Chapter 85 ~Chosen or Cursed?~
(Fiona's POV)
Elder Cyrus repeated his question, this time facing Xander directly. “Why is she scentless?”
The question hung in the air unanswered. I could sense Xander's hesitation, a muscle ticked in his jawline.
I swallowed air as I watched the events unfold before me. It all felt like a gang-up, but somehow, it was like I wasn't here; I was just watching from another body, a mere spectator.
I had to confess that I was wolf-less. It was the only thing to do. I'd been caught!
“I am scentless,” My throat dried up as I gathered courage. “because, I don't have a wolf.”
Whispers erupted across the council hall. Some elders stood up in shock.
I tried to pretend that I wasn't hearing their cruel words:
“She's not a real Luna. She's just a spy!”
“A wolfless Luna? Impossible!”
“She deceived Alpha Xander!”
I bit down on my lip. I was surprised that instead of feeling hurt, I felt like a thousand weights had been lifted off my shoulders. I had come clean.
Was this the moment I would be disgraced and chased out of the pack?
Before I could hear another cruel word, a loud slam on the table caused sudden silence to fall over the room.
I flinched back at the impact of Xander’s fist slamming hard on the table.
He fumed with anger.
“Watch your words,” Xander said coldly. “That is my mate you’re talking about.”
I ran my tongue over my lips. I was nervous now, very nervous.
This time when Elder Cyrus spoke, it was with a little caution. “But, Alpha, was any lie told? Silvereign is too legendary a pack to have a half-baked excuse for a Luna.”
A few murmurs of approval went around the room, while others nodded in support.
“I chose her. I made her Luna.” Xander spoke with precision, his voice raising with each syllable.
“And right now, you're challenging my authority as Alpha.” This time his voice was a low growl. “I'm not a pleasant person to go against.”
I glanced at Xander. My heart was swelling with pride. I'd never been defended like that by anyone, all my life.
I watched as Edgar, Xander’s father’s face flushed. He looked mortified.
Elder Apollo, who had been quiet for the most part of the meeting, stood up. “Alpha Xander, if you'd permit me to talk, I'd like to remind the pack about the legend of the wolfless Luna.”
“What's the legend of the wolfless Luna?” I spoke before I could stop myself.
Elder Apollo hesitated a bit before speaking. “Legend has it that once in a billion years, there would be a wolfless Luna in a pack. That Luna will bring curses and bloodshed in the pack.”
“Why are you trying to tone it down?” Elder Julius snapped. He walked towards one of the shelves and pulled out an old book. It was big and dusty.
He searched through the pages and read from it. “Legend of the Wolfless Luna: Oh cursed one, she comes like a serpent, the moon crest on her neck, the forbidden bloodline within her. She seeks for the souls of the noble men. Once in a billion years, war looms and as it does, the wolfless luna blooms.”
As he read the last line, a thick silence fell across the room.
My heart fell in my chest.
Was I really cursed?
Was I different?
Xander looked at me, his brows furrowed with worry. “Fiona, breathe… you're not breathing.”
Something was constricting my chest.
And I simply forgot how to breathe.
“Inhale.” He whispered in my ear. He held my back with care as I painstakingly inhaled.
“Good job. Now, exhale.”
I let out a jagged breath. And I continued slowly until I found my rhythm.
I could sense some of the elders throwing wary looks in my direction.
With a sinking feeling, I noticed the looks were dreadful. They were actually scared of me.
Edgar cleared his throat. “Xander, what are you going to do about this? You clearly cannot be mated with a cursed mate.”
“I'm cursed too!” Xander's voice boomed.
Soft gasps went around the room.
I looked at Xander. What was he doing?
“Aren't we all.” Calvin said under his breath, but it was loud enough for us all to hear.
I threw a thankful glance at him.
After that statement, no one said another word.
“So, before jumping to conclusions about the legend,” Xander continued like he wasn't interrupted. “why don't we actually consult the shaman and find out what exactly to do.”
Reluctantly, they settled back into their seats.
But I could sense Elder Cyrus running his eyes over me. “I don't think that'll be necessary, Alpha.”
I felt something burning on my neck.
“Why?” Xander asked.
“Can't you see?” Elder Julius suddenly narrowed his eyes. “Alpha… look at her neck.”
Everyone turned to stare at me. Their faces were ashen.
Someone gasped. “A moon crest! She is the cursed one!”
I touched my neck and withdrew my hand at the burning sensation.
Was I the cursed one?
I looked at Xander, this time, I couldn't hide the fear in my eyes.
The truth was I didn't even know where the mark was from. Was it connected to the silver-haired lady? Was it connected to my origin?
I tried to remember something. This burn felt familiar…
Oh.
I felt it first that day at the hospital, after I failed the final test. Was that the day I was marked?
“The mark of the moon goddess.” I muttered to myself.
“I've seen that mark before,” Elder Apollo whispered.
My attention turned to him. He might have answers.
“O-on who?” I stuttered.
“The last woman who bore that mark destroyed an entire pack.”