Melissa's POV
Anabelle nodded, she glanced at our hands fixed together and raised her head up to me.
"Melissa" she called out softly.
I nodded, giving her permission to go ahead to speak.
"Melissa, the truth is Jeremy isn't a member of the pack" she revealed.
Confused, I furrowed my brows, "He isn't?"
"Yes he isn't"
I remembered Conri words stating that there are other werewolves packs present and not just theirs.
"Is that a problem?" I was confused to know where the sadness might be coming from, "After all, he isn't human, what can be worse than that?"
"Everything Melissa! Everything!" She pointed out with sadness subduing her.
"But how? It's clear that you love him and he is a werewolf, why are you so bothered, Anabelle?" I implored trying to know what she feared.
"I am bothered because he is a member of the hunters pack. The pack whose member attacked you deep in the woods,the rival pack of our pack" she confessed, tears welled up in her eyes.
For a moment, I couldn't utter a word. I was shocked to hear her words but I didn't blame her in any way.
"Oh" I muttered really dumbfounded.
"Now you see why I am scared"
I nodded. Hearing her admit that she is in love with a member from the rival pack, it really rendered me speechless.
"Now you see Melissa. My brother will never agree to our relationship. He might even kill Jeremy if he finds out that he is. In any contact with me"
My eyes flared in shock.
"Your brother will do no such!"
She shook her head vigorously, "No Melissa. You don't know my brother more than I do! He is ruthless in affairs like this. He won't hesitate to rip out the heart of Jeremy out of his chest with his claws. I know my brother too well to deny this fact, he won't be alive and watch me get mated to Jeremy not to talk of me leaving the pack for his' ' she admitted with deep fear on her face.
The whole situation seems harder than I can imagine. Although I know little about the werewolves lifestyle. One thing I have learned through books and Conri teaching is how ruthless they are once it comes with dealing with an enemy.
I glanced up at Anabelle feeling very sad for her. It's so sad to be in love and knowing that you can't be with the person you love. The realization itself hurts so much and even though I haven't been in love before but I can tell how shitty it hurts.
"What is Jeremy's point on this?" I asked, breaking the silence as I gently stroked the back of her hands.
Anabelle sniffed, "He loves me and wants to build something with me. He wants us to be mated and probably be together in the future. I even suggested that we run away together but he was against it, he thinks it is worth it fighting for our love but I think it's stupid, he is going to loose no doubt"
I nodded in agreement. Indeed, it's stupid. That is a ridiculous plan, fighting a way that you know you might lose and with the fact that Anabelle is from the royal house, it is way harder than it can be. I am pretty sure that this will cause nothing but more war between both packs, a war that won't end well at all.
"Do you love him so much?" I implored watching her.
With eyes soaked with tears, Anabelle nodded strongly. I stood up, picked a clean towel and handed it to her.
"Please don't cry" I consoled as I watched her dry up a tear that found its way and trucked down her cheek.
With a sniff, she nodded, "I just can't help but cry. I love Jeremy, so much. To be honest, we mated under the guidance of the moon a few nights back. Our bond had become stronger than it was before the mating. He is my mate Melissa, I don't see myself with any other werewolf but him, only him. We are already connected in a way that I can feel his emotions no matter the distance. How do you expect me to live knowing that I can't be with the man my heart beats for. It hurts, it hurts so much Melissa"
I nodded as so many unspoken words traveled around my mind.
"Can't the issue between both packs be resolved?" I suddenly asked.
Anabelle raised her head at me, "Resolved?" She asked rhetorically. "That's impossible Melissa! This issue has been around for ages, so many generations have passed by with the same issue unfolding daily. This isn't just a war that started years back. It has been in existence for ages'' she paused shaking her head, "I doubt if this is ever going to be solved and I want nothing else but to be with the man I love"
At that point,I was so speechless. I understand clearly, the issue at hand is far more serious than what I thought it was.
Gently, I stroke her hands, "Don't worry, things are going to get better. We will find a way to solve this and you will get what you want, live with the man you want and start a life with him…" I paused taking a deep breath, "As soon as I am made Luna, I will try to make this work, I won't let the predicament of two rival packs affect your fate. Jeremy must really love you for him to risk his life into fighting to keep you. This is real love but at the same time nor advisable. What will be best now is that you both should keep your relationship hidden as long as you two can. Avoid getting caught by anyone and do what you can to hold tight until each other. Don't worry, things will definitely fall into place" I assured her even though I wasn't certain if I would be able to fix this.
"Are you sure?" Anabelle asked, her eyes overwhelmed with so much hope
I nodded, stroking her hand. The last thing I want to do is to dash her hope. No way, I won't do that. I will try my best to see how much this works.
"Yes, I assure you".
Immediately, Anabelle wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.
"Thank you so much Melissa, you don't know how much this is to me. At first, I was scared to inform you about this but here you are lightening my burden in the best way I can imagine" she said all at once sniffing really hard.
With a troubled heart, I stroked her gently.
Suddenly, she let go of me, worried stuck on her face, "But how are you going to become the next Luna? I heard what the elders are insisting on before crowning my brother as the Alpha and you later on as the Luna. You don't love my brother so how is this going to work?"
Hearing her words, I immediately remember the words of Nelson and his request that we act to deceive them all.
Taking a deep gulp, my heart was overwhelmed with worry as I wondered if I had no other choice but to go along with this ridiculous plan.