CHAPTER 346: _ CRUMBLING FACADE

I stood frozen, shocked to the marrow at what I had just heard. There was no way. There was absolutely no way. Surely, this was a prank they had pulled to get a laugh out of me. And if it was a stupid prank, I wasn’t finding it funny.

My eyes narrowed as I looked at Ann. My fingers trembled as I squeezed out, "You mean to tell me... papá’s death could’ve been prevented? And you did nothing... because of Axel?"

Luna Ann sobbed even harder. She pressed her palms to her face and said amidst wails, "I’m sorry! Dios mío, I’m so sorry, Luis! I should’ve done something... I should’ve known he was only bluffing. But— as a mother..."

As a mother?! As a mother?! What happened to being MY mother?! You called me ’your Luis’ for hell’s sake!

Luna Ann looked up at me, her eyes seemingly searching for something. Whatever it was, I wasn’t going to give her that satisfaction. My anger was practically at my throat, but I maintained my silence. Rather, I was filled with too much rage to speak.

Before this, I had considered sparing Luna Ann while I made the others suffer. But now, after learning that she had a hand in ruining my future, I couldn’t spare her any longer.

At that moment, I made my decision. I was going to kill Axel’s mother. She would be my first victim in my streak of murders.

Thinking deeply about it, killing her first was indeed a brilliant move, as it would be a grave blow to Axel. I planned to slowly break him mentally, so seeing his mother’s cold corpse was sure to get him reeling. Besides María José, that was the only other person he cared about in this damned house.

And so, I stood up.

A soft smile graced my lips as I neared Ann. I held her hand gently and said, "There’s no need to feel guilty, mamá. You did nothing wrong — like you said, you were only worried for your child."

She whimpered. "But you are my child too, Luis. I shouldn’t have kept quiet. It has been eating at my chest for a long time now... I’m so sorry. Por favor, mijo, will you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

Forgive you? I sneered. Sorry, Ann. But forgiveness can only be granted by the lord. And that is precisely where I will send you.

I flashed her my best smile and squeezed her hand softly. "I forgive you, mamá. You look tired. Come on, let’s get you to your room, sí?"

She sniffled and slowly stood up. Every moment I spent holding her hand was like a thorn in my chest. I despised being around her. Hell, I despised seeing her. I couldn’t wait to get rid of her.

I led Luna Ann out of my room and walked with her along the hallways of the house. During the time, I kept whispering words of comfort to her, ensuring she let her guard down enough, just before I took it all away.

A few maids passed by us.

"Good afternoon, Luna. Good afternoon, Señor Luis."

As Ann was too shaken to respond, I gently waved and offered them an endearing smile. "Good afternoon," I said, and their faces lit up. They hurried away with giggles and hushed whispers, and I shook my head with a grim expression.

"By the way," I suddenly said. "Axel mentioned something about a witch of sorts running around the pack, no?"

Axel’s mother turned her head slightly. Her footsteps slowed as she said with a slightly lost look, "Yes. Quite a lot has happened these past few months. It’s overwhelming, really. And it’s amazing that Axel and María José can continue to bring everyone together. Gracias a Dios for that."

"Is that so..." I muttered, then asked, "Have they made any progress in finding the witch? It’ll be sad if the pack members keep dying. That would break my heart."

Ann shook her head. "The person is slippery, you know? Like a shadow. And their wicked powers make it so hard to catch them."

At that moment, a sinister smile crawled up my face. I suddenly halted in my tracks. Using my ability to sense shadows, I made sure no one was close enough to witness what I was about to do.

Yes. I planned to kill Ann right there and then. The reason I walked her this far was so that the murder wouldn’t take place close to my room. With Axel’s mother dying just a corridor away from her room, suspicions wouldn’t likely fall on me.

But then again, it wasn’t like I was particularly trying to hide that I was the demon amongst them. I was tired of hiding. It was time to start doing things my way.

"Why did you stop?" Axel’s mother raised a puzzled brow. Before I could respond, her eyes widened slightly. She said, "Oh, my son, I understand. You don’t want to go anywhere close to the Alpha, eh?"

I chuckled and shook my head. "Oh, that’s not it at all."

Just then, the shadows around us began to stir. Axel’s mother turned around sharply. She had sensed the malicious feeling in the air. She was a wolf, after all. And she was in no way weak.

But I was stronger. Far stronger.

"Luis. Something’s wrong. Get behind me, por favor!" she ordered.

I laughed.

How pitiful. Even in this situation, you are still trying to protect me. If only you had protected me back then. It’s too late now...

The shadows came to life and thickened around us like a sphere of darkness. The darkness quickly isolated us from the house, so that the other werewolves wouldn’t be able to pick up the slightest noise.

I couldn’t see Ann’s face, as I stood behind her, but I was sure her expression had turned fearful.

And then, I slowly grabbed her shoulder and watched her tense up uncontrollably.

"You see, Ann, this ’witch’ coming after the pack is way closer than you think," I murmured.

I smiled. "You know, maybe even close enough to be standing behind you."

Axel’s mother spun around instantly, a horrid look on her face. My smile reflected my true nature as the facade finally came crumbling down.

Ah, how good it feels to be my true self!

I simply enjoyed the looks of horror on my victims’ faces just before their deaths. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

"Luis... Y-you’re joking! Tell me this is some sort of terrible joke!" she begged, and I could see the fear and desperation closely crawl into her tone.

"I wish it was," I said, grinning. Then, the shadows stirred and formed a large blade that settled on my left hand. I looked at her without the slightest ounce of empathy in my eyes. It had been snuffed out long ago.

"Adiós, Ann." I said softly.

Axel’s mother fell to her knees weakly. "Luis! Luis! Listen to me... this isn’t you—"

Her words hung in her throat as I forced the blade into her chest without hesitation.