KIARA:
It is unbelievable that I have to wake up in this pack again. I want to claw at my skin and rip it open, but that would be to the fun of Mindy. As I lie in bed, I beg the Moon Goddess to allow us to cross paths. The amount of hate brewing in my heart feels strong enough to torch down an entire continent, and I plan to channel that energy into Mindy. The only good thing about being in this pack is that it makes me feel powerful again, and power can be either good or bad.
"Ma'am," I hear Isabella's voice from the hallway before she places a light knock on the door.
Isabella has been my faithful servant, just like Ariana, so I am trying my best to be gentle with her since she hasn't done anything wrong.
"Come in," I say, and she opens the door, walking in. She shuts it and gives me a bow.
"You do not need to do that every time," I tell her. She stands straight as soon as I say this.
"Alpha Blake asked me to help prepare you," she says, and my brow scrunches at her words.
"Prepare me for what?" I ask, sitting up.
"For the witches' arrival," she answers, and my eyes widen in shock as no one made mention of a witch coming to see me today.
"It is for a spiritual cleanse that would lift the effect of-"
"I know," I interrupt her before she completes her statement.
She gives a slight bow, then stands straight as soon as she realizes what she did.
"Sorry," she mutters before walking away to prepare my bath while I throw the duvet over my head.
In Lunar Shadow, it is a taboo for a queen to overthrow her husband, but at the rate Blake is moving, I wouldn't mind doing that. What could be worse than being forced to love a man who threw me out for months? The mere thought of going to bed with him pricks my skin, and if that is the case, I will have to fantasize about Zane forever when he is with me.
"It is ready," Isabella announces.
When I am done taking a bath, I see Isabella has laid out my official Luna dresses for me to choose from. As I stare at them, the irritation bites deep into my skin.
"Isa," I call out in a low tone, and she rushes toward me.
"Were these clothes worn by Veronica when I was away?" I question, looking into her eyes, and she shakes her head.
"She requested an entire wardrobe change, and Alpha Blake granted her wish," she replies, and I nod my head.
"Get me something casual to wear, will you? Something red. Maybe a gown-anything will do," I say, and she nods, walking back to my closet while I sit on the bed in my towel.
Shortly, she returns with a flared red dress, which I take from her. I stand in front of the mirror, placing it on my body. Then I imagine Zane standing behind me, telling me how good it looks on my skin. With a strong exhale, I leave my daydreaming, walking away from the mirror to put on the dress. Then I do light makeup, allowing my hair to fall on my shoulders.
"Let's go," I say to Isabella, whose gaze lingers a little too long.
I can tell she is scared, but I must achieve my goal for the day.
"Come on." She shuffles her feet as I say this, then she walks to the door, opening it for me. I walk out, making my way down the hall until we get to the visiting chambers.
As soon as she opens the door and my eyes cross with Blake's, who is seated on his throne, a smile forms on my lips. He adjusts himself on his seat, which immediately tells me he is uncomfortable. I ignore him and strut majestically into the room, stopping in front of him.
"Do you like my dress, Alpha?" I ask, and he glares at me with his brows crumpled.
"I hear there is a witch coming to cleanse me, and I hope she likes this," I say, and he exhales deeply, rubbing his temples.
"Kiara, please sit," he says, and I nod, taking my seat beside him.
As I sit there, I try to catch a glimpse of his face. I know that no matter how I try, I can never love him, but the best I can do is set him free from whatever Mindy has put on him.
The sound of the door opening draws me back to reality at once, and I look up to see a guard walk in with a woman in a cloak that covers her face.
"The witch is here," he announces with a bow, then Blake sits up.
"Come forward," he says to the witch, who strolls toward us with her eyes on me.
At first, I do not notice anything weird about her until she pulls off the cap covering her hair. Her hair is black, but those brown eyes give her away. Mindy. I try to steady the expression on my face, acting as though I am not aware of her scheme.
"If you do not mind, I will go over with the cleansing ritual," she says, and Blake nods. Then she faces me. "Step this way, my queen."
I hesitate, but I get up the moment Blake glances at me.
"Sit," she says, pointing to the floor, and I obey her without looking at her. I am trying to hold myself down in front of her because that is the only way I can be a step ahead of her.
She stands chanting things I do not know, then she takes out a stone from her bag, circling around me with it, before pausing.
"What is the problem?" Blake asks as the pause stretches on.
She breaks a sigh.
"This ritual cannot be completed today," she says, and I raise my head to catch Blake's expression. His face tightens in anger. "Do you know your wife has another mate?" He relaxes his face when she asks.
"Yes," Blake answers.
"That bond has to be broken for the ban to be completely lifted," she says, and she goes on to explain her gibberish. "You see, after she was banished, he claimed her as his. She was no longer a Luna, and she was no longer a member of this pack. For her to be a full member of the pack, we have to leave behind everything she inherited outside."
I can tell her words are getting to him due to how relaxed he seems.
"So, what do we do?" he asks, and I catch the corner of her lips raising, but she straightens her lips at once.
"I will have to prepare tonight for the ritual tomorrow morning. But you must know this ritual is risky. He is her second-chance mate, and she could risk dying if she is stubborn to let go of the bond." I glance at Blake when she says this.
"Do it!" he responds without allowing me to speak.
"What?" I ask, getting to my feet and rushing toward Blake, who gets up from his seat.
He walks past me to his guard.
"See that the witch is well-rested," he instructs, and the guards leave with Mindy. I walk up to Blake, grabbing his hand before he exits the room.
"Are you out of your senses?" I question, and he yanks his hand away.
"I should ask you the same, and it is probably the stupid bond making you misbehave. You insulted your father yesterday-"
"He hurt me!"
"And he is still your father!" he yells back, and I stay silent.
He keeps his eyes locked on mine.
"Your life is in your hands, love, and I know you wouldn't want to die. But either way, if I cannot have you, then no man should." With this, he walks away while I stand there, trying to regulate my breathing to keep from passing out.
I walk back to the room as fast as my feet can carry me. There, I find Isabella sitting on my bed. I burst into tears without caring about her presence. She stands up and walks to me.
"I thought you were going to be happy being here, but it has only been one day, and you keep fighting with the Alpha. I am really sorry," she says, and I stare at her with my tear-stained eyes.
"It is not your fault, so you do not need to apologize," I tell her, but she shakes her head.
"There is something I need to tell you, Luna Kiara, and I am very sorry," she says apologetically.
My heart skips a beat as I stare at her. Then she begins to speak about how she helped Mindy get what she wanted.
"It is not your fault, Isabella. Everyone has been a victim of Mindy, but she has forgotten that this is my territory, and she cannot operate on it. She may have taken Blake away from me and turned him cold, but I won't let her destroy what Zane and I have," I say to her, and she looks at me in confusion.
"Do you trust your Luna?" I ask, and she nods.
"Then do as I say."