Chapter 30

Daphne’s POV

I was in my room, I felt like time stopped, I paced around my room as my gaze landed on my wedding dress, I felt like it mocked me saying how are you going to wear me when your man is distracted.

Gideon only focused on Leo and now on her.

I held my breath as I felt my blood boil with anger. I have been patient, I have learned all the things that Luna should do, and earned the elder's respect while bearing Gideon’s indifference. And now, after everything, he allowed some nameless warrior woman to worm her way into his home? Into his heart?

No, I can't let this happen, I held onto the corner of the vanity as I thought. He didn’t even realize it yet. But I definitely did. I saw how his eyes looked at her gently when she spoke, the way his eyes followed her whenever she was near.

Gideon once loved Claire, I managed to push her aside. If Raven reminds him of Claire, then I won't stand a chance.

And the worst thing that ever happened to me is Leo. That little brat never let me and Gideon spend time together. All attention is focused on him.

Because of Leo, Gideon found Raven and now I feel like their bond is getting stronger making Gideon shut me out completely because of it.

I clenched my fists tightly, leaving marks on my palm. He should be looking at me. He should be choosing me.

She turned toward the silver vial sitting on the corner of her vanity. Wolfsbane. A bitter, deadly flower, reduced to a few drops of liquid ruin.I got it months ago. It was tucked away in a secret compartment in case of an emergency. And now that moment has arrived.

At first I felt scared knowing I am about to kill a child and commit a crime. But then I remember how Gideon’s hand gently held Raven’s arm. I remembered how Leo ran into Raven’s arms.

Raven felt more like a mother than I could ever be. The anger I felt stopped my hesitation. “If Leo is gone for good”, I whispered “Raven and nova will have no choice but to return to their pack.”

I looked at myself in the Mirror with determination, My decision was final.

I called in for a servant. After a moment a young maid entered my room, she looked at me timidly yet nervously knowing I was up to something.

The young maid gulped “What can I do for you Madam?”

I quickly grabbed her hand and placed the vial in her hand and curled her fingers around it. “Make sure you put this in Leo’s food,” I instructed coldly, my tone was soft yet firm.

The maid got scared and her face turned pale. “M-my lady… that’s wolfsbane.”

My smile was malicious “You’re clever, then. Good. This makes things a lot easier for me.”

The maid looked at me as if she was seeing a monster for the first time and took a shaky step back and shook her head “I can’t. Please Madam he is the future heir, I can’t betray Alpha Gideon– Leo is just a child.”

Before the maid could leave I quickly grabbed her wrist in a painful grip making her whimper. “You can. And you will. Or your family will pay the price. I know where they live. I know how weak they are without you.”

The maid finally broke down and started sobbing. Her shoulders shook while crying. I leaned close to her ear and whispered maliciously “Do as I say, and no one will ever know. Defy me, and you’ll lose more than your job. Do you understand?”

The maid wiped her tears before they fell on her cheek as she nodded reluctantly. She held the vial tightly and her knuckles turned white. I released her with a satisfied sigh, watching her flee from the room.

After the maid left, the silence in my room returned. I walked towards the window to look at the courtyard, my gaze hardened when I saw Gideon. He stood at the edge of the terrace, watching the children below.

I saw Leo laughing, his voice echoed around happily as he was running after that little girl called Nova. I last saw Raven who was always there protecting Leo. Even though she wore a mask that didn't hide her bright happy eyes, whenever one of the kids stumbled she was there to steady them.

This scene made me extremely jealous and angry.

I should have been in place of Raven. That should have been my place. I held onto the windowsill tightly. My family. My future.

I clenched my fist against my chest as I took deep breaths as I masked my jealousy with a perfect smile. Soon, it would all be over. Raven’s increasing influence, Leo’s innocent laughter, Gideon’s curious obsession—it would all end soon.

I pressed my hand to the cool glass, whispering to the scene below.

“Enjoy it while you can. Tomorrow, everything changes.”

Gideon’s POV

I looked at the file in my hand but I was not able to focus on it, I kept on glancing towards the courtyard where the children and Raven were. Most of the time I would have focused on working but now I felt like work was not everything.

When I saw them playing, I wanted to leave the office and join them and spend time with them like a..family.

Whenever I see Raven..everything about her keeps on reminding of Claire. The way Raven gently poked Leo’s head, reminded me of how Claire used to playfully poke my head too.

Raven’s habits were exactly like Claire’s like she was the exact reflection of her.

It made me wonder if Claire was still alive would she treat Leo the same way Raven does. Would Claire find it amusing that there is someone just like her?

I shook my head as I realized, I have been reading too much into it. Raven is here just to keep Leo safe, but now she has become a big part of his life. Should I be worried about it? My boy doesn't even know who his real mother is.

I sighed softly as I looked at the picture of Leo and me. I am marrying Daphne so she could be Leo's mother but somehow Raven entered our lives and became more motherly then Daphne could ever be.

Daphne has known me since we were young, she had been a great friend but now it somehow changed. After Claire disappeared it was as if Daphne changed into a completely different person.

Now I feel like she is taking us for granted, I was not really happy about it.

After she got us she has been trying to increase her political power as the future Luna.

Yet Raven is completely different from her, even though she is strictly here to protect Leo, she never made him feel that she is here just for work. But she took care of him in every way possible she could just like a real mother.

Maybe because she already has a daughter she knows how to treat children right..

I was getting very Curious about this mysterious bodyguard.

“Who is Raven exactly?” I murmured to myself.