The Reborn Luna: Alpha's Trophy Wife

Chapter 2 - The Reborn Omega

Meanwhile, in the Elohim Kingdom's underground, La Ondrae Of East~

"f**k! Why are there so many people on the streets? They move so fast that it gets hard to keep up with them!"

A man who almost got swept away outside in the crowd while talking with the alpha of his pack returned and expressed his annoyance with another as the servers refilled their glasses with the beer and served plates of food they ordered on their table.

They looked so famished that they forgot their manners and dug into them with their hands. Although they knew they were being charged double for the food, instead of throwing a fit because of this unfair treatment, these envoys from the kingdom started enjoying their dinner as they shared their frustration while chugging down the specially brewed beer in the underworld.

"It is about time the council sent their key members for negotiations. We are asked to make an appointment with one of the kings by the time they arrive. How are we supposed to do so when we have no clue where to find them in the underground city?"

"We aren't getting any special treatment as promised. On top of that, the inn owners here aren't allowing our guards to stay for the night! Had I known we would be treated like that, I wouldn't have taken this mission in the first place!"

"As if you could do that!" His friend snorted. "If we fail again, our family and the pack will be the ones to suffer next. Don't you understand the gravity of the situation we are in? We will be on the losing end if the regional war- "

The man paused upon realizing where they were. Only a fool discusses confidential matters so openly on the underboss's turf whose cooperation was needed to protect their land from their enemy's invasion. No matter how the underworld city is evolving at an astonishing rate, it doesn't take much time to turn into a hellhole, and every corner can be seen coated with a crimson hue.

No, they couldn't afford to annoy them. The man thought. Even if their pride hurts getting treated like that, they can only endure it. If something happened to them now, forget about negotiation, the key members wouldn't bat an eye at them and set them up instead.

"...if only we had one reliable ally here."

The man murmured to himself, but his companions heard him, and he smirked as he started to speak. "Have faith in our successors, Diego. They have been working hard. I am sure they will return with a good result."

"You think the plan will be successful?" The man was looking at his old friend like he had lost it. "I don't know what my daughter is thinking either! Did I spoil her so much that she no longer cares about her image? How could she hire assassins for..."

His voice trailed off in worry, but his friend smiled in response.

He also agreed that his friend's daughter was going too far this time with her obsession, but nothing sounded better than seeing the sorry sight of his son accepting that no-name omega as his fated mate. As a father, he couldn't let his heir bring disgrace to his clan.

Now, it was time for his son to make his decision. He had to show his loyalty today if he didn't want to lose his position to his cousin. And if his son lived off his expectations, they could talk to the assassins to take them to their leader, and once the deal was signed between the two parties, their clan would have the kingdom's favor.

With that hope in his eyes, the man looked out the window of the second floor and watched the crowded street.

The current underground city was bustling with people moving across the continents.

From weapon shops to diners, there was hardly any place left for people to move freely as they pleased, and there was this omega in her twenties, who was confident about her stealth, but unfortunately got caught coming to meet the mate who rejected her.

This place was her hometown she ran away from.

For someone previously affiliated with the assassin guild, Kenna knew how things would end for her once she set foot in the underworld city. She asked her mate to change the location of their meeting, but he asked her to be on time because it was urgent.

Fearing that he might be in danger, she immediately left her hideout after that phone call, and now she was getting badly beaten, but her ungrateful ex-mate did nothing to stop them and was coaxing his lover instead.

"...w, why?"

She gritted out, swallowing the pain. If only she hadn't been hit on the head, the situation would have been different. The attack caught her off-guard, and she was very cautious about not making her presence known.

"Why, you ask?" That brunette with him crouched down and gripped Kenna's bloodied jaw. "Because I told him so. You see, he listens to me more."

She said in a singsong tone, making Kenna's blood boil in anger.

"How dare an omega with no whereabouts dream of having what's mine?" Her tone hardened, and so did her grip. "You came here because you wanted to be his savior, didn't you, you b***h? I grant you this as your last wish. Your death will be enough for him. For you, I would have him hold a memorial every year. Just die, alright? That would make things easier for your mate."

"Let's go, Sam." The guy spoke monotonically before turning around.

Seeing his reaction, how he didn't look much affected by seeing his mate dying, his girlfriend looked pleased. She chimed and shoved Kenna away as she jogged to catch up. "Sorry, Honey, did I make you wait too long?"

"Our dads have been calling us nonstop. This place isn't convenient to talk to about this matter. We can't have them stress themselves anymore now that our plan has been successfully executed, can we?"

Kenna watched them leave, sounding happy as they chatted nonstop, but she still didn't understand their reason for hoping for her death. She quietly accepted her mate's rejection that day after seeing him with his lover. It was so she could avoid becoming a homewrecker again. Then why?

After escaping the underworld city, Kenna was on the run for quite some time. Then she went to a clinic one day after seeing this advertisement where a couple were looking for a surrogate. After so many check-ups, tests, and interviews, when she finally got selected as the applicant and thought she could hide for nine months in seclusion and get away from those who were after her life, she couldn't be so wrong in thinking she could have it easy after becoming a wealthy couple's surrogate.

If only Kenna had prioritized her little friend back home.

Lulu, that child... he begged her not to go and promised to scold his not-so-great father, but as hot-headed as she was, Kenna left him at his father's place and told him she would return with her mate. She wasn't truly looking forward to meeting her fated man, but it was because of that scoundrel of Luca's father, who was adamant about his belief that she was still aiming to be his wife using his innocent son, Kenna couldn't help but take that step to shut that bastard up for good.

Kenna did have a record of dating and swindling rich men, but it didn't give him the right to mistreat her. Who the hell was he to judge her without knowing her reasons? Was he in a position to judge her? He was the one who wasn't ready to accept his child as his first and drove his wife away over a non-existent misunderstanding! Despite being the surrogate, when Kenna adopted Luca, that man suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to claim Luca's custody!

Kenna knew she was despicable and heartless, yet she couldn't help but wish the goddess to help out her Lulu. She meant the whole world to him. He would rather die than ask for help from his father. How would he enroll in the academy next year? The possessions she left behind wouldn't be enough to make the end meet. Kenna promised to look after him for the rest of her life, and now...

Her cold body lay there in the dark alley. She lost consciousness long ago while agonizing over her choice to leave Luca like that. Couldn't she endure a bit more of his father's tyranny? She could always get back at him in her old ways, but she feared the impact it might leave on Luca's mind. That child didn't deserve this fate, and that's when, as his responsible guardian, she decided to end this game. Who would have thought she would die today?

Hours passed by, but no one came to check on her and take her to the hospital. It would be wrong to expect anything from the people in the underground city where people die anytime. Humanity doesn't exist here, and her existence would have been removed if it wasn't for that certain someone who came to her rescue on time.

*****

In the evening in the City Hospital's Special Ward, a patient in her late twenties had her consciousness gradually recovered for the first time in a long while in a vegetative state. This was all thanks to those nursemaids who started gossiping about topics that bugged her like never before.

For quite some time, random people had been showing up for no good reason. They talk about stuff that doesn't make sense to her and leave after making a fuss. The person in question wasn't supposed to have any children, but this child had a way of pulling her heartstrings and making her want to wake up and coax him until he cooled down and stopped sounding so broken.

The doctors had already said there was no hope left for her to make it past twenty-seven, even if she regained consciousness. The injuries she sustained were so severe that it would be next to impossible for her to recover her full vitality.

She was nothing more than an empty shell.

It was a statement from a wizard who came to see her. Someone like him specializing in healing magic was kicked out and quite cruelly at that. This made Naliah wonder who this person was trying hard to save her, and the very next time she swore to herself she wouldn't get involved with that little kid's father after listening to the nurses' gossip.

"Who would in their right mind want to mess with a father by introducing hundreds of father candidates to his son? I heard those meetings were arranged intentionally in the hotels he owns."

"Only a woman of his equal power could pull such a stunt on him. Are they ex-lovers or something?"

"It doesn't seem like it, though. I bet he is holding himself back from making this omega pay. Didn't you see how rudely his son behaved towards him last time? He told his father to get lost! Could these celebs' lives be any more dramatic?"

Children who have faced abandonment at an early age generally become distant from their parents. They become so cautious that it gets hard to make them put their guard down. Naliah had a fair share of experience with kids like them and tried to help them to some extent, but it all went in vain because of some parents who liked to talk with their fists.

His parents would be no different. Naliah thought. Otherwise, why would their child sound heartbroken and scream at his father whenever he sees him?

And, as for Naliah, who had never had a lover before, it would be a pipe dream to challenge this mysterious man's authority, whom even the egoistic Xavier wouldn't want to mess with, and try to please this man instead and give him whatever he asks.

Naliah slowly opened her eyes.

Her vision was foggy, her whole body was stiff, and then there was this tearing pain in her head that made her want to scream. But, of course, that was nothing compared to the hell her loved ones had put through and went to an extent to kill her.

Those painful memories with his family, pack, and lover rushed in like tidal waves. It caused an emotional turmoil in her heart. She wanted revenge but didn't have the luxury to do so. She knew too well that her life would be in danger again once she got discharged from the hospital. What did she ever do to deserve this? All she wanted was acceptance from her loved ones.

This wasn't fair. Naliah put her life in danger many times for her pack, but they let the criminals off the hook. She did so much for her betrothed and his pack, but she met death instead, and no one came to her rescue.

"Does it hurt a lot, Miss Kenna?"

Naliah saw a silhouette approaching.

Engrossed in her thoughts, she couldn't tell when the others had left and brought the doctor for her. She tried to open her mouth to respond, but not a single word came out. She couldn't help her emotions and started crying like that after regaining consciousness.

Suddenly, she felt like her head would explode. She started seeing fragments of memories of a young girl she had never met before. The pain became so extreme that she felt like throwing up, even though her stomach was empty.

Who were those people? Why were they beating that girl until all her bones were broken, especially her hands?

Those memories were so terrifying that Naliah started wheezing. More tears rolled down her face, and her condition caused a commotion in her ward. They weren't prepared for this, much less to see that the patient would start hyperventilating right after waking up after five years and get triggered by hearing her own name.

Their hasty steps held urgency, but Naliah didn't notice any of it and felt a tearing pain in her heart. Seeing Kenna getting treated like that, Naliah couldn't help but curse the moon goddess. Just what kind of grudge had she been holding against omegas?

"It's okay; we got you. We'll bring you to health in no time."

Naliah heard the doctor's reassurance and her gentle touch on her face.

"Calm down now, okay? Everything will be fine, don't worry."

Somehow, that uncertainty-filled remark eased the tension in her mind. Those tears she shed reminiscing about that unknown girl's past and hers, and then the migraines all took a toll on her worn-out body, and just like that, Naliah lost consciousness before the doctor got the time to inject drugs.

Being on strong medication, she couldn't wake up for a long time, and when she did, Naliah came face to face with the individual who was most probably Kenna's business partner who was related to her adopted son.

The man made his presence known right after her second session with the doctors, but she still couldn't look away from the black screen of the attached TV on the wall, where she could see the reflection of that one regal but vibrant girl in her memories.

Something only possible in the books is happening to her.

She wasn't interested in theology, but the bishop lent her a few books after her baptism. There was some ritual Naliah was asked to follow after coming into Xavier's pack, and that was where she learned about souls.

Those who can't go to the afterlife, the church leveled them as heretics or devil's incarnations. And now Naliah possesses Kenna's body. What does that make her then? She never committed any sin, yet her soul became corrupted!

Gritting her teeth, Naliah pushed those thoughts away and cussed the moon goddess again.

"It seems your injuries were quite serious."

The chain of her thoughts broke when the man finally opened his mouth and spoke to her.

"The doctor says you forget your memories; you can't even tell where you are from or your name." He furrowed his brows at her, eyes holding malice, but didn't move an inch from his place. "You can at least remember who I am, right?"

The first time he walked in, the man standing before her had a subtle smile, but Naliah could see a distant look in his deep, dark ocean-blue eyes. He was hard to approach and hard to deceive, but, being Kenna, she didn't feel intimidated by his presence.

Even still, Naliah couldn't help but be alerted and responded like a normal amnesia patient.

"...my benefactor?"

His expression turned clinical. It made her curious to know what thoughts he was having in his mind.

The doctors brought it when Naliah told them she couldn't remember anything, but this man didn't look like he was buying it. There was no telling what he might do, so she tried to look as natural as possible while being herself.

"I heard it was you who brought me to the hospital. I am very thankful for that." Her voice held gratitude for him. "You should be compensated for the inconvenience I caused, but there isn't much I can give you or be of any help."

"Compensate me? You think you could settle this matter with money after the hell you put me through?!" The man instantly responded, looking furious. "We were f*****g married, Kenna. How could you commit adultery when we have a child together?"

Naliah gaped at him. "E, excuse me?"

Kenna and this guy were married!

Naliah couldn't believe what she had heard just now.

Not every couple lives together after marriage; Naliah was aware of that and had always been against these marriage setups, but she was no one to interfere with someone's personal life. This couple probably had a reason of their own just like hers. Even her kingdom pushed her to marry her dead sister's fiancé to save her pack, so... maybe that's why?! But then why was there no memory of their marriage or them living under the same roof with their son?

"Do I look like I'm joking!?" He almost snarled, restraining himself from causing a scene. "You have a family, and yet you left for an insignificant man?! How could you... for a mere bond? Huh? Does it feel great to die for him?"

Her heart dropped in the pit of her stomach.

Not everything Naliah saw in those fragments of memories made much sense to her, but it was also enough for her to figure out who was behind her death. It was her mate... and surprisingly enough, this girl wasn't harboring any hard feelings against him.

How could Kenna not feel resentful towards someone who took her life, but had a bitter feeling towards her child's father?

Naliah was confused as hell. It didn't help how this man in front of her was acting up now.

There wasn't much in her memory to confirm whether he was lying or telling the truth. Luckily, Kenna had sustained an internal injury to her head, else Naliah's excuse of amnesia wouldn't have sounded so convincing.

"Well, whatever. It isn't any of my business anyway."

His scoff made her look up.

"Look, Kenna, I am fine with you forgetting me, but Luca..." He exhaled sharply and pinned her with his piercing gaze, "...you have no right to play with his feelings. I won't allow it. I have tolerated your insolence all this time looking at his face, but not anymore. If you don't change your old ways now, I will hold a press conference and tell the whole world about our marriage!"