Miranda's point of view

"You said we should turn Maurice's lie into truth. That's why you brought me here, right?" I asked in a shaky voice.

If panic was a person, it would be me. My whole body, to the tip of my fingers, is shaking, and my mind is in disarray.

"Calm down, baby. I'm here..."

"You're here? Then do something!" I interrupted him.

"Kneel in front of my mother's grave," he said.

I frowned, feeling confused. "What?"

"Kneel and pretend like you're reciting some incantations."

"Oh."

I quickly went on my knees and began begging his mother's soul to forgive us for using her as a shield against Lorenzo. While asking for his mother's forgiveness, I recalled Vincenzo was still standing behind me. Judging from their voices, they're getting closer to us.

"They're approaching us, Vincen..." I stopped talking when I turned around and saw Vincenzo was no longer standing behind me. "He teleported?" I asked rhetorically.

I rolled my eyes when it dawned on me that I was just panicking for nothing. Vincenzo is a wizard and can easily teleport.

"Damn you, Vincenzo," I cursed quietly. I narrowed my eyes and set my lips in a thin line. "It's fun seeing me nervous, right? I'll get back at you," I promised, even though he's not here and wouldn't hear me.

Just when I got back to pretending to recite incantations, Lorenzo appeared with Maurice and Claire, who were as nervous as I was—Claire looked more nervous because I noticed her whole body was shaking.

"Miranda!" Lorenzo called.

Maurice's brows furrowed as he looked around. I guessed he was trying to confirm that Vincenzo wasn't in the area. He released a relieved sigh before stepping forward with a smile.

"See, Alpha? I told you she's here performing a sacred ritual," he laughed, trying to hide his nervousness.

Knowing I had to make our act believable, I got up and asked,

"What are you doing here? Maurice gave a strict warning that I must be alone during this ritual."

He didn't respond. He was looking around as if searching for something. He gave Maurice a suspicious look before turning back to me.

"Darling, why do you look so flustered? Are you okay?" he asked, fake concern plastered on his face as usual—his suspicion still hidden in his eyes.

I forced a smile and nodded. "I'm fine. I was just crying and begging your mother to plead with the moon goddess on my behalf so that she can bless us with a child," I lied smoothly.

He tried to hide it, but I saw how he glanced at his mother's grave with so much disdain immediately after I mentioned her. When he realized I was watching him, he put on his fake smile.

"I already told you to stop bothering so much about giving birth. I love you, no matter what."

He stepped closer to me and reached for my hands. He stared intently into my eyes for a brief moment before planting a kiss on my forehead. If it were before, I'd be feeling so happy by this gesture, but right now, I'm feeling nothing but disgusted.

"Child or no child, you're still my Luna, and that would never change."

"I..."

"Ahem!" Someone cleared their throat behind Lorenzo.

Lorenzo turned around, and his gaze hardened. I mentally facepalmed myself, wondering why he came back.

"What are you doing here, Vincenzo?" he asked.

Vincenzo scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. That should be my line," he said. "Don't you feel ashamed standing before Mom's grave?" His eyes darkened at the mention of their mother's grave.

My brows furrowed as I saw a bouquet of flowers in his hand. I couldn't help but wonder when and where he got those flowers from.

"She's my mother, and I have every right to be here," Lorenzo said.

Vincenzo scowled as he stepped forward and carefully laid the flowers on the grave.

"Did you remember she was your mother when you brutally slaughtered her and drank her blood?" he asked Lorenzo, his tone growing darker. I could feel his anger brewing. Judging from his stance, he was ready to throw punches.

"It's not my fault. She committed a crime and—"

"What crime?" Vincenzo interrupted him. "The only crime Mom ever committed was laying her life down for you!" he growled.

"Mind the way you talk to me, Vincenzo. I am your Alpha—"

"You are not my Alpha!" Vincenzo interrupted again.

Lorenzo didn't like that, so he released a warning growl, but Vincenzo wasn't fazed.

"You are nothing but an abomination to the pack and should be skinned alive to appease the woman you killed unjustly!" It was clear that Vincenzo was speaking out of grief.

"I'd advise you not to talk to me in that tone," Lorenzo growled lowly.

Vincenzo simply tilted his head, his eyes narrowed, and his tone firmer than before. "What will you do? Kill me? You know you can't kill me. If you could, you would have done it before you became Alpha."

Lorenzo didn't know what to do or say. He was just glaring at Vincenzo.

Vincenzo's last statement seemed to be true—if Lorenzo could kill him, he would've done it right at that moment.

"Let's go!" he snapped at me as he stormed toward the exit—the same direction they had come in earlier.

I gave Vincenzo a thumbs-up before rushing to catch up with Lorenzo.

"Did he blame you?" I asked Claire quietly.

"Yes," she replied. I gave her a pat on the back and followed Lorenzo quietly.

> > > > > > > 

Reaching home, Lorenzo slumped on a sofa and glared at the figurine on the table. I didn't say anything but simply sat on another sofa and watched him fume.

"I hope you didn't believe what my brother said back there," he said suddenly.

"What did he say?" I pretended not to know what he was talking about.

"He said I killed our mother unjustly." He paused and studied my expression, but I maintained a neutral look. "You know I wouldn't do that without a reason, right?"

I remained silent. Then he turned his body to face me fully and wore a pitiful expression. I scoffed mentally—I can't believe I let him manipulate me with these flawed expressions in my previous life.

"She's my mother. I can't hurt her without a reason. You have to believe me, darling," he said.

"You said she committed a crime. What was the crime?" I asked.

He sniffled as he shook his head. "Even though she committed a crime, she's still your mother-in-law, and I don't want to tarnish the good image of her in your heart. It's best you don't know her crime."

I almost scoffed at his ridiculous reply. Of course, his mother didn't commit any crime. He must have framed her—after all, that's how he also got rid of me in my previous life.

Doesn't he get tired of using the same excuse over and over again?

"My brother is just throwing tantrums because he hasn't gotten over the death of our mother."

"It's not easy to get over something like that," I replied before I could stop myself.

He narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean by that?"

Miranda, you'll get yourself killed even before you fulfill your mission—I mentally scolded myself.

"I mean, he's as hurt as you, but he's not as strong-minded as you... He needs time to heal from her death," I explained. Each word proceeding from my mouth was carefully calculated.

He nodded in agreement.

"Let's forget about Vincenzo and... my mother."

Even the word mother was difficult for him to say; he said it as if he was forced.

"I have a more important thing to tell you."

"What is it?"

"The Alpha King is throwing a birthday party for his mate next week. An invitation was sent to our pack, but I won't be able to attend the party. So, you will go on my behalf."

My lips curved into a bright smile. The opportunity I've been waiting for is finally here.