The orphanage was bustling, the chatter of the children filling the air with a warmth I hadn’t felt in days. As I stepped inside, pups from allied wolf packs were being introduced to the others. Their little faces, some nervous and some curious, brightened when they saw me.
“Luna Ruby!” one of the older boys called out, running to greet me.
I knelt down parallel to him, smiling softly as he hugged me. The other children quickly gathered around, tugging at my shirt and vying for attention. For a moment. 1 let myself forget my troubles, immersing myself in their innocent laughter and joy.
A young girl tugged at my sleeve, holding a battered stuffed wolf with missing eyes.
“Do you think he’ll be okay here?” she asked, her voice hesitant,
I crouched down, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“She’ll be fine.” I assured her as gently as i could. “She has all of you to look after her, doesn’t she?”
She nodded, her expression bright, and I couldn’t help but smile. Their energy, that innocence of their souls reminded me of Alicia. My daughter’s Jaughter echoed fainly in my mind, a bittersweet memory that tugged at my heart. Alicia would have loved this place. She would be here, playing. laughing, bringing joy wherever she went
A sense of sadness hit me, but I suppressed it. I couldn’t let it show here. These children needed happiness, not my sadness. It was a relief that the children couldn’t reach my fake toughness as Luna.
After ensuring the wolf pups were settled and that they were well cared for, I returned to the residence. Amara met me as I crossed the threshold. her expression one of discomfort. There was gloom passing through there as well.
When compared to Martha. Amara was much more clear in her emotions. She was open to it. It was a little disturbing but it gave me the advantage. of how transparent she was with her feelings so that I could be able to judge whether she was going to pretend to be nice in my presence or not
“Luna Ruby,” she said with a bow. “Allow me to report. Right now your sister, Lady Camilla, is waiting for you in your room,”
I raised an eyebrow. “How dare she.”
Amara didn’t flinch when she heard my murmur. She probably already knew about the scandal my fake sister had caused and that the whole pack was in shock. Many voices in my ear were discussing them and Ididn’t care. The ones who should be bothered by it are the ones involved in that despicable scandal
“No etiquette, no respect. I guess that’s what happens when children imitate their parents,” I muttered under my breath
Amara once again just wisely kept her thoughts to herself. I nodded for her to leave and walked to my room.
When I opened the door, there she was, sining on the edge of my bed with a beaming face that I hated. I wondered how much confidence that kid had to look at me like that after everything he had done?
Of course it was limitless. Stunning.
Sull, I set my expression to one of quiet friendliness.
“Camilla,” I greeted her, stepping inside. “What brings you here?”
“Big sister. I wanted to talk to you,” she said, her voice dripping with false innocence.
“Is it something important?”
She nodded. “Yes, sister. Please I would like to discuss this with you immediately.”
1 gestured for her to sit back down, keeping my toe warn “Of course. Please sit down. What’s wrong?”
Camilla hesitated, then lowered herself onto the chair. Her wide eyes were wet with unshed tears. as she cupped her hands over her swollen belly.
“Are you still angry with me? Do you hate me? Because of this?” She rubbed her stomach, her face twisting into a miserable expression
didn’t want this, Really. I don’t want to be hated by you. But all at the elder’s urging.” she pretended to be full of lies.
1 folded my hands in my lap, my mask of a wise Luna that I often put on in public perfectly in place.
1/2
Chapter 27
“Camilli L, I paused, letting my voice soothe. “I don’t hate you. You’re my sister.”
The busted bitter on my tongue, but Camila swallowed it greedily, her tears spilling over.
“I love this baby, Ruby,” she said, her voice hearse with the broken sobs of a new mom–to be. It was sickening. “And I love Dominic. He has proposed to me. He wants to marry me. Surely, you understand my situation!”
I clenched my fists in the folds of my dress, doing everything I could not to lunge at her. What, Domnic had proposed to her this early? Camilla was getting desperate and hopeless “Please, Ruby. This baby deserves a proper family. A legal father. I beg you to agree with us”
And then she was on her knees. She knelt at my feet, her hands clutching my skirt as she sobbed. “Please, my sister. I know I’ve made a mistake, but I’m begging you. Do it for this innocent baby.”
For a moment, I could only stare at her. She dared to kneel before me, begging for my approval after everything she hid stolen from me. Her courage was staggering. My wolf was thrashed wanting to unleash its hatred for this shameless woman. I was thankful that she and I did not share the same blood
“Camilla” I began in the manner of an older sibling giving advice. “Are you willing to face the consequences? Society will not take kindly to your status as Dominic’s concubine being.. legitimate.”
Her face radiated something harsh and was it resentment?
But it was gone as quickly as it had come, replaced by an expression of deep sadness. “No problem. As long as it’s for the baby. It’s okay if everyone hates me, as long as my sister doesn’t”
If only you knew how much I hate you
I forced a smile, leaning over to place a hand on her shoulder. “Alright. If this is what you want, I… agree.”
Camilla’s face lit up, and before I could react, she threw her arms around me, hugging me like a child.
“Thank you. Thank you, Ruby. You’re the best sister that anyone could ever ask for,” she sobbed, her face buried in my shoulder.
I patted her back stiffly, as my nails bit into my palms.
Enjoy it as much as you can, Camilla. This is so far from over.
