RIANNA
She, seeing me in such a state will make her assume her prayers have been answered.
“Welcome, the rightful Luna.” The elders rose up to cheer her as she walked further in. Meanwhile, I tried hiding my face as I sat on the bare floor, sobbing.
My prayers to remain hidden went tenser than before but I knew it was just futile. There was no escape route for me.
“Ooh–Ohhh. It's you?” She chuckled.
“Mom, you know her?” Christabel asked.
“Yesssss!” She stressed. “She had snatched almost a hundred mates from women in this pack.”
Gosh!
“What are you saying?” I slumped to the ground, spreading my hands wide. I'm finished!
“Did you guys just choose a day to come and embarrass me here, lying against me.”
“Will you keep your mouth shut or we will expose your secret for the world to hear?” Gerald spanked my cheeks.
“You're still so shameless. What of you who have lied to Ruzo for years now?”
Christabel rushed over to her side, grabbing her arm. “Please spill it out. What did she do?”
My heart raced.
“Please don't.” I stood up from the floor, dropping on my knees.
“I beg you, don't. Whatever you wish, I'll give it to you.”
“Well, if you think you can buy me with money this time around, then you're in for a massive failure.” She taunted.
Christabel persisted. “Can I know what she really did?”
Gerald's heart was beating so loudly, I could hear it.
I began to feel a pang of guilt for what I did. All these years, I thought I actually did the right thing but this moment, things were different.
Maybe I was wrong. I shouldn't have done it.
“I'll expose it here to everyone.” Gerald threatened.
Anger somehow seized my chest. I rose to my feet, feeling my tears dry away slowly. Boldness was climbing over me, through my nerves, I felt strengthened to speak.
“I'd rather say it myself, after I'm done. You can beat me to death, if you wish.” I said stoutly. The elders who were sitting slowly rose to their feet.
“What came over her?” One of the girls leaned towards Christabel, whispering into her ears. I heard it but kept on with the harsh face.
I was ready to tell the story of my life myself, let no one reveal it.
“So this is what happened,” I began. “You're free to ask me questions where you deem fit.”
Merely starting, I see a tall young man walking into the room. “Oh no! It's my son.” I whispered to myself.
“What's going on here?” I heard him say next. My eyes slightly opened to see him.
He froze, slowly pulling his hand to his head with his lips spread wide. “What's going on here?” He barked, flinching his head to his mate.
“What did you do to my mom?”
Suddenly the guests broke into a puzzled gasp, the girls she had brought to harass me stumbled backward. A whole lot of the guests who had risen to support Christabel beating me up sank to their seats finding it hard to believe.
“See what your mate has done to me oo!” I cried out loud. “The mate I wanted to surprise to millions of dollars as a–” My voice broke halfway into a terrible cry.
For the moment, my urge to confess was off.
“I want to die! I can't bear such shame.”
“My mother-in-law is on her way here, right?” Christabel’s voice had lowered, she was now sounding panicked, looking at the woman who had been trying so hard to portray herself as the mom, rather than the potential aunt-in-law.
“She's going to arrive soon, right? This isn't your mother?” Christabel turned to Ruzo right afterwards, grabbing his arms but he pushed her away. She stumbled and almost fell.
Through all the questions she asked, Ruzo was fiercely staring at her. The hall became tense as his eyes switched to bright yellow while his fists were folded.
Before anyone could expect, I heard deep punches, terrifying groans. “Help! Help! Help!”
“How dare you be so rascal with my mom? Why would you disgrace her half-naked before everyone, pulling her out of my room and dropping her here in a pool of blood?”
People scrambled for safety. “If you move!” He growled. “You joined to support her in beating an innocent woman.”
“Guards, lock the doors. All the doors.” He commanded. My body quivered. I wondered what he was about to do. I didn't want him to hurt some innocent people in the midst.
His anger once returned to his mate. “I want you stripping right here before everyone, even to your panties.”
Meanwhile my heart was thumping to say the truth, if he chooses to punish Christabel after my confession, then so be it. I still won.
“You have to pay right away for what you've done!”
She was stunned, shaking in fear. Ruzo’s hands descended on her, ripping her long blue gown into two, exposing her undies.
I stretched my hand, trying to stop him. “Let me tell you something first.” But he wasn't listening. Gerald with the elders glanced at me, eyes narrowing.
“It seems she has charmed him, that's why he's always fighting for her.” Their murmuring clashed with the loud groans of Christabel.
I was here trying to grab my son's attention.
“Please stop! My parents are here, my relatives. I can't have them see me this way.” She cried out, her girls covered their faces with shame.
“I'm coming after you girls.”’He threatened them, making them squirt in fear. Ruzo put more pressure, within a second, the once looking bridal gown was torn in shreds. He advanced to her bikini undies.
Seeing my oppressor disgraced, I summoned up some energy, rising up.
I summoned my entire energy to shout. He paused. I sighed. “Ruzo, allow me to say what I have to say first, then you decide what to do next.”
“What's it mom?” He said, amidst gnashing of teeth. Gerald nodded her head, folding her arms across her chest.
