THE SUBSTITUTE LUNA (IRIS and DRACO) novel Chapter 13

IRIS.

“How did you sleep?” The Alpha asked as soon as I sat at the breakfast table. I was glad I woke up early and was already helping in the kitchen when he came down to eat.

He then invited me to join him. It was just the two of us.

“I slept well, Alpha. Thank you. The pillows are so soft, and the bed is spacious. I think I rolled over a lot…” I paused when I realized I was talking too much. “I apologize for talking too much.”

“I don’t mind. Go ahead, talk.”

“I think that was it. How did you sleep, Alpha?”

“I barely sleep.”

“You shouldn’t be compromising your sleep. I mean, you need to rest, Alpha. You have a big pack to manage, so you need to recuperate so you can do your task…”

“I can function even without sleep…

“But it’s not good for your health,” I told him, only to realize that I talked too much again. “I’m sorry…”

“Do you always apologize when you say more than one sentence?”

I swallowed, and I was sure my face turned pale. I had no idea when I began talking too much. When I was with Constantine, or even with my father’s family, I barely said anything. I was often told to shut up or reprimanded for being noisy.

Alpha Draco tore his gaze from his plate and looked at me. “You’re in my pack. You’re allowed to talk here. You can ring everyone’s ear off. You won’t be reprimanded. You are also free to ask questions.”

I smiled and nodded my head. I also grabbed the opportunity to ask the questions that had been bothering me since yesterday. “Is Felicity going to join us?”

He looked at me, but he didn’t say anything until I heard footsteps approaching, and soon enough, Beta Roman came into view.

“Alpha, good morning. A messenger from Constantine arrived and wanted me to give this to you.”

I swallowed. I saw the Alpha look at me before he spoke. “Read it.”

The Beta remained standing as he opened the envelope. His eyes moved as he read it. “Alpha, he is asking for compensation for the physical damage. He attached the current running medical bill for him. He’s in the hospital.”

I swallowed as my hold on my fork tightened.

“He must be crazy to think he would get anything from me.” The Alpha said.

“He said he would sue you if you don’t pay for the bill.” The Beta said.

“I have money in my room in his house.” I blurted. “You can tell him where to find it. He can use it for his medical bill.”

“The two thousand?” Alpha Draco asked.

I nodded.

“Where is it?”

“Nothing. Don’t come home without Iris’ money and her locket.”

The Beta nodded and asked permission to leave, leaving me alone with Alpha Draco.

“I’m sorry that he’s still disturbing you,” I said.

“How many times do you plan to apologize in a day?” He said as he began eating.

I didn’t reply and took my fork, dropping my gaze to my plate. I began eating as well, making sure not to make any sounds. I had so many questions, but the Alpha was so quiet that I was not sure if he would entertain more from me.

The idea of retrieving my locket and money thrilled me. First, because the locket is my only memory of my mother. I was glad I wore it the day when Aunt Fiona threw me into that dark room, and I had it on me when I ran away from them. I saved the money for the last three years by either taking bills left in Constantine’s laundry or selling herbal medicines to women I met in the forest or by the river. I worked hard for those.

It didn’t take long before the Alpha excused himself as he was done eating, but he told me that after I was done with breakfast, I should bring him a brewed coffee. Black and no sugar.

After he left, I finished the food on my plate and then asked a helper for directions on how to brew it the way the Alpha wanted. I already expected to be treated indifferently, but I was wrong. Although the one who helped me wasn’t smiling, she wasn’t scowling either. Or she didn’t sound irritated that I was asking.

In fact, she was very attentive and began teaching where the cups were and what specifically were the wares and cutlery that were exclusive to the Alpha.

Including his own coffee machine. She gave me instructions on how to use the machine but left me alone to do it. So I began working on his coffee, and in no time, I was already on my way to his office.

I knocked at his door while balancing the cup and saucer in one hand. I was allowed to come in, so I turned the knob and pushed the door open.

The Alpha was standing by the big window and was already looking at me.