Eero’s perspective
No more words came out of my lips, which made Cielo worry. I took a step back and my hand gripped at the backrest of the wooden chair beside the dining table.
“Luna Eero, are you all right? Why do you look scared?”
My gazes jumped back at Cielo.
“Are you not happy that you're finally bearing an heir for the Alpha? This is what both of you have long wanted.”
“I…of course… I-I’m happy.”
“But why do you look like you’re not?”
Instead of saying anything, I gripped Cielo’s arms and then looked around to make sure that no one could hear us.
“Luna, you are making me terrified.”
“And I am just as terrified as you are!” I murmured at her ears, but with strong diction.
“Remember that old woman in the outskirt of our territory? The one with icy-blonde hair like me!” I added.
“She had foreseen my future.” My body was shaking.
“What are you talking about, Luna?” Cielo was confused, having no clue about where this conversation was going.
“Months ago, she told me that, a week after eclipse, I would get pregnant with a boy.” I leaned closer to her, couldn't stop playing with my fingers.
“And then this little girl back in the market earlier today…” I showed Cielo the baby blanket from the table. “She sold this to me, telling me that I’m pregnant. That’s why I took pregnancy test today!"
Cielo caressed my shoulders gently, trying to calm me down.
“Luna, why are you so surprised that there are people out there who are gifted with special ability when the Moon Goddess has given you something like that too—”
“You don't understand. If that old woman's prediction about my pregnancy came true, then there's a big chance that the other prophecy of hers will happen too, and Claudius…” I couldn't even say it straight.
“The old woman told me that the realm is for no men to rule. She also said that Claudius was born with no right to rule over Regulus.”
“How dare an old woman insult me like that?!” Claudius cold voice sounded unexpectedly, which made me hold my breath. I couldn't recall the last time when his voice was so grim.
“Alpha Claudius…” Cielo said with great fear, eyeing between me and the Alpha, who was like a son to her.
“Cielo, would you leave me and the Luna alone? We need to talk. Just the two of us.” Cielo quickly exited herself without saying anything.
The silence stretched until he finally spoke.
“So… who is this old woman?! How dare she tarnish my name, and my claim to Regulus?!” He shouted so loud that it made me flinch in fear.
“I don't know her name.”
“If you ever saw her again… will you be able to tell her?”
“Yes.”
“Very well.” Claudius grabbed me by my arm, commanding Caspian to drive us to the outskirt of the territory, where the old woman lived.
“Claudius, what are you going to do?” I asked, but got no response.
Caspian opened the door of the sedan, and got shocked at how Claudius shoved me inside.
“Will you be gentler? You are hurting me and the ba—” The last thud of him closing the door cut me off before I could even finish the word “baby”.
I clutched on my belly, assuring the little one inside of me that we were just fine.
“Why are we going to the outskirt suddenly, Alpha?” Caspian asked, not realizing the tension in the car.
“Just shut the fuck up and drive as fast as you can,” Claudius growled at him, who stared at me through the rearview mirror, as if asking me what was wrong with Claudius.
“Ask all the old women in this community to line up in the common ground,” Claudius commanded.
“What do you want to do, Claudius?” I asked him again, pulling his arm but accidentally scratching it.
“A-Alpha, I-I’m sorry…I didn't mean to… It was an accident.” My eyes instantly softened and I let go of him.
“Are you sure that you didn't mean it? Isn’t this the third time that you have accidentally maimed someone?” Claudius leaned to my ears first, and then he pulled away from me.
“Eero, you're not as innocent as before. I have given you power and authority. Either you use it and take accountability for what you do; or you never use that power at all.”
“Are you saying that I’m a wolf in a sheep's clothing?” I glared at him.
Claudius cupped my cheeks, faking a smile. “Baby, I think you had stripped off that sheep’s clothing when you asked a delta to rape Serra.”
Shocked at his words, I stayed silent until we arrived at the destination.
“Alpha, here are all the women in this community,” Caspian said.
“Tell me, my dear, who was it?” Claudius demanded after we stepped out of the car.
I spotted the old woman we were looking for after looking around, but decided to remain silent.
“I think I’ve found her,” Claudius said.
Something got stacked up down my throat when I saw him heading towards that old woman.
He pushed her down to the ground. I wanted to run towards her, but got stopped by Caspian.
“I don't know what happened, but Alpha Claudius is seething. You're only going to make the situation worse if you come to defend that woman.”
“You must be the one spreading lies about me! Lies that would maim my name and reputation once they become known to everyone! I’m giving you the chance to take back everything that you had told my mate," Claudius commanded while everyone in the community buzzed in confusion.