Chapter 2 LIES AND DECEIT

Chapter 2

TWO HOURS LATER

I hid behind a large van, staring at the grand mansion with people bustling in and out of it. The place was lively and filled with tons of people in high ranks, it was clear from their exquisite clothing and expensive cars.

I nervously glanced down at the invite. I hope Mrs Gladys can forgive me for trespassing and stealing her invitation. I will apologize and reduce any punishment she has in mind for me. But saving the only source of my childhood comes first. As soon as I am done talking to Alpha Robert, I will head to the orphanage and speak to Grandma Flora.

My palms grew sweaty, and my breath haggard; the tension rising within me was palpable, and it scared me so much. I feared I would lose my composure and be exposed, and I couldn't afford that.

I came here to have a direct conversation with Alpha Robert, and I don't intend to leave until I achieve that.

Taking a needed deep breath

I came out and onto the winding driveway, my eyes swept up on the mansion's grandeur looming before me. It was a massive chunk of beautiful building, but I didn't come for admiration, not until everything had been fixed.

The night air was warm and pulsed with excitement as I immediately saw a line of people and joined the queue of guests waiting to enter.

I looked along the line and saw that everyone was holding their cards, steadying for the guards to check them.

As I held the card even tighter, my hands trembling slightly, sweat braced my forehead, and I wiped it off.

It got to my turn, and the guard with a towering figure and piercing eyes, spoke, "Your card, ma'am." I slowly handed it to him, and he took the card and scanned it before nodding curtly. " You're cleared to enter. Welcome"

I smiled, and my racing heart calmed for the first time since I arrived here. I walked inside.

Once inside, I felt the thumping of soft music and laughter take me by surprise. Wasn't this supposed to be an alliance gathering? It was a bit more fun, this wasn't what I expected. This had to be more than an alliance party.

I wandered around the grand ballroom for a while, my eyes scanning the sea of faces from Esteemed pack Alpha and their subordinates, the council elders; though Mrs Gladys wasn't in sight, I was grateful for that.

The room was alive with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. I felt like an outsider; I didn't belong here.

The warm smiles and nods from others didn't quite reach their eyes, and I sensed a lingering distrust in the air.

I moved swiftly, searching for Alpha Robert; he was nowhere in sight, and neither was Luna. An usher went by with a tray of glasses filled with wine, and I took a glass to settle my nerves.

As I emptied my glass, I continued my search for the host. If he's not here, then maybe I can search somewhere else.

There was another clear passage with no guard standing in the way. I lowered the glass, scanning the entire room to see if anyone was staring. With no attention drawn to me, I dashed off, taking fast strides toward the passage.

I arrived at a very long hallway, Goddess. Where do I start? Or maybe I should just go back...

And miss my chance to somehow find the Alpha alone and finally talk to him. No way. Thankfully, I wore flats, so my footsteps wouldn't attract anyone.

There were numerous doors on both sides, all closed. I strolled down the hall, which led to another hallway with the same intensity.

As I arrived at the next corridor, I stopped dead in my tracks, my ears perked up like a deer sensing danger. Voices drifted from what seemed like the last door in the hallway, low and hushed, sending a shiver down my spine. I drew closer, my heart racing with anticipation, and placed my ear on the door, my breathing suspended.

"Alpha Robert is getting suspicious of you, Luna Camila. The old woman from the orphanage has continuously sent letters requesting better remuneration. One of her letters almost got to the Alpha, but I managed to get rid of it."

Grandma Flora, they are talking about her, but what is The Luna's involvement in this?

"Spare me these excuses, Lionel. Robert made you Treasurer because of me, and now you can't do a simple job? Have the rest of the funds wired to the secret account you established in Lucas's name. Forget about the old woman, even if she requests to see the Alpha directly, I will never let that happen." A female voice said, Luna Camila, her voice dripped with disdain.

How could she? The very mother of our pack, ripping off an old woman for her selfish gain.

"And what about Gladys? You know she's been adamant lately, always requesting to see not just Alpha Robert, but me as well. She's relentless, what if she finds me, what will I say to her?"

"Lionel, you worry too much. That's enough fidgeting for one night. There's a party going on out there. Fix yourself and join in. I will handle everything.

I had to run off and hide when the door opened a little too fast. Luna Camila's gaze met mine, and behind her was Elder Lionel, his shocked gaze spoke volumes of their deceit.

"And who the heck are you?" Her eyes widened as she took in my appearance, Were you eavesdropping on my conversation?" She asked, moving forward, for some unknown reason, my legs remained rooted to the ground.

She grabbed my hand, her nails bruising my skin. " What did you hear?"

"Nothing," I replied, trying to break free from her strong grip.

"Don't you dare lie to me, what did you hear?" Luna Camila gave me a deadly look.

Her grip on my hand was like a vice, her nails digging into my skin.

"What did you hear?" she spat, her eyes blazing with anger. I tried to break free, but her grip tightened.

Don't you dare lie to me, what did you hear?" I knew I had to think fast, so I did the only thing I could -

I stepped on her toes and bit her hand, forcing her grip to loosen as she yelped in pain.

I ran off, as fast as I could, never looking over my shoulder, my heart racing in my chest.