257 Lillian’s Baby Shower


    Lucrethia Woond had always known that Lillian’s pretentious front hid a weak-willed, indecisive little girl. Which was no wonder if one considered her weak sire. An apple supposedly fell not far from the tree.


    Of all her children, only Katreena inherited her strong personality.


    Silly Lillian might think that her grandmother was easy to fool with the useless social media campaigns that she used to gain supporters and unt her good rtionship with Ronan to her grandmother’s face.


    Lucrethia scoffed at all the meaningless glitters.


    Her granddaughter did not understand Lucrethia at all.


    The real support that Lucrethia wished to gain was the werewolf society’s. Who cared about all the negligible human beings?


    Poisoning Lucien Clearwater was Lucrethia’s goal all along. Forget about using the baby as leverage. Lucrethia knew that it would not work. As long as Lucien Clearwater was still alive, Ronan Silverback would never give Lillian even a side nce.


    Why?


    Because he was mated with Lucien. The mating bond was sacred and protected by the Moon Goddess. As long as it still existed, Ronan’s heart was tied to Lucien’s.


    .....


    It existed only when both parties were alive.


    Lucien had to die.


    After Lucien’s demise, Ronan was free to mate with another.


    And who would it be if not the woman who was carrying his baby? Even if Ronan did not want to, he would be forced by society to do it.


    Lucrethia’s n was perfect.


    The day of Lillian’s baby shower finally arrived.


    It had been a long time since the Infinite Eclipse Pack opened its gates for a visit from other packs.


    Almost all Alphas and Lunas came by to offer their congrattions.


    Pale-faced Conrad stood around clumsily and harvested the result of Lucrethia’s hard work, thanking guests left and right for their attendance and well wishes.


    Almost everyone showered Lillian with praises about her glowing look, how motherhood suit her, and so on.


    Although both men and women attended the baby shower, the men knew that it was mainly an event for mothers or future mothers.


    While the women thus gathered around Lillian for some baby talk, the men spread around the hall and chatted with each other. All but of course Ronan Silverback, the father of the baby.


    It delighted the women to have Ronan at the focal point of the baby shower. The dashingly handsome Alpha sat next to Lillian, exchanging loving looks with thetter, and entertained the guest with charming smiles and witty jokes.


    Lucrethia could almostugh out loud. The fated mate connection was a scam. A big lie.


    Look at what happened as soon as Ronan was free from it.


    He was a lot happier.


    It turned out that he preferred Lillian over Lucien after all.


    In the end, he might understand that he was better off with a woman than a man.


    Lillian was apparently not as useless as Lucrethia thought.


    “Oh, by the way, Alpha Ronan, where is your mate, Lucien Clearwater?” nosy Aunt Barbara Woond asked Ronan.


    She pretended to look left and right for the red-blonde man’s shadow and genuinely looked as if she missed him a lot.


    Lucrethia Woond narrowed her eyes at Ronan, trying to pick up on any involuntary reaction that this question might invoke in the Alpha.


    Ronan looked perplexed by the question for a split second, but then his face melted into a gentle smile.


    “My mate is not feeling too well. Unfortunately, despite his effort to n this baby shower, he is unable to attend.”


    Ronan then reached out and caressed Lillian’s belly. “Nevertheless, we are all praying for the safe delivery of the baby.”


    All the women went “A” in unison.


    Lillian put her hand on top of Ronan’s andced their fingers together.


    “I can’t wait to hold our baby in my arms,” she cooed.


    “So sweet,” Aunt Vera said while wiping the ends of her eyes. “We were so worried that Lillian would not find a ce in the Infinite Eclipse Pack, what with the unideal circumstances...”


    Ronan shook his head and smiled.


    “Of course not. Lucien is very understanding. How can we not ept Lillian? She is after all giving birth to my son.”


    Lucrethia smiled along with the other women.


    Understanding?


    Dying men were often understanding, yes. Lucrethia knew that for sure.


    “We sure hope for a speedy recovery!” Aunt Barbara chirped. “Poor man. How is he doing?”


    “He is receiving treatment at the Holy Temple of Moon Goddess. The temple priests and priestesses are doing their best to help him recover.”


    Ha.


    Lucrethia was barely able to conceal a sneer from spreading across her face.


    Lucien Clearwater was going to die soon enough. The fools at the temple could not do anything. They were not even healers! Thanks to the rarity of fated mates, this was one potent poison that had not been researched enough. Not many people knew about it, except for a select few who had been looking for it specifically.


    Someone like for example Lucrethia Woond.


    “The Infinite Eclipse Pack is going to hold a ceremony tomorrow to pray for Lucien’s recovery,” Ronan announced to the round ofdies. “We hope to appeal to the Moon Goddess’ mercy.”


    “Oh? It is quite unusual. I never thought that Alpha Ronan is such a devout believer.”


    “I am but a sinner. I am lucky enough to receive counsel from the High Seer that says that if the ceremony is a sess, then Lucien will be saved.”


    An “oooooh” went through thedies.


    “Is that so? Well, that surely makes sense. Best of luck, Alpha Ronan. When is this ceremony supposed to take ce?”


    “Tomorrow, during the full moon.”


    Lucrethia sipped on her cup of tea.


    Fools. Why would the Moon Goddess care about someone insignificant as Lucien Clearwater? Even if she did care, what’s with this “coaxing ceremony” that they needed to hold? Ridiculous!!!


    On the other side, this sounded like a great opportunity to finish the job.


    Busy with her own thoughts, Lucrethia failed to notice the briefest nce that Ronan threw her.


    “There was this... elderdy in St. rence who I met while Anna was still in surgery. We talked, and... she said that I was selfish.”


    Ronan balled his hands into fists.


    “She has the same eyes. The same beautiful eyes as yours.”


    For a split second, a murderous glint passed across Ronan’s eyes. It went away as fast as it came, masked perfectly by the good-mooded and light conversation about the uing birth of the baby.