Nadia's POV



I had just left Landon's after telling him the whole damn thing. It's a burden I've borne all on my own for way too long. I did not deserve to stomach all that while he goes around gallivanting and thinking up the most creative ways to unseat Vance.

At least now he knows that Vance is also on his tail. I really didn't know what I was doing, to be honest. I just did it.

Hopefully, it doesn't turn out as bad as I think it would. Either way, I can't be implicated for letting him know that he was a suspect for clear reasons. Fun stuff is he actually is the perpetrator. But that is knowledge for just Landon and I.


I just really need a way to convince Vance that Landon was innocent, and maybe also win him back, or at least his trust and love.

He was so distant these days, and if I'm being honest, I had expected to feel the pains I'm sure Talia felt when he and I got into it in her absence. But there was nothing. If Vance wasn't spending the whole time he is away from me, which is practically almost all his days, as he only comes in at night to sleep, then he must be cooking up something really big. There has to be something taking up his time.


When I got back though, he was at the palace, which was quite strange. I was back earlier than usual, and he was around. What was going on?

Unfortunately, when I opened the door after masterfully creeping to the door so he wouldn't be alerted of my presence, I opened the door to see him lost in thoughts, looking straight into the wall from the bed he was reclining in. Vance was so engrossed that for almost a minute, he didn't know he had company.

'You're back early." He broke the silence first.

'Yeah. There's not so much to do anymore." I replied to him, and slotted in a dramatic yawn to make it seem that I'd done the work and that I'm also tired and not open for any conversations.

It was not even midday yet, meaning we had a very long while to spend together. Pretending to be tired and sleepy would get me nowhere because the facade would be off as soon as it started and then I'd just look like a fool.

Or I could also decide to just play his own game…

'Wasn't expecting to see you home either. It was a little bit of a surprise when I saw your car parked outside." I made sure to make it detailed, but also avoided his stare while I pulled off my boots.

'Yeah. I didn't know I'd be queried for staying back in my own palace, and definitely didn't expect that you'd even notice considering that you're also always away for the most part of the day. You must have so much information to contribute by now. I'd love to hear it soon." Vance looked pumped. But I wasn't sure if it's for my downfall or for Landon's.

'I'm sorry if it comes across as a query but it's just surprising that you deemed me fit to spend your day with." I pressed on. The jabs were less subtle now.

'Rather the opposite actually. You weren't going to be at home for a long while by my projection. Apparently though, I was wrong." Vance said. I felt like throwing the bangles I had just taken off at his big proud face, but I could not. He'd bleed me before anyone suspects anything.

'Oh wow. I don't think she'd think it's too late if you rushed back to her bed right now." I quipped. The last word had barely left my lips for a little over a flash if a second before Vance was at my throat.

He pressed my neck so hard I couldn't even struggle, and more unfortunately, I was bent over, making me feel very light-headed. I don't know if it was my imagination or it really did happen but I saw his teeth begin to grow longer and his eyes change color. As suddenly as he lost control, he gained it back.

He immediately released me and strangely even helped me to the bed when I was about to topple over.

'What did you say that for?!" He stood over me and demanded. I was barely even conscious and the bastard was still asking stupid questions.

'It was pretty simple, Vance." I managed to croak. Sometimes, I am too stubborn for my own good. 'It's not too late for it to still count as morning sex, and then you both could move on to whatever else you have planned." I continued.

His face muscles that were so tightened and contracted were released. In fact, he looked smiley, thankful, I dare say.

'Oh. Yeah. I mean… Wh… Why would you even think that?" He sounded so relaxed like he wasn't the one who had just squeezed life's breath out of me.

'Don't ask me that question." ‘Annoyed' is a mild word to describe what I felt towards Vance. The abusive bastard sometimes seemed like he had multiple personalities.

'I'm sorry." He apologized. I was further stunned. That's not a Vance thing to do. We'd argue till he shoved his point of view down my throat and I'd accept whether I liked it or not.

'Whatever. Wish I stayed longer…" I made sure to be audible.

'I hope Landon knows what it means to dream of having you under him?" He asked in response. His tone was a little disinterested, but I know to get Landon out of the way, he'd develop the interest.

'Yeah. What I also hope he knows is that the Alpha is using his Luna against him. Actually, not just Landon. The whole of Moonstone. I'd love for them to know that." My tongue had a mind and spirit of its own at this point. I had lost control.

He strode over to me gently and cupped my face in his hands, those same hands that nearly caused my death a few minutes ago. 'They would when we tell them the story of how you brought him down, and then you'd become a heroine. You get me?" He didn't even wait for a response before giving me two playful slaps on my cheeks and sauntering away.

I hate this man so much.