CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 23
“You need to go outside; you’ve been locked up in this cabin for two days now,” Elara said as she sat at the edge of the bed and looked at me with a sad look. She has been annoying me every day, checking up on me, bringing me food. She has been pestering me and rambling when she's in a good mood; sometimes she just lies next to me and says nothing.
“I don’t feel like going outside, and two days is not that bad,” I said as I turned away from her and faced the wall. I’ve been cooped up inside Raven’s house because I haven't been able to go outside and face the pack members. I don't have he energy to get out of bed and face the people that I have betrayed.
I’m only now regretting my decision because it didn't work out as planned. What will I say to Lenny when I see him? How do I convince Raven that I will never harm anyone else in the pack? There are many things that I wish I had reconsidered before making my decision.
“You committed a crime, and instead of going out there and showing them that there’s nothing they can do or say to make you regret your choice. You wanted justice for your friend, right?”
“Yes,” I said in a lower voice, too embarrassed because even at that, I failed Kade. “You need to stand tall and figure out your next move.”
“Aine, you are now the Luna of this pack. They need you. I am sure that you have some Luna responsibilities now. Instead of lying here and feeling depressed, go and help out.” She said that after she didn’t hear me reply, I grumbled under my breath, annoyed.
“I wasn’t the Luna about two days ago; they can still do things without me,” I said, fighting every urge in me to kick Elara out of my room. I haven’t even seen Raven for days; he comes in and sleeps in the guest bedroom. Not that I mind, but I do feel guilty about my course of action.
“Okay, what about your plan? Do you have a plan about what you plan to do after the stunt you pulled at your Luna ceremony?” I was about to roll my eyes when I realized she’s right for once.
I sat up, thinking deeply about the thought that had just suddenly lit in my head. “What?” Elara asked, looking up to me with furrowed eyebrows.
I smiled, feeling better, and my spirit was uplifted. “I understand what you just said. Thank you for your wise words.” I said as I got out of bed and slipped into my sneakers.
“What do you mean?” Elara asked as she stood up from the bed, looking at me with a concerned look. “I mean, thank you.”
“Why do I have a bad feeling about this?” I laughed and made my way outside to get a breath of fresh air and start thinking about my next move. Elara is right, just because I didn’t succeed at my plan, it doesn’t mean I should just drop it.
“Have you seen Raven?” I turned to look at Elara when I didn’t hear her answer me. I was about to repeat my question when she finally answered.
“He is training in the field…” She said awkwardly, I nodded, waiting for her to finish because she clearly has something else to say. “With a new woman who challenged him.” I looked at Elara, trying to read her face, to see if this was just a bad joke punishing me for isolating myself for the past few days.
“What woman? What do you mean?” I asked, grabbing her shoulders and slightly shaking her, feeling both frustrated and confused. Elara laughed softly and removed my hands from her shoulders.
“You need to calm down, it’s just a woman.” She said, laughing as she stood up from the bed and stood at eye level with me. “You are too slow and too vague. What are you saying to me? Does he have a new girlfriend?” I asked my heart, thumping against my chest, about the possibility that Raven might be in love with someone else.
“Why would he have someone when you were just anointed as the Luna?” I cleared my throat and tried to compose myself. I hate acting out of character, and being jealous is me acting out of character. I hate even Elara seeing me like this.
“Let’s go check out this woman you are talking about,” I said as I walked to my drawer, took out my single-stack pocket pistol, and placed it on my waist, hiding it with my sweater.
“I’m genuinely concerned. I think you’re going crazy.” I looked at Elara with an annoyed look. “Why are you always judging me?” I asked, throwing my hands in the air.
“Why are you always making stupid decisions?” she asked, throwing her hands in the air. I clicked my tongue and attempted to move past her, but she grabbed my arm with one hand, stopping me. Elara has been one of the strongest female guards of this pack. There is no way I am fighting with her. I wouldn’t win even if I tried.
“You should leave that behind.” She said as she gestured to my waist. “This is just for assurance. I attempted to kill the Alpha’s brother a few days ago; who knows what could happen to me?”
“Alpha’s cousin, actually.”
"What do you keep dropping information like you are dropping bombs?"
I didn’t even wait for an answer from her; I walked out of my room and straight for the front door. As soon as I stepped outside, my eyes zoomed in on the training field.
Raven was standing with his hands at his waist, looking sweaty and tired. There was a woman about the same height as him standing with her arms folded in her chest. I instantly walked closer because she had this smirk I didn’t like on her face.
I was a few feet away when they suddenly turned and looked in my direction. I noticed the woman seemed familiar. She’s the same woman who once walked out with a t-shirtless Raven out of his house a few weeks ago, the same woman who helped when I went blind.
“Is she ever going to be out of your life, or should I be the one to leave?” I asked, looking at him. My body was shaking vigorously from disbelief, anger, and jealousy. Why is it always the same person? It’s clear as day that they have some kind of forever bond.