MILDRED
I groaned and rolled, fighting the morning sun. The bed was soft and warm, the room big and airy, but I just wanted to sleep.Someone nudged me. Then a harder push. I didn't like it. I grabbed the blanket and covered my head, wishing they'd go away."She's just lazy," a mean voice cut through the air. "A lazy, ugly nothing. Can't believe she's our Luna."I stayed quiet, pretending to sleep, but I listened."Always knew she was no good," another voice snapped. "Look at her, sleeping like she's nothing special."A nicer voice tried to defend me. "She's our Luna, we should respect her."The mean voice laughed. "I'm not serving her. She's not fit to be Luna."The room got quiet, the air thick with their words. I peeked out from under the blanket. They couldn't see my face, but inside, their words hurt.Then the kind voice said, "Let's wake her up, get her to breakfast."*I opened my eyes slowly, yawning big. The kind maid, Vanessa, smiled at me. "Morning, Luna Ximena. It's a beautiful day, and we've got lots to do."I looked at her confused. "What?" I didn't get it.She just smiled more. "We're your maids," she said, pointing at the others. "Breakfast time, milady."They got me dressed quick and then I was looking at myself in the mirror, in new clothes.I asked about Enid, the Alpha, the man I was now tied to. What was he really like?Vanessa looked at me, then down, and said quietly, "He's complicated."*The dining room was huge, like a castle, with a long table in the middle fit for a queen. Walls were fancy—stone, wood, gold. But none of that was as shiny as my diamond-edged plate, sparkling so much it was almost blinding.Everywhere you looked in this place was like a painting. A giant viola stood in the corner, and a glass cabinet showed off trophies and shiny wine glasses. The walls were crowded with statues of some guy, all different, all fancy. I squinted, trying to make out the faces, but they were too far away.I was smack in the middle of the room, with enough space around me to dance or play a game. Creepy gargoyles hung out on the ceiling, staring down like they might swoop down on me if I complained about the food.I was still looking around when Vanessa popped up next to me, quietly putting down a plate of fancy beef and fish eggs. "You look lost, Lady Ximena," she said, clearing away my half-eaten appetizers. "Everything okay?"I jolted, didn't even hear her come by. "Oh, Vanessa? Didn't see you," I tried to smile, but my head was spinning with too many thoughts.She leaned in, "I've got to get back to the kitchen, but if you need anything, just holler, okay?"I nodded, "Don't worry, I'm good," I lied, not wanting to bug her with my mess of feelings.She gave a little bow and left, her footsteps echoing until she was gone. I dropped my head on the table, feeling the weight of this new life, like I'm some joke for people to laugh at.Sighing, I sat back up and started eating again. The beef was dry, the fish eggs weird, and the lettuce crunchy like leaves. But I ate, trying not to think about throwing up.As I set down my fork, the door swung open. I looked up fast, heart pounding—who was it now?But then my heart sank. It was Marcelle, stomping in like she owned the place, eyes wide and angry. "You still married Enid?!" she screamed across the room, looking like she might cry or explode.She stormed toward me, and I didn't even think—I pushed my chair back and stood up, ready to run. But she was fast, grabbing me, her nails digging into my skin like claws."Ow!" I cried out, seeing the scratches bleed."You think you can hide?" Marcelle hissed, her face all twisted up. "You can't. I know what you did.""You married my man?" she yelled, fingers pressing harder, pain shooting through me. "You broke our deal?"I just stared, no clue what she was talking about, just feeling the hurt.With a push, I sent her tumbling back and made a run for it. But she was up in a flash, quick like a snake, grabbing me again. She spun me around, her eyes glowing scary red, her face all kinds of crazy."You're not getting away from this," she snarled.MARCELLAMy anger and frustration towards Ximena heightened as I hoisted from the floor. I muffled a curse as I dashed to her in giant strides before she could make it halfway from the dining area. I grabbed her arm again and this time she jerked free in a manner that made my jaws sag. Ximena would never react this way. Or was her ruthless attitude fueled by the fact that she was now married to Enid? Did she imagine she had immunity from me just because she wore that huge rock on her finger? A deal was a deal and she failed to keep her part, I could treat her however I chose to. "How dare you walk out on me!" I scowled, not seeing the need to mask my displeasure. "You were hurting me that's why I—"I raised my hand and she instantly grew silent, the gesture must've stunned her. "Why did you not leave as I commanded you to?"The confusion on her face gnawed at my patience strings. It was now a battle of nerves to keep myself from pouncing on her. "Why would I want to do that? Wh
MILDREDI broke free from Marcella's grasp as we got to the living room. Marcella's gaze momentarily widened at me and her cherry red painted lips crimped in disapproval, suggesting she was taken aback by my actions toward her.But I would rather appear rude to one of Enid's friends than be caught dead on the spot. I couldn't risk my family recognizing me.My gaze darted the entire living room in a futile attempt to glean the perfect spot to deck until I could figure out a getaway plan.Time seemed to freeze as I vacillated between scurrying up the stairs or slipping behind the gigantic flower vase a few spaces away. The latter seemed to be the safest option.I bolted straight away from the brooding family that bore nothing but pain and stealthily stood behind the gigantic flower vase. It was the only place I could remain unnoticed. Sauntering up the stairs was only going to steer my family's attention my way. And that wasn't healthy.But why were they here? Did they notice me during
MILDREDMolly's anxious smiles were etched in my mind forever. How fervently her eyes wanted to please me and how eager she was to get on my good side brought a sense of vendetta to me. I was going to carry out my revenge on them. I glanced at Navaeh, she was smiling at the white-haired nobleman who was saying something to her. It was a matter of time, I was going to get my sweet revenge on them for how badly they had treated me.My eyes drifted from Navaeh to the assistants behind the Butler, bringing in more gifts and bouquets of roses. This made me wonder what kind of woman Ximena was. Did the people actually love her for real or was this a nice gesture for their Alpha? Was Enid a kind ruler and the only way people ever could repay his kindness was to send Felicitations in gifts and kind. Before I could make it out of the living room, I could see Marcella approach Molly. Molly's face was now lit up in glee as Marcella's smiles settled her way.I knew Marcella was interested in fi
MARCELLA"It gladdens my heart to see Enid this happy!" I forced a smile and let the emotions clog my throat. The emotion everyone misinterpreted as care. Enid and I have been friends since fifth grade and that friendship had thrived in a way that a very lonely part of me had prayed it turned to love. I had prayed on everything I held scared Enid be mine but the Goddess was as deaf as rock when it came to this one request.My dreams all failed when Ximena walked down the aisle to the love of my life. And she was going to pay for it. Every second she breathed I was ready to make it tormenting until she eventually let go of her reins on Enid. Enid would have chosen me if she did not reappear. I would have been the Luna of Moonlight Pack soon-to-be Queen of Selenia. But Ximena chose to steal that lifelong dream from me. A server appeared in a black blazer and an arm arched behind him stretching the gold tray our way. I picked out two champagne flutes, handing one to the girl before
ENIDAll through the morning, my mind was out the window from where I stood and it swirled around the elders' decision. How long was it going to take before I got crowned as the King of Selenia? I had met all the criteria they shoved up my face before I was crowned King of Selenia. Then why was no elder speaking of the coronation date?Then it occurred to me that yesterday was my marriage. They were leaving me some time to enjoy my honeymoon. I heaved a sigh.My mind returned to the wolfless girl prancing in my mansion and pretending to be my wife. Of course, she was my wife, we were married in the sight of the goddess and the sight of the law.There was a rap on my door and shortly after my bedroom door opened and without looking back I knew exactly who it was. "The guests are duly entertained, I think it's time for you to join them, my Alpha."Drew, my assistant, called out a few distance from me. "Any memo about the coronation Drew?" I asked without bothering to look his way, m
ENIDI texted Chase to remind him of our little meeting later that day and it took him a decade to confirm the time. How typical of him! Clover replied in the shortest time and that warmed my heart. Clover was the brain behind our little strategy and with how ready he was to work, I couldn't help but get assured things were going to play out as planned.I thought about stopping by the glam room to be certain Mildred was getting her glam done and to douse my qualms she didn't escape the mansion as Ximena did. If she left it was game over for me. My throne would be taken away. I was in the last phase of this kingship. Once my wife and mate were crowned the Queen then the elders could fuck off to hell for all I cared but for now, whatever title I had now was not solid. That's why I needed Mildred to play a convincing part. I needed her to keep my throne. It troubled my heart that Mildred's nerve was going to desert her and she wouldn't hesitate spilling her guts. I was the Alpha Kin
MILDREDI stared at my reflection in the mirror by the vanity countertop in the bathroom. I was void of any feeling. There was no disgust, nor regret. All I knew was that my black tresses had gone down and were now dyed out to this offensive brown bobbed hair which made me a little bit skinnier than I actually was. I looked at my eyes. My hazel eyes were perfect, these honey-brown eyes made it disturbing for me to look at. My stomach built, and I felt the need to throw up. The disgust in the pit of my stomach rose back to my gut threatening to spill. This wasn't me. This wasn't who I was. How did I get here? Where did I go wrong to have the goddess take my life from me?When the need to throw up was consuming, I dashed to the toilet and emptied my bowels. I strengthened, flushed the toilet, brushed my teeth, and stripped, going into the shower. After a few minutes, I stepped out, towel dried my hair and body and it was a few minutes past eight p.m. when I retired to bed. I was i
MILDREDAn overactive mind had kept me awake, taunting me with heated pictures of what my night would have been like if things weren't so different with the handsome ruler. If he didn't despise me so much. Enid had ignited a spark in my soul the night before bringing out something wild in me. When the sun rose, I gave up the struggles for rest. I slid out of the comfy bed coverings, shredded off my nightwear, and stepped into the bathroom. The shower was soothing enough to calm me and prepare me physically for the day. I looked around the closet and couldn't find what to wear. I had a few clothes in here yesterday but now I couldn't seem to find them. I huffed. All I could find were Enid's collection of shoes, jackets, shirts, and a bunch of other outrageously expensive outfits anyone as wealthy as Enid could think of owning. He wasn't thoughtful enough to at least consider my outfits. My gaze fell on the white crisp crew-neck shirt in the drawers. I couldn't prance around the