Not Obligated

Even after Gamma has long left, I remain deeply rooted to my seat, our discussion reverberating in my ears and replaying in my mind like some scenes from the TV.

It wasn't strange for an Alpha to have a mate and then whores. But Luca's father didn't. No, his father was dead-loyal to his mother, such that at some point, they got the title of the Golden couple and were looked up to by other wolves.

The difference between us is that my status isn't achieved because I was his true mate, no, there wasn't the so-called love-pull, delicious scent or whatever bond many experience. We were just some adults engaged by their parents. Until this very moment, I have always believed that one day would come when the Moon Goddess would finally officiate us together because we were meant to be as husband and wife.

What I felt for my husband… could never be fully reciprocated. I have always admired him since I was a child, though the feeling was clearly never returned. I could see it in his eyes that what he felt for me wasn't what I felt for him. My father was the Beta to his father and also a great friend, and before their deaths, they decided to engage us so we could lead the pack to greater heights.

We were really close as teenagers, though. He was like the cool, handsome hottie next door, and I would feel my heart race and thump whenever he was near.

I would almost melt under his electric touch, and my blush would be as red as a ripe tomato when his eyes lingered for even a few seconds, sending waves of passion through my entire body.

I love this man.

I've been waiting patiently for the day he would like me as much as I like him, but now, he refuses to speak with me, totally occupied with some Western b*tch. And now, I heard she was likely to be his whore too… an indirect way of saying I'm not enough for him. I'm not what he wants.

I felt my heart break in my chest, and my skin felt pricked with needles.

I wanted to turn back and go to his office, but I knew very well that I would be chased out this time around.

And I needed my dignity as the Luna.

But can I really sit still and wait until he comes for me himself?

Knowing the kind of man he is, I shouldn't be too hopeful…

But then… I didn't need to wait long. Not even thirty minutes passed before I was told Luca called for me.

I took a deep breath and didn't waste any time as I stepped out of the room, followed closely by my maid.

I feared what had happened earlier had circulated around the pack, and now, there were lots of murmurs I couldn't ignore with my sharp hearing.

I clenched my hands, finally arriving at his office.

He was sitting behind his desk, a mountain of files already piled on his table, mostly the ones needing his particular signature. I had already gone through them, as I should have.

I sat before him, staring at his face with a schooled expression, though I could barely stop myself from demanding answers to my thousand questions.

"Make room arrangements for Donatella," he said, raising his gaze to stare at me, his expression authoritative. "I trust you'll give her the best."

My ears buzzed with disbelief after a moment of dead silence.

It took me at least a minute to recover.

And once I did, I almost laughed out of pure anger.

Did he just say that?

Or have my ears started betraying me, just like he seems to be doing?

I had no idea which was right.

But I knew I could never be wrong in hearing.

I took a deep breath, trying to stop myself from firing off, to keep my cool and act properly. But I couldn't deny the anger boiling in my stomach like coals, my eyes growing fiery as they stared at him.

I demanded, in a calm voice, "Who is she?"

Of course, I knew her already. But did he?

"Donatella," he responded, spinning the pen on the files as he scribbled his signature.

"Are you having fun toying with my emotions, Luca?" I glared at him, unable to hold in my emotions. "You knew that wasn't what I asked."

But my outburst was met with silence as he continued, fully devoted to the file. Seeing him act like this, I couldn't help but grit my teeth, snatch the pen from him, and put it down. "I need an answer."

I held my breath, watching intently as I finally had his attention. His gaze was on me, cool obsidian eyes with a hint of disdain.

"I'm not obligated to give you one."