Chapter 5 (Confusion)

• Valerio Hawthorne
• "Come on, hahaha... I told you I would beat your ass off today," Eduardo teased, grinning as he strategically moved the rooks horizontally on the left.
• Shit!!
• I let out an exasperated groan while shooting him a playful eye roll. Thinking about my next move as I dragged my tongue across my lips. Glancing around, I searched for the perfect square to make my next move.
• It was a sunny afternoon, and the sky painted a brilliant shade of blue, without a single cloud in sight. The golden rays of the sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on our faces as we engaged in our chess match.
• As I noticed the triumphant grin spread across Eduardo's face, I quickly made my move, sliding the bishop to the right. I paused, feeling a wave of confusion wash over me as I tried to comprehend the reason behind his sudden wide smile. My eyes darted between the chessboard and Eduardo, and suddenly, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized that my seemingly innocent move had inadvertently handed him an easy opportunity to win. My eyes widened, and my jaw clenched in frustration.
• But right before he could make a move, I couldn't help but interrupt, blurting out, "Hey!"
• He paused midway, raising his brow at me, and replied, "What?”
• “You are now cheating,”
• "How...how? Come on, admit it, I've got you beat," he chuckled, flashing a mischievous grin my way.
• I pinched the edge of my nose and gave him a sharp glare. "I'm not playing again," I said firmly, pushing the chessboard towards him and taking a step back.
• "Come on, just swallow your pride and beg me, and maybe I'll teach you a few tricks," he taunted, chuckling as he moved his square to the right side of the chessboard.
• "Dang!" His eyes sparkled with excitement as they met mine. “Hahaha….. I am fucking that girl you had last weekend, I won you,”
• Really?
• I let out a sigh and leaned my head back on the couch, chuckling. This guy can be so ridiculous! Seriously, his idea of triumph is to fuck a girl I had last weekend? Hahaha, come on, psycho!
• However, at that moment, a sudden silence fell between us as we both leaned against the couch, lost in our own thoughts. Eduardo quietly rearranged the chess pieces, while I stared up at the ceiling of my room, taking a sip of my drink. The atmosphere was quite peaceful until Eduardo had to go and ruin it with one of his annoying questions.
• "Are you planning on attending this year's moonlit feast?" Eduardo asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
• I brushed him off, taking a sip of my drink and pretending not to pay any attention.
• "Come on, loser, I am..." I immediately snapped my head towards him, shooting him a fierce glare that made him trail off. But of course, typical Eduardo, he couldn't resist, and his face broke into a huge mocking grin again.
• "So you heard me," he taunted, "I thought I was talking to a deaf Alpha king, huh?"
• This guy!
• Rolling my eyes at him, I let out a sigh before shaking my head. "I won't be going," I said, my tone impassive.
• “You're kidding, right?" He paused, his face growing serious as he ran his hand through his hair. "You've missed this moonlit feast more than four times, and you know the pack members are excited to go. If you don't go, they won't either..."
• "My words stand," I took a sip of my drink, "I am not going," I declared, and he scoffed, rolling his eyes at me.
• The truth is, I am not into this kind of celebration, and he knows it. What's so special about this ceremony? Dancing under the moonlight reflection with boring music? To escape from this stupid gathering, I even went to the extent that I wrote a petition and setting up a meeting with those outdated old council elders, trying to convince them to let each pack celebrate the festival on their own. But they flat-out refused. I still don't get why they stick to this old-fashioned style. It makes me want to smack some sense into them, damnit!!!!
• Honestly, I didn't really feel like going to this year's ceremony at all. I mean, I didn't care about the rules, but I didn't want to deprive my pack members of the chance to go. So, reluctantly, I decided to attend. But as soon as I heard that the ceremony would be held at the Black Moon Pack, all my excitement just disappeared into thin air.
• Sorry pack members, looks like you all have to endure another year after all the ceremony is a boring one.
• “Didn't you want to see Alpha Lucius's new bride?” Eduardo's unexpected question snapped me back to reality.
• "Which wife?" I furrowed my brow at him, my disbelief evident. "That bastard killed his mate... And now you're telling me he has a wife, wait….. Don't tell me he has a second chance mate?" I scoffed, unable to comprehend the situation.
• "No, not really," he replied, shaking his head. "I heard she isn't his mate."
• I gave him a long look before sighing, "You know what? It's none of our business. We should focus on the plan," I said firmly, placing the glass tumbler on the coaster.
• Eduardo bites the inside of his cheeks before letting out a deep sigh. "I still can't wrap my head around why he has to marry a wolfless omega,"
• His words were like a force, snapping my attention toward him.
• "A wolfless... and an omega," I muttered to myself, the words sinking in. As the realization of what he said clicked in, I froze in my spot, my curiosity piqued.
• Well, Lucius Ravenwood and I have been waging endless battles against each other for a while now. It's clear to me that he knows that having a vulnerable Luna by his side makes her an easy target against him. But then again, he isn't a dumbass, and the woman he married isn't also his mate. So tell me, why did he choose to marry her?
• What's your plan this time around, Lucius? Is it not ridiculous enough that those ancient elders decided to hold the festival in your pack? Are they trying to force a reconciliation? It's all a big joke if you ask me... All I want is that strip of land between our packs. Once I have it, then we'll see if reconciliation is even worth considering.
• "Why would he marry a wolfless omega?" I echoed the last word, catching Eduardo off guard and snapping him out of his thoughts. I glanced at him, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
• "That's the thing, Alpha Lucius isn't dumb. There must be a reason behind his decision and we have to see his new wife to know our next move."
• I scowled, "I have got no business with that wolfless omega. I'm just damn curious about what he's planning this time."
• "We won't know unless we go to that feast," he said, leaning against the couch across from me. "Put your ego aside, Alpha king," he teased, earning a scoff in return.
• I shot him a glare as he tried to hold back his laughter. He pressed his lips together in a tight line, raising both hands in apology. I rolled my eyes, hissing as I tore my gaze away from him.
• “Silly,” I muttered but then again my mind quickly traveled back to what he said earlier, and none of it made sense to me. A wolfless omega... Lucius has a wife. It's all so damn confusing, but one thing's for sure, that bastard must have some sneaky plan up his sleeve.
• Making up my mind, I turned to face the exhausted-looking Eduardo. I gave him a determined nod and said, “Announce to the pack members. We will be going to that moonlit feast,”