CHAPTER 2:Unclear Deceit

LILIA'S POV

“She's awake! Thank you Moon Goddess” Willow exclaimed as she called out to the Pack doctor,who rushed into the ward's room.

Her face dropped as she stared at me, her eyes fixed on me.

“I'm sorry Luna, I couldn't protect you”.

“You were poisoned”, she spoke in barely audible whisper.

“You will be fine Luna Lilia, your vitals are all in good range”, Dr Lia said, as she strode towards the exit door.

I wrapped my hands over my stomach, as the thoughts of being poisoned ran through me, “who could be responsible for this?”, I thought.

“Could it be Rowan? Does he plan to kill me too, after cheating on me?," several thoughts kept running on me, my gaze fixed forward.

“Luna!, I saw Alpha Rowan and Rylan going into Ember's cabin”, Willow snapped in a whispering voice.

On hearing this, I clenched my fist,my eyes filled with fury, Rowan couldn't even spare a day with me, knowing fully well it was our anniversary today.

“Does he know I'm here?”.

“Yes I told him”, Willow responded.

I gently sat upright, as Willow placed her hands at my back, placing a pillow at my side.

“He went along with Rylan”, she added.

I laughed bitterly, as hot tears pinched my eyes.

Seeing a home crumble was never what I wished for anyone.

All my efforts and commitment in making sure my home comes out well were all in vain.

Immediately, my phone buzzed, albums of pictures and tape of video came into my phone.

They were from Ember.

She doesn't fail to update me of her times with my family.

“A fun time with your family Lilia, I made sure no one spent time with you on your anniversary,"

Immediately, she dropped a voice note.

“Hope you had a taste of what theft felt like."

"These gifts were bought for me, including this jade necklace, but it isn't my taste, let me allow you to have this one," she added.

My face reddened,as I gritted my teeth in anger.

“It was Ember, she tried to kill me, she poisoned me," I spoke loudly in frustration.

No doubt Ember hates me and wants to see me dead, but I couldn't believe it to be in this manner.

My relationship with Ember since childhood, had been a competitive one.

She wants everything I have and believed she was being treated badly.

But that wasn't true,despite being an illegitimate child of my mother, my father, Alpha Darius, took her in and accepted her like his daughter.

He made sure Ember had everything she could ever wish for in order to feel among.

Despite all the care and love,Ember chose a cruel life.

Her frustrations were mostly poured on me.

I packed the paintings and family frames, neatly, sealing them tightly.

Tears streamed down my eyes as I recalled my childhood relationship with Rowan,our vows and promises.

Too bad, he let Ember have her way to his heart easily.

As for Rylan, I lost the relationship with him, the day I stopped him from being picky about meals.

He only chooses to eat junk food and so much meat, having had several health warnings about the choice of food to eat.

As a good mother,I made sure I gave him all the healthy food he deserved but he didn't find them enticing.

“Lilia”, Rowan called out, as he stood beside me,his gaze closely fixed on me.

They didn't come back home last night,and didn't bother to come to the hospital either.

I stared at Rylan’s face who intentionally avoided my gaze.

I'm sorry mom,I never knew the juice was poisoned. Dad bought it from the roadside,he lied.

I sly grin filled my face,bas I fixed my gaze at the both of them, wondering how Rowan had been about to teach Rylan how to lie without being remorseful about it.

“I know you are angry Lilia,the pack secretary,called me for a business meeting,that was why I left”.

“I'm sorry love”,he added as he held my wrist, pulling me closer to me.

I gently pulled him off my wrist and walked slowly away from their sight.

But both of them couldn't let me go as they walked quickly towards me.

“Lilia, anniversary date, doesn't matter,what matters is that we would be spending it together”,Rowan said, his voice low and husky.

I smirk, fuming silently in anger,Rowan has a way of pretending and could easily cover his flaws.

I nodded, trying so hard to hide my cold expressions from him.

Immediately Rylan wrapped his arms around me, Mom! Please forgive dad…….,he didn't mean to leave you all by yourself,he had been so busy”,he shuttered.

Rowan shook his head helplessly,as he watched Rylan, hugged me passionately.

He continued, "By the way, for our wedding anniversary, Rylan and I picked out a jade bracelet for you. Do you like it?”.

He said as he stretched out a gold coloured bag and his face was full of apology.

“I had planned for us to have a nice dinner together in a restaurant today, but something urgent came up at work. I had to take Rylan with me to the office. How about we reschedule and celebrate the anniversary properly next week?I will invite all Elites from other packs.I will make sure I do it right this time, Lilia”.

Rylan nodded his head and chimed in, "Daddy was super busy. I even fell asleep waiting for him at the office!”

My gaze fixed at Rowan,as I stared at his face for a long time.

Yet his expression only showed the love I used to see and feel preciously and there was not a trace of guilt there.

As for the supposed dinner at the restaurant, Rowan had brought Rylan along with him to see Ember.

There was no way he could split his time to celebrate with me even if he wanted to.

I laughed bitterly as I looked briefly at the banquet and said carelessly, "I see."

I opened the gift, The red roses and the jade bracelet … Actually every single "gift" from Rowan and Rylan had been nothing more than Ember's discarded leftovers.

Immediately, I trash all into the wastebasket,the realization alone was enough reason to carry out my plans.

I couldn’t help but question every gift from the past. Had they all been things rejected by other women? The thought made me feel like a fool forever believing I had been cherished and cared for.

Just then, Rowan entered as he whimpered In fear.

The pack was being attacked by rogues, he spoke, his voice trembling.

CHAPTER 3:Fake Death

LILIA'S POV

Without hesitation,I pulled out my phone and dialed Willow’s number.

“Greetings my Luna”,she chimed in,her voice trembling as she spoke.

“The rogue's attack came so early,why the changes”.

“I'm sorry Luna,I failed to inform you, tonight is the blood moon and they came without notice”,she explained.

“What are we going to do now”, I asked hastily.

“Get into the field Luna,I have sent some warriors to guide you and execute the plans properly”,she said.

“Okay,I'm coming right away,Roman just left now with his warriors” I said sharply, ending the call as I headed to my closet,pulling out some protective wears.

I recalled the first time I went to the pack's Journal,to outline a fake death plot.

The workers hummed silently,their voices fell into whispers.

“How can Luna Lilia ever think of this dangerous plot despite the care and love Alpha Rowan shows to her”, a voice whispered.

“She would definitely regret it,it seems she is so ungrateful”, another voice added.

“Quiet,You all”,a feminine voice snapped as she spoke in a barely audible whisper. “Too bad the so-called honoured Alpha Rowan is cheating on her with her illegitimate sister Ember”, their lips widened as they all grasped in shock.

I turned my face away, ignoring their gossips as I pulled out a pen to sign on the document.

“Are you sure you want to do this Luna,it would cost you a lot to structure a perfect body and hide your information from the media”.

“Mention amount,just give me the perfect work”,I responded.

I stood at the field,my mind racing as I heard clicking and slides of knives.

Tonight is the night I want to fake my death, leaving behind the pain of Rowan's betrayal and Rylan's affection for Ember.

I watched as a group of rogues staged Rowan and his warriors.

Chaos filled the pack,as every one shifted to their wolves and ran into their cabin for safety.

Rowan's eyes locked into mine,his eyes darted in confusion and fear.

“What are you doing here Lilia?Get into the cabin for safety”, he yelled.

I ignored his warnings with a deep breath,I ran into the battlefield,where the rogues centered.

Rowan's eyes widened, seeing my movement towards the rogue's direction. “Lilia what are you doing?”,he shouted,his voice trembling with fear and concern.

“You betrayed me Rowan, you let Ember take everything away from me,my home, my love ,my son.I can't take it anymore”, I said.

I turned my gaze away from him and walked quickly into the rogue's formed cabin.

Rowan's face turned pale as he pleaded for me to move away but I paid deaf ears to him.

“Lilia come back please,his voice trembling,filled with desperate pleas”.

He ordered his warriors to attack into the rouges cabin,they did and managed to kill several rouges,burning down the rouges cabin too.

My fake body was dragged out also.

The corpse was barely recognizable with those mangled skin and flesh which was filled with aches.

The features were properly structured to look like me.

Seeing this, Rowan was not so convinced it was me,he had seen me go into the rogue's cabin,but after commanding me with his alphas voice,he thought I had listened and went inside for safety.

When he saw the crooked words "Peace and happiness" that were crafted on it, Rowan fell to the floor in despair.

The string was the gift he gave to me and I had always promised him that I would never take it off for the rest of her life.

Rowan refused to believe it. He could not accept that the woman who had been in his arms that very morning was now this cold, lifeless corpse.he growled,tears streaming down his face

“This is impossible! It can't not be!”.

“Ohh ! No Lilia, Not Lilia my Luna”,he growled as hot tears rolled down his face like raindrops.

“Lilia! no please don't leave me”,he cried,tears streaming down his cheek as he lifted up my body.

I stood far away from the pack's cabin,as I watched Rowan cry as he knelt down on the floor, his voice so loud and crackly.

Only if he ever cherishes what he once had.

I masked my face and walked quickly away from the pack.

The repeated condolence words suddenly filled the entire pack.

CHAPTER 4:Secret unveil

ROWAN'S POV.

“Daddy! Daddy ! Where is mom?”, Rylan ran towards me,his tiny hands wrapped around my leg,his eyes filled with tears as he sobbed continuously.

“Don't tell me Mom is dead”,he said, breaking into tears.

My voice cracked as I knelt beside him. “Yes dear,Mom is dead,I'm sorry,son. I couldn't protect Mommy."

Tears streamed down my face, as I pulled Rylan into a tight hug,my hands wrapped around him.

As I walked into Lilia's room, my gaze fell upon the neatly arranged bag she kept previously. A chill ran down my spine.Too bad I had never asked her about it.

I gently opened the seal,my heart sank.

Our family frame and Rylan's paintings lay broken, shattered into pieces.

“What had Lilia been up to?”,Thoughts ran through me as I gently arranged the broken frames.

A long, folded paper which was kept inside the bag caught my attention. I unfolded it, and my eyes scanned the pages.

I flipped the pages as I read;

“Just as these broken pieces can't be amended,so as the pains I had bear for a long time can't be forgotten.

The family I had built for good six years,my home and happiness had been taken away.

For you Rowan,your evil deeds had continuously pierced through me,I can't believe my once loving and faithful mate will ever break our loyalty bond and go about sleeping with my illegitimate sister”.

I halted for a minute, Lilia's words cut deep into me.

I felt a pang of guilt as I read on.

So Lilia had been aware of my affairs,I shook my head in regret as I read on.

She knew about my affairs with Ember

I read on, "It seems you can't stop loving her, Rowan, so I would let you have her. As for Rylan, he seems to have found peace and solace with Ember, so you both should enjoy your new Luna. I reject you, Rowan, as my mate; our bond would forever be apart. If our paths ever cross again before I'm gone, I would say it to your face.”

Reading this,my heart sank,I felt guilt filled my face.

“Lilia must have been so broken for her to write such”, I uttered silently.

I clenched my fist,slamming it so hard onto the table as anger boiled within me. I stormed towards Ember's cabin, my face reddened with rage.

My gaze fixed on Ember as she opened the door.

"You evil woman! I warned you to keep our relationship secret, but you went ahead feeding Lilia with all our affairs!"

Ember's eyes widened, as she stuttered, avoiding my gaze.

"O-oh, Alpha Rowan ... what are you talking about?”

I pushed her to the wall,lifting up my hands as I landed a slap on her face.

“You dare to lie or deny your actions again ember,I would send you to hell”, spoke,my voice hoarse and clear.

Embers gasped in shock,her voice filled with terror.

“I'm sorry Rowan,you shouldn't be doing this to me dear,she sobbed as she held her cheeks in pain,I thought you loved me”.

“You crossed your boundaries Ember,you made Lilia take her own life”, I snapped quickly.

“I did nothing Rowan,how could you say such a thing,you and your ungrateful child came to me first”.

"Watch your mouth, Ember! Watch it...", I warned, as I pushed her against the wall. My grip tightened around her wrist, and I held her neck so tight that she shook.

“Let me go Rowan”,she spoke,her voice crackly as she struggled for breath.

I loosened my grip from her neck,and pushed her to the floor.

“Rowan,You deceived me……..,You have never loved me Rowan”, she shuttered, her voice cracked as she cleared her throat resulting from my tight grip.

“You crossed your boundaries, Ember,you took Lilia’s life”,I said as I stumbled away from her cabin,she stared at me in disgust.

“I have failed to protect Lilia,my unending desire has taken a jewel away from me,Oh my Lilia,oh my Luna”, I growled, breaking the glass placed on the table.

“Daddy,seems mommy,removed all my paintings,I can't find them anymore," Rylan said,as he took a step forward, his gaze fixed on me.

I forced a smile, trying to reassure him. "Don't worry, son. We'll get you new materials to paint another one. Mommy must have taken them with her."

Hearing that,Rylan relieved his breath,as he wrapped his hands around me,his eyes welled up with tears. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I couldn't protect Mommy either."

I pulled him into a tight hug, as the tears I held tightly couldn't hold but streamed down my cheek, a feeling of regret washed over me.

"It's not your fault, son. I'm the one who failed to protect Mommy."

Days passed, and I struggled to accept the fact that Lilia is really dead.

The reality hits me so hard knowing fully well,no one can ever replace her. Rylan's constant questions about his mother's whereabouts weighed heavily on my heart.

As I sat by the fireplace, staring into the flames, I heard a faint knock on the door. It was Ember.

"Rowan, I need to talk to you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I raised an eyebrow, my face reddened ,not wanting to have any conversations with her "What could you possibly have to say to me?"

Ember took a deep breath. "I know I messed up, Rowan. I was blinded by my feelings for you, and I didn't think about the consequences. But I swear, I never meant to hurt Lilia or Rylan."

My gaze fixed on her, searching for any sign of deception. But all I saw was genuine remorse.

"Go on," I said, my voice softer.

"I'm pregnant Rowan! I'm carrying your child”.

I clenched my fist,my eyes burning with anger

“How dare you come up with this lie Ember,I growled,as I twisted her hands pulling her closer to me.

“I'm impotent Ember! I can't get anyone pregnant”.

“I paid for a sperm donor,before Lilia could get pregnant for Rylan”.

“Stop it Rowan! I'm serious,Lilia lied to you about your medical report,you aren't impotent”.

"Why should I trust you?" I asked, my eyes narrowing,my gaze fixed on her.

Ember took a step forward, her hands extended.

"Because, Rowan, I love you. And I love Rylan.

“Here is your medical report Rowan,Lilia never loved you,she did that to stay away from your intimacy,she gets pregnant and drinks contraceptives in order not to get pregnant” Ember explained.

I hesitated, unsure of what to do,as I read through the medical report,which said that I wasn't impotent.

The report Lilia gave to me was quite different from this.

“The sperm donor, the one we paid heavily for,all the tests I ran in the past could be a lie?How can the truth of the past be revealed now when Lilia is gone?.

I was stunned in silence as several thoughts ran through me.

“I never knew you Lilia,for the past six years I couldn't unveil who you truly were”,I murmured.