CHAPTER 9

BRIELLE

My heart rose in shock at the way Tania spoke back to Argon and Estelle.

For a lower ranked wolf, she's not afraid of them.

I marveled at her confidence as she stood up to both of them.

"I like her. She may have a small wolf in her, but her zeal is beautiful," Bane chuckled within, admiring Tania's bravery.

Yes, it's remarkable. I'm impressed. But I'm also worried about her safety.

This is Argon and Estelle she's going head-to-head with.

"Excuse me? Can you repeat that statement? You will only do what?" Argon questioned Tania.

I could see the rage engulfing both of them, with their eyes darting right at poor Tania.

"Repeat what you just said!" Estelle roared out, moving around to get to Tania's spot.

When I saw this, I knew what was going to happen next.

"My apologies, Alpha, but it's hard for me to just accept someone else as my new Luna. Luna Brielle is the only..."

"SHUT UP!" Estelle yelled, raising her hand.

The moment I saw this, I grabbed Tania's hand and pulled her back.

This swift move was able to protect Tania from being struck by Estelle, but not me.

When I dragged Tania back, Estelle's hand came landing on my face instead, sending my head swaying to the side.

"LUNA!" Tania exclaimed in shock while Estelle stared... Her eyes were filled with pleasure because she had slapped me instead of Tania.

She grinned and said, "Perfect. The scapegoat who has been filling the heads of my servants, making them think she's still the Luna, has received the slap she truly deserves."

My hand slowly reached for my cheek, the one she had struck, feeling her handprint. It was aching a bit, but not the way my heart was beating with anger over what Estelle began to say.

"A bloody runt like yourself thinks you are still the Luna? My Alpha has already divorced you from his life, yet you're poisoning all these foolish servants like this animal behind you, into seeing you as their queen. You were nothing but a mistake to my Argon. A mistake!" She yelled at me, pushing me back.

I staggered but was supported by Tania, who immediately held me.

"You had the chance to leave, but you chose to stay and fulfill a silly promise. Fine, you were given that go ahead. But as long as I am here, and my Argon has rejected you, wretched orphan... I am the only Luna in this mansion. Is that clear, you disrespectful maid?!" She roared at Tania, flashing her golden eyes at us.

Tania, who was holding me from behind, didn't want to answer Estelle.

I could sense her zeal and loyalty for me. She was ready to respond back to Estelle's words, but I didn't want that.

"I don't..." Tania almost rejected Estelle's order, but was interrupted by me immediately. I grabbed her hand from behind, stopping her from speaking or challenging her Highness over here.

Then I said, "We are sorry. Tania won't repeat that again. She's just trying to adapt to the changes."

"Changes my foot," Estelle scoffed, crossing her arms.

Argon came forward, wrapping his arm around Estelle with those scary eyes of his falling on me.

But funny enough, they no longer terrified me like then. It's almost like the fear of the past was gone.

"From now on, I don't want to see you with her. If I ever spot you with this woman, that very day will be your last. Is that clear?" Argon threatened Tania.

"But..."

"Is that clear?!" Argon repeated, loudly.

Tania sighed, looking at me with sadness in her eyes. She didn't want to agree to it, but I didn't want her getting into any trouble or losing her job.

Subtly, I signaled her to obey and let it be.

And just like that, Tania listened.

She bowed to Argon, apologizing to him for her behavior.

"I won't repeat this mistake again."

"Get out of here, now!" Argon roared at Tania.

I tapped her from behind, so she'd do as he had said. Tania left the room hurriedly, taking a quick glance at me from the entrance, before she left.

Now, I was all alone with Argon and Estelle, the power couple. They both had their eyes at me, looking at me from head to toe with disgust in their gazes.

"Look at their ugly faces. Just one slash across them and they'll have sexy bloody scars. Haha." Bane mocked within.

My mouth almost broke into laughter, imagining how their faces would look... bloody and fleshy.

But these two were busy insulting me, mostly Estelle.

"You are teaching my servants how to disrespect me in my own home!" Argon groaned, blaming me for the insult he received from Tania.

"Do this, my love," Estelle said, bringing up a suggestion. "Any servant that we catch calling her their Luna, will not only lose their job but be banished from this pack. That way they will all respect us."

"Seems that's what I'll do. Then maybe that goat that calls herself Tania, will finally learn her lesson," Argon supported Estelle, squinting his eyes at me.

I didn't like this idea one bit. Even though I wished to challenge it, I had no say, since I'm no longer his Luna. But I'm going to make sure Tania isn't banished.

She's the only friend I have.

"Remember your place, you servant. You are no longer the Luna. You are a slave. Until these three months are over, you will serve us both till then," Estelle pointed out, unveiling her dominance over me.

All I could do at this point was to take a step back, keeping my distance.

Argon didn't hesitate to add salt to my wound when he saw this.

He pulled Estelle close and said, "I told her already when she came thanking me for this bed that I'll soon take it away." He indicated at the mattress, chuckling.

"She thought I had grown a soft spot for her. How sad."

"Is that so? Haha," Estelle burst into laughter, while Argon stared at me with a smirk.

Our eyes locked.

What he said left me feeling almost weak, unable to hold back anymore. I clenched my dress, breaking the lock instantly with my head turning left.

I could no longer look into those eyes. It reminded me of all the pain he put me through.

"You still have the chance to leave, Brielle. Just sign the papers and get lost. But if you want three months to elapse, then serve us," Estelle giggled.

I remained at my spot without looking in their direction.

The next thing I heard, showed they were leaving my room.

"I'm hungry, my love. Please, let's head to the dining."

"Of course, sweetheart. Let's leave this stench of a room."

"And yes, let the guards come here tomorrow and remove this bed. They should burn it as well, otherwise we'd be infected by her reek," Estelle mocked, making a throw-up sound.

Their voices grew distant before I turned over to find myself all alone.

"Stench? Wretch? Runt? Orphan?" I called all the awful names Estelle and Argon have been calling me since, feeling bitterness engulfing my heart.

My anger grew, as I grabbed the top wooden part of the mattress they plan on taking away from me soon.

My claws slowly came out from my fingers, giving a deep mark into the wood.

"Inasmuch as I want to leave this place, I still need to stay here until I've accomplished my goal," I said, remembering the plan Bane and I had made.

When Bane heard me say all these, she gave a satisfied groan within, saying, "Now you're getting it. Keep on digesting this, because it's going to help when the time comes. It will shape you into your true form. Remember who you are, Brielle. You are an Ivy. We get whatever we want when it's time to make our move."

"And we deliver it to our enemies, in the finest way ever," I completed, feeling a surge of power revolving inside of me.