My Mate Chose My Best Friend, So His Uncle Claimed Me novel Chapter 26

Shattered Glass Hearts Beneath Cold Evening Skies by Varin Hal 26

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Chapter 26: The Trusted People

“This will be your chamber, Euphyllia,” Lady Romina said as she ushered me inside.

My jaw almost dropped at the elegance and spaciousness of the room. It was more refined than I expected for a mere guest chamber. It had embroidered drapes, a canopy bed, and a faint scent of roses lingering in the air.

I turned to her and was about to thank her, but she spoke before I could. “Also, my brother–in–law just mind–linked me,” she said, her gaze softening. “He wishes you to rest for now… but later, you are to be summoned to his study room.”

“Summoned?” I parroted, creasing my forehead in confusion.

She nodded as she folded her hands in front of her. “Indeed. He will be waiting. You can freshen up first, and if you need anything, I will have a maid stationed outside your door. Do not hesitate to ask.”

I nodded curtly. “I see. Thank you, Lady Romina.” I inclined my head as a sign of respect.

“See you around.” That was all she could say before she finally stormed out of the chamber, leaving me alone as the reality of being, inside the Franciosa manor was sinking in.

Not only that, tomorrow, everyone would know that I was now married to the one and only Lucretius Xior Franciosa, the Alpha of the Golden Eclipse Pack.

The mix of excitement and anticipation became a turmoil for my whole being. Not only because I wanted to see the reaction of Redmund and Lilith, but also because I had finally met Redmund’s parents.

I had always wanted to meet them, but Redmund had told me that they were always busy. But I caught him to his lie one time that they had once visited him to check up on him because he was their one and only pup.

I had seen how they adored their son, so I thought he grew up spoiled, but it was only Lucretius who became his nemesis. Redmund really wanted to become the next Alpha, but Lucretius, for some reason, didn’t want to pass it down.

How I wished I could have asked Lucretius about that matter. Perhaps, some other time, and I would ask him.

Now, I wanted to see his face, so that he would never become one. Because the priority now was for me to bear a pup for Lucretius.

Speaking of which, that caught me off guard. I was bound to Lucretius‘ contract that I would become his wife and Luna of his pack. But what I didn’t clarify was bearing him an heir.

If we ever had one, did this mean that our contract would never dissolve?

The thought made me shiver. It wasn’t from fear, but from realization. My heart raced from the complication as having an heir would not only bind me to him, but also seal my place as Luna forever.

I could never escape. No undoing, No turning back.

The realization should have terrified me, but something complicated intruded my thoughts.

If Lucretius were ever to find his true mate first, perhaps then… perhaps, things could be different. Maybe then, I wouldn’t be bound to his chains forever.

I lowered myself into the lukewarm bathtub, letting the steam envelop me. However, the question still loitered to me.

There was so much things I must clarify to Lucretius later. There was no way that I would just wonder things without consulting

him first.

After all, it was just the two of us who entered this contract for the sake of seeking vengeance against Redmund and Lilith.

As I finished freshen up, a knock startled me.

Chocker 2 The Trusted People

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“Lady Euphyllia?”

It was a voice of a man that sounded so deep, worn and old.

I wrapped myself in the robe provided and went to open the door. I was greeted by a man in his 60s, where his silver hair, a sign of aging, was neatly combed back, having a good posture, and a look of sternness impaled on his face.

He bowed slightly, his hand resting across his chest. “Forgive the intrusion, my lady. I am Horace, head butler of the Franciosa

manor.”

I blinked at him, catching off guard by the formal introduction. “Oh… a please, Mr. Horace.”

“You honor me, my lady. But you can call me on my name,” he said politely. “I come bearing a message. Alpha Lucretius requests your presence in the study room.”

I almost jumped to my feet. “Already?” I asked, wondering if Lucretius wanted to bring up about the workloads he had.

“Yes.” His bow deepened. “Alpha Lucretius awaits you. May I escort you?”

For a moment, I hesitated. I wasn’t certain how to reply to someone who was so polite and talked to me as if I was a highly regard person when I was just a tactical keeper and assistant to their Alpha in the military.

“Please, lead the way,” I replied, smoothing my robe.

“As you wish.” Horace bowed one more time before stepping aside for me to follow.

While walking through the hallways, it didn’t escape me the portraits of the men hanging in the carpeted walls until I read their names and titles that they were the previous Alphas of the Golden Eclipse Pack and head of the House of Franciosa.

I even came across Lucretius‘ portrait, but before that, I came to see his father’s.

Terrance Van Franciosa.

That was the name of Lucretius and Lorenzo’s father, who was the previous ruler of their pack.

I came to a halt and eyed the portrait, especially to the signature eye color of the Franciosa bloodline. They were all beholding the hazel eye color, which had been the common law of nature that pups inherited the eye color of their fathers.

Then, my eyes nestled on Lucretius‘ portrait, and I had the chance to compare the appearance of him and his father. They only shared the eye color, and it seemed like they inherited their mother’s appearance.

“They do not look like each other, do they?”

I froze. I turned to Horace, almost forgetting that he was existing. “Uh…” I secretly pinched myself as I didn’t intend to delay the summoning, but his question caught my interest. “It seemed like Commander Lucretius inherited his features from his late mother.”

His keen eyes softened before turning to me. “Indeed, Alpha Lucretius and Master Lorenzo resembled Lady Selene.”

Selene Franciosa.

I heard about her from Redmund before, He had never known his grandmother, but Lady Selene tragically lost her life on a stormy night when her carriage plunged off a cliff, and wooden debris fatally pierced her chest.

With that, his grandfather was deeply heartbroken. He died in his sleep after a week. At that time, Lucretius was already the Alpha of their pack.

I almost caressed my chin from the realization that somehow, during Redmund and I’s relationship for a year, he somehow opened up to me about his family. No, he wasn’t openly about it, but I played the part of compelling him to tell me more about

him.

Chapter 26 The Trusted People

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“I see,” I answered Horace with a smile. “I wish to see Lady Selene’s portrait, but perhaps, some other time.” I had to remind myself not to delve further into this matter as Lucretius was summoning me.

He disliked it when anyone showed up late. I had been reminded by Leofrick before, and I could understand, as that was my

motto, too.

It seemed Horace agreed to my statement before we proceeded to turn to the corner as he led me through the vast halls.

Just before we reached the end of the corridor, he spoke, his voice lowered slightly as if he were speaking more to himself than

to me.

“Lady Selene was… remarkable. She had a presence that softened even the hardest of tempers. Many say Alpha Lucretius carries her strength, but only those who truly knew her understand that his restraint, too, came from her.”

I glanced at him, surprised at the softening of his tone. For someone who looked stern, the way he spoke sounded like a son speaking of his own mother.

Before I could ask more, he straightened his composure when we were in front of the door before he knocked. “Alpha, it’s me. I have Lady Euphyllia with me.”

My heart leaped out of my ribcage. Why all of a sudden did I feel like I got nervous? And why were my hands clammy right now? It felt like I had committed a wrong deed.

No, no. I mentally shook my head. That was impossible. Perhaps it was something related to tomorrow’s event.

The door swung open, and it revealed a tall man who seemed the same age as Lucretius. He had broad shoulders, a sharp jawline with a trimmed beard, and his piercing eyes immediately landed on me.

I almost stepped back from his commanding presence that was similar to Lucretius, if it weren’t for Horace greeting him. “Beta Joaquin.” Horace bent his head before gawking at him. “I have brought Lady Euphyllia as Alpha’s orders.” He gestured his

hand at me.

So, that was Joaquin… I almost nodded in approval because I heard Lucretius mentioning him to his brother earlier. I could have guessed that he might be the Beta, and I was right.

The man named Joaquin let his gaze linger on me for a moment, then placed his hand on his chest and bowed–was it to me or to Horace?

“Please come in,” he said curtly, stepping aside from the doorway. “Even you, Horace.”

Even Horace? I almost blurted out, but I pursed my lips when Horace gestured for me to move forward. As soon as I entered, the scent of sandalwood reached my nostrils, and my sight darted to the person who was sitting on the back of the desk.

The devil himself was smiling from ear to ear when our eyes met.

And the moment the door was closed, Lucretius stood up and stepped aside before walking strides towards my direction.

I gulped each step he took until he was towering over me, “Y–You have summoned me?” I asked, trying to compose myself, but it felt like I faltered as I felt overwhelmed by his presence.

Lucretius raised his hand and tucked a few strands of my hair behind my car. My eyes slightly widened at his action, and my

chest felt like about to burst out.

His lips curled into a smirk from my reaction. Then, he snaked his arm and effortlessly dragged me by his side as he gestured his hand towards Joaquin and Horace.

“My lovely Luna,” he said dramatically, gesturing his hand towards them. “I would like you to meet our trusted people.”

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