Fake Heiress True Luna (Irina) novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29: What Claim Do You Have?

Aiden’s POV

“She is not here,” Derek said as he took a sip of his wine, eyes scanning the crowded great hall with a knowing smirk. He’d sought me out deliberately, a shark scenting blood in the

water.

I didn’t need him to tell me. The moment I’d stepped into the opulent room, my own senses had screamed the truth. Her scent was nowhere to be found.

“Is there a reason you are looking for her, Alpha Riegrow?” I asked, irritation evident in my voice.

I was already in a foul mood because I couldn’t get a glimpse of my mate, only for this man

to come here and make matters worse.

“Not particularly, she is a sight to behold, and considering how boring this event will be, it might have been nice to be able to see Irina.”

Everything that came out of his mouth irritated Alro and me. “He is after our mate, and you are letting him get away with it, “he accused.

“Is that so? If Julie or somebody else heard you, they may think you want her for something serious, but that’s not the case, is it?”

I wanted him to admit he was only playing with Irina. After all, he had been a rogue for years, and I’m sure he had heard the rumors about her by now.

There is no way an Alpha from a newly established pack would sacrifice his honor to be with

an Omega.

Derek chuckled, a soft, infuriating sound. “Of course, I’m interested in Irina. Tell me, Keaton, does it bother you? I’ve been told that you hated her, but I can’t help but wonder if that hate is,

in fact, love.”

I scoffed. “Alpha Riegrow. I suggest you stop spouting nonsense unless you want me to challenge you for your pack just like you did with the previous Alpha.”

He shrugged. “You can do as you please. I may have been a rogue,

underestimate a rival.”

but you

shouldn’t

“You think this is a game?” My voice dropped, losing all pretense of civility, becoming the low, deadly rumble of a wolf seconds from shifting. “I know you are not aware of our customs because you were a rogue, but-”

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Chapter 29: What Claim Do You Have?

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I may have been a rogue,” Derek cut me off. “But I know how Alphas behave. I would be challenging you if Irina were something to you, but she isn’t.”

‘She is our mate!” Arlo roared.

My eyes squinted. I haven’t claimed her; nobody knows what she means to me. If I had decided to reveal who Irina was, then Derek would have stopped going after her.

saw a beautiful woman, who may be an omega, but beautiful and kind nonetheless, and I’m going after her,” Derek stated, his voice carrying a finality that felt like a declaration of war.

Unless you have a legitimate claim to stake, Keaton, I suggest you step aside, because I

plan to make Irina mine.”

A legitimate claim.

‘Aiden, do something!” Arlo roared. “We are going to lose her if you keep acting this childishly!”

was trapped. By my own pride, my own past actions. I had built this cage with my own

hands.

So you are going to take a chosen mate? That won’t be good for your image, Riegrow. You were a rogue, the best path for you is to find your fated mate,” I said, playing my last card.

He might be interested in Irina, but if I convince him, somehow, she is not the right woman, he will leave her alone.

‘My fated mate is dead. I can take a chosen mate if I want you, and nobody would judge me. Not everyone is obsessed with fated mates as you are.”

My fists clenched at my sides. He was not backing down as easily as I thought; instead, he was getting on my nerves. I don’t understand how he knows which buttons to push, but he is about to make me lose control. I want to punch him and destroy Riegrow so he can’t go after Irina, and Arlo agrees with my plan.

Alpha Riegrow, Alpha Keaton, it is a pleasure to have you here,” Serim’s voice filled the air as he approached us.

My head snapped to look at him; my raging fury hadn’t calmed down one bit.

‘Thank you for inviting me, Alpha Johnson. I met your sister when I arrived,” Riegrow said with a big, fake smile as he extended his hand to greet Serim.

couldn’t stand anyone at the moment, let alone Serim. He was Irina’s brother for a long time, but now he treats her like she was a piece of dirt he stumbled upon.

‘Like you are any different,” Arlo grumbled.

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His constant nagging was becoming a problem, so I shoved him to the back of my mind and closed the link between us.

“I’m glad you met Julie, I’m sure she gave you a splendid welcome,” Serim said, trying to force

a smile.

We both know Julie doesn’t know how to greet anyone properly. Everyone has heard her sob story, but she has had more than enough time to change and learn. She hasn’t. She’s a spoiled, vindictive child, and I’m sure the only ones who still believe she is the victim are her parents and Serim.

If she were part of my pack, I would investigate if her story was true. On the contrary, she doesn’t behave like a woman who has endured a hard life.

Perhaps I should still investigate…

“Of course she did,” Riegrow lied, but I’m sure Serim noticed.

His smile was all fake.

“Why don’t you meet her some more? I heard you lost your mate, perhaps my sister could be a good company for you,” Serim suggested.

I almost rolled my eyes. Since they couldn’t mate her with me, they were trying to mate her with another Alpha.

How disgusting.

Alpha Riegrow’s smile dropped. “I don’t like when other people meddle in my business, Alpha Johnson,” Derek said, his voice dropping to a dangerous, quiet tone that carried through the sudden hush. “Especially when they try to pawn off their damaged goods onto me.”

Serim flinched as if struck. “Damaged goods? How dare you-”

“I dare because I have eyes,” Derek cut him off, his gaze sweeping over Julie, who was preening nearby, completely unaware she was the topic of conversation. “A true Alpha’s daughter, raised by rogues, would have scars beyond the physical. She would have a wariness, a hardness, a survival instinct you can’t fake. That one?” He gave a dismissive flick of his wrist toward Julie. “She has the entitled arrogance of a pup who’s always been fed from a silver bowl. Her ‘trauma’ is a performance. A poor one at that. She can fool you all because you were raised in a pack, but how can she fool me? I’m a rogue, I know how hard that life is.”

My own anger at Derek momentarily forgotten, I watched Serim closely. I saw the flicker of doubt in his eyes, the same doubt I’d just begun to feel myself. He’d been so consumed by

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guilt and the desire to make amends to his “real” sister that he’d never stopped to truly look at her.

“You know nothing of what she endured,” Serim defended, but his voice lacked its earlier

conviction.

“I know a lie when I smell one,” Derek stated flatly. “We can pretend none of this happened. I don’t want to create trouble in your pack and ruin your special day.”

He let the offer hang in the air, a tantalizing promise of peace. Serim smiled uncomfortably. He knew that if another Alpha challenged him before he even got his Alpha title, it would look

bad on him.

Blue Moon’s reputation was already hanging by a thread; they couldn’t have another scandal.

“I’m sorry for suggesting a union between Blue Moon and Silver Fang. I’m sure you are looking for your second chance, mate, even if it’s rare,” Serim apologized.

Derek laughed. “I don’t believe much in second-chance mates. A fated mate is already rare, but a second-chance mate is almost impossible,” he commented.

“Yet here we are,” My wolf said as she pushed against my block.

“I am interested in forming an alliance, but instead of Julie, I want your blessing to pursue a different she-wolf,” He stated.

My heart dropped. He can’t be this blunt.

He knows about Irina’s reputation and all the rumors flying around about what happened during her ceremony. Serim is not on good terms with Irina at the moment, and neither is his family, because they blame her for Julie’s suffering.

If he tells Serim he wants Irina, he will put another target on her back!

“Sure, if I can help you with anything, you can tell me,” Serim offered, a new smile forming on

his face.

Silver Fang is not as big as Shadow Pack, but if it became allies with Blue Moon, it would still benefit both packs.

“There was a maid, straight blonde hair, blue eyes, like a doll. I heard you had some problems with her, and since she is no longer wanted in this pack, I would love to take her to mine,” Derek stated, his voice casual.

The world tilted on its axis. The air rushed from my lungs. He wasn’t just pursuing her; he was asking for her. Like she was a piece of unwanted furniture, he could just take away.

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Serim’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, then a slow, calculating look crossed his face. He was actually considering it. He saw a way to get rid of the “problem” of Irina and secure an alliance in one move.

“NO!” The roar from Arlo was so violent it shattered the mental block I’d put up. His fury and terror merged with my own into a single, blinding imperative.

“We can discuss this later, Alpha Riegrow. But Irina has to agree, she may be a maid, but she is still part of this pack and can make decisions on her own.”

Dammit! Dammit! I was going to lose her.

“NO!” The word exploded from me. Every head in the hall swiveled back to me. My control, my carefully constructed Alpha composure, was gone. Incinerated.

I stalked toward Derek, my vision tinged with red. “You will not touch her. You will not speak her name. You will not even look in her direction.”

Derek turned to face me, his expression one of feigned innocence. “And why is that, Keaton? You even called her an omega yourself. To you and the rest, she is just a maid. An unwanted one at that. What claim could you possibly have?”

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