When John left Selina's house, Jamie saw him and wanted to greet him. But John walked fast to his house. So later, Jamie headed toward the Apha's house and rang the bell.
When the housekeeper opened the door, Jamie nodded. "Is our Alpha in the house?"
"Who are you?" the housekeeper asked.
"Lambda Jamie Hock. Our Alpha gave me a task to report to him."
The housekeeper, Imelda Dwayne, gazed at Jamie, then said, "Please wait here. I'll let the Alpha know first." Then she closed the door.
Imelda walked swiftly to Ryan's room. She knocked and said, "Alpha, it's Imelda. Lambda Jamie Hock said he wanted to report something to you."
"Yes, let him in."
"Yes, Alpha."
Imelda returned to the front door. "Lambda Jamie, Alpha Ryan is ready to have you. This way, please?"
Imelda showed the way across the hall to Ryan's room. With Ryan followed her, Imelda went to Ryan's working room. Then after knocking the door, she bent her head and said, "Alpha, Lambda Jamie is here."
"Thanks, Imelda." Ryan waited until Imelda closed the door before saying to Jamie, "Take a seat."
"Yes, Alpha." Jamie bent his head and bowed. "I have some important info about Beta John."
"Go on."
"Beta John visited Selina Sea's house today."
Ryan's forehead wrinkled immediately. "Selina Sea? Who is she? I'm not familiar with her." He knocked on the table with his fingers. "Selina Sea … hmm, no, the name doesn't ring a bell."
"Selina Sea is famous among young werewolves, Alpha."
"Oh?" Ryan raised his eyebrows. "Why?"
Jamie scratched his nape. "Uh, well, she is pretty. Also, I think she is fertile to bear pups."
"Sexy she-wolf?"
"Yes! It's accurate, Alpha." Jamie grinned.
Again, Ryan tapped the table with his fingers. "Why did John visit Selina?"
"I have no idea, Alpha."
"Find my son and tell him I want to talk. Now!"
Jamie bowed then retreated a step. "Yes, Alpha. Right away!" Later, he ran to the door. Jamie nodded at Imelda when he passed her as she was cleaning some meat. "I'm leaving." Then, without waiting for Imelda's reply, he moved to the front door and disappeared.
Imelda walked to Ryan's room. "Alpha, it's Imelda."
"Come in, my dear."
Imelda entered the room. A strong hand grabbed Imelda's waist and pulled her into a couch without warning.
"Alpha! What if someone sees us?"
Ryan grinned; his face looked much younger than his 45-year-old. "None is here. I miss you, my dear."
Imelda released herself from Ryan's embrace, walked to the door, locked it, then returned to the couch. She touched Ryan's face gently. "I miss you too, Alpha."
"Why don't I see you around lately?"
"I'm busy. Beta John is eighteen. He is an adult already. Maybe he'll soon find his mate."
Ryan sighed and sank his body to the couch while his hand was on Imelda's waist. "Selina Sea, do you know her?" Imelda didn't reply for a while until Ryan glanced at her. "Imelda?"
"Yes, I know her, Alpha."
"Well?"
"If you imply that Beta John will choose her as his mate, it's a bad idea."
Ryan frowned instantly. "Why?"
"Her reputation is bad. Yes, she is gorgeous and hot, but to be our future Luna—" Imelda shook her head "—she will be a big trouble for our pack."
"Why?"
"Last week, some werewolves fought to have her attention. She seemed to quite enjoy it. I mean how the men fought for her attention."
"I see." Ryan then pulled Imelda's body to be closer to his. "Imelda, what do you think if we tell John about us?"
"No!"
"Why not?"
Imelda shook her head. "I'm his nanny and the Luna's maid. He may feel that I betrayed him."
"In what capacity?" Ryan asked. "You raised John from a pup until now. He loves you."
"I feel it's still wrong." Imelda took a deep breath. "Ryan, you know I love you …."
"Yes, dear, and I love you too."
Imelda held Ryan's hand and kissed it. Then she placed it on her cheek. "I love John too, like a mother to her son. But, though I love you, I can't bear it if he hates me."
"Imelda, John loves you. You are the mother he has known all his life."
It was true since Vivian, John's mother, passed away when she gave birth to John's brother who also died in her womb. So, Imelda was the one who raised and took care of John from a pup until he grew up.
Imelda let out a desperate sign again. "I can bear my whole life as your secret mistress than to see disappointment or even hatred in John's eyes."
Ryan pulled Imelda's hand so he could hold her body. He kissed her forehead. "You are the Luna in disguise for our pack, Imelda. You know that, don't you?"
Imelda only smiled. "Rank isn't important for me. The most important thing is I can have you beside me."
Ryan stroked Imelda's back. "Don't you want to have a pup?"
"John is my pup. Having him is enough for me." Imelda's voice was broken, and tears dropped from her eyes. She blinked her eyes fast, hoping Ryan didn't see her tears.
"My dear?"
"I'm okay. I can't deny that I like pups a lot. Having them will be my ultimate happiness." She smiled again, though it was a sad one. "But I also believe that serving you in whatever my position is more important than my happiness."
"You can have both. So why should you reject my offer? I only need to mark you and announce that you are our new Luna."
Imelda shook her head. "Promise me you won't do that, Ryan. No matter what will happen, I won't take away what belongs to John."
"What are you talking about?" Ryan asked.
"If I were your Luna, I might conceive your pup. There may be a question about who will be your successor."
"John," Ryan said immediately without any doubt. "There is no one I will choose other than him. I have prepared him to be the next Alpha."
"That's why I won't do anything to weaken his position. In my heart, John is my son."
"But what if we tell John the truth? I'm tired of hiding this from him."
Imelda shook his head and touched Ryan's face. "It's better this way. I'll keep our relationship a secret until the day I die."