“Alpha, we should go.”
For a moment, Usher did not seem to hear Garth’s voice. His ears were filled only with Vione’s curses and insults. He watched as Vione went berserk, pounding on the iron bars as if to knock them down.
Usher remained motionless. Never before had he seen Vione rebel like this. Vione looked genuinely angry and ready to unleash all the vengeance she felt.
“You must be responsible for the death of my parents, Usher. You truly have no heart. You are cruel!”
Vione’s scream echoed. Her voice bounced off the prison walls, spreading immeasurable pain everywhere. She wailed, releasing all the curses she had held for days.
Vione was truly suffering. Her eyes were red, showing emotions Usher had never seen before. There was anger, hatred, and sadness. There were gaping wounds, and Usher was certain of the cause.
“Vi-Vione.”
Vione went into a frenzy, pounding on the iron bars, not caring for the cuts that began to graze her palms. Ignoring the blood that began to seep, she cursed at Usher without fear.
“I will kill you, Usher. Remember my words, I will kill you for sure!”
The thunderous roar of Vione’s threat shook Usher. He blinked, and the emptiness that had momentarily engulfed him vanished, replaced by sparks of similar emotion.
“You are truly brave, Vione. You dare to threaten your own Alpha.”
Vione became even more angry. “You are not my Alpha. You’re the most despicable werewolf I’ve ever met. You have no heart!”
Vione’s words stirred Usher’s bloodstream. His breath became heavy and he growled.
But Garth intervened at the right moment. He soothed Usher’s anger and this time actually persuaded him to leave.
“Alpha, the night is getting late. It’s better if we go home so you can rest.”
Usher did not move immediately. He glared at Vione with intense anger and then spoke. “You know, Vione? I really regret coming to see you.”
Vione did not care. She continued to rage until Usher left with a face flushed with suppressed anger. Never in his life had he been insulted with such harsh words. Only Vione had spoken them to him, and it was understandable that he felt the need to calm down. His emotions were truly boiling and there was one name that flashed through his mind, one name that he was sure could calm his anger.
Garth was driving the car. They left the area of the underground prison. It was then that Usher gave an order.
“We’re going to Mireya’s house.”
Garth looked in the rearview mirror, feeling unsure. “Alpha, I think you should-”
“I want to meet Mireya.”
Garth could not argue. So, he nodded. “Alright, Alpha.”
*
Almost a month passed without a meeting, just as Mireya had wished, the day she, Usher and Jemma had an unpleasant conversation about the pack. Since then, she had decided not to see Usher at all, not even through phone calls or messages. She was determined to show Usher that she meant business. Her desire to be Usher’s mate and Luna could not be questioned. She had to secure that position or Usher could not have her and her child.
At first glance it seemed to be a good threat. Mireya, who believed one hundred percent that Usher was deeply in love with her, felt confident. She was sure that Usher would not resist and would beg her. But things did not go as expected.
“It must be that damn Jemma. She came at the right time and made Usher doubt,” Mireya said, rising from her seat. She pondered with one hand on her hip and the other on her chest. “Does this mean I have to change my plan? Jemma and Ayla might take advantage of my absence from Usher’s life.”
The doubt made Mireya dizzy. She furrowed her brow and looked at the phone on the table. Her heart and her logic were at war; should she give in?
Mireya closed her eyes and exhaled. Reluctantly, she decided not to take the risk. Being alone with Usher all the time would not make her plan work, let alone the other way around.
Mireya stood up. Her hand reached out. She started to reach for the phone, but suddenly she heard the soft sound of a car engine outside the house.
Usher.
Mireya’s guess was right. She only had to wait a few insignificant seconds and Usher was standing in front of her with a pleading face.
“Oh, Mireya. I really missed you.”
Without further ado, Usher pulled Mireya into his embrace. He inhaled the scent of Mireya’s hair, felt the warmth of her body. He quenched the thirst that had been driving him crazy with longing all this time.
On the other hand, Mireya smiled in Usher’s embrace. She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that her plan had not failed.
Still, Mireya reminded herself not to be too hasty. She still did not know the exact reason why Usher had come to see her. She was sure that it was not only because of longing, but she was not sure if Usher would take Ayla away as she wanted after the argument with Jemma.
“I missed you too, Usher.” Mireya adopted a flirtatious attitude. She fed Usher’s ego by pretending to feel a similar longing. She returned Usher’s hug and whispered, “I thought I was going to die from missing you.”
Usher felt like his heart was being ripped open. He released the hug and now held Mireya’s face. He kissed Mireya’s lips passionately. He devoured her and Mireya responded in kind.
The kiss quickly turned into a hot, exciting touch. Usher’s body heated up and his desire increased. He hugged Mireya tightly, pressing her down until they fell onto the sofa.
Usher quickly undressed Mireya. He removed every barrier and they became one.
A moment passed and Usher was panting, drenched in sweat. In his embrace, Mireya closed her eyes in a state not much different from his. Mireya’s disheveled hair and smooth body bore the marks of their love.
“You are so cruel to me, Mireya. I called you. I sent you messages. You ignored everything,” Usher said.
Mireya squirmed and found a comfortable position in Usher’s embrace. “That’s not what I meant, Usher, but I didn’t want to make your position any more difficult. I know you must be torn between my request and Jemma’s words.”
Usher sighed deeply, then nodded weakly. “I really don’t know what to do. Honestly, Mireya, I don’t care about the pack. The only thing that matters to me is you. Besides, you know that when the petition came to The Palace, I took care of it right away. That’s clear proof that I choose you over everyone else.”
“I know.” Mireya rose slightly. She rested on Usher’s chest and looked at him with a smile. “Forgive me for letting my emotions get the better of me. Perhaps it was the influence of the hormones. I’m still in the early stages of pregnancy.”
Immediately, Usher glanced at Mireya’s still slim belly. In the coming months, that belly would swell. Her baby would continue to grow and soon he would be present in the world.
Usher smiled broadly at the beautiful image that filled his mind. He lifted his hand and cupped Mireya’s face. His thumb stroked Mireya’s cheek as he spoke.
“I should be the one to apologize to you. I shouldn’t have done anything to upset your emotions. I should have paid more attention to your condition and our baby.”
Mireya nodded. “That’s why, Usher. I will give in. I don’t want to pressure you. All I want now is to stay together, no matter what happens.”
A short pause broke the smile on Usher’s face. “Mireya, you don’t mean-”
“I want to forget about being Luna, Usher. I just want to be with you. I don’t care what people think of me, as long as I’m with you, I’m fine.”
Usher was overwhelmed with guilt. The honesty reflected in Mireya’s eyes crushed his heart. “Mireya, I-”
Mireya cut Usher off with a kiss on the lips. “I love you, Usher. I’ll do anything for you. I’ll sacrifice everything. I don’t even care about my dignity,” she continued, still smiling. She looked at Usher with a look of tenderness. “I don’t care about being constantly belittled by others. The fact that you love me is more important than that.”
*