C3 Chapter 3

Talia's POV

"Happy anniversary Baby.” I got a new VS lingerie for last night. I want to believe it's because Vance is tired and overworked that he didn't pay much attention to me. I know that's gaslighting, but there's always a new beginning, we strengthen our vows today.

“Hey, good morning babe." He says, rolling over to the other side.

Vance normally has every second of our anniversary planned out.

For the first year, we saw Disneyland, where he promised to always bring our kids to, when we have them.

On our second year anniversary, we went to see the kids in St. Augusta orphanage, where most of them were drooling over Vance.

I don't know how today is going to be, but I'm super excited already.

“What's the occasion?" I ask Tracy, in a singsong voice. Normally, the house decorations are done in gold and purple, me and Vance's best color.

I see a lot of gold, just gold, but I'm fine with it, it's our day.

The decor looks a little too childish, I'm not going to complain because the indoor decorators are already almost done.

I guess I'm the one delaying the celebration.

“Vance has not stated yet.” Tracy says. I learnt to get used to her calling him by his name. I don't know if to believe her. Her silence was very pregnant.

“Alright." It was a dumb question anyways. “Are the stylists around yet?”

She does a 360, facing me, she says "Did you request the service of any?" For some reason, that question is strange.

“It's alright. Sorry I disturbed." If there's something I've learnt, it's definitely my place in this house.

I head up to our bedroom. Vance is getting dressed, he is putting on the lunar necklace, a heirloom, given to potential successors on their initiation.

“What's going on, Baby?" I crawl up from behind him like he likes it. But this time, his body doesn't melt into my hands, he jerks unknowingly."How are you?” Rubbing his finely toned muscle does not even calm his nerves.

“What is the issue, Vance?” I decided to go ahead.

“You ever wished you could come home to smiley faces?" This is weird.

“Ermm. Yeah, Tracy isn't a softie but we get along." A frown is beginning to crawl on my face, and I see him gradually lose composure by the second.

“This is not about the maids or servants." Vance says, looking away.

“Then who is it about?"

" Just forget about it.” He's doing the last button, and clips his wristwatch. "... for now. “ Oh wow!

I leave it as it is, there's not much I can do right now. Vance is clearly not in the mood to talk to me. I dress up nonetheless. I can hear our friends downstairs, they have started arriving. In no time, it will be filled, and I have to be there.

I'm not sure I know what is going on, but I'm not going to be caught unguarded.

“Hi." Nadia, my childhood friend walks in to me having a conversation with myself. “How is my favorite Luna doing?"

“If I'm going to be honest, I don't even have an answer." I don't think I want to tell her about Vance and I, it'll blow over, no need for a third party. “You thought, you look like you've gained weight. What's up?"

"Really?” She looks down at herself and rubs her stomach." I barely even noticed.” Nadia's smile is as beautiful as I remember.

"Is it what I'm thinking though?” I ask Nadia, looking straight into her big bright blue eyes.

“Hello! Everyone… “ Vance has started his address. Nadia and I scurry down the stairs. “We are gathered here, today, to celebrate…” Vance is speaking slowly, giving me time to compose myself.

" Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know, I have been married to Talia… “ Whatever happened to ‘my beautiful wife' it's our anniversary for fuck sake, I expected better. I'm not going to let the displeasure show on my face, so I carry on with my plastic smile. “We have been together for three years, just by ourselves. However, brothers and sisters, there is good news. Pack mates! Your Alpha Heir is on his way!” A thunderous applause follows the announcement.

I'm too dumbfounded to clap, Nadia doesn't clap along either. She just stands beside me looking pretty and into Vance's eyes.

“What the fuck did he mean by that?!” I ask no one in particular.

Nadia is beside me, smiling! What the hell is happening?!

I feel my canines poke my lower lip. Kara is about to jump out. Nadia's shifting further from me is indicative of the fact that my growl is becoming more audible. I look at her, one glance at her stomach, things are beginning to add up in my head, but I don't want to jump into conclusions just yet.

The celebration goes on into the late night. All the while, Vance is in the company of well wishers and acquaintances, all congratulating him on his coming heir.

It's been six hours in this room, all by myself. I’ve thought up twenty different scenarios this night could end in, none of them saw Vance alive till 11pm.

“Hi. Landon, could you come up to the bedroom? Ask Tracy for directions.” I've been trying Landon's number all the while. The celebration is wild so it's little wonder he doesn't hear his phone ring. I'm somehow disappointed he also didn't care about his not-so-little sister. Hopefully this voicemail does the work.

My eyes hurt from crying, my head throbs, feeling like more of a load than it is. I hear Kara whining in my head. We are both frustrated.

“Can I come in?” Landon asks through the door.

Landon is literally the only person I want to see right now. His husky voice makes me more at home that Vance's mansion does.

I walk over to the door and unlock it. “How do I look?” I don't want him to say it first.

“Ermmm. Pregnant?” He looks like he's being forced to swallow a bitter pill. I was gonna laugh, but it would have sounded more like a croak, so I just smiled.

“I'm not.” I tell Landon. He stared at me for a full minute, at the end of which my eyes began to water. I hear his breath quicken and the drunken smile he had melted into a grave frown.

Landon is always the rational one. He pulls his phone out and calls Vance. A beta would never talk to his Alpha that way, but Landon Would for me.

Vance throws the door open. He looks bewildered and a little drunken.

I hold Landons hand just a little tighter.

“Who is carrying your heir?” Landon shoots point blank.

“You are in no ….” Vance moves to put Landon in his place.

“Who, the fuck, is carrying your heir?!” Landon reiterates. His 6”2 frame slightly hovering over Vance does the work.

“Does it matter?” Vance starts weakly, “The point is that an heir, the pack needs so much, is on its way. I should be getting applauded, not probed.”

“I swear by the grave of my late father, I would put an end to your existence right now. Vance! Who the fuck is having your bastard?” Landon somehow scares all of us in the room, including himself. Nadia, who probably wasn't so far away, comes in uninvited.

“Is it her?” I managed to croak.

Vance nods in the affirmative.