Chapter 134 Brave
Kristen's POV
Calhoun didn't return home the rest of the night, and I stayed alone in the room with our son until dawn. Nor did I sleep a week.
As a new mother, resting is required because I lost a lot of blood. I am still losing a lot of blood, but the piece of information from my bodyguard left me in horror throughout the night.
"Miss Kristen, Bruce just texted me that they're at the council hall this morning, and Alpha Calhoun is looking for a way out," Janette informs me later that morning.
"They're still there?" I inquire.
"Yes, Miss Kristen," Janette nods.
And suddenly something slams through my mind.
"I need you to watch Aiden for me," I say, upon pulling away from my son's crib.
"May I ask why?" Janette seems unsure of my order.
"Just do as I say," my voice is loud and authoritative.
And she hesitates before eventually nodding.
Calhoun's POV
For the past two hours, I've been trying to seek a solution from it all, if there was a plan B because I can't risk losing Kristen to anything. But they're still firm on the damned custom.
"There has to be a way out, Kristen cannot carry out such," I make this known to them.
"If there was a Plan B, we would have told you sooner.." Elder Festus
says.
Suddenly, the door suddenly creaks open, and in comes my mate, looking completely different from the woman whom I left at home yesterday.
I can feel my eyes rising in their sockets as my eyes rake at her appearance.
Who would have thought that she went through labor yesterday?
She's dressed to perfection and seems a bit different from the girl I am used to. Doesn't even look like a mother.
"Kristen?" I call out to her but she ignores me and takes casual steps until she's standing at the table.
Bruce clears his throat and scratches the back of his head awkwardly as if he knows what's happening.
There's silence at the table. All eyes are resting on Kristen's like ants securing spots on a cube of sugar.
"What are you doing here?" I pull back my chair and rise to my feet.
"I'll do it," Kristen lets this out, her voice is unwavering as she bounces her head from one Elder to another.
"Do what?" I inquire, as I abandon my spot to meet her.
"The Luna's rite, give me three days to prepare for it." She demands.
And I stiffen for a split second because it was the last thing I was expecting from her.
Even the elders are a bit stunned to hear her say this.
"How did you know about the Luna's rite?" My eyes are twitching in their sockets when I pull her arm to face me.
And she sighs before tipping her head to meet mine.
"Don't beat yourself over this, Calhoun. It's the Greyhound's custom and I need to carry it out." Her voice isn't even shaky at all.
"But you're strong enough..." I am interjecting when she cuts me short.
"It's high time I stop being weak, Calhoun. I gave birth to our son yesterday, our marriage is six days away. Let me perform the Luna's rite before our marriage," Kristen gives me a small reassuring smile.
And I search through her eyes because I know her better than this... she's not strong enough. She needs protection and all the care in the world.
"Listen to me, you don't need to force yourself to do this. It's barbaric and I'm looking for a way out." I assure her, hoping she'll
just drop this and speak of it no more.
Kristen purses her lips as she looks at me for a split second. Then she shakes her head in disapproval.
"There's no way out, except you want to lose me and our son."
"Over my dead, fucking, body," I hiss out, not minding my language even though the elders are here and they're intently listening to our conversation. I can't see anyone else but Kristen, nothing matters at this point because she's still too delicate and fragile to perform the
Luna's rite.
"Just calm down, Calhoun.." She puts her hand on my arm.
"You don't have to pretend to be strong, Kristen. I know you," My voice is a lot harder than I intended.
"Maybe I am starting to change and you don't know me so well," Kristen shrugs a little and smiles at me.
"What?" I blink.
"I just became a mother yesterday, you don't expect me to still live
with my old mentality...I have a child, a son to protect." Kristen stand on her toes and put her hand at my ear to whisper this only for
my hearing.
And I am left perplexed because she's not sounding like her old self.
What in God's name happened? Her way of thinking changed right after she went through labor. So many thoughts are running through my mind right now.
"Who told you about the Luna's rite?" I inquire when she lets her
feet down.
"It doesn't matter, Calhoun. What's more important is that I do this, and we stay together.." she takes my hand in hers and smiles at me once more, "I can't wait to be Luna."
"You need to listen to your mate, Alpha Calhoun," Elder Festus, who has been silent the whole time, says at last.
"She's..."
Again, I am interrupted by Kristen before I can make any protest.
"The Luna's rite should be done in three days," she declares, facing
the council of elders.
"As you wish," Elder Alphous nods.
"Is there anything I need to know before that day?" Kristen continues, as she lets go of my hand so she can properly turn to face them.
"Yes, and it would take place at night. All the Greyhound members will be present at the courtyard to watch," Elder Festus is the one to
reply this
time.
"And?" Kristen twitches a brow.
"The rite will be judged as a failure if you throw up after eating what
you were given," Elder Alphous informs Kristen.
And she just her chin outward before folding her arms across her
chest, looking as determined as ever.
"I am already aware of this," comes her response.
And chills run through my spine, and I clench my jaw to refrain from
trembling.
Who's this person and what has she done to Kristen?
Because I can't recognize her at all.
The Kristen I know would have panicked, wailed, or even thrown a
tantrum because she's still a child at heart. She would never agree to carry out such an act.
"Now, I think this meeting should be called off," Kristen returns her
gaze to the elders at the table, "no need to go deep into this as I have agreed already."
They throw a few grunts here and there, and I can see Bruce looking as stunned as I am. Because he's aware Kristen isn't this bold.
"If you all don't mind or find this disrespectful, Alpha Calhoun and I
need to leave, as there are a lot of pressing issues at hand to tackle," Kristen surprises me by grabbing hold of my arm and pulling me along with her.
This behavior is rather strange because she's never acted this way
before. I understood her perfectly before, but now I'm not even sure
I do anymore.
Still, I have no choice but to let her take me away.
It's the first time someone is dragging me out of the council hall.
And everyone present seems to be puzzled. "Where is our child?" I question her as we head to the door.
"Did you think of him when you stayed out last night?" Kristen
frowns at me, something which gives out that she's upset.
"I couldn't face you," I rasp out.
"Alpha Calhoun, you tend to go into hiding when something is out of
your control," Kristen gives me a wry expression. We're outside now, and I don't even see Janette, her bodyguard.
Wait a minute, she drove her car here all by herself?
For the umpteenth time, what's going on?
I don't want to think my mate changed overnight, due to the information she received about the Luna's rite. It makes me feel
incompetent, like a big fat loser because she's meant to be protected by me at all costs. She's supposed to be dependent on me as always.
"Let's go, Calhoun. Aiden needs us," Kristen strokes my back and rewards me with a small smile.