Chapter 188: An Awkward Meeting
(From this chapter onwards, [Mona’s P.O.V.] will be equivalent to [Rose’s P.O.V.] due to the recent story development)
[Mona’s P.O.V.]
By the time we landed at the airport, Dylan had already arrived to pick us up in a huge SUV. He happily opened the car door for us and a warm feeling welled up within me from seeing him again.
“Luna Rose, you’ve worked hard. I’m very happy to see you again.”
This was one of the longest sentences I had heard Dylan say. He had always looked like a cool man of few words, but I also knew that it was because he had to look professional.
I knew that Dylan was the only person in the pack who knew my true identity besides Dr. Baldwin and the ranked members. He had always been loyal and reliable. Even though he had never seen my disguise before, he was able to identify me immediately.
“Buddy, watch your words.”
Edward glanced at Dylan and the latter immediately lowered his head to express his apology before quickly correcting himself.
“Ms. Mona, welcome to our pack.”
I smiled at him. I couldn’t imagine how people would react when I returned to the pack as Mona. Although Edward had told me that the ranked members would have to act as if they didn’t like ‘me’ very much, they knew I was Rose and still loved me the same.
Our car moved smoothly and quietly as my nervousness and excitement washed away my fatigue. When we finally arrived at the large metal gate of the pack, I realized that the place had changed.
“New plants have been planted here,” said I.
“Yes, the previous trees have been removed and the land has also been leveled. This took about a month,” said Edward. “Patrick has been watching over the pack until I returned to the pack. Although I had always known that you are very strong, seeing the aftermath of your outburst when you broke off your connection with me and our pack was quite shocking.
“Rose, you need to make sure to keep up the fact of being Mona while you’re here. The ranked members have already spread the ‘rumors’ of your arrival. Since only the ranked members will openly ‘mistreat’ you, you must tell me immediately if anyone else from our pack threatens the safety of you and Phil.” Edward continued to remind me as we drove in.
When the castle appeared in front of us, my nervousness and excitement peaked. Everything felt so familiar and nostalgic. But no one was waiting for us at the castle gate.
The car eventually came to a stop in front of the castle and Dylan jumped out to open the door for us. Edward picked up our luggage as I carried Phil. Alonso and Susanna’s luggage was still in the car, to be sent to their house on the south side of the pack after greeting the ranked members.
We walked into the castle as a few Omega servants busied themselves in the main hall.
“Dad, Mom!” Edward called out and the servants looked up at us. They were looking at me as well as my ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’.
Soon, I saw Alpha Leon and Luna Taylor coming out of a room. They were followed by Patrick, Ad, and my best friends, Jane and Diana. They must have gathered earlier.
I wanted to hug each and every one of them passionately, but I couldn’t. All I could do was look at them. I could see Jane and Diana looking at me with such fervent eyes, but they were able to instantly control their emotions. Their new expressions now looked as if I owed them five million dollars.
My heart was beating extremely fast – all of this just felt a little too strange. Although I knew that they were acting, I had a feeling that I was about to be interrogated, so I could only hug Phil tightly.
“Edward, you’re back! Who are they?” asked Aunt Taylor.
“Mom, this is the person I told you about on the phone. This is Mona and these two are her relatives.”
“She’s your mistress?” Luna Taylor exclaimed loudly, almost on purpose.
The servants began to whisper to each other and I could feel the mixture of feelings and opinions that were starting to have of me. I quickly set up a mental barrier. I didn’t want to have a headache from the get-go just because of this.
“Mom, please don’t use that term. I love Mona, even if she’s a single mother,” said Edward.
“You said the same thing to Luna Rose a few months ago,” said Jane, sounding merciless. I instinctively lower my head, a little ashamed.
“I still can’t believe you met a she-wolf on a business trip and brought her back as your lover, Edward,” said Alpha Leon accusingly.
“Do I have to keep living in the shadows of the past? Do I have to remain a widower just because of that she-wolf Rose? Hearing you mention her all the time is getting tiring. I have a life to live too, you know?”
If I didn’t know that Edward was acting, I would have been so heartbroken and burst into tears or beaten him up. Since I knew what was happening, I simply stood there awkwardly.
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