Claiming His Luna

Cercei’s POV

“You ran away after discovering you’re his daughter, travelled for miles, bled at the ball, and now you’re pregnant?” Vincent neatly summarized the series of events that had led to my current situation.

Casually, I grabbed another slice of pizza and took a bite.

“Yes,” I replied with a nod, speaking between chewing.

“Wow,” he exclaimed, sipping his coffee, now fully engrossed in my story.

“I know,” I responded, finding a peculiar enjoyment in discussing my own life. It was certainly more amusing than gossiping about others; at least I wasn’t backstabbing anyone but myself, right?

“You’re stupid,” It was intended as an offensive comment, but he sounded impressed.

“I know,” I laughed and playfully raised my palm for a high-five. He looked at me, shortly baffled.

“What?” he asked, sounding puzzled. I reached for his hand and gently clapped it against mine.

“High five,” I said, rolling my eyes at his amusement.

“Oh,” he grinned and chuckled.

“Anyway, what’s the plan now?” He inquired eagerly, still wearing a wide grin.

“I don’t have a plan yet,” I replied with a shrug.

“Does Lucian know?” Vincent asked, his brows furrowing in concern.

“I don’t know,” I replied softly, a tinge of sadness crossing my eyes.

“Does your mother know?” Vincent’s voice grew deeper as he posed the question.

“I don’t know either. If my mom returned to the North, she might have discovered that I ran away again,” I said with a hint of sadness, setting aside my half-eaten pizza.

“What do you know, then?” Vincent’s brows knitted, and he slightly rolled his eyes.

“Is it a girl or a boy?” He suddenly leaned forward, his interest piqued.

“It’s too early to tell. I’m only a few weeks pregnant,” I replied, pouting slightly.

“Don’t you have high-tech sonograms here?” he inquired.

“We do, but that can’t determine the gender at this early stage,” I explained, dipping my pizza into the sauce again. It was utterly delicious; it had been my craving since I woke up. Pineapple on pizza, paired with soy sauce, was pure heaven. Why hadn’t I thought of this before?

“Oh,” Vincent muttered as the explanation finally made sense.

“You should visit here more often,” I suggested, casting a playful glance his way.

“I can’t,” Vincent quickly declined, shaking his head.

“Why not?” I pouted and gave him an insistent glare.

“Remus would notice our closeness, and he’d become suspicious. I’ve spent a lot of time gaining his trust,” he explained the circumstances in a serious tone.

“Just say you’re courting me,” I suggested, offering the perfect alibi.

“What?” Vincent looked intrigued.

“Just tell him that you saw me at the ball, found me attractive, and decided to offer yourself as a suitable match,” I proposed, providing a foolproof excuse for him.

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Vincent nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

I chuckled at his reaction. “I know, I’ve become quite clever,” I quipped, proudly patting my chest.

“Smart enough to get pregnant, I suppose,” Vincent chimed in, instantly widening his grin.

I shot him a sharp look as he tried to contain his laughter.

****

The next day, Vincent came to visit once more. He was amusing, always ready with a witty comment or a humorous remark. It was refreshing to have someone around who could make me laugh.

Surprisingly, Monsieur allowed Vincent to visit frequently. On second thought, it did make sense as a believable cover story. Nobody would question a possible romantic connection between us. While I did not want it to be true, it could benefit Vincent. He was a skilled businessman who led a powerful pack, not to mention he was the Alpha of my mom’s pack.

At night, I often stared at the stars and the full moon, cradling my stomach as I thought about the life growing inside my womb. I couldn’t wait to meet my baby. I wondered if our child would take after me or Lucian. Maybe they’d inherit his captivating ocean-blue eyes, which I adored. Those eyes always felt so intense when they met mine, like staring into a vast, boundless sky.

I sighed while I continued staring at the full moon. I yearned for the freedom to transform into my wolf form and run through the forest, but that was no longer an option. Transforming was dangerous, and I couldn’t risk injuring myself or the baby. Moreover, as a wolf, my heightened senses, especially my sense of smell, would be overwhelming. Even the scent of leaves could make me feel nauseous. I had an intense hatred for the smell of leaves recently.

It was frustrating. I loved being in the garden, but the strong scent of leaves could be overpowering. Thankfully, the fragrance of roses managed to prevail, making it bearable for a short while.

Unable to sleep, I decided to take a late-night stroll. The mansion was heavily guarded, and I felt safe within its walls. Descending the stairs, I spotted Vienna in the living room. I called out to her, and she glanced up from her phone.

Her eyes drifted down to my hands resting on my stomach, a habit I had developed. Even though there was no visible bump yet, I liked to rest my hands there. It made me feel closer to the baby growing inside me.

Vienna looked at me briefly before getting up and walking away. I sighed; she still needed time, and I didn’t want to rush her.

The guards opened the door for me as I stepped outside, and the cool, breezy night air greeted me. It felt refreshing as it caressed my face.

What a peaceful night it was.

As I continued my quiet stroll through the garden, I couldn’t help but admire the white roses, which seemed to radiate under the moonlight. They appeared like glowing bulbs, their beauty and fragrance heightened by the soft moonbeams. The garden was truly a mesmerizing sight at night, with its peaceful ambiance and captivating scenery. While it remained enchanting during the day, there was an undeniable allure to it under the veil of darkness.

Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly felt the presence of someone behind me. I glanced over my shoulder, but there was no one in sight. It could have been a servant or one of Monsieur’s men patrolling the area. I resumed my walk, but the feeling of being followed persisted.

My heart raced, and I instinctively placed my hand on my belly, assuming the protective stance common among pregnant women. I quickened my pace, still sensing someone closely following me. Anxiety overwhelmed me, and I decided to make a sharp turn into a cluster of bushes. Coming to an abrupt stop, I spun around and grabbed the person’s arm, swiftly pulling them toward me. I applied pressure to their neck with my palms, causing them to fall to the ground before I even realized who it was.

The seconds flew by in a blur, and before I knew it, I released my grip and gasped in shock.

“Maria!” I exclaimed, my voice filled with relief and remorse as I saw her face. She held her own neck, trying to catch her breath.

I quickly extended my hand, helping her to her feet, my guilt weighing me down. “I’m deeply sorry, Maria. You startled me; please forgive me,” I pleaded as I brushed the dust from her clothes.

We walked together into the moonlight, where we could see each other more clearly.