Chapter 3 The Webs of Lies

Author's pov

"What are you two doing here in the dark?" she said, acting like she was drunk or something of that sort. Without wasting time, Lucia gave Delano distance just to not affect the discussion between Presley and Delano because she knew that Presley would definitely not just walk into the garden for no reason. She clearly had a motive and was about to put it into action, so she watched.

But Delano's attention was not with Presley, but instead fully on Lucia. If only Lucia knew that she shouldn't have given Presley the chance, then she would not have stepped away and lost her opportunity of being the Luna. She waved all her thoughts of negativity towards Presley's character and walked back to her room.

But before she could even enter her chambers, she was stopped by her father, who held her hand aggressively. "What are you trying to do with Delano?" he asked her as she had a frown on her face.

"What do you mean exactly? I am not doing anything with the Alpha. I did nothing. He bumped into me and I left him with Presley. You should go question Presley," she said and then realized something. "Oh, I am so sorry, Father. You won't want to question Presley. After all, she is your precious daughter you want by your side all the time. Well, have fun, because she will soon bring you the Alpha as your own son-in-law," she said and then went inside.

That was exactly what Magnus wanted. He wanted Presley to give up because this was the perfect chance. It turned out that Presley had already seen Delano and Lucia in the garden and rushed to her father. As she had a plan, immediately she was going to make Alpha Delano confused and think that his true mate was Presley instead of Lucia. But to do that, she needed to drug Lucia so she wouldn't even be able to come or witness when he would mark her.

Magnus immediately rushed to one of the maids and ordered them to prepare a drink, which she directly took to Lucia. He knocked on the door as she opened it and rolled her eyes before allowing him in. She noticed he was holding her favorite drink as he dropped it beside her and sat next to her.

"Do not worry yourself. Presley is not taking anything from you. Do you think you and Delano have a future? Let me know so I can work on it. I always want to find an opportunity to be proud of you. And I think taming Delano would be a perfect opportunity for you. Don't you think?" he said to her as he motioned for her to take the drink.

"I brought your favorite drink to you as an apology for everything you always knew. You are still my daughter. I am only being so strict with you so you would be better. I want you to be better than the way you are," he said.

But Lucia was not falling for any of it. "Dad, please, can you just stop already? Can you just stop this? You know that I am very much aware of your character and the way you act when you want Presley to have something. If you want Presley to have him, then go ahead. He is not mine after all," she said and then stood up.

But the father's gaze was still fixed on the drink. "You have to take it. I know you would never believe me and you never believe I have your favors at heart, and it is fine. I would leave then," he said and stood up before walking away. Nothing. Leaving Lucia alone as she went to her veranda only to see that Delano was alone sitting on the bench. He seemed a bit confused.

She knew that Presley had tried to get away through him, and if possible it had already worked. She hissed in annoyance and stood up as she turned around to walk. Just as she was about to walk in, she noticed Delano was staring at her. She turned around and their gazes were fixed on each other. Just then she heard her wolf.

"Mate," her wolf said to her, and Delano also clearly felt something as he stood up, and they both stared at each other at the same time. Both their wolves immediately found out that they were mates.

Presley POV

As I raced inside my room, I felt so frustrated as I scattered everything that came across my path. I sat on the bed and ruffled my hair in anger, yelling out Lucia's name. "How could he dare to tell me something like that? How could he even have the mind to say that about me? How could he even make such an assumption about me?" I shook my head in annoyance as I sat down on the bed, thinking of how else to do this.

Just then, I had a quick flashback about my encounter with Delano. I can't believe I tried my best to make him like me. And he told me to my face that he thinks Lucia is his mate and I should stop coming in the way because I look just like her and it was confusing. I shook my head sideways in annoyance. I don't want to remember such encounters again. I have never in my life ever been rejected in such a way. Such an embarrassing way. And he dared to do something like that and expect to just walk away scot-free.

It pissed me off so badly as I crossed my legs. And then an idea came to me. If he is going to have to make me his mate, then I have to make him think I am Lucia. That's just the only way. But I can never pretend to be as dull as she is and as foolish as she is. I can't even think of a better way to do this. Just then, I remembered his speech to me. He told me that I had to stop coming in the way because I looked just like her. It was then the idea struck me. It would be very easy.

I just have to make him be very sure that I am Lucia. I have to change my dress, mood, and the way I talk. I just have to act as foolish as she is for a day or two, and then I have to be in if I really want Delano to be mine. After all, my dad has already placed all his hope in me, and I don't plan on ruining that. Because more than anything in this world, I always want his favor.

While I am doing that, I need to get Lucia out of my way for good. Out of this park for good. And for that to happen, I am not going to involve my father in this. Because he would not want me to dismiss his daughter, even though he doesn't love her or care for her like me. But I know I have to do it, or else one day or another, the truth would be out, and Delano might end up wanting Lucia again.

The next morning, I decided to start my plan. At first, I investigated everything about Lucia's dressing. It turns out it was not that hard. I made sure the tailor preparing her dress delivered exact copies of her dresses to me. I changed my hairstyle quickly as Alpha Delano would only be in the park for a few days. For those few days, I needed to use it and make sure that he marks me as his mate and takes me with him instead of Lucia.

He won't be returning to his pack with Lucia, that I would make sure of.