#Chapter 5

Kaida's POV

When I walked out to the mansion premise, I looked around at the fleet of cars littered everywhere. The least car there was a Rolls-Royce.

So, I, even as the Luna of the pack, wasn't worth to be brought to a restaurant in a Rolls-Royce?

My wolf begged me to stay back, to flout Dimitri's invite.

‘He will keep disrespecting us if we continue being his lickspittle,’ she screamed in my head.

I shook my head and whispered, “Stay calm, Kaida. I know it'll hurt, but I need to try one more time. Maybe our Mate will return to his senses.”

I didn't wait to think that Vanessa was a descendant of the Witch Lineage, the ancient enemy of werewolves. They were masters of disguise and deception.

She could have posed as a Breeder just to…

Wait a minute.

“Something just occured to me,” I mumbled under my breath as I took the long walk towards the gates. “If Vanessa was really a wolf, then she can transform, can't she?”

My wolf considered this, but was now curious where I was taking this too.

‘How do you plan on exposing her, if that is true?’ asked Kaida.

Leave that to me, I thought as I flagged down a cab. But I heard a voice behind me.

“Go ahead, you, I'll take it from here.”

The cab left and I turned to see Russ in his car. I frowned.

“What do you want?” I asked him.

He paused. “Are we at any loggerheads, ma'am? I just want to help.”

His voice was unnaturally kind and it sent wary signals down my spine. Russ was never this soft-spoken.

“Help me do what?”

“Hop in, I gotta drop you off.”

I wanted to decline, but evening was coming fast and it was quite rare to catch a cab close to the royal estate. So I obliged.

He was silent half the drive. But I could see a small smile on his lips. Almost mischievous.

“Don't act surprised. My duty is to protect you too. Especially when the alpha is… rather preoccupied,” he said, throwing me a glance.

I clutched my purse. “Okay. Thanks.”

We arrived at the Restaurant. “Wanna hear one more secret?” he asked before I could come down.

I waited.

“If you ever need company of any sort, Kaida, you have my phone number.”

His wink was so subtle it was absent. I left his car shaken. What was this? Why this strange care and suggestive offers?

At the front of the restaurant were six cars, all of Dimitri's. Why had he come with too many cars?

I took a deep breath and stepped into the dim-lit, exotic restaurant. I couldn't remember the last time Dimitri brought me to a restaurant. I wondered why he did now.

M

When I was received by a porter and saw Dimitri's table, I immediately got my answer.

Seated robustly with almost all her breasts out her dress was Vanessa. Hale and hearty. She was covered in dazzling makeup and jewellery. This appearance hinted to my suspicion.

Dimitri's hand was on her stomach, caressing it through her dress. She was leaning back, giggling and enjoying this attention. He had a hard time getting his hand off when he saw me.

“Luna,” Dimitri greeted, briefly standing for formality, but it was obvious it lacked warmth.

“Alpha,” I replied curtly, barely registering his deceptive face.

My eyes glanced at Vanessa, who rolled her eyes and smirked. She didn't stand to greet me—of course not. Since she was carrying the Alpha's child, why would a breeder bother with respect?

"Vanessa," I acknowledged her not because she deserved it, but courtesy had been ingrained in me. Also, I didn't want her to suspect anything. If I'd succeed to expose her identity, I needed her to feel comfortable with me.

It was then that she turned on a cruelly fake smile at me. "Oh, Luna Kaida, I’m glad you could join us. Dimitri said it would be good for us to spend more time together—for the baby’s sake. Also wanted to let you see that I am well. I survived that attack.”

The accusation was too raw to be hidden. I looked at Dimitri as he pretended to be speaking with the wairess. I also noticed she'd called him by his first name, flinging the alpha title out the window. That must have come from a high level of closeness and lenience.

Vanessa kept that smile on her face. I curled my toes, trying to hold myself from screaming at her.

“How wise of you both," I replied.

For a moment, we went silent when the waiter came and took our orders. But Vanessa, ever the performer, didn't allow a moment of quiet. She kept chattering and throwing bluff around, something a “proper Luna” should do.

“I must say, this pregnancy has been such a blessing to me and the entire pack. They are all supportive, and Dimitri... Well, he's been incredible. Haven't you, Alpha?"

I watched Dimitri's face light up with admiration. Everything about Vanessa awed him. I couldn't remember when last I awed him. Even when he had sex with me, it was wholly to satisfy his ravenous libido. He rarely kissed me. His idea was, of what use was having sex with me anymore?

“The baby is the future of our pack,” he said, livid. “It’s only right that I’m there for you and the child. If this is what I live for, I'll be quite fulfiled.”

My wolf growled in my head, urging me to snap, but I kept my composure.

“Yes, you've gone out of your way, Dimitri,” I said, then I snapped out of my self control. “Vanessa, no matter how much of an importance you think you have, don't forget you've got a vague identity. You were adopted into the Pack.”

My voice was kept leveled, but the words bore deep.

Vanessa’s eyes widened with frustration; the corners of her mouth twitched, but she recovered quickly.

“Of course, Luna. I’m just doing my part, ensuring the future of the Pack. Even though, I don't know what brought about this now.” She giggled uneasily. “After all, the baby’s health is the most important. I’m sure Dimitri agrees.”

Before I could retort, Dimitri interrupted, “She’s right, Kaida. The child comes first, above every other thing.”

His words stung, but I folded my hands on the table to keep them from trembling. Was that why he didn't let me take any of the cars? While he had brought Vanessa in a convoy.

When the wairess arrived with the orders, Dimitri asked if I was enjoying the evening.

“Naturally,” I said with a tight smile.

Vanessa, brazened by Dimitri’s support, leaned forward, and her eyes locked with mine.

“Speaking of health, it’s been amazing how smooth this pregnancy has been. I suppose it’s because Dimitri’s been so involved. But you know, Luna, a mother’s bond with her child starts in the womb. It’s all about who’s closest to the baby. I'm sure you know about that.”

It was a jab and an insult, but I refused to take the bait.

“Well, Vanessa, you should enjoy it while you can. Being pregnant is one thing; being a Luna is entirely different. You’ll never understand its weight."

Her smile dampened. She clutched her belly. “At least I understand one thing you couldn't and can't.”

Wow. I sat there, our eyes locked. Dimitri was speaking with an Elder who happened to own the restaurant.

“Tell me, Vanessa, who are your parents?” I was all in now. This wasn't the plan, but a pre-plan, to set the pace.

I stared at the strange pendant on her neck and wondered why she'd always had it. It wasn't a medieval world, but a lot of things could happend in the werewolf world. Dark magic was real and existed.

The hell, I couldn't just feel right about this so-called Breeder! I wanted to save myself, the Alpha and the whole pack from her. Why wasn't anyone seeing this?

I was battling with a lot of things, and I just needed a tiny wave of support from my Mate. But Dimitri was hell bent on Vanessa's worship.

Vanessa jolted from my words and I felt her touch Dimitri under the table.

Dimitri’s attention was turned back to us. “That’s enough, Kaida," he snapped firmly.

“There’s no need to undermine Vanessa. She’s carrying our heir, something you..."

He stopped, but the damage was done. My heart tore apart. I knew just exactly what he wanted to say.

“Go on, Dimitri. Finish what you were saying."

He looked away and guilt fell on his face, but he turned to Vanessa.

“This dinner is supposed to be a celebration,” Dimitri said, picking a glass of champagne. “Let's not ruin it.”

“Celebration?” I chuckled.

“If that’s what this is, then by all means raise your glasses. But don’t expect me to toast to betrayal.”

Vanessa gasped, and her hand went flying to her chest like I’d slapped her.

“Luna, I don't think it's fair. I didn't mean to..."

“Is it?” I cut her off.

“You’ve done nothing but insert yourself where you don’t belong. And Dimitri, you’ve let her.”

Vanessa’s doe-eyed innocence disappeared, replaced by a steely glare.

“I belong exactly where the Alpha needs me."

“And where the Alpha allows you,” I snapped.

Dimitri slammed the table, startling the other customers, who didn't dare complain.

“Enough, both of you!” His jaw was tight, eyes burning with anger as he turned to me.

“Kaida, this isn’t just about you. This is about the pack. And if you can’t put your pride aside for the sake of Greyhounds, then maybe you’re the one who doesn’t belong here.”

It was like an explosion in my head. A physical pain. You signed up for his, I heard Kaida whisper.

But I refused to satisfy them by showing my pain. Instead, I stood and calmly smoothed my dress.

“Thank you for clarifying, Alpha,” I said with a cold, low voice. “You brought me here to spite me, right? Enjoy your dinner.”

I walked out with my shoulders held high despite the tears threatening to fall. It was blowing cold when I got outside; the burning inside me wasn't abated.

Then I heard footsteps behind me. I turned, expecting Dimitri, but it was Vanessa.

“Running away like a coward you are, Luna?”

“What did you say?” Suddenly the pain my father had felt as the disguised wolf cut through his throat, returned to me.

Face to face with Vanessa, I was delighted. She had fallen right into my trap.