Chapter 4 Old secrets

Tiara's POV

A year later

My hands trailed the huge ruby stone, glinting against the soft lighting in the room which caressed my finger, lips curled into a smile. It has been a year since I had finally agreed to marry Larry and everything seemed perfect.

The door creaked open revealing him leaning against it, his face tilting into a smile.

"Are you ready?" My palms were sweaty and everything screamed in me that I wasn't, but I gave a small nod, not wanting him to pick up my fear.

He tipped his head at me, eyes narrowed as he tugged me closer. "You know you are a clear book to me, right? So you don't have to be scared about that. Besides, I will be by your side all the way"

Today was the first day we had decided to set our plan in motion, a year after, and we were going to make sure they paid. Bernard and Zara.

I had painfully spent years skimming out what would be the perfect punishment for them but now, I was done and was ready to face them.

"You sent out the cards?" I asked, not wanting to leave any stone unturned.

"As my queen wanted. I did everything. They wouldn't want to offend me. Besides, our wedding was a small knit one which had no one in attendance aside the lycan council and Lexis so they wouldn't want to let go of the chance to see my queen"

I took in a gasp of breath, hoping that it would help me think properly. My eyes burnt with rage as I clenched my fist, memories of their betrayal jabbed into my heart.

Larry squeezed my hands, since the day he marked me, my thoughts were bare to him, and he could strip me naked digging into them even when he was miles away.

I had tried barricading him most times, but it didn't even help, somehow I was beginning to enjoy it. It surely does have its advantages.

"Let's go" I matched my step with his as we strolled down the stairs down to the vast hall, walking down the left wing.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Yes, you are doing good. I cajoled myself before we walked into the massive crowd that turned to take a look at us.

Every eye was on us, taking in our faces and appearance and when my eyes met with Zara and Bernard, whatever fear I had was tossed to the wall.

With my hands looped on Larry's arms, I let him tug me alongside him while making sure everyone who cared to look saw the ring in my finger.

Zara shifted in her seat, mumbling words into Bernard's ears, but his eyes were fixed on me.

"That cannot be her, not Tiara. There is no way she is with the lycan king" I heard them eavesdrop before scoffing at those words.

The buzzing lingered into my ears, making it drum as they filtered in, an unruly smile crept on my face, but I was quick to force it down when my father walked closer, holding my mother in his arms, his eyes filled with contempt.

"Your Majesty" his body dipped forward into a bow as he surveyed me. Staring at my face." This is...." His eyes trailed on me, recognition lighting in them.

"My wife. My Luna and my queen" the smile faltered, his hands dipping slightly into his pocket as he let out a chuckle.

" That can't be. I mean she isn't of any parental heritage that would be useful to you, what would you use a common omega for? One who is unable to shift"

My heart dipped because he had said the last word loud enough for everyone to know that I wasn't competent enough to be Larry's queen, nor fit to stay by his side.

" My. Wife. Is. A. Lycan. One. Of. The. Best. And. You. Should. Know. Better. Than. To. Talk. Down. On. Her. Do you want to be walked out?"

My father retraced but not without giving me a sear that burnt into my skin as he did so.

My heart swelled, but I wasn't ignorant to the way needles jabbed at it as well. I wasn't a lycan, had never been one. Larry had just said those to save my face.

" You don't have to worry, I am by your side"

I forced a smile at him, hoping that would help wash off the unease I felt as he loosened his grip, his steps fading away.

Taking a champagne flute from the tray close by, I chugged it all down, letting out a moan when the fruity juice hit the back of my throat.

" Tiara..." a voice that was imprinted in my memories whispered at me. His scent wafted into my nostrils.

" What are you doing with the lycan king? Don't you think he is using you? He must have ulterior motives for keeping you close by, do you think you are safe?" He asked.

I reeled off in laughter, my eyes moving gently to Zara.

" Why are you here?" I moved a finger over my lips.

Call me childish, but I wanted them to take a good look at my finger, where the heirloom of the lycan royalty's fitted.

I could smell jealousy brewing in her.

" Don't you think you should be more focused on your wife? I mean, my sister looks like she wants to throw a tantrum. It wouldn't look good if I threw her outside for causing havoc at my anniversary party, would it?"

Zara's eyes flared up in anger as she leaned closer.

" You are nothing but a mistress adorned with that jewelry just to fit in with the public. You are still going to be an omega, one who cannot fit in." she spat out venomously, twisting in the needles already in my heart.

" You think so?" My fingers ran on my lips as I searched for Larry who was nowhere to be found at the moment.

" Or you are just jealous that I am in a better condition than you will ever be? I heard you have had troubles with your pack these days...how is that coming along?" I rubbed it on her face.

After taking one of the most important contracts they had worked months for, all of their efforts went down the drain. I had sat back to watch as they ran at loss, their pack was barely surviving nowadays, and I did that.

" How did you know?" Bernard brows puckered at me when recognition dawned in. " You did it..."

I let out a peal of throaty laughter, throwing a compliment at him.

" Bold of you to think I care that much about you, can you get out of my face? The ladies need my attention"' my eyes moved to the wives of the men who headed the lycan council.

Zara huffed as I walked past, in rage. Barely have I taken a step when a voice echoed behind me.

" How exactly did you get the lycan king to like you this much!" I stood, hands digging into my clutch.

" Do you think that he would like you when he finally gets to know what you did to your parents?"

My brows knitted as I flipped my head around. " What are you talking about?" I had done everything to find who my parents might be or father, but all I got was a dead end.

He tsked, leaning closer. " Your marriage is bound to break up immediately because you wreck everything you touch, Tiara."

I stiffened as I waited for him to continue.

"I can help you with their information, but that is only if you end things with him. You cannot be in a better one than Zara, my daughter".