Luna Leaves Her Alpha

I've lost track of the nights since Richard stopped sharing a bed with me, and Luke wasn't by my side either. In the depths of night, that dreadful nightmare returned.

My son, Luke, faced another round of evaluation at preschool. Under relentless pressure, he seemed unable to defend himself. His skin was still marked by ominous purple bruises from the poison, and he lay curled up, barely able to move. Dodging blows seemed to sap all his energy. It's heartbreaking because, despite being only five years old, he usually excels in physical education, his talent allowing him to spar and even counter his instructor.

Luke let out a pained growl, his veins bulging as he endured the poison's agony, while his adversary showed no mercy. My heart wrenched as I cried out, "Stop hurting him! Please stop! No—"

My pleas went unheard as if they existed in another dimension. I watched helplessly as Luke was beaten black and blue, covered in bruises. His opponent taunted him, calling him too weak, undeserving of being an heir.

Desperation drove me to try and shield him, to take the blows meant for him, but an impenetrable glass wall stood between us. It was as hard as stone, impervious to my attempts, and beside it loomed a cold, locked iron door.

Powerless, I was consumed by self-loathing, my heart pierced with every beat. Why couldn't I protect my own son? I could only stand by, an impotent witness to his repeated, one-sided beating, until he lay on the ground, barely clinging to life.

And all that remained was the demon's voice, echoing in the confined space: "You're too weak. Come back when you can defeat me, hahaha..."

I awoke from the dream with tears streaming down my face. Still trembling and shaken, I stumbled out of bed, barefoot, heading straight for Luke's room.

The door was slightly open, a sliver of light leaking through the gap. My heart leapt—was my Luke back?

Hope ignited within me as I approached and pushed the door open with eager anticipation. "Is that you, Luke?"

But the figure that sat up in the bed drained the warmth from my expression in an instant. She was dressed in black lace lingerie, unashamed of the love bites marking her skin. Morgana. She showed no fear or shame at my arrival.

"Why are you in my son's room? Get out." Anger flared in me like a newly ignited furnace.

"This hasn't been your son's room for a while now. Didn't you hear us last night?" Maeve taunted with a sneer. "But then, you probably sleep like a log, no wonder Richard isn't into you."

I seethed, her words a challenge. She pressed on, mockingly, "You sent your kid off for extra training because he couldn't perform, and you still have the nerve to come here?"

"My son's issues were because of your—" My retort was cut short as she tumbled theatrically from the bed, landing softly on the plush rug, feigning injury and crying out pitifully, "Lilyana, I know it's hard for you to accept me with Richard, but I truly love him. Can't you stop hitting me?"

Suddenly, a force hit me from behind, and my arm struck the cabinet with a painful thud, rendering me speechless from the shock.

Richard rushed past me, enveloping Maeve in his protective embrace. He turned to me, frowning, "Lilyana, I don't want to lose my temper with you. You're a dignified lady, surely you can speak calmly instead of resorting to violence?"

I clutched my reddening arm, Richard's unjust accusation choking the words in my throat. "I didn’t hit her; she fell on purpose. And take your lover to another room. I can pretend I didn’t see anything, but why bring her to Luke's room?"

Maeve feigned tears, fragile in his arms. "I know I upset Lilyana, but if she wants me gone, I'll go. I just don't want her to be mad, even if she hits me."

Richard comforted her, not sparing a glance to ask if I was okay. "Alex, it hurts so much...," she whimpered.

He soothed her, then turned to me with a dismissive wave, "Fortunately, Maeve is fine, so I won't pursue this today. Remember your status. If someone sees this and accuses you of being violent, I can't protect you."

He refused to see anything other than what was before his eyes, as he did when Luke was poisoned, jumping to conclusions without seeking the truth.

Bitter frustration churned inside me like a bubbling cauldron about to overflow. But I swallowed it down, refusing to let my rage boil over.

“Reflect on your actions,” Richard said curtly, before wrapping a coat around Maeve and escorting her away.

I stood there in the chaos they left behind, the aftermath of their indiscretion staining the room. With tears in my eyes, I quietly tidied up Luke's room and locked it with a heavy padlock; no one would violate this sanctuary again.

The next day, I gathered all the gifts Richard had ever given me, planning to have them dealt with. They held no meaning anymore.

Who would have thought that the man who once insisted on holding me tightly, running his fingers through my hair, and promising me the world would reveal such a truth? He had vowed to spend all he had on the things I loved, even daring danger for the most precious treasures, all just to please me. It was all a facade, words and gestures meant to manipulate me. He acted as if he loved me, but it was all a ruse.

He said he loved me more than once, and I foolishly believed him. But in the end, I was the fool, played like a puppet.

The sweet words he whispered, the moments we shared—all lies, meaningless.

These days, I had cried every tear I had over this; I was like a dry riverbed after a drought—only cracked earth and unforgiving stones remained. I vowed not to shed another tear for him, not to let him affect me anymore.

From now on, I would live for myself.

Julius arrived for his usual work briefing, and I informed him that I planned to travel soon, entrusting him with the inner affairs of the community in my absence.

He hesitated, concern in his eyes. “Ma’am, this might need the Mr.'s approval first. Without it, I could face punishment. I hope you understand...”

“I’ll discuss it with him,” I assured him, trying to ease his worries.

“Discuss what? Where are you going?” Richard's voice suddenly cut through from behind me.