They lulled me into a deep sleep; it was warm and comforting. My body felt relaxed. It was like a calming river rushing past my skin, washing my impurities away. The intoxicating scent of strawberries and rich cream filled my nose. The smell was mouth watering. I felt myself sigh deeply. I could tell that I was waking up from my dreamless sleep. Part of me wasn't ready to wake. I was content and enjoying the rest that had escaped me over the last eight years. I slept, but this was the best sleep I had in years.
Peeling my eyes open, the soft cotton sheets wrapped around my body, my head was resting snuggly on the pillow. I exhaled in relief that I was safe and sound and away from my worries. I pulled my arms above my head to stretch when I realised a warm hand was gently caressing my hand. A soothing sensation enveloped me, causing small little sparks to erupt across my body. The sensation was exhilarating as I focused on the gesture. Although they were rough and callous, all I wanted was to bathe in the small simmer of affection.
I could feel my mind was in a haze from the medication, but I didn't know Benji was this touchy. I didn't know my body would react to his movements like this before. "Benji, stop that. It's going to put me back to sleep." I sleepily said. A loud growl erupted in response. My head snapped toward the loud snarl and my eyes widened. My mouth gaped at the person in front of me. I rubbed my eyes, hoping it was a joke. But it wasn't.
There, sat in the guest chair, was a muscular man hunched over my bed. Small tendrils of hair struck in different directions, his eyes riddled with dark circles.I took a quick sniff, hoping that this was a joke, but - there he sat. The alluring scent that I had ignored at our first meeting. I could feel my wolf purr in contentment at the man in front of her. I could sense that the pain that was burdening her was now disappearing. It was like a thick layer of dust was being lifted.
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, hoping that the man in front of me didn't recognise me. "Mr Warner?" I said in a questioning tone. "What are you doing here? How did you get past security?" I asked. Jacob's eyes lifted to mine. I could see the tears well in the corners. His fingers curled into fists. His anger heightened momentarily, but a sense of relief soon overpowered it. Despite being away from him for years, I could still read him like a book.
"Louise, don't mess with me now." He warned. My shoulders hunched at the sound of my true name. A part of me wanted to shiver in delight, the other part couldn't help but flinch and hate the way my name trickled out of his mouth.
"It's Loretta, Mr Warner. I think you have the wro-" I protested.
"Just don't!" He growled. "I know it's you! So don't lie to me! You still have the same scent as you did all those years ago."
I sighed, honestly I didn't know what to say or do. The only thing that I was certain of was that I wanted to run for the mountains and disappear, hoping he would never find me again. All I knew was without the ring, it would be futile. Besides, my hidden identity was no longer a secret.
"Alpha Jacob." I replied with a small nod as I gazed down at my fiddling fingers. I didn't know what to say. There was nothing that could change what happened between us.
"Louise." He sighed with relief as he tried to bring his hand to my cheek. All I could do was quickly smack his hand away. I refused to engage with this bastard's affection. He didn't deserve me, that was one thing for sure. As much as he saw me as Louise, she was long gone. Only Loretta remained.
"Please do not call me that Alpha Jacob. My name is Loretta Romano." I snapped.
"You will always be Louise to me." He whispered as he pulled his hand away from me and brought it back to his lap.
"Alpha, may I ask why you are here?" I questioned.
"Cut the crap. You know why I am here. Your my mate Louise. You don't know how long I have been searching for you. How did I not recognise you when we were stuck in the elevator? It doesn't make any sense at all." He replied as he shook his head.
I chuckled darkly. My face became hardened at his words. "Mate?" I responded in a questioning tone. "Oh dear Alpha, I thought my sister was your mate? If I remember correctly, I was not worthy to be a Luna." I wiped a small tear that escaped my eye. I didn't know whether it was from laughter or the pain that he had caused me. "You really are quite audacious, aren't you, Alpha?" I spat.
He hung his head. I could feel and smell the shame rolling off his body. "Please Louise, understand how sorry I am, how sorry the pack is. Everything fell apart when you left." He whispered.
"Of course it did Alpha, that's what happens when someone goes against the Moon Goddess. I mean really, who were you to be judge, jury and executioner on whether I was worthy? They specifically chose me to rule by your side, but of course, being the arrogant and egotistical man that you are, you went against our laws of nature." I calmly explained.
"Louise-" he spoke.
"Use my real name. It's Loretta. That weak, naïve little bitch is dead." I growled at him.
"Fine, Loretta." He said as the word of my chosen name disgusted him. "Understand how sorry I am," Jacob sighed.
"I am sure you are sorry. Sorry that your chosen Luna was nothing but a big slut who deceived the Alpha, who was always right." I hummed in delight. "You know, I wondered when my sister's act would finally break. It's a shame that it was the cost at my innocent nephew, wouldn't you think?"
His face paled at my words. The mentioning of his son who was my nephew was hitting a nerve. Unfortunately for him, I could sense his wolf's loyalty to his true mate. I knew I was safe and he wouldn't cause me physical harm. His wolf could not stop his human side from thinking without his dick.
"Loui- Loretta, I didn't know. No one knew what she was capable of. Why didn't you tell someone? It could have saved everyone a lot of trouble if you told the truth!" He shouted.
It was his words that truly made me laugh. Honestly, the audacity of this man. I couldn't help but let the tears fall freely down my face. "Alpha, are you telling me you would have believed my warnings if I had spoken up? My parents didn't even believe me when I tried telling them what my dear sweet sister was like. Everyone was too caught up in her pretty act to see the real her." I replied.
"Loretta, please." He begged.
"Tell me, Alpha, what of your son? My nephew? If he was still here, would you have been searching for me after they banished me from my home? Tell me Alpha, how did my sister's betrayal taste? Was as it as bitter as your rejection towards me? I can tell you now, Alpha, that I am relishing in delight that you both got what you deserve." I taunted.
"How can you be so spiteful? He was my son! He was your nephew!" He exclaimed.
"Yes, he is the only one I feel sorry for in the equation. He didn't get the life he deserved, but with my sister as his mother. The Goddess couldn't save that child." I shook my head. "Tell me, Alpha, what about your capabilities as a father? Would you have lived to show him the right path? Would you teach him to respect and treat his mate fairly? Would you teach him how to be loyal and respectful to his mate, when you yourself couldn't?" I finished.
Jacob hunched over my bed. I could hear his sobs. They were gut wrenching and I could feel my wolf wanted to touch him, ease his pain, comfort him. One of the many things I hated about my wolf, she was far too forgiving. The man in front of me was broken, but he didn't deserve my forgiveness. This was the path that he chose. Unfortunately, he has to live with the consequences of his decisions.
"Please Loretta, I can't take it." Jacob sobbed.
I scoffed at the weak imbecile in front of me. "Tell me Jacob, if the shoe was on the other foot would you forgive me? Would you take me back? After I impregnated and marked another she-wolf? A she-wolf that was not only my sister, but my twin!" I shouted in a whisper.
He looked up with tears in his eyes. The silence in the room was deafening. I could see through his eyes that the clogs were ticking. He couldn't answer my question because he knew that what he did was unforgivable. There was no way to undo the damage that he had created. There was nothing that could not change the past as he clutched his chest in pain.
I knew that because of our proximity that my wolf was transferring her pain from the last eight years. She was letting him feel her heartbreak, the physical pain he caused, as he felt the physical pleasure of being intimate with my sister. His body was racked with guilt as he finally felt the pain of his betrayal. Louise, who had a big heart, may forgive and comfort him. However, I was not that person anymore. All I could I do was smirk as he absorbed the pain.
His body was shaking. It looked like he was having a fit. I stared at him, still in the same position as when I woke up to my nightmare. His fingers clasping the sheets. It was when he looked up that I saw his hazel eyes darken. They were like black orbs; I knew his wolf was present as he looked at me.
"Forgive my human, forgive me for the mistakes made. We have shamed you. The Moon Goddess is punishing me and our pack. I am sorry I could not stop him from causing you pain. I was too weak." His voice was deeper, huskier. I could hear the sorrow that emitted through his voice. He bowed his head.
"I do not blame you for your human's decisions. However, I am disappointed you allowed him to mark my sister, though. That is unforgivable." I replied.
"I understand, my sweet little mate." He sadly responded. "I didn't permanently mark her. I refused to lay claim to that she-bitch. She only wore a temporary mark. It was the only control I had," He explained as he hung his head in shame.
A temporary mark? I couldn't help but chuckle. My sister would have been stewing at the thought of his mark disappearing after six months. She was always power hungry; she thrived in the centre of attention too much. It was only a transfer of temporary power. If Jacob was to die, she would have lost all her power. She would have gained nothing from mating him.
"I bet your human wasn't happy with that." I mumbled.
"At first he wasn't, but when you left, he realised what a mistake he had made. Especially after the death of our pup." There was a mixture of pain and disgust laced in his voice when he spoke of his child.
"Why do you speak of your pup that way?" I curiously asked.
"Because that pup was an abomination that should never had existed. I knew my human wanted to mate with Leanne, but I wouldn't allow him to. I encouraged him to accept you. Unfortunately, my stupid human couldn't control his lust when he mated with her on a full moon. It was then that I believe she conceived. But there are secrets that my human will not let me speak. He is still unwilling to believe the truth." He spat in disgust as he spoke of Jacob.
I remember that full moon. I was in so much pain from the heat. My skin was scorching as my wolf begged for me to seek our mate. She wanted to use his body to ease her pain, to add water to the fire that was blazing. Unfortunately, as my heat spread through my body, my wolf screeched in pain as she felt her mate engage with intercourse with another. His every pleasure was my every pain, his enjoyment was my sadness.
It wasn't until a couple of days later when we had dinner and Leanne had announced to our family that she was pregnant and carrying the heir to the pack. My mother squealed in delight, my father cried tears of joy. They were so proud of their darling child who was bringing honour to our family. All I could remember was the excruciating pain from my wolf's howls and whimpering at what our mate had done. All I could do was force a fake smile and leave the room. My parents didn't care, they simply dismissed me as jealous and petty. They continued to spit their harsh words at me, telling me I was a burden on the family. It was that night that my mother cursed giving birth to me and my father explained he was ashamed of me.
I didn't know what to say to Jacob's wolf when he mentioned he only placed a temporary mark on Leanne. Was I meant to be thankful that he could reduce the pain he caused my wolf? I understood his human was the one that had wanted me to leave and pushed me away, but surely he could have done more.
"Loretta, I am truly sorry for the pain me and my human have caused you. I promise you he has suffered. We both have. I refused to let him sleep peacefully. The Moon Goddess riddled his mind with nightmares the day he rejected you. If you think he was happy with Leanne after you left, then you are mistaken. The pup we shared was something we both loved and hated at the same time." Jacob's wolf explained.
"How can he say that about his pup?" I asked my wolf internally.
"That pup would have been a danger, Loretta. That pup was called to the Goddess for a reason. Think of your sister's personality and Jacob's chosen path. That pup was doomed before he was born. The pup's grandparents would have spoiled him. Leanne would have been absent, as she had no maternal bone in her body. Jacob would have grown to resent him when he eventually discovered Leanne's secrets. Should that pup have lived, he would have caused too much destruction." My wolf explained.
"How can you say that about a pup? How can you say that about our nephew? I know I hated him because of his parents, but he was innocent. How do you know he would have turned out that way? I asked.
"Wolves are far more intelligent than our human counterparts. We have a connection with the Moon Goddess, and she foretold the harm he would have caused if he lived." My wolf finished.
"How long have you known this?" I asked impatiently questioned.
"A while." She responded.
"How long is a while?!" I shouted in the back of my mind, but all that met me was silence. I could feel my frustration growing. Once again, she was leaving me to deal with the problems that lay at our bedside.
"May I please speak with Jacob?" I asked his wolf.
"Yes, I will leave for now. All I ask is that you consider giving him a chance to mend his wrongs. I don't know how you hid all these years, but you don't know how thankful we are to have finally found you. I know you we treated you poorly, but please consider what Jacob says, the pack they need you. They need their Luna. Their true Luna. Otherwise, the pack will be doomed." He finished as he hung his head. His black orbs disappearing as the hazel streaks in his iris' emerged.
Edited - 09/09/2023