Vendetta: Mafia's Deadly Game

Betrayal (l)

[Linda Pov]

[Flashback]

"How long will you sit here in your dead mother's room, Linda? It's been a month since she died."

I lifted my head upon hearing my father's voice, my eyes heavy with sorrow and weariness. The room remained untouched, adorned with my mother's possessions, as if trapped in a moment frozen in time. Once more, I turned my gaze towards my mother's photograph. Her smile greeted me from the frame on her dresser, her eyes wide open and filled with joy, devoid of any trace of pain or sadness.

As her lengthy blonde hair was neatly tied up in a bun, it exposed the pallid complexion of her face, which had faded with the passing years. However, even in this moment, her beauty remained captivating. I could feel tears forming within me, and I had to restrain them from streaming down my face.

"Now that you are eight months pregnant, you should not take too much stress in such a condition," he advised me, white sitting on a chair. I gently rubbed my swollen belly and sighed as I leaned back, feeling the weight of my growing baby inside me.

"I know, Dad," I replied, trying to sound calm despite the anxiety that had been building up inside me. "But I won't leave you alone and anyway Gabriel knows so he doesn't mind me staying here."

"And why would he have a problem with this?"

Though I am Gabriel Hernandez's Luna, but being the daughter of the Silverclaw pack's alpha, Ashford Maxwell I'm the Alpha here, the first female alpha in my pack's history, I thought.

"Even though he doesn't mind, still these pups need their father, and it's good for them to see their parents first as soon as they are born." My father is trying to convince me.

After listening to him, I gently caressed my belly, feeling the tiny kicks of life within, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and responsibility. These unborn pups were not just any ordinary members of our pack; they were destined to become the future leaders, the Alpha's of our Starfall pack.

I imagined the day when our soon-to-be born pups would take their first steps, their tiny paws leaving imprints on the same ground that their father had once walked. They would grow up under Gabriel's watchful eye, learning the ways of our pack, and understanding the importance of unity, loyalty, and respect.

Keeping both things in mind I decided to go back to the pack house.The rain was pouring down heavily outside. It dawned on me that exactly one year ago today, I had tied the knot with Gabriel amidst a similar downpour. "Stop, don't go alone in such weather, the driver will drop you," my father said, showing his concern.

"I'll be fine, don't worry," I responded from the comfort of the car seat. As the vehicle started moving, a mix of nostalgia and anticipation washed over me. Raindrops trickled down the window, obscuring the sight of the well-known streets and structures. Recollections of that rainy wedding day flooded my thoughts, evoking a smile on my lips.

As I emerged from the car, the rain cascading down, I instinctively wrapped my coat snugly around my body. Before me, the pack house loomed, exuding an air of grandeur and majesty. The distant echoes of wolf howls reached my ears, creating an eerie yet captivating ambiance. As I crossed the threshold into the pack house, the familiar aroma of moist soil and pine enveloped me, evoking a sense of comfort and nostalgia.

I encountered only beta Liam in the hallway, so I inquired about the whereabouts of the alpha.

For some reason, he appeared surprised to find me here at this time, perhaps due to the hour.

"Luna, had you desired to return, you would have informed me beforehand, and I would have personally fetched you." However, due to the unpredictable shifts in my pregnancy emotions, it was arduous for me to remain present and engage in conversation with him. Consequently, disregarding his words, I reiterated my inquiry, "Where can your alpha be found?"

"Alpha has gone to the city for a meeting," replied Delta Ella, who had probably come over to hear us.

"Why is he having a meeting at this time? I'm really surprised," I exclaimed, taken aback. It was unusual for him to go to the city for meetings, especially in the evening. Trying to conceal my anxiety, I asked, "Do you know when he'll be back?"

Delta Ella paused for a moment before responding, "I'm not certain. He didn't mention the duration of the meeting. Usually, when something like this occurs, he doesn't return home at night."

"What is the significance of 'Don't come back'? And what are these meetings that go on late into the night?" I inquired, raising my voice a bit to get Beta Lima's attention. He averted his gaze in response.

I had already grasped the meaning behind his gesture. "How long has this been going on?" I asked.

"For about a month now, Luna," Delta Ella responded.

Curiosity and anxiety consumed me as I persisted, "What is the purpose of these meetings?" My voice quivered slightly. I craved immediate answers, and I couldn't wait any longer.

Beta Lima let out a deep sigh, his posture drooping. "Luna, we cannot disclose this information to you. It is for your own protection."

Upon hearing his words, a wave of disappointment washed over me. Safety? What could be occurring that would jeopardize my well-being? I had always considered myself a respected leader within this pack, living an ordinary existence. However, it appeared that an entirely different realm existed, unbeknownst to me.

Delta Ella approached, her expression filled with worry. "Luna, we never intended to withhold this information from you, but circumstances forced our hand. It's in your best interest to remain unaware."

I vehemently disagreed, feeling a surge of frustration. "No, that's unacceptable. I have the right to know what's happening. I have the right to be involved in whatever is unfolding."

Without seeking input or heeding the advice of others, I retraced my steps alone. I didn't know about his meetings, I was well aware of one familiar location we frequented - his apartment. As I sped through the rain, I had momentarily forgotten the existence of two lives within me. After a considerable drive, I found myself standing before a beautiful apartment, consumed by a wave of apprehension.

I released a deep breath, attempting to calm my thoughts before entering the apartment. Familiar with its digital lock, I effortlessly entered the code and the door swung open. After shutting the door behind me, I paused to take in my surroundings. The living room was dimly illuminated, and the silence was overwhelming, intensifying the rapid flow of thoughts in my mind.

I gazed upon the ajar entrance to my bedroom, a space once shared by Gabriel and me. Faint murmurs reached my ears, emanating from within. A soft glow seeped through the partially open door, suggesting the presence of a dimly lit source. Stealthily, I approached the room, careful not to create any disturbance. As I peered through the narrow gap, disbelief washed over me at the sight that unfolded before my eyes.

My husband is f*****g another woman. He was kissing her on her neck. He pushed his hand inside her shirt and groped it on her breast. My hands were trembling so badly. I felt hot tears in my eyes. The moment he stripped her clothes my face burned with anger and embarrassment.

She was moaning loudly trying to make him not to stop. Her mouth opened wide as he entered deeper inside her. He started grinding hard inside of her pus*y. He started moving up and down in rhythm with her body. He grunted and groaned as he was going faster and faster. My heart sank as I stood frozen, unable to comprehend the scene unfolding before my eyes.

The room that once held cherished memories of love and intimacy now felt like a betrayal. Anger surged through my veins, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the painful sight. The woman's laughter echoed in the room, mocking the love we once shared. How could Gabriel do this to me? Gabriel, the person I trusted and loved, gave me this heart-wrenching pain. Questions swirled in my mind, each one more painful than the last.

Summoning every ounce of bravery I had left, I pushed the door open, causing it to creak loudly. Because the dim light illuminated the silhouette of my husband, Gabriel, entangled with another woman. The limited visibility made it difficult to discern the woman's face, or maybe I just wanted them to make me notice my presence here. A heavy silence descended upon the room as Gabriel and the woman abruptly turned towards me, their expressions a blend of surprise.

That woman was none other than my best friend, Sarah. I didn't know when it all started between my husband and her. However, witnessing them together in their current state today gave the impression that they had been acquainted for quite some time. Sarah, and I had been inseparable since childhood. We shared everything, from our deepest secrets to our wildest dreams, but I never imagined sharing my husband with her. I never imagined that she would be the one to stab me in the back.

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I struggled to find my voice. "How could you?" I managed to choke out, my voice trembling with a mix of hurt and anger.

I had often heard my husband speak of Sarah, praising her intelligence and beauty on numerous occasions. I had always brushed it off as mere admiration for a dear friend, never suspecting that there was something deeper going on.

The impact of realization struck me with great force. How oblivious had I been? The indications were unmistakable, right in front of me. The covert late-night conversations, the furtive gazes they shared when they believed nobody was observing. It all became crystal clear in that moment, and I was astounded by my previous lack of perception.

My sight becomes hazy. Subsequently, I regained consciousness in the hospital, only to be met with a distressing sight beside my bed where there lay a lifeless child, the sole offspring, tragically deceased.