Chapter 4. Luna Sia & Curse

I opened my eyes to find myself lying on a soft bed, taking in my surroundings. I realized I was in my bedroom, staring at the same clothes I had worn the previous night. As I got up, I walked over to the wooden box, hoping to find the object from last night, but it was nowhere to be found. I searched every corner of the storage room where I kept my dad's belongings, but it was all in vain.

"Was I dreaming?" I asked myself as I hugged myself, trying to shake off the fear that had crept in. I checked the time and realized I had enough time to prepare for work.

"Maybe it was just a dream," I muttered while getting ready, but my heart and mind felt otherwise. I couldn't find evidence to prove last night's events were real. I felt like I was losing my mind again.

During the cab ride to work, I couldn't stop thinking about Daisy and Vincent betraying me like that. I tried to convince myself they wouldn't do that, but fear and suspicion lingered. I reached the office before time to keep my mind occupied, but I found it hard to focus.

"What's with the sigh?" Vincent asked, startling me. He had brought my favourite bagels for breakfast, hoping to cheer me up. I looked at him suspiciously but eventually took the food parcel from his hand.

"I can't concentrate," I said.

"Have some breakfast; it changes your mood. Also, have some coffee. You look exhausted," Vincent added, walking back to his cabin. After coffee and bagels, my headache subsided, and I stepped out of my break time to enter my office. However, I stopped when I saw Mr. Xavier and Mr. Kai, whose faces had tormented me enough in my dreams the night before.

I looked at Vincent, who appeared surprised at their visit. "Good morning, sirs," I said to Mr. Xavier, and Mr. Kai walked to the office without saying a word.

"Leia, can you get the contract quickly?" Vincent added. I rushed to open the email, see the contract sent by the cooperative, and get it printed quickly. Stacking them inline on the file, I knocked at the cabin.

"Come in," Mr. Xavier said.

As I stepped in, Mr. Xavier and Mr. Kai sat before me, looking like royalty. I felt mixed feelings about them and didn't meet their gaze. They read the document and signed it.

"I will take my leave," Mr. Kai said.

"Not so soon, Ms. Agnor," Mr. Xavier said. I tried to calm my pounding heart as I met his emerald gaze.

"What do you mean, sir?" I asked.

"Our mother is in the city and needs help shopping; you need to assist her," Mr. Xavier said. I nodded, knowing the city well and having expert knowledge of where to shop. I took the credit card from Mr. Xavier.

I booked a cab on my app and took my bag from the office, stopping in front of the beautiful mansion with its manicured lawns and flowers. As I stepped in, I saw a woman sitting in the pavilion, and her sweet scent calmed my heart.

The attendant of the mansion excused herself, and I walked in, eager to meet the woman who had such a calming effect on me. She looked in her forties or fifties, but she exuded elegance. Her brown hair and emerald eyes met mine, and she smiled at me.

"Wait a minute," I thought, "she was in the photos from my mother's wedding. She must be Luna Sia."

"You are Leia Agnor," she stated calmly. "My son told me a secretary would be here."

"Yes, Mrs. Hubert," I replied.

"There is no need for formalities, my dear. Call me Sia," she insisted.

"Do I know you, Sia?" I blurted out.

*******

Luna Sia - POV

I wanted to answer Leia's question, but the memory of the past made me hesitate. My sons had warned me not to reveal the truth to her, as it could trigger the curse and weaken her.

"I'm sorry, Sia. It came out wrong," Leia apologized quickly. Seeing her concerned face reminded me of her mother, Jia, who always had a soft side.

"No worries, dear. How about you taking me to the shop? I'm not familiar with this place," I suggested, knowing it was a lie. I wanted to spend time with Leia after all the misunderstandings that led to Nas and Leia's exile from our pack. I regretted that I couldn't stop my mate Reo's decision.

I'm sorry, Jia; because of my ignorance, your daughter and your husband suffered so much.

Leia walked me to a fancy boutique, and I asked her to help me select a suitable gown. It reminded me of Leia's childhood, when she sobbed because she was a lonely child and didn't have a brother or sister. That's when my little boys promised Leia that she would always be their stepsister and that she was never alone. The three of them were cheerful kids until the accident happened to Jia and Leia.

"Sia," I broke out of my stupor at her voice.

"This color will suit you well," Leia said, twirling the gown and showing me the designs. Her genuine smile reminded me that Jia was my best friend and like a sister to me, and losing her was devastating.

My phone buzzed, and I saw it was Kai calling. He must have been worried that I opened up to Leia about the past. He knew I was sympathetic and likely to reveal information. I excused myself and stepped outside.

"Kai, I'll talk to you later," I said sharply, irritated with him for nagging me. I glanced toward Leia and saw that she looked uncomfortable. Could she hear like a shifter, even though she had no wolf?

"Is there anything else I can help you with, Sia?" Leia asked.

"No, thank you. I think we're done with the shopping. Thanks for your help," I replied. Leia smiled at my words, but I sensed she wanted to leave quickly and looked troubled. Perhaps the thoughts of last night were still haunting her.

*****

Leia - POV

"How about we stop for dinner, Leia?" Sia suggested as we neared the mansion. I didn't want to accept the dinner invitation.

"Leia, are you okay?" Sia asked.

"Yes, I'll join you for dinner," I replied, not wanting to seem impolite to her, though I didn't wish to stay around Sia as she emitted a comforting aura. At the same time, I felt some mystery surrounding the Blackmoon Alphas and Luna Sia. I will find out what the mystery is.

Upon entering the dining room, Sia sat at the head of the table, and I sat next to her, as per her request. I froze when I saw two men, Mr. Xavier, and Mr. Kai, walked into the dining hall in casual attire. They were both models; they could pull off anything, and even a sack would look good.

"Mom, I see you invited Ms. Agnor for dinner," Mr. Xavier said.

"Of course, she was a real help and an excellent employee," Sia added with a smile, returning the gesture. As dinner was served, we quietly ate, but sometimes I felt the gaze of both alphas on me, or was that my imagination? I excused myself to go to the washroom, but I went to the rooms to see if I could find the wooden box.

I had to be quick, so I thought about investigating in the Alpha's Room and took a whiff of the scent. One scent came off as an orange belonging to Alpha Xavier, and this scent of fresh-cut grass belonged to Kai.

I quickly checked the drawers and found nothing in Alpha Xavier's room. I quickly searched Kai's room and found nothing. The locker looked odd to me when I was about to exit the door. I couldn't check; it frustrated me, but I tried to study the locker.

I heard footsteps coming closer. Of course, those alphas must be looking for me. After all, I have snooped around enough. I had to exit, which I quickly did, and I returned to the table to find only Luna seated.

"Leia, why are you panting? Are you okay?" Sia asked, looking at me with a suspicious gaze.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Sia. Can I leave now? It's already late at night," I said, grabbing my hand quickly and leaving without waiting for an answer.

As I took my keys out of my handbag, a letter fell out of my bag, and I picked it up from the ground.

Letter Context

"Leia, you want to know the truth about your past. Can you stand the truth, which is more painful, if you are strong enough to meet me at the Gazebo tomorrow at 05:00 pm, Sia?"