Ariel POV

Being Nadine wasn't that bad. My life has changed one hundred and eighty degrees. Now, I never touch dirty dishes or even wash clothes. All that the maids did in the packhouse. I was really enjoying life except for Lucien's extremely cold demeanor.

I still wonder why he fucked me on our wedding night if he really didn't want Nadine? He's been avoiding me ever since. Whenever he sees me, he won't look at me. Was I carrying a contagious virus? Or does Lucien have a strange character?

Just like tonight. I was asked to wear a ball gown. And now I'm standing in front of the mirror wearing a satin-black dress that shapes my curves. I can't believe the sight of myself in this red dress. Is this the Ariel I know?

"Miss Nadine..." Odeth's call instantly made me realize that I was acting as Nadine. I couldn't let my guard down. I am Nadine. Ariel is no more. She was dead with a bad past.

"Hem, Odeth. What is it?"

"Alpha Lucien is waiting."

"Alright," I replied.

I prepared to leave the room, but suddenly, Odeth grabbed my hand.

"Wait, Miss Nadine, why don't I see a mole on your shoulder?"

I happened to be wearing a dress that was open at the shoulder. I looked at my shoulder through the mirror. I had forgotten that Nadine had a mole on her shoulder.

"Oh, maybe I accidentally scratched it." I quickly grabbed my shoulder, scratching it so profoundly that it scratched, and blood came out.

"Oh my God! Blood? You're bleeding, Miss."

"Odeth, I am fine. We'll be late. Just get me a tissue. And please call me Luna. Maxim will reprimand you if you call me Miss."

Odeth smiled at me. It surprised me.

"You've changed a lot since you got married, Miss. You're no longer as grumpy as you used to be. The way you speak is softer. I can't believe you've become like this."

Nadine is a hothead? Oh, no. Do I have to be like her too? But I have no reason to be angry.

"Why should I be grumpy, Odeth?"

"I don't know. You're always angry about everything. The way you speak is always at a high volume. But since we got married, I've never seen that. Is it because of Alpha Lucien's attitude?"

I didn't answer. This had nothing to do with Lucien. I don't know what Nadine's character is like. She just asked me to walk and do everything like her, but I didn't know Nadine.

"Luna, you made Alpha Lucien pissed off. Don't keep him waiting!" Evelyn walked into my room with hurried steps.

Evelyn is different from Maxim, who is a bit more friendly. She was very stern, seeming to dislike my presence in this place. She grabbed my hand roughly and pulled me out of the room. I had no chance to speak. My feet kept moving even though I was struggling due to this dress. I'm not used to wearing a dress like this.

When we arrived in the living room, I saw Lucien wearing a black suit. His hair was neatly arranged, and his shoes were shiny. His appearance was stunning, even without a smile etched on his lips.

"Luna is ready, Alpha," Evelyn said.

"Did you change clothes in space? What took you so long?" Lucien protested to me, but he wouldn't look at me.

I approached him, looking at him slowly with doubt and fear.

"I am sorry," I replied. "I'm just nervous."

Lucien accidentally looked at me. He was stunned. I saw his unblinking eyes, and his mouth was slightly gaping.

"Beautiful."

"What?" I almost blushed.

"Oh, no. Forget it. We should hurry. Your dad is also attending this event. You have to show him that we're a good match."

"My dad?"

I panicked. I'd only met Alpha Kentz once, at the wedding. What if he realized that I wasn't his daughter? I hoped Alpha Kentz wouldn't talk or ask me too many questions because I wouldn't know anything about Nadine.

We headed to the party venue at the hotel in the center of the Black Hole Pack territory. On the way there, Lucien and I still didn't talk to each other. Except when we got out of the car. When we arrived at the venue, suddenly, Lucien grabbed my hand and wrapped it around his arm.

"They should know that our relationship is fine," Lucien said.

"They?" I was confused.

"The Pack Council. They're urging me to have offspring."

I turned to Lucien.

"So that's why you fucked me back then?"

"No. I told you it was a mistake. I lost control because of the mate. Smile. They're looking at us."

I didn't realize we were already at the venue. Maxim explained that this event was to welcome my and Lucien's marriage. This is serious. If anyone recognized Nadine, then my cover would be blown.

"Wow, Lucien."

A woman approached us. She was beautiful and elegant, and of course, she knew Lucien.

"So you're really married. I thought it was just nonsense."

I turned to Lucien. He then whispered something to me.

"Her name is Crystal Lien. She's my friend. Be nice to her."

"Friend?" I furrowed my brow. Why did I feel that this woman was more than just a friend? She approached Lucien without hesitation as if their relationship was special.

Crystal looked at me. She smiled. I replied to her. What's going on? Why was she looking at me like that?

"Did you forget me, Nadine?" Crystal asked.

What? Nadine knew Crystal? Why didn't she say anything to me? What about this? What if my cover is blown?

"W-what do you mean, Crystal? I don't understand." I tried to smile even though a cold sweat was starting to break out on me.

What should I do? Should I act better? But what if I say the wrong thing?

"So you know Nadine, Crystal?" Lucien seems to have just found out about this.

My heart is racing. An instant sense of dread came over me. I'm definitely going to die this time. No, no, no. I can't fail. Now, I didn't even know where Nadine was. If I got caught, then I would not only endanger myself but also Nadine.

"Are you okay, Luna? Are you sweating?" Odeth touched me.

I smiled, but my brain was actually thinking.

"Are you sick, Nadine?" Crystal spoke to me again. That made me feel even worse. Moon Goddess, please help me.