Chapter 3: The Lake I

Ever's POV

I wasted some time before I eventually stood up. The others helped her get dressed while I headed towards the door in anticipation.

I bit my lower lip, not knowing how to act as I got closer to the door. My heart raced against my chest as I pulled the handle, revealing him standing there.

A mix of emotions swept through me. I wanted to scream at him, hug him and kick him all at the same time but I forced myself to stay composed.

His eyes rested on mine for a while. They held a mix of emotions like mine. He reached his hand into his pocket and slid a note into my hand.

“Hagan?” Rhaeya called out from behind and interrupted whatever was going on between the both of us.

Hagan's cold demeanor returned. He walked past me like I wasn't even there to begin with.

Kia extended an “are you okay” gaze to me and I replied with a subtle nod and pursed my lips trying to hide my unease.

“Okay girls, we'll continue this later” she dismissed us.

I left with the rest, trying to settle how uneasy I felt seeing them both this close together. In Rhaeya's chambers at that. I felt Hagan's gaze on me as I left before he turned to talk to Rhaeya.

“How're you enjoying your stay here?” Was the only thing I had heard him say and after that I could barely hear what they were saying as muffled voices followed behind the shut doors.

“Sorry you have to go through this…” Kia's voice let out from behind me.

“We should get going to the stables” I brushed it off, holding the note Hagan had given to me tighter.

“Yeah we should,” Kia agreed.

I paused on our way there to read what was on the note.

“Meet me at the lake tonight.

I miss you.

-Hagan.”

Happy tears filled my eyes to the brim.

“That fool” I wiped them off before they became more noticeable. “He has a lot of explaining to do” I told myself as I slid the note into my worn-out shoes.

Kia and I took our mid day rations and headed to the stables after eating.

“You blind Omega.” A highborn shewolf let out, frustrated at the young omega kneeling at her feet. “It's already enough that your kind is loafing off our pack. Still, you have to ruin other people's day with your rotten luck” She yelled more and attracted attention from other passers-by.

I clenched my fists furiously as memories of when I used to be treated like this all the time when Kia and I were still little and in the orphanage home, came flooding back. I was too weak to stand up for myself back then but I won't let someone else go through the same while I just stood and watched.

I attempted to confront the highborn but Kia held me back, shaking her head in disagreement.

“Not now, Ever.” She told me. “You'll get both us and that poor girl in trouble”

“She's already in as much trouble as she can be. And if no one does anything, it'll get worse for her” I replied and Kia dropped my arms in surrender.

“Where's your Matron?” The highborn kicked the girl who was still on the floor. “Answer me” She raised her hands to hit her when I stepped in and held it back.

Gasps and murmurs flew around us following what I had done.

My anger had now hit its brim. I knew I'd never win a combat with this shewolf - her wolf was strong, even as puny as its host was but I wasn't going to turn a blind eye either.

She turned to me, her anger now fixated on me. I let go of her hand and hurriedly helped the shaky girl to her fit. She reminded me of young me - bones very visible and her scrawny little figure. The only difference was she didn't have as many scars as I did, each set I got every time I got into trouble with the Matrons. And I always did. She looked at me visibly scared.

“Go” I told the girl. “Go back home,” I urged her.

“Did I say she could leave?” The lady puffed. I gestured to the girl who had fear written all over her to leave. She hesitated before picking up her pouch on the floor and running.

The lady crossed the distance between myself and her and choked me tightly. I winced in pain, struggling to get out of her grasp. “Seems you like to play the hero, don't you?” She tightened her grip as I began grasping for air pathetically. Her claws shot out as her eyes turned a deep amber.

“So you're all talk, no action, aren't you?" She said, shoving me to the floor. I let out a choked cough, trying to breathe well. It felt like she had squeezed all the air out of me. I could feel the claw marks she had left very fresh on my neck.

My eyes searched frantically for Kia but she was nowhere to be found. Well she had warned me. But as usual, I didn't listen.

She crossed the distance between us once again and choked me more fiercely this time. People just stood by and watched without intervening. This was it, the life of an Omega. You could be choked out, raped, stoned to death for all the world cared. It was all the same to them - our deaths meant a great favour to Pack.

“Leave her” Rhaeya's voice rang out from the courtyard as people turned to where her voice was coming from, including the female who was choking me.

“That's the Luna” Whispers and murmurs began. “She's even more beautiful than the rumors tell” More followed.

“I said…leave her” Rhaeya repeated, now losing the calm her first order had.

Right beside her was a panting Kia. Did Kia go to call her? What? Why? Why her of all people.

I felt the grip on my neck drop as I fell to the floor, trying to find my breath.

Kia ran to help me up.

“But Luna, you can't possibly be protecting her. She's an Omega and she…she insulted me. Everyone here saw it” She tried explaining.

“I'm sorry for the trouble she must have caused you. She's my servant. I'll decide how she should be punished” Rhaeya apologized and I became furious.

“I didn't do anything. You were assaulting that poor girl for a reason I'm very sure is minor and negligible. Yet you chose to make her suffer for whatever insecurity it is you're too cowardly to lash out on someone your own size” The words slipped out faster than I could think twice.

Rhaeya facepalmed hard.

“What did you just say to me?” The lady furiously approached again and this time Kia stepped in front of me.

“I apologize for how she's behaved. She's been very stressed lately. I promise I'll keep her in check” She said and pulled me away.

“You better do” The lady replied behind us as she left. The crowd eventually dissipated after her.

Kia dragged me out of the courtyard.

“Thanks for intervening Luna” she thanked Rhaeya and gestured to me to do the same.

“I'm sorry for causing you trouble, Luna” I reluctantly let out. ”I'll accept any punishment you give me” A familiar ache settled in my stomach every time I called her Luna and now subjecting myself to being punished by her made the ache worsen.

“Well then” Her elegant voice which irritated me so much let out. “You'll be part of those touring me around the Pack house.” She smiled.“You and your friend.” She beamed at Kia who I could swear was lost for words at her offer of punishment.

“It would be my honor, Luna,” Kia instantly replied, bowing. Rhaeya looked to me for my response. I tried hard to find one but couldn't.

“She'll be happy to, Luna” Kia nervously replied on my account.

“Great…I'll see you girls tomorrow then” She smiled and left.

I turned to glare at Kia.

“What? She was the best option I could think of”

“I know, it's just…”

“Yeah I understand.” Kia placed a hand on my shoulder. “Well let's get going, those horses won't feed themselves” she tried to lighten my mood. I forced up a smile.

Fortunately, we got to the stables just in time. And finished up at midnight.

“And that's the last horse” Kia pushed a dark stallion into his stable.

“Kia?” I asked her.

“Hmmm?” She turned to me.

“Do you like Rhaeya?” I asked her. That was too stupid a question, even I myself knew. What was there not to like about her.

“Well, if she's going to be the reason my best friend is always sad… I don't” She let out and I smiled.

“Do you think the Alpha really likes her?” I asked. Why was I even asking her these questions? Kia wasn't Hagan. How was she supposed to know?

“I don't know that…but I do know any man would be a fool to choose someone else over you. That includes him, "she said.

“Why not talk to him and find out for yourself” she urged.

“I think I will,” I told her. “And thank you” I beamed at her.

“Of course, what would you do without me? Every pen needs paper. You're my pen, messy and unfiltered. And I'm your paper” She let out and we both laughed. What an awkward way to describe us.

“So should we get going, it's pretty late” She asked, preparing to leave.

“You, go on without me, I have someone to meet” A blush crept up my cheeks.

“Ooh, we're back to the late night meetings, are we?” She teased.

“No it's not like that” I tried to hide how red my cheeks were.

“Well, I'll be in our room when you get back.” She told me before retiring back to the pack house.

The lake had been Hagan and my secret meeting place for many years. The only place besides his chambers where we got to actually talk. I made for it, my heart subtly beating in my chest. The moonlight was bright enough to see where I was going but not enough to see clearly.

When I got there, my eyes caught sight of his silhouette on the other side of the lake as the rhythm in my chest got louder.

“Hagan?” I whispered. The figure took slow strides to where I was and enclosed me in a tight hug, its familiar Sandalwood scent hit me before I could even respond.

“I've missed you, Ever”

Chapter 4: The Lake II

Ever's POV

I couldn't explain the amount of relief I felt hearing that from him directly.

I broke free from his hug and stood face to face with him, making sure he understood how unhappy I was with him.

“You have a lot of explaining to do” I folded my arms, awaiting his explanation.

“Sit first?” He offered.

“No. Explain yourself first” I told him.

“It's a long story. Are you sure standing is really the best option” His voice cooed.

“Fine,” I shrugged, trying so hard to hide how happy I was to see him after all these weeks. But I'd never be fully happy without knowing what was going on between him and Rhaeya.

“Who? What? Why's she here? Why didn't you say anything when Beta Roy called her your Luna? What happened during your leave?” All the questions I had kept in since noon dropped one after the other, not giving him time to register one before I dropped the next.

He lowered his gaze, the way he usually did,. anytime he couldn't find his words.

“Do you really want her as your Luna? Is that how much shame having me as your mate has caused you” I asked him, bitterly. I was now fighting back tears.

Three years back, when we had agreed to keep it a secret, I always believed he really meant it whenever he said he would make everyone know we were mates when the time was right. Now looking back, my naive self who had believed him felt very stupid. I looked at him, awaiting his answer, unable to hide how hurt I was anymore.

“I'm sorry I did this to you.” he began, his tone very apologetic. My expression softened when I heard that and I forced my tears back. “I know you’re angry. And you have every right to be but this was the best way out…for us”

“For us or for you, Hagan. How is this…helping us?” I asked him, unable to hide my frustration. “Everyone now believes she's your mate. Did you ever plan to tell them I was your true mate or was I just the secret mistress you used to pass time” I let out, pain panged in my throat. “"You stood there and watched everyone call her Luna. Is that how easy it is for you to replace me? Are you that ashamed of me?”

“I could never be ashamed of you, Ever.” His gaze pinned mine down. “You're the only person that truly matters to me and you know I would never want to lose you” He lets out.

I could barely hold my tears anymore and just let them roll out freely. Why was he doing this then? If he really didn't want to lose me?

“Rhaeya and I made a deal.” His gaze dropped as he began. “She needed a temporary suitor to keep her parents and other suitors off her back, I needed a fake Luna to stop the Elders from trying to pair me up with other power hungry shewolves who would do anything to be Luna” He explained.

“So…it's not real?” I asked, surprised.

“What? I can't believe you're asking this. I couldn't let another woman take your place as my mate even if I wanted to. My wolf alone wouldn't even allow it” He let out and we both laughed.

He wiped off the tears from my eyes.

“I don't like seeing you cry. Especially when I'm the reason for those tears” He said. “It hurts”

“You should've at least talked to me about it first, don't you think?” I told him.

“I should have. And I'm sorry I didn't. It was urgent on Rhaeya's part” He said.

“Why?” I asked.

“Well, that is something I'm not allowed to say. For now” He let out, nervously.

I gave him a suspicious look.

“Now enough of that, I've missed your voice. Going to sleep this past month without hearing you talk about how you plan to strip those matrons when you become Luna has been so excruciating” He leaned in, close enough for me to take in his beautiful eyes, a blue more intoxicating than the night sky. And that scent. I could barely think well with it serenading my senses.

“Well I still hold myself to that promise” I managed to let out as I found myself leaning in to steal a kiss.

I closed my eyes, readying myself for the warmth that should have followed after. Instead I began hearing fabric pulling apart beside me.

Embarrassed, I opened my eyes to see him stripping down. My cheeks turned a bright red as I looked away.

“What are you doing?” I asked, trying to hide how red and swollen my cheeks were.

“I'm going for a swim” He said, taking off his shoes, leaving only his underwear on him as he cannonballed into the lake, wetting my whole body with the splash he made.

“Just wait a minute, I'm going to get you” I said furiously, taking off my worn-out dress and jumping in right after him.

I brushed back my hair, trying to see better as the water had covered my eyes when I first dove in. I looked around for him and he wasn't there.

And suddenly, I felt him pull me underneath from the top. He eventually let go and we both dove to the surface as we let out deep breaths.

“What did you think I was doing” He asked, his tone full of mischief. I felt my cheeks get hotter as he inched closer.

“Nothing?” I answered, backing up to the edge of the lake as his frame followed me closely.

“Didn't seem like that to me?” he smiled. “I just went a month away and it seems you've been getting very interesting thoughts in this little head of yours”

“I don't know what you're talking about” I replied. I felt my back hit the edge of the pool as he swept in and lifted me in his arms.

“Of course you do, Ever. You know what you do to me” His voice cooed into my ear, making all the hairs on my skin stand as he leaned into the nape of my neck, subtly caressing it. I couldn't help but fall back and bite my lips, ready to take in the warmth that followed.

The

(R18 - Not for readers below 18 as this chapter includes mature and sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.)

Ever’s POV

“Hagan, stop… someone could catch us out here,” I protested, trying to pull him back from territory I knew neither of us would easily return from.

He slid his large hands down my thighs and unstrapped the chemise at my waist.

“Uhh-Hagan,” I shuddered as the warmth of his lips trailed across my neck, setting me on fire.

He brought his face closer to mine, our gazes locked for a long moment. Intoxicated by his scent, I crashed my lips onto his. My arms wrapped around his shoulders. I was still as terrible at kissing as the first time we tried, but he never complained.

He pulled back slightly and smiled - that mischievous smile of his that turned me on for reasons I still couldn’t explain.

“Seems someone’s missed me too much,” he teased.

“Says the person who has me backed into a corner and pinned against his hips,” I rolled my eyes at him.

“Well, I’ve only just started, wife,” he said, and my ears tingled at the word. I loved it whenever he called me wife, Luna, or mate. I knew it was just in-the-moment teasing, but I still loved it. It made imagining being his mate in public feel easier.

He gently gripped my neck and kissed me again - this time softer, more deliberate. He claimed every part of my lips, not giving either of us a second to breathe as he leaned in lower.

Around us, the lake began to glow as fireflies appeared, the scene turning almost unreal. Everything else faded—Rhaeya, becoming Luna, the fact that I was an Omega. None of it mattered anymore. Not now. All I wanted… was him.

Hagan lifted me against his hips, close enough that we could feel the heat of each other’s bodies. His eyes shifted—glowing a deep red. His wolf senses taking over.

Claws briefly extended as he tore away the last barrier of fabric between us. I felt how hard he’d become beneath me, and we both knew we’d crossed the line I had tried so hard to avoid.

We were out in the open. Here. Now. What if someone passed by? Hagan didn’t seem worried at all… so I let it go.

I slipped out of my top blouse, revealing my swollen breasts, then quickly removed my underwear as well.

Hagan lost the last of his patience and crashed his lips against my neck again. That heat returned, and this time we both gave into it completely. He pulled me closer until our chests pressed together.

I felt him slide in, and I bit down on a moan that almost escaped me. My hands clutched his shoulders for support as he pressed me back against the pool wall, moving slowly at first.

A soft moan slipped out as I wrapped my arms around his neck. My hips moved instinctively, brushing against him in rhythm.

“Oh, Hagan…” I gripped him tighter.

He thrust harder, and a louder moan tore from me as tears gathered in my eyes.

“Ever… you’re so beautiful,” he cooed into my ear before burying his lips into my neck again, pulling another sound from me.

He moved faster now, each thrust pulling louder moans from me. My grip on his shoulders tightened as my body trembled, overwhelmed.

Tears spilled down my face - pleasure and pain blurring together.

I could barely take it anymore, but my body refused to stop. I pulled his head to my chest and he surprised me, taking one of them into his mouth.

My senses spiked, and I tilted my head back, lost in it.

He sucked hard, completely unrestrained now.

“Alpha…” We both heard Beta Roy's voice from a distance and our passionate moment came to an abrupt stop.

“Shit” Hagan's eyes widened as he snapped back to reality. I climbed down from him in panic.

“You told him you'd be here?” I asked him, my voice as panicked as his eyes looked.

“I didn't. He must've been looking for me”

“Alpha…” Roy's voice called out again, now closer.

“Should I put on my clothes?” I asked him.

“No he'll definitely see you that way. Duck”

“What?” My voice cracked in disbelief, not hiding how unpleasant I found his idea.

“There's no time, Ever. Please understand”

I swallowed how bitter I felt at the extremes he was now resorting to, just to keep me hidden but seeing as there was indeed no time, I hurriedly took a deep breath and swept myself under as the footsteps got closer.

“Alpha” Roy's voice let out, relieved.

“I've searched the pack house for you. I was worried something happened” He began.

“I came for a swim. Why were you looking for me?” Hagan asked, masking his panic under his usual cold demeanor.

“Here” Roy pulled out a note from his pocket and handed it over to Hagan.

“Silverstone Alpha, Zeke has honoured your invitation. He stated that he'll be here tomorrow with his Envoy” Roy told him, gesturing to the note.

I could barely hold my breath anymore where I was and I moved slightly. Hagan's eyes drifted to my spot and back to Roy.

“Well we best get going then. Everything should be ready for his arrival” He told him.

“Yes Alpha”

“Well?...” Hagan gestured for Roy to turn.

“Oh right” Roy laughed nervously, before turning away.

Hagan climbed out of the pool after sliding into his underwear. I Popped my head out of the pool immediately after he left, unable to hold my breath anymore.

“Did you hear that?” Roy turned slightly and I dipped my head back in.

“No” Hagan dismissed casually as he slid into his clothes and I drew back into the water as they both turned to leave.

Voices of them making plans followed, which later descended into murmurs after they had gone far.

I drifted up to the surface, watching them leave as I slid into my underwear too and got out of the pool.

I couldn't help but feel bad at how easy it was for him to be all over me one minute and pretend I didn't exist the next.

Was it always going to be this way with us? Would I just remain the secret mistress he always came to whenever he wanted to have sex? I stared far off, knowing Hagan himself probably wasn't sure he'd ever proudly call me his mate.

I picked myself up and began sliding into my clothes. I was halfway done when I heard a rustle beneath the tall bushes some steps away and froze in fear.

“Who's there?” I let out, my voice drenched in panic as I looked around.