Miranda's Point of View

Panic. My whole body is shaking from panic, but I tried my best to remain composed.

Different questions swarmed my mind as I stood before Lorenzo. Did he see Vincenzo and me together? What lie should I tell that would sound convincing at this moment?

"Why aren't you saying anything?" his voice thundered, making me flinch slightly.

Clearing my throat quietly, I decided to say whatever came out of my mouth... I prayed it wouldn’t make matters worse, though.

"Relax, darling. We only crossed paths on my way back, and he decided to walk me home," I lied smoothly.

"It doesn't seem like it."

"What does it seem like?" I asked, keeping my voice steady and firm.

He narrowed his eyes. "Are you having an affair with him?"

My mouth dropped open at his ridiculous question.

"Can you listen to yourself? He is my brother-in-law," I paused briefly. "Even if you don't trust your brother, don't you trust me?"

"Of course, I trust you, but—"

I raised my hand and stopped him. "There's no but, and we shouldn't be having this conversation if you trust me." With that, I walked away before he could say something else.

'Phew!' I breathed mentally. That was close.

"Claire, get the table ready and invite every member of my family to join us for dinner!" I heard him order Claire, but I didn’t stop or turn around.

I guess he's trying to observe how Vincenzo and I are going to react around each other to know if something's going on between us.

> > > > > > > 

Every member of Lorenzo's family, which only consisted of Vincenzo, their younger sister Ava, and their aunt Ms. Joanne, sat around the big dining table. The silence and awkwardness surrounding us was deafening, because this was the first time we'd all sat together around the same table.

Mia and I were sitting on Lorenzo's left and right-hand side respectively. I can't believe I was so foolish as to accept this disrespectful behavior from Lorenzo and Mia.

"Serve the food!" Lorenzo commanded the maids, and they quickly set to action.

The maids were done serving the food in no time. As usual, the pack doctor came and began checking the food for any possible poison. I almost scoffed out loud at his over-cautiousness. He should be scared because he knows he didn't get the Alpha position through legal means—like they say, there is no peace for the wicked!

"Clear," the pack doctor reported and left.

Lorenzo looked at everyone with a sly smile on.

"You might be wondering why I invited everyone to have dinner together," his eyes stayed fixed on Vincenzo as he spoke, but he soon moved them away and faced me. "We're family, but I noticed we haven't been behaving like family lately..."

"And whose fault was that?" I grumbled underneath my breath, but he heard me.

He raised his brows. "Did you say something, darling?"

I shook my head quickly. "No," I answered.

He smiled.

"Families are to stay united no matter what is happening or what happened between them in the past, right, brother?"

Vincenzo simply stared boringly and coldly at him, not saying a word. His expression said it all—he doesn't want to be here. In fact, Ms. Joanne and Ava had the same expression as him.

"Let's eat," Lorenzo said.

While everyone grabbed their spoons, Vincenzo pushed his chair back loudly and got up, and without saying a word, he headed towards the door.

"Where are you going, brother?" Lorenzo asked, but Vincenzo didn't respond and continued walking simply. "This is a family gathering. You can't just walk away like that."

Vincenzo stopped but didn't turn around. "You and your mistress are not worth eating at the same table as me!"

Those words provoked Lorenzo as he banged on the table, but Vincenzo, on the other hand, didn’t give a damn as he left coolly. I couldn't help but feel butterflies in my stomach at Vincenzo's aura. I love the way he doesn't talk too much but lets his actions do the talking.

"Did you see your loving nephew?" Lorenzo faced his aunt, who didn't seem to care either—she was only focused on her food. "Are you ignoring me?!"

Ms. Joanne raised her head. "You called us here to eat, so allow me to eat in peace." Then she focused back on her food.

Lorenzo was fuming. None of his family members liked him. I mean, who would want to be related to a tyrant? He pushed his food away and stormed off, and Mia chased after him.

"Eat up, my dear. Let's not let this food go to waste," Ms. Joanne said to me with a smile, and I quickly returned the smile.

She turned to Ava. "You too, Ava. Eat up. You know you'll stay up late since you have exams tomorrow."

"Yes, Aunt," Ava replied. Then we continued eating in silence.

> > > > > > > 

It's been almost a week since the dinner incident. I haven't heard much from Vincenzo. Although we crossed paths a few times in the corridors, all we could say to each other were "hellos" because Lorenzo has decided to go almost everywhere with me. He's been keeping tabs on me lately.

Looking at the mirror, I gagged at my reflection. As usual, I'm currently getting ready for my daily ritual. I'm dressed in my white maxi gown with my hair down, flowing to my waist.

"Luna, everything is ready," Claire informed me.

I nodded as I got up. She quickly helped me up. "Let's go," I said.

On my way, Mia and I crossed paths. She snickered immediately when she saw me.

"The unwanted slut," she said.

"At least, I'm the Luna, and you'll forever remain beneath me!" I fired back.

"You... You..."

"I don't have time for your craziness." And with that, I left. My lips curved into a victorious smirk as I had successfully rendered her speechless.

> > > > > > > 

> Seer's Lair <<

"Hey, Maurice," I greeted Maurice when I arrived.

"Luna," he bowed respectfully. "Here for your daily ritual?" he asked rhetorically, but I nodded anyway. "Alright, let's begin."

I knelt on a mat in front of the moon goddess's statue, and Claire handed me the lighted candle as Maurice began his incantations.

While Maurice was incanting, I was busy studying the moon goddess's statue, and I realized that throughout history, we've got the image of her wrong. The goddess I had an encounter with is far more majestic and beautiful. Anyway, that isn't my problem. I should focus on my ritual.

Two hours went by in a blur. Soon, Maurice was done, and the ritual was over.

"Finally," I breathed out.

"Luna, you shouldn't say that," Claire scolded me. "Forgive my Luna, forgive my Luna," she apologized before the statue.

I rolled my eyes at her. "It's fine. I don't want to—"

"No, Luna." She covered my mouth, preventing me from completing my words. "I've been with you for as long as I can remember, and honestly, I can't wait to carry your child. Please, don't offend the moon goddess or our hard work would go to waste."

I sighed. "Fine. I'll keep quiet." I stretched my hand. "Help me up. My legs are numb from kneeling so long."

She nodded and quickly helped me up. Just at that moment, a voice spoke behind me, making me jump in fright.

"Long time no see, Lorenzo's darling," the voice said. Even though I already recognized who it was, I couldn't help the shriek that escaped my lips.

"What the hell, Vincenzo!" I hissed at him.

"Sorry that I scared you, but you've been avoiding me since our last discussion," he said.

I sighed. "I wasn't avoiding you." He raised his brows. "Your brother has just been following me everywhere. He's haunting me like a ghost."

"Hm. I thought you... chickened out."

"Chickened out?" I scoffed. "Oh, please. That's not in my vocabulary."

After all, this is my last life and final chance to get rid of Lorenzo—and make him pay for every time he's betrayed me.

"That's good, because I've been thinking throughout the week, and I've come up with the perfect plan on how we'd rescue my father. It's time we take action."