Chapter 3
The whispers around us grew louder, and I could feel the weight of Eric Silva’s gaze on me, his confidence swelling like the tide under the full moon. His Alpha aura pressed against me, but I stood firm, my back straight and my chin high. He stepped closer, his voice carrying the commanding tone of an Alpha, though it lacked the warmth it once held.
“Vivienne,” he began, his voice low but sharp enough to cut through the murmurs, “I made mistakes back then because of my memory loss. I’m here to apologize.”
I met his gaze, unflinching. His words meant nothing to me now. The bond we once shared had been severed, and the scars of his rejection still lingered deep within me, though I’d long since moved on.
Before I could respond, a small voice broke through the tension. “Mommy.”
Athena wriggled out of Damien’s arms and padded over to me, her tiny hand clutching the hem of my dress. Her scent—sweet and floral, like wildflowers in spring—filled the space between us, a reminder of the new bond I’d forged with my mate and our daughter.
The sharp clack of high heels echoed across the marble floor, drawing everyone’s attention. I turned to see Alexandra McDonald striding into the room, her golden hair catching the light, her presence commanding in a way that made the crowd part like waves before her. She was beautiful, but there was something predatory in her eyes, something that made my wolf stir uneasily in the back of my mind.
“Alexandra?” Eric’s voice was tinged with confusion, his brow furrowing as he stepped toward her. “What are you doing here?”
The crowd erupted into murmurs, their excitement palpable. The scent of curiosity and intrigue filled the air, mingling with the faint undertones of wolf musk.
“When Miss McDonald appeared, the little heiress called her ‘Mommy,’” someone whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Does this mean Miss McDonald is actually the Luna of the Shadow Fang Pack?”
“It must be! She’s a renowned designer, recently returned from the Alps. And didn’t Mr. Owens’ mate come from Manchester? Isn’t that where Miss McDonald’s family is from?”
“It all fits. Miss McDonald must be Mr. Owens’ true mate!”
Alexandra stood there, her confusion melting into a smug smile as the crowd’s speculations swirled around her. She didn’t correct them—instead, she basked in their praise, her head tilted just so, like a queen accepting adoration from her subjects.
Eric’s expression darkened, his Alpha aura flaring in frustration. “Alexandra,” he said, his voice tight, “when did you get mated to Damien Owens?”
Alexandra hesitated for a moment, then lifted her chin defiantly. “Who I’m mated to is none of your business, Eric.”
Judith, standing beside her father, looked on the verge of tears. “Mom,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “don’t you want me anymore?”
I couldn’t help the small, bitter smile that tugged at my lips. This spectacle was almost too absurd to be real. I stepped forward, ready to put an end to Alexandra’s charade, but she moved to block my path, her eyes gleaming with challenge.
“Vivienne,” she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness, “I heard you’ve been pretending to be the Luna of the Shadow Fang Pack. How bold of you.”
The crowd erupted into laughter, their mocking voices cutting through the air like claws. “She’s been claiming to be the Luna, and now she’s standing right in front of the real one!”
“She’s probably terrified. Just wait until Alpha Owens gets here—she’ll be exposed for the fraud she is!”
Alexandra shot me a triumphant smile, then turned back to the crowd, fully embracing her role as the supposed Luna of the Shadow Fang Pack. Her scent—sharp and floral, like roses with thorns—filled the air, mingling with the crowd’s growing excitement.
But I didn’t flinch. I didn’t need to. I knew the truth, and so did Damien. And soon, everyone else would, too.
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