Page 34 of Chasing Luna

“I have to get back first. Someone might see us together.”

“Most of the guards are on patrol, and the house is relatively empty at this time,” I reply.

Gregory quickens his steps a little bit more. “I’ll see you around, then. Maybe I can tag along in the next training session?” he offers and I nod.

“Grayson?” Katarina’s voice suddenly calls out from somewhere in the hallway.

Dammit, we can’t get caught.

I look around for a hiding place and see the door to a dumbwaiter we rarely use. “This’ll have to do,” I mutter, squeezing in with Gregory’s help.

As soon as I close the door, Katarina appears. “There you are,” she notes, a little too sly for my liking. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Mistress Katarina, others might see you getting too… handsy.” Gregory’s voice seems a little shaky, and my blood starts to boil.

“That’s not going to happen. And even if they do, they won’t care. Do you want to know why?” She giggles. “Because you’re mine now, Grayson. Remember that,” Katarina breathes out.

Chapter Thirty-Three

What. The. Actual. Fuck,I think to myself, feeling my legs start to cramp as I continue to listen in on Katarina’s attempts at seducing Gregory.

“Mistress Katarina, I need to get back and help the other personal assistants set the table for dinner.” Gregory’s voice is firm and neutral, and I hear Katarina’s petulant sigh.

“Wait, before you leave. Did she do… anything weird? Fight anyone? Mysteriously gain a friend?” My sister seems eager to know what I did today, which makes me question how many times she’s had someone spy on me.

Was Gregory right all this time? Am I too blind to see the wickedness in my sister’s eyes?

“No, Mistress. She spent the day with the Omegas, helping them learn how to read and write. She said that it’ll be useful to them one day,” Gregory lies with ease. At this, Katarina laughs heartily.

“Jeez, I don’t know what’s gotten into her these days. Insisting on helping the weakest of the pack? These Omegas are nothing but punching bags for the warriors when they’re bored.” She leans against the dumbwaiter and my eyes go wide with fear. “I thought she’d do something worthwhile. Turns out she’s still as hopeless as ever.” I feel a twinge of pain start to grip my chest. “I think she’s a little unstable, especially after our sister has died. I want you to keep a close eye on her, but don’t speak to her. She might lure you in with her beauty, but make no mistake. She’s very… unpredictable. I don’t want you getting into trouble.” Katarina’s words pierce through me, shattering all of my core memories with her.

“She’s unstable? Don’t speak to her?” She thinks I’m nothing but a crazy person. I can’t believe this. I’ve never felt so betrayed. I try to stop the trembling of my lips, biting them until I draw blood. Stray tears flow from my eyes, but I make no move to wipe them away.

“I see. Mistress, I really have to leave.” Gregory remains calm amidst Katarina’s short tirade against my character.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay and play with me instead?” I roll my eyes at her coy tone. “I can play nice tonight.” I gag a little at that.

“No, Mistress. Good night.” Gregory’s footsteps fall farther and farther away.

“Ugh!” Katarina says, with a stomp of her foot. “Having an Alpha on my side will make me more powerful. We can even make our own pack, and yet, I give him every chance and he doesn’t care,” she mutters, leaning away from the dumbwaiter’s door and slowly walks away.

I wait for a few minutes inside the small space, processing the things I’ve heard just now.

She’s worried about me, but she thinks I’m hopeless? She says these things behind my back but when she’s with me she acts like the noble, perfect older sister. I let myself cry silently at the thoughts swirling around my head.

I wipe my face after a while, listening keenly if someone is waiting for me outside. Once I assure myself that the coast is clear, I hop off the dumbwaiter and sprint to my room. I lock the door behind me and head straight to the shower. Anxious to clean myself from the horrible day I’ve had.

Scrubbing my body furiously, I feel my grief turn into anger. “Today proves that I can’t trust her and she feels the same way. And what was the whole thing with Gregory? Is she actually just using him or is she interested in something more?” I keep talking to myself, unaware of the red patches I’ve made all over my body. Once the cold water hits my body, I start to relax a little bit. “Two can play at this game,” I say out loud. “I’ll play even better.” Armed with a new resolve to prove that I’m worthy of my throne, I step out of my shower and change into an appropriate outfit for dinner.

I slip on a corset dress, texting Eliza to come in and help me in tightening it. A knock on my door signals my friend’s arrival and I open it without even looking at her. I hear the door close as I turn and point at the delicate string decorating my back.

“Eliza, could you please help me? I don’t want to be late for dinner,” I state, putting on my watch and a few rings on my hands. Hands pull at the seams of my dress delicately, slowly. Warmth spreads across my back as hot breath fans my bare skin.

“Is this too tight?”

I suddenly realize this person isn’t who I thought it was. “Gregory!” I spin a little too quickly, and twist my ankle. I stumble and the back of my legs hit the edge of my bed while Gregory makes a move to catch my hand and help me regain my balance, but I pull him on top of me instead. “Ow.” I try to shake off the whiplash, but feel a certain pressure kneading on the delicate part of my torso.

I look down and see Gregory’s long fingers gripping my left breast. He looks down too and instantly moves his hand away once he realizes what he’s done. “I’m sorry!” he almost yells, but I cup my hand around his mouth.

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