Reana finally opened her eyes, their piercing blue gaze pinning Mirian to the spot. For a mont, they simply stared at each other, the air thick with tension. Then, in a voice that was eerily calm, Reana spoke: "I’m aware."
Mirian’s eyes widened in horror. She knew yet kept quiet? Since when? Was it from the start or recently?
The oga felt a shiver run down her spine, her heart hanging in her throat as she stared at the Luna.
Reana continued, her voice still low and even. "And I’ve been waiting for you to co to , to tell the truth."
Reana’s gaze bore into Mirian’s very soul, as if searching for any hint of deception. "The question is, Mirian," she said, her voice dripping with an unnerving intensity, "why did you choose to confess now? It took you three years."
Mirian swallowed hard. So, the Luna had known from the very beginning, and had been watching her like a predator.
She felt a chill. Had Ryder not motivated her, perhaps she’d have thought that the Luna was still in the dark, but unfortunately, she was the prey.
"I... I couldn’t bear the guilt anymore, Luna. I wanted to serve you with all honesty." Mirian replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know I don’t deserve it, but I was hoping...I was hoping you might find it in your heart to forgive ."
She continued, "I didn’t an to hurt you, Luna," Mirian said softly. "I swear, my feelings for you are genuine."
Reana closed her eyes and sank into the water, her body relaxing into the fading warmth, as the water was turning cold.
The silence that followed was oppressive, weighing heavily on Mirian’s shoulders. She remained frozen in place, unsure of what to do next, as Reana’s calm deanor only served to make Mirian restless.
"Change the water," Reana suddenly said, her voice low and husky, as she slowly stood up, water cascading down her body. Mirian’s eyes were drawn to Reana’s naked form, and she felt a flush rise to her cheeks as she quickly looked away. "Your punishnt is...you won’t be paid for half a year."
Mirian was startled. Not getting paid for half a year, considering her family depended on her salary, was quite devastating.
She felt a wave of panic wash over her as she thought about how she would provide for them. Although it was better than having her head on a stake, she still had to plead for leniency.
"L-Luna, please," she stuttered, taking a step forward, her eyes pleading for rcy. "My family...they rely on . Is there nothing else I can do to make ands?"
Reana arched her brow, "What can you do to make ands?" Her tone was skeptical, and Mirian knew she had to think quickly, or risk losing everything.
She took a deep breath, her mind racing with possibilities. "I...I can take on extra duties, Luna," she said, her voice firm. "I’ll do whatever it takes to prove my loyalty and make up for my mistake."
Reana’s eyes seed to gleam with amusent, but her tone remained sharp. "I’m asking, what exactly can you do, Mirian? Surely, you’re not thinking to start spreading your cousin’s secrets?"
Mirian’s jaw fell apart. How could she think of sothing like that? How did that get into the conversation?
But Reana wasn’t done. She took a step closer, lowered her height and lifted Mirian’s jaw with her finger, staring into the depth of her eyes as she said,
"Because, Mirian, that would be a very...wise decision." Her lips curled, watching as Mirian digested her words.
Mirian was a gossip connoisseur, a good one at that. Her exceptional skills had helped to get rid of Ryan and Reana wanted to get rid of people like Ryan and Xavier without having to lift a finger. Especially with Xavier’s identity.
The last thing Reana wanted was for the council to start chirping in her ears once again, that she was deliberately rejecting all the suitable n worthy of becoming the Alpha.
A sly smile spread across Mirian’s face as she nodded almost imperceptibly, finally understanding the subtle task that Reana had entrusted her with.
...
After her bath, Reana had a hearty al but sothing was missing. She felt lonely, despite Mirian’s presence. The silence between them was comfortable, yet Reana’s heart yearned for soone else.
She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the flavors of her al, but her mind kept drifting back to him - the daring servant she’d spoiled too much.
She didn’t forget how he smirked at her. How he wouldn’t speak to her like he used to.
Agreed, she might have been ignoring him, but should he have taken it upon himself to change the dynamics between them?
It was infuriating, really. And yet... Reana’s heart skipped a beat as she recalled the unamused smile he’d given her in the study.
What did he an by that?
"Luna, you..."
Reana turned to Mirian, seeing her gaze was focused on the table, Reana’s gaze followed, only to that her cup was overflowing with wine, the red liquid pooling on the polished wooden table.
Reana put the blue and white intricately designed porcelain bottle down with a soft sigh of frustration. She didn’t even realize when she took it.
"Ahem!"
The sound of Mirian’s gentle clearing of her throat brought Reana back to the present, and she looked up to et her maid’s knowing gaze.
"Perhaps, I should call him over... to...ehm, talk about the next plan?" Mirian suggested. She hated the idea of bringing Ryder to the Luna, but as much as she disliked the servant’s audacity and his closeness to the Luna, she couldn’t deny the attraction the Luna seed to have for him.
Mirian couldn’t bla the Luna. She’d never rolled in the sheets with a man, and her mate, the only man she was attracted to died, so, the Luna had prevented herself from getting close to another man, with almost all the n in the pack showing greed for the Alpha position.
Perhaps, it wouldn’t be bad for the Luna to have little fun with the Luna. Although she hated to admit it but Ryder was handso, charming, and knew how to rock the Luna’s world.
And who knows, he might be able to make the Luna happy again...
Mirian clicked her tongue, felling irritated. What was she thinking? Soone who was beefing the moon goddess? Soone who’d threatened her? Soone she didn’t like... But then again, it was for the Luna, not hers.
Reana’s gaze lingered on Mirian, her expression unreadable. For a mont, the only sound was the soft dripping of wine onto the table. Then, she turned her attention back to her al. "Forget it."
But just then, a knock sounded on the door.
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