'What are you doing here Cathania?' I asked, not sure how long she had been there or how much she had overheard.

'Is that really necessary?' she asked, her eyes narrowed at me, her lips pressed tightly together.

'I did not ask you to come up. What if Millicent had seen you?' I asked exasperated.

'I waited for you like you asked but you wouldn't come to see me and it was getting late, and I was becoming impatient, you couldn't even sent someone with a message for me. I thought it was odd and came through the secret passageway you showed me to see you but you were not in your room', she said, her chest heaving. 'I heard raised voices and thought I'd investigate, only to hear what I never thought I'd hear you say. You mean you have been deceiving me all this while?

You actually love Millicent and have been lying to me? she asked and I could see the pain in her eyes.

'You misunderstand me, Cathania. It is not what you think!' I said, trying to placate her.

'What else have you been keeping away from me?' she asked, her eyes very red. 'You have been mating her right under my nose and use the same filthy hands on me?'

'I was trying to arrange something', I said, not exactly sure what even I meant by that.

Christopher who had been listening quietly to this laughed. 'I need to leave the room for you, love birds. You need the privacy!' he said and I was sure he was going after Millicent and though I had a pressing issue here with Cathania, I was still so furious with him that I would have barred his way if I could. But as it is, I left him to go undisturbed while I continued my explanation to Cathania.

'Are you not ashamed? You are fighting with your own twin over a common maid?' she spat.

'She is not a common maid!' I shouted at her. I had not intended to say that but the way she referred to Millicent as an ordinary maid, a woman I was going to make my Luna irked me.

Cathania was staring at me as though I had lost it, much the same way Christopher had looked at me, earlier.

'You have really fallen in love with her haven't you?' she asked in a whisper.

I looked at her and didn't know what to say. How was it possible that I still had feelings for Cathania and was falling in love with Millicent?

'I still love you Cathania', I said, trying to understand my feelings. 'I don't know what I feel for Millicent just yet but all I know is that I am no longer bitter towards her. And you know what she is helping us with!'

'Oh, rubbish!' she screamed. 'That is what you are using as an excuse to keep deceiving me?' she laughed in self mockery. 'You think I am still a child who you can keep deceiving with false promises? Say you want her to be your Luna permanently but don't have to courage to come out plain with it!'

'Cathania, watch your words! I am still your Alpha. How dare you imply that I am a coward?' I asked, looking at her in anger.

'Then be bold and take what you want and stop hiding behind silly excuses!' she screamed at me. I was sure, Millicent would hear her if she was anywhere around and I prayed she wasn't. I drew her inside and shut the door.

'Okay then, I love Millicent and want her to be my real Luna. How dare you question my actions. I am the Alpha and can do whatever I please. I do not owe you nor anyone else for that matter, any explanations. Are you satisfied now?' I asked angrily.

She burst into tears and seeing her crying so heart brokenly, I went to her and pulled her into my arms, wondering how I was going to get myself disentangled from all these problems and dilemma.

'It is going to be alright', I said.

'But you just said...'

'Forget what I just said, you preempted me. I said it in anger to hurt you because you hurt my pride when you implied that I was a coward who did not know what he was doing nor what he wanted', I explained. 'But it's okay, now. You know I cannot bear to see you cry'.

'What about what you said about Millicent? Do you really love her? Tell me the truth!' she insisted. I did not want any argument nor another bout of weeping so I said what I knew she wanted to hear.

'Like I said earlier, I do not feel as angry towards her like I did in the past. I am also sorry for deceiving her into helping me preserve my throne. But that's that. What I feel might just be gratitude or just likeness. It is not something you should be bothered about!'

'Thank you so much', she said and placed her arms round my neck, kissing me. I kissed her back, thinking to end this so she could be gone already but she had other things in mind.

'You know, your brother is really wise. He left because he knew we are love birds who needed privacy to explore each other', she said. 'Let's not disappoint him. Let us use this privacy judiciously'.

This was not what I had in mind but as I stood up, to lock the door, I saw Millicent standing at the door. I stopped short, shocked. Did someone jinx me today? Because the day was fast turning into a disaster. It just wasn't my day at all. How long had Millicent been there? What had she heard? Oh goodness! And why had I not been able to smell her? I had been so sure that she was with Christopher. What do I tell her now? This day seem to be turning out to be a day for explanations.

Before I could speak, she slammed the door was ran off.

This day was definitely not my day at all, I repeated to myself, shaking my head in perplexity.

Millicent's POV

I left Christopher standing there after that devastating kiss we shared. I had wanted to go up to my quarters but I needed time alone to clear my head, so I went for a walk to my favourite place. My best place in the world when I was still serving as a maid in this pack. The stream. This time I was not going for a dip in the water but to watch the water and get some semblance of peace. Who knows, I might understand what I was feeling.

As I sat down near the stream, throwing stones into the water and watching it make ripples, I had to admit that like the stones were making ripples in the stream, Christopher was causing ripples in my heart and body. But it cannot be encouraged. He was my enemy.

'But how is that so?' Milly asked. 'You reject Sylvester and now that you have a chance with Christopher, you are refusing to grab the chance as well. What do you want?'

It was clear that Milly was getting exasperated with me. I wondered if she had no choice at all. She at first wanted Sylvester and until Christopher came along, she still wanted us to be with Sylvester but now, she was all over Christopher. Though I had to agree with her recent choice. Oh God! What was I thinking? How can I agree with her. How was I to avenge my parents if I allowed myself to develop feelings for my enemy - okay, my enemy's brother? Who knows, he might even be worse than Sylvester, in which case it will be falling from the pan into the fire.

'You don't really believe that, do you?'

'I need some quiet, Milly. Do you mind?' I screamed in my head. I did not want her interrupting thoughts. I needed to find a way forward and I can only do it if I focus.

I thought of Samantha. I heard that she had met her mate at a mating party held at the park and had moved away with him to his own pack. Since I got back, I have sent messages to her to come see me as my circumstance has changed. I owed her a lot. My sanity during my days as a maid here, my safety when I was exiled and her friendship was always invaluable. She had promised to come see me and I was still expecting her.

After a while, I felt drowsy. I wanted to rest my head on the stones there and nap for a while but I know Sylvester would say it was not becoming for the future Luna to do that. Not that I care for his thoughts but I wanted to sleep comfortably on a good bed.

I started back. As I was about to turn the part that would lead me to the palace, I met Christopher - again. My heart fluttered and my wolf leapt happily and ...lustfully? Was this male sent to take away my peace?

'Millicent, it's you. Where have you been?' he asked.

'Christopher, are you stalking me?' I asked.

'Of course, not! I was just trying to walk off my frustration when I saw you coming in. I wasn't aware you were still out!' he said, looking pained.

I felt bad that my words had hurt him. Millicent! I screamed at myself. This will not do at all. You have to take control of your emotions for goodness sake!

It was just that I could identify with what he had just said. I had gone to the stream to cool off as well but I wasn't going to tell him that.

'It's okay. I'm just not in my element today', I said by way of apology for my rudeness.

'Millicent...', he said, holding my hands.I had not realised he had drawn close to me. That shock again as our hands made contact! 'Oh, Millicent, what will I do with you? You can never not be in your element. To me, you'll always be perfect!' he said looking into my eyes and I could hear the ring of sincerity in his voice. And the deep feeling in his eyes and found myself responding to it. Christopher must have seen something in my eyes because he swore and captured my lips with his in a searing kiss. I was lost. I could not resist. Did not want to....

He inserted his tongue into my mouth and I moaned with pleasure. I was feeling light - headed and an ache was developing, in the region between my thighs.

Our hands were almost every where on each other's bodies. We were almost tearing off our clothes, 'I want to claim you for myself, sweet Millicent', his husky voice penetrated the fog in my head and sanity returned as once again, I pushed him away. 'What do you think you are doing?' I asked breathing heavily, my body and my wolf crying out their protest at the delicious thing I had interrupted. But I couldn't allow what Christopher had in mind to happen, no matter how much I wanted it myself!

'What does it feel like I am doing, sweetheart?' he asked, trying once more to reach for me. I would be crazy to allow him touch me again, especially now that my body wanted nothing more than his touch. I must be going out of my mind.'We belong together, and you know it. Why is it so hard to admit and accept?' he asked in frustration when I stepped back, causing his hands to fall to his side.

'I have something to do. And please, keep your hands to yourself in the future!' I said, walking away. As I made to enter into the reception hall, Christopher called me back.

'Millicent, do you have to go in now? Let's take a walk together', he offered. I would have loved nothing better but I was scared that my body would betray me again. My wolf was already so restless, I was having trouble controlling her. 'No thanks. I need to nap for a while'.

'I promise not to touch you', he said, coming towards me, as though he could read my mind.

I raised my hand, palm facing him, in a halting gesture. 'Please. Don't come any closer!' I ordered and he stopped in mid stride. 'I just said I needed to rest for a while'.

He nodded, swallowing and I went in without a backward glance, knowing he was still there, watching me move away from him.

I climbed the stairs deep in thought, on my way to my room. I heard voices screaming at each other. It was not uncommon but there was something about one of the voice that drew me towards the door.

Then I heard, Sylvester's voice. What was he doing in Christopher's room in his absence? What kind of question is that? I asked myself. He is the Alpha and Christopher is his brother! He can go into any room he chooses especially his own brother's room.

But what he said as I got to the door stopped me cold.

'Like I said earlier, I do not feel as angry towards her like I did in the past. I am also sorry for deceiving her into helping me preserve my throne. But that's that. What I feel might just be gratitude or just likeness. It is not something you should be bothered about!' Sylvester said and I knew instantly who he was referring to. What other female was going to help him secure his throne?

'Thank you so much', Cathania said and placed her arms round Sylvester's neck, kissing him. And he was kissing her right back. Then Cathania said,

'You know, your brother is really wise. He left because he knew we are love birds who needed privacy to explore each other. Let's not disappoint him. Let us use this privacy judiciously'.

Not that I was surprised to hear this nor see them together. Not at all. It wasn't the first time. I had known he was deceiving me or rather, he felt he was deceiving me.

I wanted to sneak away but Sylvester got up and looked towards me. He swore and Cathania looked to see what was causing distress to her lover. When she saw me, she was shocked at first but recovered very fast and smiled smugly at me.

I ran away before Sylvester could recover sufficiently enough to stop me. I ran into my room, locked the door and flung myself on the bed. I did not do this because I was jealous. Far from it. But I had to a t like I was, else how would Sylvester think that I really liked him? Though I am beginning to think that I may not need him to achieve my goals since I now have Christopher. I would still be the Luna if I married Christopher.

I saw Cathania's face again, smiling smugly and I wanted to wipe that smile of the bitch's face.

The garden and other secret meeting places were no longer enough. They had to come into the palace, without showing any respect to the Luna - to - be!

And what was that she said about Sylvester's brother being wise and giving them privacy? Was Christopher in with them on this deception of theirs? But of course! I have always known that he was the same as his brother or even worse. He just got here the other day and has been trying to charm his way into my heart, pretending to be sincere when all the while he was in cohort with his brother to deceiving me into securing their throne. Well, they haven't seen anything yet!

'Are you serious right now?' Milly again!

'What, now!' I snapped angrily.

'Why are you angry? Is it that you feel deeply for Christopher and are hurt that he may have betrayed you? Or is your anger directed at Sylvester for cheating on you with Cathania?'

I was shocked at her assessment but maybe I shouldn't be, she was in my head and knew my thoughts. I was angry that Sylvester was not only cheating on me but was now doing it in the open with no thoughts whatsoever about how I'd feel, assuming I was actually falling in love with him like he so arrogantly boasted to Cathania in the garden. I was hurt that Christopher may be working with them as well. We're his professed feelings for me affected then? Was he feigning his attraction for me?

'You are impossible, Millicent, do you know that?', Milly said incredulous.' You feel it too, the bond. Can such a thing be feigned? If it is, then you are feigning what we have been feeling as well!'

'If he is to be trusted, then why did he leave the room for them?' I screamed in my head.

'Isn't it obvious?' Milly asked reasonably. 'He wanted to give them privacy while he goes in search of his mate. And will be you! He might have felt that if he could make these two realise they belong together, then you could be with him. You have led him to thinking that you can't be with him because Sylvester!'

That made sense but I was not about to give up, not just yet.

Then, 'Knock, knock, knock ', sounded on the door. I knew who it must be but I wasn't going to open the door.

'Open this door, Millicent, please', Sylvester pleaded.

'Go away!' I said. 'You cheat!'

'You don't know that, do you?' he asked. 'Open up, let me explain!'

'You mean so you can weave more lies to me?'

'Open up, and after listening to me, you can decide it my words were lies or not!' he said, tensely.

I wanted to remain stubborn but I relented, got up from the bed and walked towards the door. At the door, I sighed before turning the lock and opening the door. Here we go, I thought. Getting ready to listen to his lies.

'Millicent', he started holding both my hands and pulling me towards a chair, as soon as I opened the door.

I flung his hands off me. It was not hard to do that because apart from being angry with him for his duplicity, his touch irritated me.

'Do not be angry.Christopher...' he started again.

'Oh, you are going to blame this on Christopher?' I asked, looking at him with disgust.

'No, you are not giving me a chance to explain!' he said. 'I was having a discussion with him, about the mate issue. You must have realised by now that we are both mated to you', he paused, looking at me as though waiting for me to say something. So that was why they were in Christopher's room! I had wondered why Sylvester did not choose his own room to mate with Cathania. When I didn't respond, Sylvester nodded and continued. 'When Cathania barged in on us under the pretense of having heard us arguing. From there, she started asking about you and how I felt about you'.

'I know how you feel, Sylvester, - gratitude for what I want to help you for, something about your throne, what do you mean by that?' I asked feigning ignorance.

'Oh that, forget it. It was all a means of getting Cathania to leave me in peace. She started crying when I told her I loved you. If you had arrived earlier, you would have overheard me confessing it to Cathania. She started crying and I hate to see a female crying. So I tried to pacify her and her way of showing gratitude was to kiss me'.

'And you kissed her back!' I said. 'You spared no thought to how I'd feel if I got to know about it!'

'Were you jealous?' he asked ' because if that is the case, then I am flattered because it means you care for me', he smiled and at that instant, he looked so much like Christopher that I caught my breath.

'Do you believe me?' he asked and I snapped out of my day dream. Damnation! It was bad enough having feelings for Christopher. Was I going to start transferring feelings from brother to the next? Then, I shall be truly cursed!

'It's okay. May I get a little rest now?' I asked.

'Have you forgiven me? he asked.

'I just said everything was okay. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to relax'.

He wanted to say more, but thought better of it and walked out the door, shutting it gently behind him.