PLAY PRETEND

The trick is to stay a few minutes, five to be exact before the drink can work. So as soon as the glass leaves my lips, l begin a countdown in my head to make sure l have the minutes down. One mistake is all it will take for my mission to turn impossible

I don't doubt for a second that the pitiful Luna will waste any time exposing me or using 'my secret' as collateral. That just complicates things and the only thing that l can do to somewhat save my skin will be to tell Antonio the truth. A conversation l had been dreading but as my 'mate' he has a right to know

But as the only person who might have the power to help me out, he deserves to know before it all blows up in my face. Power is not everything especially when the whole committee of werewolves has put a target on your back, the old committee that is.

Their successors are dim witted and do not believe anything that the history books and old aged folks have to say. And that is where l get my advantage point. The lesson to learn here it to treasure history because in will reveal so much about current world affairs

one minute and three seconds, one minute and four seconds...

"Are you feeling okay?" Kartie asks and her question throws me off guard that l lose count and l can't help thinking that l am screwed. If l mess this up then it is game over

"Yes Luna, why wouldn't l be?" l ask playing it cool. The plant she used is one that is hard to find and it is usually reserved for the top officials of the werewolf community. If an 'omega' like myself were to know of its existence, it will raise a few eyebrows

"l have to say Luna, you have such a kind heart. l don't remember the last time l was invited to drink tea or whatever it is we are drinking with someone of importance like yourself. Thank you for caring about those that are like me" l say to her, my eyes still cast on the ground.

They say the way to a prideful woman's heart is to flatter her ego and she will love you forever. And if there is one thing l know about Kartie is that she wants to feel like the most important creature in the planet. If anyone, and l mean anyone, specie is of more importance than her, they automatically fall in her 'destroy' folder

"we are all equals, what kind of Luna would l be if l don't take care of my guests, even if it is dirty waste of space like your kind" she says and l can hear the venom in her tone but l cannot speak out of turn and the only to prevent myself from running my mouth is to pass out and with the last thread of resistance in my bones, l gracefully fall down on my back, mouth closed and eyes shut

"well that worked faster than usual, hmmm. Does that mean l was wrong? l am never wrong! Attica was killed that night, l remember it so well, l must be going crazy to think that this omega is her. I have to tell Zane that we were wrong. It can't be Attica because she didn't even recognise him, the man who carefully orchestrated her demise. What a pity that the strongest and most powerful wolf died at the hands of a bitter woman. Guards!"

As the words left her mouth, my blood began to boil as l started piecing all the puzzle pieces together. This whole time l was certain she played a small role in destroying all that l had worked hard to achieve but it was all her. And Zane, the man who always swore to protect me and the unborn child that died before taking her first breath because her father was fraternizing with the enemy

He wasn't my mate but l had grown hopeless and gave in to my the desires of the flesh and my shining star was conceived. Zane seemed pretty happy and content with the state of things. We both knew that we weren't mates and that if any of us found our mate, we will end things between us

That was my best kept secret. No one knew what was happening between Zane and l, just how l liked it but he wanted to be seen and heard. He wanted to claim me publicly but l couldn't have that. I had a reputation to protect and people to lead

What sick animal will get their daughter killed. He swore to love and protect her, to keep her safe from the shame that will follow her for the rest of her life. The silent whispers about how she was conceived, my baby now turned to dust

"guards!" she screams again and l hear the sound of feet rushing to where we are

"Luna" the men say and l can only assume that they are bowing to her. A woman like her would expect nothing less of respect and protocol being followed. Now the question is how did she become Luna and where is Zane? is he the man who is Alpha, as there are spells to conceal one's identity and appearance or is he another member of the high ranking officials because that man would never accept anything less that status

"take her to her room and call her Alpha. Tell him that she just passed out and no one saw a thing, understood?" she gives out the instruction and the next thing l know l am being lifted off the ground and into the arms of different men. A very uncomfortable experience

It doesn't take long before my body is being laid on a soft fortress and the sound of heavy footsteps followed by a loud voice enter the room

"what happened here?" Antonio screams to the guards who recite what their Luna instructed them to say like the loyal idiots they are

"leave" he commands and silence before Akya breaks it

"give me a sign that the sun still shines in the darkness" she says and l peek one eye open at her to see Antonio's eyes open wide in horror