We three exchanged glances, not knowing if we were to say yes or no.
Anita suddenly stepped forward. “They were once married, but she is dead.”
My frown deepened as I glared at Anita. “Keep your mouth shut!” I sneered.
Anita didn’t care. Rather, she folded her arms and stared right at Olivia, who had a frown on her face-perhaps it seems she doesn’t like Anita.
Olivia’s eyes stayed on Anita, her frown deepening. “How long has she been dead?” she asked, her voice low but clear.
Anita shrugged like it didn’t matter. “A little over a month ago.”
The room went quiet.
Too quiet.
I could feel the storm building before Olivia even opened her mouth. Her body stiffened, her eyes moved to each of us-me, Louis, Levi-with a slow, cold look.
And then she said it.
“What kind of men take in a concubine just weeks after their wife dies?” 2
My heart dropped.
She didn’t look sad.
She didn’t even look confused.
She looked angry.
Really angry.
“That’s disgusting,” Olivia said, standing up now. “Gabriel would never do something like that. Never. Not even if he was broken. He would wait. He would grieve.”
“Olivia-” Louis tried speaking.
But she wasn’t done.
“You’re saying you had a wife. A mate. And a month after she died, you brought in another woman? No. That’s not grief. That’s disrespect.”
I looked away, jaw tight, but Anita- of course-had to open her mouth again.
“Actually,” she said, smirking just a little, “they took me as their concubine while their wife was still alive.”
“What?” Olivia turned to her sharply.
“They didn’t and never loved her,” Anita said with a shrug. “It was me they wanted. Besides, she could never satisfy them like I do.”
Olivia stared at her for a second like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Then she turned back to us.
“You did that?” Her voice shook, but it wasn’t from fear anymore. It was disgust. “Your mate was alive… and you still brought another woman into your bed?”
I opened my mouth. Nothing came out.
There was nothing I could say that wouldn’t sound worse.
Now as I think about it, I realized how horrible I and my brothers were. Taking in Anita as our concubine just a few days after marriage. Fucking
Anita in her presence on our wedding night? How did Olivia feel about all this! She must have been so hurt but we? We were blinded by revenge and didn’t stop to even think.
“Gabriel would never do that,” she said again, shaking her head. “He wouldn’t even look at another woman if I was gone this early. He’d mourn me at least for a year. But you… you had a concubine. You slept with another woman before she was even gone.”
Her words were like ice. They didn’t scream. They didn’t need to. They cut deep, straight to the bone.
“Wow!”
She sat back down slowly, turning her face away like she couldn’t stand to look at us anymore.
My frown deepened as I glared at Anita. She had just made things worse for us. “Louis, take Anita out of here before I snap her head off her neck!” I growled to Louis through the mind link, and he obeyed, grabbing Anita’s arm and dragging her out of the room.
“Please, I would like to be alone… can you two leave too?” Olivia murmured, sounding angry.
I exchanged a glance with Levi, who looked like he wanted to speak, but I subtly signaled him not to, and together we walked out of the room.
Olivia’s POV
The moment the door shut, I paused and used my heightened hearing to make sure no one was eavesdropping. I even sniffed the air to be sure no one was around before bursting into laughter. Oh my goodness, I was damn good! So good that I never knew I could put on such a display! The trembling of my hands… the fear in the triplets’ eyes… the things I scattered around and how I acted with Gabriel-it was all perfect.
Just thinking about Gabriel’s performance almost made me laugh again. He sounded so confused, poor Alpha. He had no idea he was being played like a perfectly tuned violin. ?
A soft knock tapped on the door in a pattern only two people knew.
I smirked. “Enter.”
The door creaked open, and two ladies walked in-Nora and Lolita, my two loyal handmaids and the only ones in this cursed place who knew the truth. Nora balanced a tray with steaming food-roasted lamb, seasoned vegetables, and fresh bread-while Lolita carried a jug of fruit-infused water and a goblet, as if we were about to toast to my latest performance.
“You should’ve seen yourself, Luna,” Lolita whispered, barely suppressing a giggle as she set the goblet down. “The way your voice cracked when you said, ‘I want to go home!”” 1
Nora snorted. “I almost started crying just to give it more effect. You’re scary when you act like that.”
I flopped onto the bed, dramatically throwing one arm over my face. “Ugh,
CD
I’m exhausted from all the fake trembling. My hands were actually starting to cramp. Do you think I overdid it?”
“Not even close,” Nora said as she placed the food on the table and began uncovering the dishes. “You were brilliant. If I didn’t know better if you hadn’t told us, I’d say you really had a memory reset.”
Lolita sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes gleaming. “They totally believed you. You’ve got the Alphas wrapped around your finger, Luna Olivia.”
“Perfect,” I muttered, sitting up to grab a slice of bread. “Let them all believe I’m sick, scared, traumatized. The more they believe me, the more I’m able to achieve my plans.” 2
Nora turned to me with curiosity. “Luna, what are your plans?”
“To leave this place,” I responded without hesitation. 2
They both had doubtful looks on their faces. “I don’t think the Alphas will let you leave,” Lolita said. And I knew she was right. It would be hard for them to let me go, and that’s why I have to level up my game. My plan was very simple-but tricky. I’ll keep acting like I think Gabriel is my mate.
“I’ll throw things. Cry. Scream. Beg them to let me go to Gabriel,” I said, eating slowly. “I’ll act like I’m losing my mind without him.”
Lolita’s eyes widened. “You’re really going to pretend like you’re in love with him?”
“Oh, I’m not just going to pretend,” I said with a grin. “I’m going to live it. Every time one of those triplet Alphas comes near me, I’ll panic. I’ll scream his name in my sleep. I’ll tell them they’re keeping me away from my fated mate. I’ll fight them like a wild animal if I have to.”
Nora chuckled nervously. “That sounds… intense.”
“That’s the point,” I said, turning back to face them. “They need to believe I’m mentally stuck on Gabriel. That they’re making things worse by keeping me here. Maybe even start to feel guilty for it.”
I thought of another plan and smiled. “I will pretend to fall really sick.”
Lolita tilted her head. “And what if they try to heal you instead? What if they bring in someone to ‘heal’ your memory?”
“Then I’ll make it worse,” I said firmly. “More breakdowns. More screaming fits. I’ll make them believe I’m traumatized beyond repair-unless they let me go.”
I flopped back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. It was not easy, but I knew I would have to achieve it. Once they let me go to Gabriel, I could travel out of the country, and they would never find me! 3
Shit! I remembered my father. I haven’t even started on his case yet, and I have to clear his name. I have to prove to the whole pack that Anita’s father framed him! Damn, I need to get to work. 2
I turned to Nora and Lolita. “I need your help,” I said softly, listening for any movement outside my door, but it was clear. “I need an investigator for my father’s case. Do you know any good ones?”
Nora and Lolita were silent for a moment before Lolita nodded. “My uncle is an investigator, and he isn’t from this pack.”
I smiled. “Good. Connect me with him. We’ll talk on the phone, and I’ll give him all the details he needs to know,” I said.
“Sure, Luna.”
Suddenly, I caught a scent and froze. Jasmine, amber, and a hint of lilac- unmistakably her. The triplets’ mother.
I shot up from the bed and hissed, “Everyone, act… someone is coming.”
Nora and Lolita instantly sprang into position like clockwork. Nora dashed toward the food tray, pretending to adjust it, while Lolita helped me sit up straighter on the bed, brushing imaginary strands of hair away from my face like a concerned attendant. My expression shifted into one of confusion and tiredness, and I let my body tremble ever so slightly, just like earlier.
A soft knock echoed at the door. I didn’t answer.
It creaked open anyway, and she stepped in. Her eyes found me instantly, but I widened mine with confusion and a dash of fear.
“Olivia, dear,” she said softly, taking a cautious step forward. “How are you feeling?”.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.