I Am The Luna (Moonlight Muse) novel Chapter 81

 A Name  ZAIA. 

Her face pales and her lips quiver as she stares at me, terror plastered on her face. What is she so afraid of? “I… can’t say.”

“Why not?” I ask. Annette is frowning as she watches her daughter, but she does not look as scared but rather… confused.

Does she not know? Annalise shakes her head as she drops onto her seat, her heart thumping. “I won’t. Just don’t ask me!” (1

“Then I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do but demand your imprisonment. With the witnesses present, who also heard your admittance. That you, Annalise Toussaint, did in fact lie about your abduction and”-

“Please stop it, Zaia! Please, we are sisters, aren’t we? I’m pregnant. How can you throw me into prison?! Please have mercy, I am carrying your nephew!”

I frown. We have never been raised as sisters…

“Who is the real father of your child, Annalise?” I ask quietly. “We both know that it is not Sebastian. Drop the act or you will be the one suffering, regardless of who is pulling the strings from behind.”

Annette stands up suddenly “This child IS Sebastion’s! How can you try to force her to lie! It is Sebastian’s child!”

“Mom… please…” Annalise mutters, tugging at her mother’s sleeve to sit down again.

“No! I will not tolerate this injustice. You are carrying Sebastian’s pup, this child deserves its right! He cast you aside so easily! After everything they have done, they must suffer the consequences!”

“Enough!” One of the court members thunders and Annette mumbles something, sitting down with a huff.

“I’m waiting, Annalise,” I say coldly. Her jaw clenches, and she looks at me, realising I am not going to budge. “Fine. Sebastian is not the father! Happy?”

The court members exchange looks, but I’m not surprised by her answer and simply look at her.

“I see… Thank you for telling the truth. Now, I understand that you won’t share the ones who put you up to the kidnapping, but Annalise, remember right now, you are at my mercy. Your safety and punishment is in my hands… so the choice is yours. Will you protect those who put you up to this, or yourself and your unborn child?”

Our eyes meet and there’s anger in hers, but beyond that, I can see the fear that she’s trying so desperately to hide. When she doesn’t speak, I sigh, strumming my fingers on the arm of my chair.

My patience has worn thin, and I can’t afford for her not to answer. I stand up, sighing as I walk over to where she’s sitting, motioning for Annette to move back.

“Alpha Zaia, please-”

“Stand back,” I command, my eyes blazing. Instantly, two guards step forward and Annette obeys much quicker, stepping away and glaring at the guards.

A wave of unease rushes through the room and I bend down, placing my hands on the arms of Annalise’s seat. I reach within me for the strength I know I hold. I feel my eyes blaze, knowing they are burning orange.

“Annalise, as your Alpha, I command you to answer the question. Who is the father of your child?” I ask, my voice powerful, and I feel the power simmer around me.

Her eyes widen, and for a moment I see her confusion before her mouth opens. “Gaspard Durand!” She bursts out, gasping for air, her heart pounding as she realises she just told me the truth.

My eyes widen slightly, but I mask my surprise quickly. Gaspard?

“That was… a true Alpha command.” I hear someone whisper.

“I never thought it existed…”

I stand up straight, ignoring their awe.” Gaspard is a member of the Crystal Shadow Pack … you have been a part of…”

Is he involved? I look back at Annalise, frowning deeply. “And does he know you are pregnant with his child?” I ask.

“Yes,” she answers sullenly. “And does he know that you have been parading it around as Sebastian?” I ask sharply. She tenses before her head snaps up to me, and she glares at me.

“Stop it! Just stop it!” she screams, but how do I do that when she has lied? I take out my phone, texting Jai.

Zaia: Gaspard Durand, the member of my security from the Crystal Shadow Pack, needs to be brought in for questioning immediately.

I hit send and turn back to Annalise, who looks pale. “And now, back to who put you up to lying about being kidnapped?”

“I don’t know! I just did what I had to!” she screeches.

“For who?!” I snarl.

“I can’t! It’ll kill me and my baby!” she screams as she jumps up, gripping her stomach.