Alessio only followed my orders. To be honest, I think he even liked you at some point.”
Alessio nodded in agreement.
“You know my motivations. Your father humiliated mine by taking my mother as his mistress. So as revenge, we… well, you already know. Your father is dead, our vengeance is complete, and now we can move on.”
I pressed my lips together.
“Of course.”
“At first I hunted you just for fun, because I wanted to finish my revenge. But then you caught the attention of a Tharnak alpha, and I realized you were worth something—since you made him mate with you.”
Every word that left his mouth shocked me more than the last—something I didn’t think was possible.
“So you’re only interested in having me because Edric also showed interest?”
He nodded.
He actually confirmed it. I stared at him, stunned by his shamelessness.
“You’ll become my wife and give me my heirs. As my mate, you’ll have benefits. You’ll be respected by the males and have a good life.”
“I hope you give my son males, unlike your mother, who could only produce females,” Kellan interjected.
“I’m not a weakling like Vittorio, Father,” Alessio scoffed. “We won’t have just two offspring. If necessary, Lunara will spend the rest of her life spitting out my heirs until she gives me a male.”
“I’m not an incubator,” I snarled, my eyes blazing.
“Not yet,” he agreed, unfolding his arms and lifting a finger. “But you will be. Soon.”
I stepped closer, a fleeting smile curling at my lips.
“Let me tell you something, Alessio. I will never forgive you. Never.” My voice cracked with each word. “I don’t even like you. I despise you. You disgust me.”
“But you loved me once,” he cut in.
“Love is far too strong a word. I only accepted my supposed fate as your wife and clung to a male who never existed—a fantasy who promised me a better life than the one I had.”
He laughed.
“You’re so easily manipulated, Lunara, you even fell in love with Edric. A wolf who is, right now, with his lover, celebrating the fact that you disappeared from his life.”
I tried to ignore the twisting in my stomach, the heaviness sinking into my chest. I swallowed to ease the tightness in my throat.
“At least I know everything I lived with Edric was real. I fell for a true male—not an illusion crafted to deceive me.” My voice was rough. “He was honest with me every moment—good or bad. I know who he is, every second, every reaction. And even so, I fell in love. I don’t care if he doesn’t reciprocate, if he’s with Thalira now, because what I felt was real—so different from anything with you.”
“I’m being real with you now.”
I let out a laugh—sharp and bitter.
“As far as I’m concerned, you can die, Alessio!” I screamed, losing control. “Don’t compare yourself to Edric. Don’t try to find a way back into my heart—it doesn’t exist anymore.”
His eyes darkened to deep brown, veins bulging at his neck.
He lunged and punched me so hard my head snapped to the side. Pain flared through my cheek; my teeth cut my lip, and blood dripped from my nose.
“You’ll shut that stubborn bitch mouth of yours!” He pointed a finger at me. “And you’ll learn to respect me.”
Tears filled my eyes—not from fear but from rage.
“You can hit me as many times as you want. It doesn’t change the fact that I hate you, and I’ll stay in love with Edric.”
He smirked.
“You’re so stupid, Lunara. I thought you’d gotten smarter. Turns out you’re the same delusional idiot as always.” He grabbed my hair and jerked my head to the side. “Keep fooling yourself with a wolf who doesn’t care about you—who despises you, just like I do.” He laughed. “You’re so worthless you spread your legs for two alphas and couldn’t secure either.”
“Fuck you,” I growled.
“You know what? I thought you were worth something, that you meant something. But looking at you now—I was wrong.”
He shook his head. “If you were important, that alpha would have come for you. And since you’re nothing—just a stubborn little whore—you’ll entertain my pack.”
He released me only to swing again, striking my face a second time. My head rang; I gripped the counter to keep upright.