Chapter 27

Anonymous POV

"Ah, my enthusiastic cookie fan! Three packs of cookies will cost $10.50. Would you like me to throw in a free cookie of the day, perhaps a chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin?"

"My voice echoed through the small shop, its sound resonating off the walls as I asked, 'Hey kiddo, what's up? Are you alone?' I couldn't see the child's height over the counter, but they stood quietly, seemingly lost in thought."

"'No, I'm not alone, ma'am,' he said, turning around abruptly, his eyes scanning the empty space behind him. 'Mom!' he called out softly, his tiny voice filled with a hint of uncertainty. I looked around, searching for his mother, my eyes scouring the small shop. 'His mom, his mom,' I muttered to myself, wondering where she could be."

"Alpha Damian's scandalous decision left me stunned—he'd rejected his mate and instead taken Arla, his mistress, as his Luna. I couldn't believe it. 'Men can be so unreasonable,’ my ears perked up as I overheard the gossip from two slender women nearby. Their conversation was like a spark igniting a flame, preparing my ears for another shocking revelation."

"As I listened in on the conversation, my mind raced with questions. How could Alpha Damian be so foolish as to reject his mate? And what made him think Arla, of all wolves, was suitable to be Luna? The two women's voices grew louder, their words dripping with disdain for the Alpha's decision.

"'I heard she's got a hold on him, some sort of spell,' one of them whispered.

"'No way, she's just got him wrapped around her finger,' the other replied with a snort.

"I shook my head, trying to clear the cobwebs. This was none of my business, but I couldn't help feeling invested in the drama unfolding before me. And then, as if fate had a way of inserting me into the mix, I heard one of the women mention my name."

"One of the ladies whispered that Kiara was the reason behind Arla's actions, and my eyes widened in surprise. I nodded unknowingly, my mind racing with questions. Could she be referring to the same Arla I knew? I thought to myself, intrigued.

Arla was being so reckless, sharing secrets outside and exposing everything, even mentioning my name in their conversation! I sneered, shaking my head in dismay, my eyes cast downward in disapproval. How could she be so foolish?"
:

"I couldn't help but wonder what Arla had gotten herself into. Only the moon goddess knows how many people she might have mentioned my name to; the Alpha's mate, Laura, is another dummy who couldn't stand and fight for her mate.

Rumors swirled around her, though I really don't have much to think of her. Arla is my main problem, and I will have to deal with her.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the shop door opening. The two women, who had been gossiping earlier, hurried out, casting nervous glances over their shoulders. I watched them go, my mind still reeling with the implications of what I had just overheard.

"Then, the little boy from earlier appeared at my counter, hand in hand with a woman who looked eerily like him. 'Aunty, my mom left without taking me along,' he reported, his eyes fixed on the woman with a hint of accusation. I smiled sympathetically, trying to hide the turmoil brewing inside me.

'Good day, ma'am,' I greeted, my heart still heavy with the weight of Arla's secrets and my own feelings of emotional captivity. It was as if my soul was being held hostage, trapped in a battle between loyalty and curiosity."

"The woman smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. 'Hello there, dear. I'm Stephanie, the boy's mother.' She leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. I was actually on call, mmm.. when he ran into your store. My boy can sometimes be extra demanding, she said, roughing the child's hair.

"It's quite all right, ma'am," I said with a smile, crouching down to the boy's level. "Kids are meant to ask for what they want, aren't they?" I asked, my eyes locked on his. "So, what's it that you're craving, little one?"

He looked up at me with a determined gaze. "I want chocolate cookies, French toast, and chips!" he declared, his voice firm.

I chuckled, impressed by his confidence. "That's quite an order you've got there! I'll see what I can do." I straightened up, my hand still gripping the counter for balance. Stephanie smiled, her eyes shining with amusement. "I think we can manage that, don't you?" she said, her voice warm. "

"Stephanie nodded, her eyes sparkling with warmth. 'I think we can manage that, don't you?' She smiled at her son, who was bouncing up and down with excitement. 'But first, let's get you settled in. We have a special table just for you, with a view of the park.'

"I settled back into my chair, my mind consumed by thoughts of Arla and the weight of her secrets. The consequences of her actions swirled in my head, leaving me feeling dazed and distracted. I was so lost in thought that I forgot what I was doing, and my customers began to stare at me expectantly.

I turned to them, only to find their eyes fixed on the packs of cookies I had absent-mindedly placed on the counter without handing them over. Stephanie’s gentle voice broke the silence. ‘'Hey, dear, are you all right? You seem a bit lost.' Her words snapped me back to reality, and I forced a smile, trying to compose myself."

"I hastily packaged their order, eager for them to leave. Stephanie's friendly conversation was starting to grate on me, and I was getting increasingly irritated. I couldn't wait to get away from her and her probing questions.

My mind was already racing ahead to my next move: I needed to visit Arla's mansion and confront her about the secrets she was keeping. That woman was a piece of work, always stirring up trouble and dragging others into her web of deceit. I muttered under my breath, 'What a snitch...'”