Dangerous Desires

Chapter 44

44 Secrets and Lies

Tia.

The breakfast table became quiet when Luke, Caleb, and Alpha Aesop left. Monica had a permanent bitch look on her face, and it was directed at me. Stacy was too worried about her blackmailer to care, and pregnant Kimberly smiled at me while she picked the fruits on her plate.

“How is your holiday home, Tia?” Kimberly finally asked me, and I smiled at her. “It is nice and quiet. Just us,” I said, and she smiled.

“I envy that. Hopefully, Caleb will get over you, and we can move on,” she said with sincerity, and I felt my heart break. I did not like this girl initially. She had taken my crush away from me, and I hated her bitchy behaviour, but I understood her pain. I have never been pregnant before, but if I were, I would want the father of my child to care for me, especially when he is single and we dated. Her case was very different from Elisabeth’s.

“He will. I think he already has,” I told her, and she smiled and shook her head. “Caleb is afraid of Luke; if not, he would have acted out his intentions. He still looks at you the same. The way he looked at you in the academy, the same way he looks at you when you go out together,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes. “He didn’t fancy me then,” I said because I knew he didn’t. “On the contrary, Tia. Caleb had liked you since you were fifteen. Don’t say you do not know. Was that not why you dumped your studies and joined the academy?” Stacy said blandly, “His love was true, but yours was shallow, and that was why you moved on quickly. See you with Luke as if Caleb never happened.” She said, and I could not believe this woman.

“Honestly, Luna Stacy. I can’t believe you. Why shouldn’t I move on? You wanted me out of your son’s life, forced alpha Aesop to purchase me for Luke.” I said, and Kimberly gasped.

“Yes, Kimberly, I was bought for Luke. My parents had no choice but to sell. It was either that or rogue status,” I said to Kimberly. “I had to adjust Luna Stacy, and in doing so, I fell in love. Instead of being miserable, I fell in love, so I do not understand. Maybe if you have left well enough alone, Kimberly will not be pregnant and stuck here unloved.” I said, and I could not finish the sentence because Stacy’s actions had brought me, great love.. “Finish the sentence Tia,” Stacy said, waiting for the other part, so I took a deep breath. “I am also grateful for your action because it gave me true love,” I said, and she laughed.

“That wasn’t what you were going to say, Tia. If I had not intervened, you would have been with Caleb,” She corrected, and I shook my head.

“Caleb and I went to the academy. We spent every day together for four years, and he never asked me out. He never showed he cared. If you hadn’t intervened, I would have ended up with someone else but not Caleb,” I said, and Caleb approached us at that moment.

“You would have ended up with me, Tia. I was going to wait until it was safe to show my true intentions and settle down with you. I did not want my mother to interfere. That was why I hid my feelings,” He explained, and I cringed. I really shouldn’t have come with Luke.

“Well, that is water under the bridge now,” I said with a smile and sipped my orange juice.

“Of course, it will be. You get to be Luna and run Diamond corp. Luke has fallen madly in love with you that he even neglects his first love, who is carrying his child. I must say, Tia, you are a master,” Stacy said, and I was silent because now I knew why she hated me. First, she didn’t want me with her son because I had no money. She antagonised me because Caleb was hung up on me and refused to move on with Kimberly, which made her relationship with Timothy Miles rocky. After everything, I will be Luna and run Diamond corp, everything she ever wanted for herself. I got it all without trying, but she was wrong. Luke and I had to try. We were two people that were forced to be together. Instead of being miserable, we made it work, and she hates us for it.

“I take comfort in the fact that you won’t be able to direct the course of my life anymore, Stacy,” I said, and she glared at me. There was no need for formalities anymore.

“You dare disrespect me. I am your Luna,” She yelled at me, and I smiled at her frustration. I got the reaction I wanted. She was seething with anger.

“Mother, we need to talk,” Caleb said to her with a calm tone. Something was bothering him.

“I do not care; someone must put this bitch in her place. Wait until your father gets here,” She said, smiling at me evilly.

“Father can’t do anything to Tia, Mother. Luke is alpha now, which makes her Luna,” He said, and she looked at him with horror. “Yes, mother’s Luke’s mark is active,” He told her, and she frowned. “But Aesop has not handed over to him yet,” she said, sounding confused, and he smiled at her. “He is a stronger Alpha,” Caleb said, and my heart swelled with pride for my husband. Everyone thought I was doomed when they purchased me for Luke, but the goddess had blessed me. I no longer have to worry about being cast out or cut off. “But that is not what I want to discuss with you, mother. What have you been doing with all the money you stole?” Caleb asked her, and I looked at Kimberly, who was smiling. I guess our feelings were mutual in that regard.

“I wasn’t stealing. I earned that money. I just made sure Timothy won the bids,” she said, looking at me as if I had told Caleb.

“So where is it. I need to use it for business,” Caleb said, and I knew he knew, but he was trying to back her into a corner. Luke must have told him.

“It’s my money; ask your father or brother to give you money for business,” She said with a shaky voice.

“No, mother. Luke is enjoying his mother’s money; the least you can do is set me up unless you have spent it all, and if you have, I need to know what you spent it on because you have no

responsibilities, mother. Everything is taken care of. Even now that Luke has taken over the money, he still makes sure we all get our allowances, and the staff are paid. Your closet was changed at the same time as Tia’s, please. What did you use all that money for, mother? Do not make me investigate you.” He threatened. Caleb might be a weak Alpha, but he was a master investigator.

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Fear washed over Stacy, and she looked at me. I looked away. “I doubt the answer is written on Tia’s face, Mother,” he said, sounding short and impatient with her.

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“I … I… I spent it,” she managed. “On what!” He yelled at her. “You don’t understand, Caleb. It is for our good. If I don’t pay up, everything will crumble. He is dangerous, Caleb. Please let it go,” she said, and I frowned at her. She said nothing and said a lot. The fear on her face said it all. “Who is the guy?” Caleb asked her, and she stood up, ready to excuse herself. “I will tell father, and lunch and investigation. You have done enough damage, mother.” Caleb yelled at her. “Caleb, please leave her alone; she is going through a lot,” Monica managed with fear. “And who asked for your opinion? I am speaking to my mother. This isn’t your family. You are a guest here, so you shut up when we are speaking,” he shot at her, and she was angry but looked at Stacy, who shook her head and calmed down. The aunty-niece bond was pretty intense. Stacy must really love her niece. “Caleb, do not talk to your cousin like that,” she said, trying to change the topic, and he grabbed her arm. “I swear, mother if I find out that you were behind the attempt on Luke and Tia’s life, I will hand you over,” he said, and she widened her eyes with surprise. “I swear, Caleb,” she said, trying to yank her hand away, but he was holding on tightly. “Caleb, let her go,” Monica yelled. “Shut your trap, Monica!” he yelled at her. He was seething with anger. “Who have you

been giving all that money to, mother?” he yelled at her, and I knew she would not tell him. It must be serious.

I touched Luke’s arm. 1

“Stay out of this, Tia. This is between my mother and me,” he warned me, and I held back. “Let her go, Caleb,” Kimberly pleaded with him. “Who asked for your opinion?” he shut at her, and I knew there was no saving Stacy. I wanted to link Luke, but that will bring Alpha Aesop to the breakfast lounge, and he will know her secret.

“Please, Caleb, don’t do this here. She clearly does not want your father to know,” I pleaded

with him, and Stacy looked at me, surprised but scared too. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Caleb, please, she is your mother. You can discuss this with her privately. I am sure she will open up to you,” I told him calmly.

“I need that money for business, and I need to know who she has been giving it to,” he said, trying to cover the source of his information, but I knew Luke had told him. He didn’t need the money for business because Luke was already setting him up. He just wanted her to confess. He must think she was paying someone to try to kill Luke.

“Please, Caleb,” I pleaded with him, and he let her arm go.

“If you do not tell me, I will tell father, investigate you and report to him everything that I find out,” he threatened, and she shook her head and began to cry. “Please, Caleb, leave it alone. Please. Everything I did was for a better life. Please, Caleb. He is dangerous and deadly. I am not paying anyone to kill Luke or Tia. Please,” she wept. She was terrified of this man and did not want Alpha Aesop to know. It must be terrible. I wondered how she would get out of this mess. Just then, Luke approached us. “What is going on here?” he asked, looking at everyone, but no one answered. No one wanted to say anything. “She

won’t tell me who she is giving all the money to,” Caleb told his brother. “Stacy, you better confide in your mate, or all hell will break loose. If this guy is as dangerous as you make it seem, you will need all the protection you can get; if Father does not know, we can’t help you.” Luke told her gently, and she looked up at him.

“If I confess, I will lose everything. If I don’t pay up, he will take everything from me. Either way, I am doomed. I will take my chances,” she said, and something in her sentence did not sit well with me, but I brushed it off. I stood up immediately and looped my hand with my husband’s. “I guess it is time to leave,” I said to Luke, and he nodded.