Sylvester's POV

A smug smile played across my face. I had not doubted that I could get Millicent to come back to me. When I was told that she was important for my continued rein as Alpha, I had to come up with a way to get her back and win her heart till I achieved my aim.

'There have been some misfortunes of which you are aware of', the chief had said. 'We took it upon ourselves to consult a seer and she said, the misfortune is because the person whom the moon goddess has chosen to be the Luna of this pack has been exiled. Do you know who that person might be?' he asked, looking at Sylvester critically.

Sylvester did not have to think but pretended to because he could not believe that the brat was still haunting him even in absentia.

'It might be the maid, Millicent. The pack maid who I exiled for being rude', he answered non - challantly.

'We have reason to believe she is your fated mate and that is why she must come back to rule by your side or you stand the risk of losing your title to someone else'.

'Who dares take my title - my birth right from me?' he thundered.

'It is not a matter of who dares', the chief said. 'It is doing what is right for the pack, because the pack comes first!'

'This girl is a fragile maid, how can she contribute to the strength of the pack?' Sylvester asked. 'It was for the Pack's sake that I exiled her in the first place when I found out she was my mate!' Sylvester said.

'Was it?' the chief asked meaningfully and they all rose to leave. 'It is not for us to decide her strengths. She might have hidden gifts we are unaware of, she was the daughter of the late Alpha Harry after all', he opened his mouth to say more but sighed. 'Just ensure you do the needful!' he concluded.

So I started my search for Millicent and now that she is back, I was trying to win her over so she would accept to be my Luna.

She has not allowed me to touch her yet but I did not mind, that was a small matter. It was only a matter of time and she would grace my bed, I can bet on it.

She has really grown beautiful in the past year. Not that she had been ugly but her shape had filled out and she was looking more womanly and voluptuous and I can feel my desire for her rise.

I went into her room. She had refused to share the same room with me.

'Millicent, dear', I called.

'Yes?' she said with a smile on her face.

'Have I told you how beautiful you are?' I asked, coming close to her. I tipped her face up and kissed her lightly on the lips.

'You have been telling me that since I got back', she said.

'But you do not believe me?' I asked, feigning hurt feelings.

'I know you have convinced yourself of that fact', she said. 'Whether or not it is true is a question for another day'.

'I want you to make up your mind soon to be my Luna so that we can truly be one. After that, I can wed you officially. I cannot wait to claim you', he said, rubbing his face on hers, with his eyes closed.

'Shut up!' I heard Millicent say and I was so shocked by her tone and the words that I jerked up to look into her eyes.

'I was not speaking to you', she said sheepishly. 'And I hadn't realized I had spoken out!'

'That's okay!' I said easily. Whether she was referring to me or not, was not of any concern to me but I felt that she must have been talking to her wolf.

'But what I do not understand is your sudden change of heart concerning me', she said.

'Once you left, I started missing you terribly and I realised that I had feelings for you. I tried to fight it but there's only so much I can do', he smiled in self mockery. ' Like I told you since you came back with me, I have been looking for you far and wide but did not know you did not go too far from me. It was during one of the search that my wolves found you and reported to me'.

Millicent nodded thoughtfully. 'That answers the question of how you knew where I was!' she said. 'But what about Cathania?'

The question shocked me. 'What about her?' I countered.

'I have not seen her since I got back. Did you send her away?' she asked, with wide eyed innocence.

'Of course she has to go away, for my Luna to make her appearance', he said. 'Once I realised, I had feelings for you, I cancelled our engagement and asked her to leave'.

'And she left without complaint?' she asked incredulously. It would seem that she knew Cathania pretty well.

'Of course she put up a fight, but I am the Alpha or are you forgetting that? she had to leave eventually', I said smiling mischievously.

Millicent nodded. She knew I could do that, or so, I'd like to think.

'I want to have a cold bath now, could you excuse me?' she asked.

'I was hoping you would invite me to join you', I said, huskily, smiling in what I hoped was a seductive manner at her.

'You promised to give me time to come to terms with everything but I am beginning to fell rushed!' she said harshly.

'Of course. Please take your time. It's just that I'm having a hard time taking my hands off you. And I can't wait for you to give me wonderful pups, especially an heir to succeed me', I said quickly, not wanting to antagonize her, yet, being unable to help myself, I found myself rubbing my thumb on her lips. I would have sworn that she felt desire for me because her eyes lowered and she opened her lips, but to my surprise, she suddenly pushed my hand away.

'You do not have to be so aggressive', I said, laughing mockingly. 'You only have to say that you don't like me touching you just yet and I'd listen or was your reaction more because you surprisingly found that you enjoyed my touch?'

She looked dumbfounded. I saw her open her mouth but no words came out. Then she looked angry. She must have perceived my words like an insult and though I did not give a damn, I had to keep up appearances. So I hastened to put her at ease.

'You don't have to look so shocked! I was just joking but is my touch really that disgusting that you cannot bear to feel my hands on your skin?' I asked. And when she didn't say anything, I decided to leave her in peace.

'Alright then', I said. 'Since you want me gone so badly so you can have your bath, go right ahead. I shall see you soon!'

I left her to meet with Cathania at our rendezvous, thinking that it was odd that I actually enjoy teasing her and even more than that, I enjoy touching her. Was it possible that our mate bond was really still intact?

Millicent's POV

Sylvester came into my room and though I did not want him there, I pretended I did not mind his presence. He had to believe I was falling in love with him. Once I gained his trust, I would strike him in a way he would never have imagined.

'Yes?' I said with a smile on my face.

'Have I told you how beautiful you are?' he asked, coming close to me. I felt like backing away but I stood firmly where I was with the smile still pasted on my lips.

He tipped my face up and kissed me lightly on the lips. I felt like spitting on his face when he tipped my face up but I knew it would ruin my plans. After enduring his kiss, which surprisingly didn't feel so bad, it felt like he had imprinted his lips on mine and I nearly raised my hands to wipe it off my lips but I stilled my movements yet again. For how long would I continue to restrain myself?

'You have been telling me that since I got back', I replied.

'But you do not believe me?' he said, looking pained.

'I know you have convinced yourself of that fact', I said. 'Whether or not it is true is a question for another day'.

'I want you to make up your mind soon to be my Luna so that we can truely be one. After that, I can wed you officially. I cannot wait to claim you', he said, rubbing his face on hers, with his eyes closed, so he did not see the look of disgust that crossed my face.

'Oh Yes', Milly jumped up in joy.

'I can't wait as well'.

'Better control yourself. If you think I am going to allow him anywhere around me, then you have another thought coming!' I scolded my randy wolf.

'He is not really that bad once you get to know him and I am certain, he will give us a great time in bed!'

'Shut up!' I shouted at my wolf, my cheek flaming hot and not until Alpha Sylvester jerked up to look into my eyes did I realise I had spoken out aloud.

'I was not speaking to you', I said sheepishly. 'And I hadn't realized I had spoken out!'

'That's okay!' he said easily.

'But what I do not understand is your sudden change of heart concerning me', I said.

'Once you left, I started missing you terribly and I realised that I had feelings for you. I tried to fight it but there is so much a man can do', he smiled in self mockery. ' Like I told you since you came back with me, I have been looking for you far and wide but did not know you didn't go to far from me. It was during one of the search that my wolves found you and reported it to me'.

I nodded thoughtfully. 'That answers the question of how you knew where I was!' I said, recalling one day, when I had been out walking with Raph and had fancied I heard a sound and saw movement in the bushes. That could have been the day, they found me. But why had they not spoken to me? They must have been acting on Sylvester's instructions, I decided.

'But what about Cathania?' I asked.

Sylvester jerked. 'What about her?' he countered.

'I have not seen her since I got back. Did you send her away?' I asked innocently.

'Of course she has to go away, for my Luna to make her appearance', he said. 'Once I realised, I had feelings for you, I cancelled our engagement and asked her to leave'.

'And she left without complaint?' I asked, finding that very hard to believe. I knew how stubborn Cathania could be. And why had he been so shocked that I asked about' the woman he had been engaged to? He should have known I was going to ask about Cathania. Why was he acting so guilty?

'Of course she put up a fight but I am the Alpha or are you forgetting that? she had to leave eventually', he said smiling mischievously. I nodded. He could do that. And it felt strange to see him act so nicely towards me. I could handle his hostility but this new behaviour was something else.

'I want to have a cold bath now, could you excuse me?' I asked, wanting him gone.

'I was hoping you would invite me to join you', he said suggestively, his voice husky.

This was dangerous ground and I did not want to explore that arena at all.

'You promised to give me time to come to terms with everything but I am beginning to fell rushed!' I said harshly, hoping it would put him off.

'Of course. Please take your time. It's just that I'm having a hard time taking my hands of you. And I can't wait for you to give me wonderful pups, especially an heir to succeed me', he said, rubbing his thumb on my lips. I felt a prickle of desire and excitement and opened my lips, wanting more but I caught myself, pushed his hand away and squashed the tickle of desire I felt, immediately, furious with myself for showing such weakness. This was no way to feel if I am to carry out my mission.

'Do not fight it, Millicent', my wolf spoke in my head. 'Let us have fun with our mate'.

'He's no longer our mate, damn it! When will you get that into your thick skull?' I asked Milly.

'Then will you deny the fact that you enjoy the way he's been courting you?' Milly asked.

'I enjoy seeing him squirm, that is what it is. Not his courtship! Do not forget this is all a farce and I am here for a reason, with a mission?' I took a deep breath. 'The earlier you forget about him and stop acting like a wolf on heat, the better for you! And you should be on my side for goodness sake. If you do not support me, who will I count on for support?'

'You do not have to be so aggressive', he said, laughing mockingly. 'You only have to say that you don't like me touching you just yet and I'd listen or was your reaction of slapping away my hand just now, more because you surprisingly found that you enjoyed my touch?'

I was dumbfounded. I opened my mouth but no words came out. I was seething, thinking he had found out that for just one moment there, I had felt desire for him, but his next words put me at ease.

'You don't have to look so shocked! I was just joking. But is my touch really that disgusting that you cannot bear to feel my hands on your skin?' he asked.

'Oh no, it is not disgusting at all', my wolf said in my head. And I shook my head, hoping to shake her away from my head.

Yes, it is as disgusting as hell and I feel nauseated that I allowed your touch no matter how feathery, I thought but refused to say anything.

'Alright then', he said. 'Since you want me gone so badly so you can have your bath, go right ahead. I shall see you soon!'

He left at last and as soon as the door shut behind him, I sank down on all fours, breathing a sigh of relief, this was going to take my best acting and will power because even my wolf seem to be in support of him.

I was walking round the pack one day when I thought I heard my name mentioned. I hated to eavesdrop but felt that it was important for to know what was being said about me. So, I hid behind a house, close to the speakers.

It was the Beta and one other warrior.

'I feel for Millicent. She has suffered alot and now, the Alpha is using her while pretending to care for her', Beta Daniel said. He was the Beta I had danced with at Sylvester's and Cathania's engagement party.

'But he might just end up really caring for her', the warrior said, smiling. 'It has been known to happen that while pretending to care, one actually starts caring!'

'I doubt Alpha Sylvester will ever care for Millicent', Beta Daniel continued. 'He is just using her to secure his throne as Alpha'.

'How so?' the warrior asked bemused. 'Is he at risk of losing his throne?'

' Do not tell me you did not know the outcome of the meeting held after the engagement party between Alpha Sylvester and Cathania', Beta Daniel continued. 'The council of elders told him that it was mandatory for him to have his fated mate beside him or risk losing the throne to the sole leadership of his twin brother, Christopher, or to a new person entirely'.

'You mean, due to that, he decided to look for Millicent and bring her back and not because of any tender feelings he has for her?' the warrior asked, shaking his head. 'That's so mechanical. Is Cathania aware of this?'

'Yes it is', Beta said. ' And yes, Cathania is in on it as well. Millicent is just going to be Luna for a while. Once the throne is secured, Cathania will take over and Alpha will find a reason to reject Millicent as his Luna and make Cathania his one and only Luna'.

I wanted to listen more but I heard footsteps and looking round saw some people coming and had to creep away, my heart thumping. Anger filled my very soul. I had wondered how the man had changed over night and had actually stated believing and liking him. But it was good that I overheard this conversation. It will help me remember why I am really here and put me right back on track.

I was so furious with myself for allowing Sylvester make a fool of me and with myself for falling for his tricks. I wanted to go to him right away and tell him I was no longer interested in being his Luna but on second thoughts, I decided against it. If I strategized very well, then this game Alpha Sylvester seemed to be playing, I would play along and turn the cards against him!

So furious was I that I did not watch where I was going until I found myself in the 'Restricted garden'.

The Restricted Garden was where Alpha Sylvester took his rest when he did not want to be disturbed. It was out of bounds to everybody.

I was about to turn back when I heard a female voice.

That voice! I thought. I could recognize it anywhere. It belong to no other than Cathania.

'Do you know how it feels to be away from you and keep imagining what you must be doing with that filthy maid?' Cathania sulked.

'I know but you don't have to be jealous. Remember we are just using her. I virtually have her feeding out of my hands. I shall not be surprised if she is already head over heels in love with me', Alpha Sylvester said, and I bit my lip, seething. What arrogance! Then I smiled maliciously. Head over heals in love with you, indeed! Keep dreaming! I thought to myself.

'Oh Moon goddess! How can anyone be so callous? And this is the same person you have cursed me with as my mate?' I shut my eyes to erase the pain I felt.

'Anyway, we shall stick to the plan. Stay away from me. I shall act as though we have nothing in common', I heard Sylvester say.

'This had better be fast. I am getting impatient', Cathania said snuggling even closer into his arms.

'Be patient my love. After the council is satisfied, I shall be free to do as I please. Imagine being mated to the daughter of the murderer of my parents!'

Murderer of his parents? I nearly exclaimed aloud. My father would never murder anyone who was innocent. He must be referring to someone else.

I did not know what to feel as different emotions pulsed through me. I forgot for a second where I was and stepped on a tin. It made a sound loud enough to make the lovers pull apart.

'Who's there?' Alpha Sylvester barked. 'Step out, immediately!'

I tiptoed away as fast and as silently as I could. Raph had thought me that during my stay with them. By the time Alpha Sylvester leaped to the spot where I had stepped on the tin, because I knew that was the next thing he would do if the intruder refused to step out, I was long gone.

When I had got out of earshot, I ran straight up toy room, my heart was beating very fast. Nothing ever escaped Sylvester and I didn't want to be caught. So I quickly drank a cup of water and jumped into bed, pulling the bed covers over me.

Not long after, I heard my door open with a bang. I knew of course it was Sylvester. He must have smelt me in the bushes. I had not remembered to camouflage my smell. Too many things on my mind. I will have to come up with a good excuse, I thought frantically, but decided to bluff my way through first.

'Who's...', I started, turning to look towards the door. 'Oh, it's you. But couldn't you knock before barging into my room?' I asked, injecting irritation into my voice.

'Millicent...', he called and hesitated.

'Yes?' I answered, rubbing my eyes with my hand and yawning. 'Please be quick with what you have to say, I have a splitting headache'.

'Were you in the restricted area just now?' he asked, looking at me intently, trying to gauge my reaction.

'Restricted? What do you mean restricted area?' I feigned ignorance.

'I mean my private garden', he said, irritation in his voice.

'Oh, your garden? Why would I go there?' I asked nonchalantly, deriving pleasure at the irritation I heard in his voice. It was high time he felt what he made others feel by his callousness and heartlessness.

'Maybe to spy on me?' he asked.

'Really?' I asked, sitting up on the bed and narrowing my eyes. Acting time!

'Why would I spy on you?' I asked bemused. 'Should I spy on you? Is there something you are doing against me that I should know about?' I asked curiously.

'No, not that!' he said quickly. 'I felt someone watching me as I meditated in my garden and it interrupted my thoughts and I don't like that which is why I do not allow anyone into that place'.

'Rest assured, I did not go near your precious garden!' I said as though that was the last thing I would ever want to do. ' You are a fast wolf, how come you didn't catch them - whoever they were?' I asked to draw suspicion away from me. Anyway, that's really your problem. If we are done here, can I go back to sleep?'

'Please do', he said as he walked out of my room, looking back at me with confusion.