Hiding the Alpha’s Heir

I didn’t know how long we were traveling but I only realized we had arrived at the destination if it only weren’t for the carriage stopping at an establishment.

Desmond was the one who got out before he turned at me and opened his palm. Glaring at his hand, I was hesitant to accept it.

My attention was not on him when I looked up to see the establishment in front of me. I blinked and managed to misstep on the stairs. I almost shrieked from tripping but then Desmond was quick enough to catch me in his arms.

“Careful.” I held onto his shoulders, almost panicking. I could even feel my heart pounding so fast because I was not quick enough to analyze the situation.

Instead, I was inside my ex-husband’s arms. Our bodies were pressed against each other as we looked into each other’s eyes. Our lips were a few inches from touching each other.

At that moment, something awakened inside me that made my blood run cold. The whisper had me petrified…

‘Mate.’

Desmond and I gasped in unison as our eyes both widened. That whisper from my wolf came out of the blue. It was something to feel… unexpected for us to feel that again.

It was that moment when I came to smell his distinguished scent. I immediately pushed him away. Even Desmond stepped backward. He looked surprised as well.

I covered my mouth as I panicked. This couldn’t be…

I looked at Desmond who was panting. His breath was shaky right now as we looked into each other’s eyes.

“Just now…” he paused and gulped. With the way he looked right now, I knew I wasn’t the only one who looked shocked and surprised. “Did you feel it?” His tone sounded unsure.

I heaved out a shaky sigh and nodded. “Y-Yes…” I bit my lower lip, didn’t expect that this would happen. “How is that possible…?” I looked at my hands that were fidgeting right now.

This couldn’t be happening…

Desmond and I’s mate bond had been rehabilitated… Shouldn’t this circumstance not happen?

Desmond looked disoriented as he combed his hair. “We must…” He inhaled and exhaled before he looked at the establishment that was in front of us. He exhaled sharply before he cleared his throat. “We must go,” he said after composing himself and offered his arm.

I caressed my chest, feeling a little ache on it before I nodded. I swung my hand and accidentally touched Desmond’s hand.

“Aww!”

“Shit!”

We both distanced each other, shocked at the sudden bolt when our skin touched. We looked at each other, wide-eyed.

I knew this feeling… This wasn’t the first time I felt when Desmond and I accidentally touched. It felt like we were thrown back from the first time we met and our hands touched each other.

Desmond knew it.

“Marquis Verlice.”

Both of us looked away and saw a beautiful petite woman coming on our way.

“Lady Niccoli.” I turned at Desmond who met the woman named Lady Niccoli.

Lady Niccoli curtsied before him. “Greetings, my lord.” She smiled.

Desmond took Lady Niccoli’s hand and kissed the back of his hand causing me to frown. “It is my pleasure to meet you again, Lady Niccoli.”

She chuckled… flirtatiously. She even playfully hit him in the arm. “I just saw you three days ago, my lord. You act like we haven’t seen each other for years.” She started caressing Desmond’s arm.

I secretly gnashed my teeth as I looked away, seeing them flirting together. I was feeling bitter that they had to do it right in front of me. Was this Desmond’s plan to show me that he could get any woman whenever he wanted? If so, then I don’t care about it.

But my wolf surely acted. She was furious that I was letting Desmond be touched by another woman. I didn’t react as I was still bewildered at the sudden interlinking of our mate bond again.

This wasn’t supposed to be happening. Why Desmond again?

“Who is she?”

I snapped back upon hearing a hostile tone coming from that woman. I realized that I had never met her ever since I married Desmond before. How long had been they acquainted? Were they sleeping together?

And why was I interested to know Desmond’s escapades after I absconded from his pack?

Desmond glanced at me. “She’s Seraphina. She’s my-”

“I am his seamstress working on his tuxedo, my lady,” I chimed in and curtsied before her.

When I looked at Desmond, his jaw tightened and his face darkened. I could tell that he was unhappy that I chimed in.

Lady Niccoli’s hostile expression changed into a relieved one. That way, I almost squinted my eyes at her. She looked like she was ready to lash out at me if I introduced myself wrongly.

“Oh, I see,” she said in a beaming tone. Then, she ignored me and turned to Desmond. “Do you have any business here, my lord?”

“Indeed,” he answered. “We shall go now.” He nodded.

I gasped when Desmond yanked my arm and dragged me inside the establishment. Lady Niccoli had a look of bewilderment when she saw how Desmond acted.

“Desmond…” I called his name when he kept dragging me. “Desmond!” I called his name one more time. This time it was loud enough to make him snap back.

“What?” he asked, looking pissed as he glanced at me.

“You’re hurting me,” I said, gnashing my teeth.

Desmond glanced at the arm he was holding. He lessened his hold on me before he checked it. He hissed when he saw that there was a red mark on it. His expression softened as he started caressing the part where it left a mark.

“My apologies,” he said softly.

I seized back my arm when there was a sensation crawling through my skin. “Don’t apologize if you will hurt me later.” I sneered.

Desmond fell silent. I distanced myself when I noticed a few nobles were looking on our way. I didn’t want other people to think of any malicious ideas so I had to distance myself.

“Shouldn’t we go inside and continue your business why did you come here?” I asked, not wanting to waste my time here standing up and staying silent along with Desmond.

Desmond must have realized what I said. “Follow me.” His tone changed into a bitter cold one.

I only nodded as a response and followed him inside this establishment. I went inside and almost felt that I was out of place if I did not notice the people here wearing luxurious dresses and clothes.

“Greetings, Marquis Verlice.” There was a woman wearing a uniform that looked like it belonged to the workers here in this establishment. “We have prepared your demands,” she said politely and bowed her head before him.

“Good.” He nodded and glanced at me. He gestured his head that I should follow him.

I twitched my lips to the corner. Even if he wasn’t saying anything, I would follow him since I didn’t know anyone here. Until now, I was still questioning why I needed to be here.

We followed the receptionist to a private room. My eyes widened upon seeing food dishes served on the long table. Each dish was served on a small platter.

“These are what is on our menu, my lord,” the lady said. “You may try each of them and tell us what dishes you want us to prepare on that certain day.”

I creased my forehead. Certain day? What certain day?

“Here.” I snapped back when Desmond approached me and bestowed me a saucer plate.

“Um… What must I do?” I asked, looking up at him.

Desmond glanced at the dishes before he returned his gaze to me. “Food tasting.”

“Huh?” I arched my eyebrow. “For what occasion?” I asked and followed him when he started to try one of the food dishes.

“Do you have any idea what occasion it would be?” Desmond asked.

I took a bite of the buttered shrimp as I thought about what he said. If I would base my experience of being married and being the Luna of his pack for five years, I couldn’t remember having a certain occasion that should have happened for the next couple of months.

“I have no…” I paused as my heart leaped out of my ribcage when I caught Desmond staring at me. “What?” I gulped. Why was he looking at me like that?

I held my breath when he settled beside me and whispered, “Everything changed since you left, Seraphina. Halt thinking that the things you knew back then when you were my Luna are still the same as of right now.”

I stiffened and suddenly felt embarrassed. I lowered my gaze so I couldn’t see him. I held the fork tightly, wanting to leave this place immediately. I wanted to get buried six feet below the grounds all of a sudden.

I knew I wasn’t supposed to think about the matters I did when I was Desmond’s Luna but he asked me. I had no plans to tell him and just wanted to guess it to myself.

I gasped and straightened my back when I felt his lips at my nape. I turned my head at Desmond who was smiling sheepishly.

“What-” I touched my nape as I felt shivers down my spine.

“Continue tasting,” he said and distanced himself from me.

I was rendered speechless while I still felt his kiss on my nape. I looked at the lady who guided us here. She was not looking at me but I was certain that I saw her looking in our direction earlier.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

I inhaled and exhaled slowly to calm my nerves. I must not let his sensual actions affect my whole being. Desmond was just a pervert ever since. He had been like this before.

I finished tasting the dishes. I felt like I was already full and didn’t want to eat anymore. But while I was tasting them, it reminded me about Sander. He would be thrilled if he got to taste all of these food dishes he hadn’t tasted yet.

“What are you smiling about?”

I turned at Desmond who was arching his eyebrow. “Nothing,” I stated, shaking my head.

“You smiled like someone is making you happy already.”

I looked at him in disbelief. What was this bitterness he had on his tone right now? “So, what if it is? It is not like you have to dwell on who is making me happy,” I retorted.

“I bet it is another man.” He scoffed.

I smirked. “You got it right, my lord.” With the words I said, there was an unpleasant expression he had on his face. I secretly scoffed. “Are you displeased by what I said?” He didn’t answer. “I bet you are thinking that I am a dirty woman again.” I could feel my blood boiling right now.

Did he really think that I would ever just forget how he insulted me earlier? If he wanted to keep on insulting me, then I might as well annoy him more.

To avoid a dispute with him again, I excused myself to go to the lavatory.

As soon as I got there, I heaved out a relieved sigh. This splenetic feeling was starting to eat me. Ever since he insulted me earlier, I couldn’t help but this shallow feeling kept eating me. Desmond really knew how to make me feel worthless.

He thought of me as a worthless person just because of my past.

Shaking my head, I looked at the mirror as I stared at myself. I must not let someone define me because of my past. I had changed. I became a better version of myself because of Sander.

Even if I was hurt at Desmond’s words, I must let it pass. Desmond did not know me these years had passed. We barely knew each other’s lives so who was he to judge me just because he took me so many times?

“Jerk…” I mumbled under my breath before I decided to leave. I opened the door and gasped seeing Desmond blocking my way. “What… are you doing here?” I asked, nervous.

His lips curled up into an enigmatic smile. I immediately stepped back upon seeing that kind of smile he was showing. That kind of smile would bring disaster to me.

“Desmond…” My heart was pounding so fast when he entered and locked the door. I gripped my skirt when he marched in my direction. “S-Stay away or I will shout for help,” I said in a low tone, threatening him not to do anything here.

“Oh? As if you can even shout for help.” He grinned.

At that moment, I felt trapped. I evaded him and was about to reach the doorknob when in one swift motion, my back was already leaning to the wall just beside the door. I opened my mouth to scream for help but he was quick to cover it with his hand.

Grinning, Desmond drew closer as his other hand was busy lifting up my skirt. I gasped when he reached the apex of my thighs which made me shiver down my spine.

“Do not be troubled, Seraphina. We will do it… quietly,” he said, smiling grimly.