Victoria's POV
As I walked into the pack house, I could feel tension in the air as they all stared at me. They all had an unreadable expression on their faces, which made it hard for me to detect their mood. I held gaze with Alpha Golden, and he also had that unreadable expression on his face.Taking a deep breath, I walked to my seat, which was beside Beta Tony. I took the seat and made Aidan sit on my lap. I looked down at him and could see he was frightened by the faces of the Alphas, but I placed a kiss on his forehead and wrapped my arms around him, giving him the assurance of protection and letting him know that I was with him and no one would harm him.I met gaze with Bernard, who was seated with the other ten Alphas. He also had that blank look that scared the hell out of me. I was scared, wondering if he would play me for a fool and decide to pay me back for refusing him years ago.“Take a deep breath, Victoria,” Beatrice comforted, and I did as she had instructed.The hall was silent for a moment until Alpha Silva stood to his feet and cleared his throat. “I believe we all know why we are gathered here.”“No, please tell us,” Bernard interrupted, and Alpha Silva fell silent before he continued. “We are here to decide who should be the caretaker of the Moon Pack until Aidan Derick comes of age.” He said while looking at Bernard. “So now I believe we all know why we are here.” He added, and everyone remained silent.“But before we cast our votes, I would like to ask Beta Tony and Luna Victoria to tell us why we should choose them to be the caretaker,” Alpha Silva said and took his seat.Beta Tony stared at me for a moment before he stood up. “I greet you all,” he greeted. “It's a sad thing that my Alpha is dead, but as his Beta, I think it is right that I be the caretaker of the throne until his son, Aidan, is of age.” He said, and I scoffed. “I'm the one who has been with Alpha Derick; I know the affairs of the pack, and it would be disastrous to give the throne to Luna Victoria just because she's the late Alpha's wife and mother of Prince Aidan.” He said, and a frown appeared on my face. “She is just a woman who knows nothing about the pack. Yes, she has incredible abilities, but can she handle the affairs of the pack? No, she has no idea how anything is being run.” He looked at me with a victorious grin before he continued. “We all know Luna Victoria for her bad temper and wrong decisions, and you, Alpha Golden, can testify to it.” He said, and I clenched my fist but remained calm; now wasn't the time to explode.“I have no plans to take the throne for my own benefit, but all I'm doing is for the betterment of the pack, just as Alpha Derick would have wanted. So, I hope you all make the right decision by choosing me.” With those words, he took back his seat, and everyone shifted their attention to me.I felt anger bubbling up inside me. How dare he belittle my capabilities and dismiss my knowledge of the pack? I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, before I stood up to address the room.“I appreciate your concern, Beta Tony,” I said, my voice steady but filled with determination. “But let me remind you that being the Alpha's wife doesn't solely define my qualifications. I have been by Alpha Derick's side for years, supporting him in his decisions and understanding the intricacies of our pack. I held an official title as the Luna, and I have actively participated in pack matters.”I glanced around the room, meeting the eyes of the other Alphas, seeking some sign of support or understanding, but they all had blank looks.“I have witnessed the challenges our pack has faced, and I have seen firsthand the sacrifices our members have made. I have developed relationships and gained the trust of our pack members. I have proven myself capable of leading and making difficult decisions when necessary.”I paused, allowing my words to sink in. Aidan tightened his grip around me, sensing the tension in the room. I gave him a reassuring smile before continuing.“I understand that there are concerns about my ability to handle the affairs of the pack, but I assure you that I am committed to learning and growing into this role. I am not asking for blind trust; I am asking for an opportunity to prove myself. Together, we can work towards the betterment of the pack and provide a stable environment for Aidan's future.”I looked directly at Beta Tony and frowned. “Beta Tony wants the throne for his selfish reasons; he will never give the throne to Aidan, and I'm certain about that.”“Be careful of your accusations,” Beta Tony spat, but I ignored him and continued. “I might be a woman, but you all can't deny that I will be a great leader. I proved it in the war, which you all were present for,” I said as I glanced at them all. “I do hope you make the right decision and don't cast your vote due to personal revenge,” I said, directly staring at Alpha Golden, who held my gaze with a blank look.With a deep breath, I took my seat and placed a kiss on Aidan's forehead.The room fell silent as everyone contemplated the weight of their decision. I held Aidan tightly, silently praying that they would see my worth or Lord Bernard had done something like we had agreed, and he wasn't playing me for a fool.“Well, I think it's time to cast the votes,” Bernard said, breaking the silence. “We are all going to write who we vote for on a piece of paper and submit it in the box,” he said while pointing at the transparent box.As the Alphas began writing their votes, I could feel the tension escalating in the room. I glanced at Beta Tony, who seemed confident and smug, while Bernard maintained his blank expression. I took a deep breath, hoping that the others would see through their personal biases and make a fair decision based on the best interests of the pack.One by one, the Alphas approached the box and dropped their folded pieces of paper inside. I watched intently, my heart pounding in my chest, as each vote determined the fate of my son's throne. Aidan clung to me, sensing my unease, and I held him close, providing him comfort and reassurance.Finally, the last Alpha cast his vote, and the room fell into a heavy silence. Alpha Silva, the current acting Alpha, stood up and walked towards the box. He picked it up and returned to the center of the room, holding the box in his hands.“The vote has been cast and will be respected,” he said, and I gulped, wondering what will become of me and Aidan if Tony succeeds.“I'll pick up each paper and call out the name written on it, and I'll make sure to show it to everyone,” Alpha Silva said as he opened the box.As Alpha Silva picked out the names on the papers, my heart raced with anticipation. I held Aidan tightly, bracing myself for the outcome.“Vote number one… Luna Victoria,” Alpha Silva announced, and a gasp escaped my lips. I looked around the room, my eyes meeting the blank expressions of the other Alphas.“Vote number two… Luna Victoria.” The shock intensified, and a mix of disbelief and hope flooded through me. I glanced at Bernard, searching for any hint of emotion on his face, but he remained stoic and unreadable.“Vote number three… Luna Victoria.” My breath caught in my throat, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. The weight of the moment was overwhelming, and I struggled to comprehend the unanimous support.“Vote number four… Luna Victoria.” The room remained silent, save for the sound of Alpha Silva's voice echoing through the hall. I glanced at Beta Tony, whose confident expression had faltered, replaced by a mix of surprise and frustration.“Vote number five… Luna Victoria.” The shock on Tony's face deepened, and a glimmer of hope began to blossom within me. The others in the room didn't look surprised by the results.“Vote number six… Luna Victoria.” My tension grew, and I could feel the collective anticipation. Each vote that confirmed my name felt like a small victory.“Vote number seven… Luna Victoria.” The room remained hushed, and I could hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ears. The weight of their decision settled on my shoulders, filling me with a mix of gratitude and determination.“Vote number eight… Luna Victoria.” The shock and disbelief seemed to ripple through the room, and I could see some of the Alphas exchanging glances.“Vote number nine… Luna Victoria.” A surge of emotion washed over me, and I held Aidan tightly.“Vote number ten… Luna Victoria.” The room was engulfed in profound silence, broken only by the sound of my breaths. I looked around, meeting the eyes of each Alpha; they all still didn't look surprised.Alpha Silva paused for a moment, holding the last paper in his hand. He looked at me, his expression filled with disbelief. “And the final vote… Luna Victoria.” The room fell silent while I became stunned and overwhelmed as my eyes locked with Bernard. His expression still unreadable, but a glimmer of satisfaction flickered in his eyes. I held his gaze and wondered what he must have told them to cause every Alpha to vote for me.I turned and noticed Beta Tony, who looked stunned, unable to hide his disappointment. He had seemed so sure of himself earlier, and now he had to face the consequences of his actions and intentions.“Luna Victoria,” Alpha Silva called out again, and I turned my attention back to him. “It seems the choice is clear. All the Alphas have voted for you to be the caretaker of the throne until Aidan comes of age.”Relief washed over me, but I tried to maintain my composure. “Thank you all for putting your trust in me,” I said, my voice shaking with emotion. “I promise to do everything in my power to serve my pack with dedication and fairness.” I said with a relieved smile, and they all stood on their feet.I held gaze with Alpha Golden and could see he wasn't happy; it was so evident in his eyes, which made me wonder what Bernard must have told them all.As the meeting concluded, Alpha Silva stepped forward to offer his support. “Congratulations, Luna Victoria,” he said with a genuine smile. “I know you will do an excellent job in guiding your pack. If you ever need advice or assistance, I'll be here for you.”“Thank you, Alpha Silva,” I replied, feeling a sense of gratitude for his encouragement. “Your guidance will be invaluable to me.”With that, two more Alphas also approached me, offering their congratulations and promising their cooperation during my time as caretaker. It was a relief to know that I had their support.As the Alphas dispersed, I approached Bernard, who hadn't left his seat. “Thank you,” I said, sincerity in my voice. “I didn't expect this outcome, and I can't help but wonder what you must have said to them.”Bernard finally cracked a small smile, and his eyes softened slightly. “Let's just say no one wished to be my enemy,” he said, and I smiled in relief.I watched him stand to his feet and turn to take his leave, but as if he forgot something, he turned and held my gaze. “I have fulfilled my part of the deal, and tomorrow night you will fulfill your part of the deal," he said while I gulped. I had totally forgotten.Victoria's POVI paced around my room in a panic as his words rang in my head. I couldn't believe that I was actually doing this—I was going to have sex with Bernard. I was going to be his sexual partner, and there was nothing I could do about it.With a sigh, I stood before the mirror and gently caressed the pendant on my necklace as my thoughts turned to Derick. I wondered what he must be thinking of me and the decisions I had made. Surely, he would be angry with me, but I hoped he understood the situation I was in.“What's wrong? You should be celebrating,” Jane spoke from behind me, causing me to startle. With a deep sigh, I sat on the bed and saw the worry etched on her face as she stared at me. “What's wrong? You won, you should be happy,” she asked. I gulped, knowing I had to tell her, I had to confide in someone.As Jane sat down next to me, concern evident on her face, I took a deep breath and collected my thoughts. Opening up to her was the only way to share the burden I car
Bernard's POVI paced around the living room, feeling tense and anxious. Victoria was on her way, and I couldn't help but be nervous. All these years, I have wanted her. I have craved to hold her in my arms, and now, as if it's a dream, it's about to happen.“I'm against this, Bernard,” my wolf spoke angrily, but I shut him away and suppressed him from talking to me. Nervous and curious, I checked my wristwatch and realized it was almost 8 PM, with no sign of her yet. I knew she was avoiding being seen by anyone, so she decided to come in the dark. Not that I cared if anyone saw her. It's not like we were doing anything wrong, right?“I'm at your gate,” she announced through telepathy, and my heart skipped a beat. “Come in and lock the gate,” I spoke firmly, trying to hide the uneasiness in my voice.She closed the mind link without saying a word. “You can do this. Don't let her see that you're nervous,” I mumbled to myself and sat on the one-seater couch. I rested my back on the couc
Bernard’s POVIf eyes could kill, I should probably be dead, but all that did not matter to me. All that mattered was that she was mine tonight."Bernard!" she called out impatiently when she realized I was just staring at her naked body. "You didn't tell me that you wanted to sit and drool," she spoke, fuming with anger. "I'm not a..." she tried to speak, but I cut her off. "Get down on your knees," I said and saw her furrow her brow, confused at my words. "You heard me right. Get down on your knees," I repeated my words and saw her gulp before she slowly fell to her knees, and this time a droplet of tears fell on her cheek.Her tears hit me, but I sucked in a deep breath and gestured for her to come closer to me. Without hesitating, she crawled to me and stopped a few inches away from me.She lowered her gaze, unable to meet mine. With a sigh, I lifted her chin with my index finger and held her gaze. Her eyes were filled with pain, and I couldn't stop myself from slamming my lips ag
Victoria's POVI pushed him away and got off the bed. My heart was clenching with pain, and tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I refused to let him see me cry. I walked over to where my clothes were scattered and picked them up, ignoring his gaze fixed on me.After dressing up, I grabbed my bag and made my way towards the door, but he stepped down from the bed, blocking my path, still naked. Anger surged within me, and my rage started to boil over. “And what is the meaning of this?” I asked angrily.“You're not leaving,” he stated firmly, causing my brow to furrow. “Are you serious?” I retorted with frustration, and he nodded.“You're not a whore that I would let leave after making love. I want you in my arms tonight,” he said, and I scoffed in disbelief. How dare he? How dare he think I would spend the night with him? Having sex with him was already torturous enough, and now this?Taking a deep breath, I composed myself and locked eyes with him. “I'm not spending the night h
Bernard's POVI opened my eyes with a smile on my face. I sat on the bed and checked the clock, realizing it was already 8 in the morning, and I haven't slept this long in a while.Memories of last night flooded my head, causing a big smile to appear on my face. I could still perceive her scent lingering around, and I couldn't help but take a deep sniff. A smile of satisfaction appeared on my face, and I couldn't wait to have her in my arms again.“What you are doing is wrong,” my wolf grunted. I sighed and got off the bed. “You have a mate…"“She doesn't bear my mark,” I responded. “Cora is my mate, but she doesn't bear my mark, and I believe you know why.” I snapped at him and left the bed.“Just because she doesn't have a good personality doesn't mean she won't change, Bernard,” my wolf argued, and I groaned. “You are just so obsessed with Victoria that every woman seems imperfect to you.” My wolf spat and shut himself away from me before I could even respond.With a grunt, I took
Victoria's POVI held his gaze, waiting for him to joke and say it was a joke, but he didn't. Instead, he began unbuttoning his shirt while I just stood and stared.I watched him unbutton all the buttons on his shirt, take it off, and reveal his well-muscled chest and abs. Despite how much I hated this, I couldn't deny the fact that he had a hot, sexy body that would make anybody drool, regardless of gender.His body was impressive, with well-defined muscles on his chest and abs. His chest showed strength and athleticism. His stomach had a tight and toned six-pack, and a bit of hair trailed down. Veins could be seen on his arms and chest, showing that he had been doing lots of workouts.He had broad shoulders that showed his strength. His arms were muscular, and for ridiculous reasons, I wished to hold them.“Stop it, you are drooling over him,” Beatrice growled, and I frowned and composed myself.I watched him go for the zipper of his pants, zip it down, and pull the pants to his kne
Bernard's POV “Hell no! I'm leaving this very minute,” she spat at my face, but I didn't respond. Instead, I walked to my closet, grabbed a sweatpants, and put them on. I turned to face her and could see that she was fuming with anger. It wouldn't take long before she’ll explode.“Listen, this was not the deal. The deal was to be your fuck buddy and nothing else,” she yelled, but I shook my head and stood before her. “You are wrong, Victoria. The deal is to be my lover, and I spend the nights with my lovers,” I explained firmly, seeing her groan with anger, revealing her fangs, which would have scared anyone else, but not me.“I'm leaving this minute. It's either you let me go or I'll burn down the door,” she threatened, but her threats didn't frighten me. Instead, I sat and watched her boil with anger as she turned red.“You…" she paused, took a deep breath to control her emotions, and closed her eyes momentarily. After a while, she opened them and shot me a death glare before lookin
Victoria’s POVI blinked my eyes repeatedly as the sunlight from the window flashed in my eyes. With a frown, I slowly opened my eyes and squinted against the bright light. Groaning annoying, I closed my eyes and rubbed them with my hands before sitting up in bed.I opened my eyes again and glanced around the room, realizing that this was not the room I shared with Derick. It was Bernard's room. All that had happened the night before played back in my head, causing a frown to appear on my face. I hated how vulnerable I had made myself look before him, but I couldn't deny the fact that it was relieving to pour out all my sorrow and pain.Just as I was about to leave the bed, the door opened and Bernard walked in with a tray of breakfast in his hands. He smiled and placed the tray of food on the bed in front of me before sitting down. “Good morning. How was your night?” He asked, but I just rolled my eyes and reached for my phone. I picked it up and realized it was already 10 am, and I