There was nothing new in it. I was accustomed to being cursed by my mother-in-law every time she saw me. Earlier, Lucas would stand up for me and defend me in front of his mother, even if it was a feign concern. But now that his beloved was standing before his eyes, fresh and cheerful, he didn't bother even looking at me.
“Uncle…” Suddenly Ember jumped over Lucas, hugging him tightly, her chest rubbing against his and lips almost brushing with his as she said while looking upward to face his eyes, “Long time no see, Uncle. Have you already forgotten me now that you have Auntie by your side?”
“How can it be possible, Ember? No one can take your place in my heart. Ember… I-”
“Sssh…” Ember pressed her finger on Lucas's lips, a gesture looking very passionate as she continued, “I know Uncle misses me. You don't need to explain anything to me. I understand! I was joking with you.”
The conversation going between them in public seemed to be an adorable conversation between uncle and niece but only I knew what it was about.
“Uncle, did you bring me a gift?” She asked excitedly, “Do you remember what day it is?”
“Of course,” said Lucas, “How can I forget the day we met for the first time?”
So holding a gathering in a pack was just an excuse. What Lucas wanted was to celebrate the day of their first meeting, as an anniversary. I laughed bitterly. He had never remembered or asked me about my birthday. He didn't even celebrate our anniversary, giving excuses of his mother’s dislikeness that could disturb my mood or my weak body. But, he took the chance only to celebrate a little occasion that could relate him with Ember.
Soon maids and servants wheeled in several luxurious gowns, each designed by different designers in the world and matched with executive jewelry.
Ember again jumped in excitement. She immediately hugged Lucas before placing a soft kiss on his cheeks, “You are still the best, Uncle.”
“Thank you so much for these gifts, Uncle,” she said while breaking the hug, “You gave me so many expensive gifts. I’m afraid someone would get jealous.”
After she mentioned this, Lucas' gaze could shift to me and see that I was wearing a plain T-shirt and jeans. He seemed to be hesitant as he reached out his hands to me, saying apologetically, “Don't overthink anything, Ava. It was a special moment for Ember and mine. So, as her Uncle I just…”
“Ouch…”
Before Lucas could complete his words, Ember held her chest and cried in pain, “Uncle, my chest is aching. I… I think my condition is acting up again.”
Lucas immediately let go of my hands and rushed to Ember’s side, asking in concern and worry, “Why are your chest aching all of a sudden? Where exactly is it hurting? No, I should check it right away.”
After throwing out these words, he immediately picked her up in his arms and headed straight to the stairs to take her upstairs, showing his back to me in front of the whole pack members.
"No wonder Lucas would rather lavish Ember with attention and gifts, but treats his wife like a mere afterthought. A woman of her... limited abilities isn't worthy of being the mate of the pack's future alpha, let alone deserving of his affection."
"If not for his obsession with Ember, why would he have ever married her who looked similar to Ember? I bet she used her pitiful health to manipulate him into this union. Pathetic! She'd even cling to him like a leech just to maintain her status."
“I heard her mother died in one of the rituals Lucas performed. I bet she killed her own mother just to blackmail Lucas into marrying her. After all, he is the best shaman in our kingdom. How could he make such a mistake to even cost a life?”
“But, isn't Ember Lucas nice? How can they show affection for each other publically? Isn't it wrong? If the late Alpha was alive, would he let this happen in his pack?”
The murmurs grew louder, their voices sharp as claws. Seeing that they didn't mind pulling their Alpha Lucas into mud along with me, Lucas's mother, clearly disgusted, sneered at me. "What are you still standing here for, embarrassing us? Get back upstairs and bring back your husband this instant! Haven't you shamed us enough already?"
"My son was gracious enough to accept you as his mate despite your... frailties; it's your good fortune to have him! If your mother died in the rituals you asked for her, how is that my son's fault? You should be grateful instead of trying to cling to him. You'll get what's coming to you one day!”
