I was walking round the pack one day when I thought I heard my name mentioned. I hated to eavesdrop but felt that it was important for to know what was being said about me. So, I hid behind a house, close to the speakers.
It was the Beta and one other warrior.
'I feel for Millicent. She has suffered alot and now, the Alpha is using her while pretending to care for her', Beta Daniel said. He was the Beta I had danced with at Sylvester's and Cathania's engagement party.
'But he might just end up really caring for her', the warrior said, smiling. 'It has been known to happen that while pretending to care, one actually starts caring!'
'I doubt Alpha Sylvester will ever care for Millicent', Beta Daniel continued. 'He is just using her to secure his throne as Alpha'.
'How so?' the warrior asked bemused. 'Is he at risk of losing his throne?'
' Do not tell me you did not know the outcome of the meeting held after the engagement party between Alpha Sylvester and Cathania', Beta Daniel continued. 'The council of elders told him that it was mandatory for him to have his fated mate beside him or risk losing the throne to the sole leadership of his twin brother, Christopher, or to a new person entirely'.
'You mean, due to that, he decided to look for Millicent and bring her back and not because of any tender feelings he has for her?' the warrior asked, shaking his head. 'That's so mechanical. Is Cathania aware of this?'
'Yes it is', Beta said. ' And yes, Cathania is in on it as well. Millicent is just going to be Luna for a while. Once the throne is secured, Cathania will take over and Alpha will find a reason to reject Millicent as his Luna and make Cathania his one and only Luna'.
I wanted to listen more but I heard footsteps and looking round saw some people coming and had to creep away, my heart thumping. Anger filled my very soul. I had wondered how the man had changed over night and had actually stated believing and liking him. But it was good that I overheard this conversation. It will help me remember why I am really here and put me right back on track.
I was so furious with myself for allowing Sylvester make a fool of me and with myself for falling for his tricks. I wanted to go to him right away and tell him I was no longer interested in being his Luna but on second thoughts, I decided against it. If I strategized very well, then this game Alpha Sylvester seemed to be playing, I would play along and turn the cards against him!
So furious was I that I did not watch where I was going until I found myself in the 'Restricted garden'.
The Restricted Garden was where Alpha Sylvester took his rest when he did not want to be disturbed. It was out of bounds to everybody.
I was about to turn back when I heard a female voice.
That voice! I thought. I could recognize it anywhere. It belong to no other than Cathania.
'Do you know how it feels to be away from you and keep imagining what you must be doing with that filthy maid?' Cathania sulked.
'I know but you don't have to be jealous. Remember we are just using her. I virtually have her feeding out of my hands. I shall not be surprised if she is already head over heels in love with me', Alpha Sylvester said, and I bit my lip, seething. What arrogance! Then I smiled maliciously. Head over heals in love with you, indeed! Keep dreaming! I thought to myself.
'Oh Moon goddess! How can anyone be so callous? And this is the same person you have cursed me with as my mate?' I shut my eyes to erase the pain I felt.
'Anyway, we shall stick to the plan. Stay away from me. I shall act as though we have nothing in common', I heard Sylvester say.
'This had better be fast. I am getting impatient', Cathania said snuggling even closer into his arms.
'Be patient my love. After the council is satisfied, I shall be free to do as I please. Imagine being mated to the daughter of the murderer of my parents!'
Murderer of his parents? I nearly exclaimed aloud. My father would never murder anyone who was innocent. He must be referring to someone else.
I did not know what to feel as different emotions pulsed through me. I forgot for a second where I was and stepped on a tin. It made a sound loud enough to make the lovers pull apart.
'Who's there?' Alpha Sylvester barked. 'Step out, immediately!'
I tiptoed away as fast and as silently as I could. Raph had thought me that during my stay with them. By the time Alpha Sylvester leaped to the spot where I had stepped on the tin, because I knew that was the next thing he would do if the intruder refused to step out, I was long gone.
When I had got out of earshot, I ran straight up toy room, my heart was beating very fast. Nothing ever escaped Sylvester and I didn't want to be caught. So I quickly drank a cup of water and jumped into bed, pulling the bed covers over me.
Not long after, I heard my door open with a bang. I knew of course it was Sylvester. He must have smelt me in the bushes. I had not remembered to camouflage my smell. Too many things on my mind. I will have to come up with a good excuse, I thought frantically, but decided to bluff my way through first.
'Who's...', I started, turning to look towards the door. 'Oh, it's you. But couldn't you knock before barging into my room?' I asked, injecting irritation into my voice.
'Millicent...', he called and hesitated.
'Yes?' I answered, rubbing my eyes with my hand and yawning. 'Please be quick with what you have to say, I have a splitting headache'.
'Were you in the restricted area just now?' he asked, looking at me intently, trying to gauge my reaction.
'Restricted? What do you mean restricted area?' I feigned ignorance.
'I mean my private garden', he said, irritation in his voice.
'Oh, your garden? Why would I go there?' I asked nonchalantly, deriving pleasure at the irritation I heard in his voice. It was high time he felt what he made others feel by his callousness and heartlessness.
'Maybe to spy on me?' he asked.
'Really?' I asked, sitting up on the bed and narrowing my eyes. Acting time!
'Why would I spy on you?' I asked bemused. 'Should I spy on you? Is there something you are doing against me that I should know about?' I asked curiously.
'No, not that!' he said quickly. 'I felt someone watching me as I meditated in my garden and it interrupted my thoughts and I don't like that which is why I do not allow anyone into that place'.
'Rest assured, I did not go near your precious garden!' I said as though that was the last thing I would ever want to do. ' You are a fast wolf, how come you didn't catch them - whoever they were?' I asked to draw suspicion away from me. Anyway, that's really your problem. If we are done here, can I go back to sleep?'
'Please do', he said as he walked out of my room, looking back at me with confusion.
