Selene's POV
"You seem lost. What is it?"
Chris gently tapped my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts. I furrowed my brows for a moment before masking the expression with sadness.
"I… lost it," I said, my voice quiet and filled with hurt I couldn't express.
"You what?" Chris questioned, utterly confused by my reply.
"I lost the baby," I repeated, this time in a calm tone, trying to make it sound like it didn't affect me at all but deep down my heart was breaking into tiny pieces.
But I was a fool to think Chris would believe I was unaffected. He had seen every sacrifice I made for Leo over the last three years and how it had negatively impacted me.
When I realized Leo had problems getting a woman pregnant, I tried everything possible to give him an heir. Even though it was his issue, the pack members wouldn't hesitate to blame me for being a barren Luna. I sought after folk remedies; there was a time I underwent physical therapy and took medicines that reacted negatively with my body and caused me so much pain.
It was only after Serena's intervention that I finally conceived. The process had been excruciating, yet I never uttered a single complaint or even let him know about what I was doing, all because I loved him and wanted him by my side forever.
And now, after all that suffering, I had just thrown it away. I had terminated the pregnancy.
But then, only someone utterly broken could do something so self-destructive, wounding themselves just to hurt their enemy.
I was broken, my heart was shattered, and I felt dead on the inside. The entire meaning of my existence felt baseless, and I wouldn't find peace until I regained my sight.
Nina whimpered in my head, causing me to sigh in grief.
Clearing his throat, Chris slowly jabbed at me, teasing, "It's a good thing you lost it. Leo's not worth your child. He deserves to die alone and forgotten. I bet the moon goddess wouldn't give him another chance for a second life." He paused to catch his breath.
"Once you leave Crimson's pack, find yourself a few strong men and have as many kids as you want. Let that bastard regret it!" he said, and I found myself nodding in agreement.
The thought of Leo losing it when he sees my final surprise after I leave him filled me with grim satisfaction.
After a moment of thought, I said to Chris, "Uhmm, I need another favor."
"Tell me, anything you need, I'm at your service, Luna," Chris mumbled teasingly, and I let out a soft laugh.
"I won't be a Luna for long, dear friend," I muttered.
Chuckling, Chris replied, "You'll always be a Luna, but not to that scumbag."
"So, what do you need from me?" Chris questioned, bringing us back to the issue.
The thoughts of what I was about to say played in my head, and my expression hardened.
"I know Amelia's painting skills inside and out. She used to be strictly a realist, but lately, her work has turned almost entirely abstract, and she's gained quite a reputation for it. An artist's style doesn't just change overnight unless something major shakes their world. Even then, the old style always lingers."
Besides, Amelia had no talent and refused to work hard. There's no way she could have pulled off that success on her own.
Chris, sharp as ever, hummed in suspicion. "So you're saying those paintings that brought Amelia fame aren't really hers?"
Pursing my lips, I gave a soft "Uhmm."
"I have always suspected, but never dug deeper. You've got connections, can you look into it for me? I want to prove my theory." I said, before twitching my teeth.
Before my alleged mother, Mrs. Casper , got married, she was somewhat of a well-known painter. After marrying Jack Casper , the leader of moonblood pack who made a fortune by owning the biggest housing firm in the pack, she stopped painting.
During my younger days when I started showing early artistic talent, Mrs. Casper was proud of me, thinking I inherited her skills. But when she found out I wasn't her biological daughter, that talent became a wound to her heart.
The more she realized this, the more resentful she became.
She likewise forbade me from painting at home. Once, as punishment, she deliberately stepped on my hand. If not for Serena calling a highly trained physician, that hand would have been ruined.
Without hesitation, Chris promised, "No problem. I'll get you answers before you leave. And about that car accident, I'm on it too. Get your money back from whoever you hired. Why waste cash when you've got me working for free?"
I knew Chris was good at his job, but I didn't want a situation where a legal issue would turn into a personal issue. The matter involved Leo, an alpha who clawed his way up from the streets, a rogue to where he is now, using every dirty trick.
I didn't want Chris dragged into trouble; that was the reason I was keen on hiring someone else. Especially given the pressing issue, the car accident.
"Look, Chris." I started, soothing my creased brows. "There'll be plenty for you to handle later. The accident can wait. Focus on Amelia first, I need to expose who she really is."
Chris drummed his fingers on the wheel, thoughtful, and I crossed my fingers, hoping he'd agree to help with this case. After a beat of seconds, he finally agreed. "Alright, I'd focus on Amelia. Also, I've arranged a new place for you to stay and get out of that den of vipers."
Shaking my head firmly, I touched my cane. "Take me back to the pack house. Before I vanish, I can't let Leo catch even a hint."
I wanted to make sure my mission was smooth with no trail of suspicion, leaving Leo completely unprepared, wiped clean from his life.
Time was running out.