Behind The Luna’s Mask

3. A BARGAIN FOR A NEW LIFE

LIORA’s POV

I slowly stirred, my eyelids fluttering open as the haze of weariness began to lift. My head throbbed badly, pounding so hard as though it was about to fall off my neck.

As soon as my eyes were fully open, I immediately took note of my surroundings. The room around me is bathed in soft, golden light, spilling on the curtain's intricate patterns. The walls are painted with hints of sapphire and burgundy, the colors so rich and deep.

My mind became clouded and confused, I took in the unfamiliar surroundings. The air is cool and carries the subtle scent of incense, calming yet mysterious.

My fingers brush against the soft, silk sheets of the bed I lie in, the fabric cool to the touch, contrasting with the warmth of my skin.

As I struggled to sit up, every muscle in my body ached, but the beauty of the room almost distracted me from the lingering disorientation.

Just then memories of the unfortunate night came knocking me down with full force and I wish they never did. I wish I never had to remember how much hurt Dorian caused me.

Fresh tears welled up in my eyes as I reflected on when my older brother, Rex died one year ago. Dorian was the one who delivered the news to my Dad and me.

They had both gone hiking in the mountains. According to his words, Rex stepped away to receive a phone call while he was faced with a group of interlopers. They were not a part of our pack and when Dorian challenged them for trespassing, a fight broke out. He said he fought them off with every fiber of his being. He was able to batter up two badly out of four and then Rex came to his rescue. Unfortunately, one of the interlopers pushed Rex down the mountain, causing his untimely death.

I could vividly remember how Dorian wept while narrating the story to everyone in the Pack. He even had bruises all over his skin and his clothes were soaked with blood to back up his claim.

Who would have thought Dorian was indeed my brother's killer? They were best friends!

My eyes stung as more tears cascaded down my cheeks. Although Rex and I weren't that close, I loved him still. He showed me love even in the littlest ways. Sometimes, he would ask my servant to bring me some gifts without mentioning he was the one. I only found out from her after his death. And it was after his death, that my Dad decided to bless Dorian as the next Alpha and as my husband even before we wedded.

Sadly two weeks after Rex’s death, my Dad died too. Everyone in the Pack including me, thought he passed away because he couldn't bear the pain of losing his only son, his heir-apparent. Not knowing he was actually killed in his sleep.

Recalling the proud smile on Dorian's face when he said "And your Dad too." I broke down uncontrollably. I was too hurt about my situation to really care about where I am now.

If I happened to be kidnapped then so be it. What is my life worth anyway? How could I bear to live, knowing that I almost got married to the man behind my father and brother's death? A man who never loved me.

"Are you crying because you almost made me responsible for taking your life, or do you think you've been kidnapped?" A voice interrogated from across the room, causing me to freeze in my spot.

Sniffling, I wiped off my teary eyes and tried to see who the person was, but I was unable to figure him out as he was standing in the shadows.

"You have not answered my question, young lady!" He bellowed. His voice splits through the tension in the atmosphere.

"I-I" Swallowing hard and scrambling for words at the same time, I made to stand from the bed but he commanded authoritatively.

"Sit!"

I instantly plopped my ass back on the bed. There was something about him. Something about his tone commands respect without question.

I took in a deep breath and then managed to respond. "I am sorry, I wasn't looking at the road properly."

"Glad you know that. You made me worried about you for an entire day when I should have been focused on more pressing issues."

An entire day? Have I been here for an entire day? I thought to myself.

Suddenly, he stepped into the light, and every thought racing through my head, dissipated into thin air.

He was Alpha Drayton Steele. The most feared Alpha across the Lycan county. The most influential and ruthless Alpha. I have seen him on TV countless times but seeing him up close, had me tongue-tied.

He stood in the soft glow of the illuminating bulbs. His chiseled jawline and high cheekbones framed a face that was both sharp and soft, a perfect balance of strength and warmth. His eyes—deep, intense, and impossibly blue—held a gaze that felt like it could see right through you. His hair, dark and slightly tousled from taking a bath, curled effortlessly his temples, adding a hint of ruggedness to his otherwise polished appearance.

"I am so sorry, Alpha" I immediately bowed. "I didn't mean to cause you any worries."

Still with my head lowered, I could hear him strut across the room, towards me then he stopped only a couple of feet away, directly facing me.

"Raise your head."

I obeyed.

"Now, I want to know the reason why a young lady like you, would be walking under the rain, at night with no care in the world."

Dreading the memories of last night all over again, my chest tightened as I reluctantly opened my mouth to speak. I narrated everything to Alpha Drayton, who paid sole attention without interrupting me. And when I was done, his gaze softened.

"You mean Alpha Dorian, your fiance did this to you?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"And do you have any evidence against him?"

"No, Alpha. Everything happened so fast and I don't know how he played me perfectly without me suspecting a thing." I replied.

Alpha Drayton heaved a sigh. "Damn, I have had a couple of business meetings with Dorian but not once did I assume he could do something like this."

I clamped my teeth on my lip, not knowing what to add to that.

"Is there any way you intend to fight him back?" He queried while I shook my head.

"There is none. My uncle would have been the only leverage I had, but he conspired with him."

Suddenly, Alpha Drayton covered the distance between us and sat on the lone chair situated beside the headrest of the bed. "And what if I tell you there's a way to help you get back at him?"

Readjusting myself on the spot, I asked softly. "What way, Alpha?"

Silence befell us for a minute before he broke it.

"You will become my wife."

His wife? My brows furrowed in confusion. If there was one thing I know, Alpha Drayton is married. He has been married to Luna Stacy for a year now. Their wedding was the talk of the entire county. Plus, it had me wishing mine could be like that too.

"But you are married." I found myself blurting out. It sounded more like a statement than a question.

"Yes, I am." He responded truthfully. "The thing is—Stacy got into an accident two weeks ago. Unfortunately, the doctor declared her brain dead a week ago and I do not want anyone to find out about this." Pausing for a moment, he leaned forward and looked at me dead straight in the eyes. "Well, I have been finding it difficult to let Stacy go. Since you have almost the same physique as her, I’d like to give you a new life.”

A new life? I asked myself, wondering how he intended to do that.

"Liora...this is a difficult choice for me but I'm offering it to you. You are going to have all the power in the world but that will mean taking my wife's place. Her occupation, her name, her family, her position as my Luna, and also her face."

Chills surged through my spine as my mouth fell open. What?

Unfazed by my shocked reaction, Alpha Drayton continued. "You need a new life to be able to get back at your ex-fiance, while I need a wife. If you agree to this, my doctor will prepare you for a cosmetic surgery to have your appearance changed. Are you okay with this or not?"

My chest heaved.

I could tell he demanded answers from his questioning eyes, but this was too much for me.

How do I go from Liora Daniels to Stacy Steele in the blink of an eye?

But then, the realization dawned on me. Liora Daniels's life ended the moment her ex-fiance betrayed her.

Dorian promised to publish the news of my cheating scandal across all media in one week. By then, my life would be ruined because no man wants a cheater for a wife.

This ought to be the best way to get back at him without being suspected. After all, Stacy was a lawyer, a wife to the most powerful Alpha, and one of the most influential women to ever exist. Even if I lived for a hundred years, I could never achieve that.

Not believing what I was about to say next, I stared at Alpha Drayton and said. "I agree."