Chapter 8: Eight

SOLANA

Hawke's warm gaze turned cold.

"You will be buried alive to appease the moon goddess," he said, and my eyes widened in horror.

Suddenly, he let out a laugh, his blue eyes twinkling.

"Just kidding, Luna. Hey, no pressure, okay? Just...my alpha seems to like you. Even if you're unable to give him an heir, will you please stay with him? He's a very lonely man. He won't admit it, but he's barely living," he said.

I was deeply moved by Hawke's earnest words. I'd been around cruelty and oppression for too long, this was a breath of fresh air. Not even Elric had an official who cared so deeply.

"I-I'll do my best," I stuttered. He beamed.

"I'll wait for you to get ready. Meet me in the sitting room, yeah?"

I nodded, and he walked away.

My heart pounded faster as I retreated into the room, shutting the door behind me.

I couldn't help but grin.

I had Anna, Tara, and Hawke on my side. It was a huge achievement, even though I didn't necessarily do anything special.

I went on to get dressed, slipping on one of the knee-length denim dresses that I owned. Then I pulled my hair up in a high ponytail.

When I got to the sitting room, Hawke was not alone. Sitting beside him was Alpha Roman.

His beauty was otherworldly. I didn't think I would ever get used to it.

His electric gaze roamed over my face, and I instantly felt self-conscious. I waited for him to say something. Anything at all. But he didn't.

Instead, he rose to his feet and walked away.

My heart sank.

Was he...avoiding me?

"Ignore his behavior, he acts like a total weirdo sometimes. Follow me," Hawke said, and I nodded sheepishly, my stomach twisting with nerves.

...

I sat in the waiting room, gripping the fabric of my dress as I awaited the result of my test. Hawke had left to get me something to drink. He'd introduced me to the pack's doctor earlier. Her name was Tessa. She had been gentle with me, assuring me that the procedure would be over soon.

"Luna?" I looked up at the sound of Doctor Tessa's voice, my heart skipping a beat.

A few minutes later, I was seated in her well-ventilated office.

I gulped, feeling my palms grow sweaty. I had been exposed to quite a lot of violence. What if Elric had ruptured something?

No, wait...

What if she discovers that I was dying from wolfsbane poisoning?

"Relax, Solana. You look so nervous," she said, and I lowered my head, biting my lower lip.

"What did you find?" I asked.

Tessa hesitated, her gentle brown eyes searching mine. Her long, straight black hair slid forward as she adjusted the folder in her hands. For a moment, she didn't speak. She only exhaled softly, unknowingly fueling my anxiety.

"Luna... did someone hurt you recently?" she asked gently.

My breath caught. I froze.

She looked concerned.

"Your body shows signs of strain and... older wounds. Some of them haven't fully healed."

I looked down at my trembling hands. "I—It was before I came here," I managed to whisper.

"I see. Some of the scarring may take time to fade, but there's no permanent damage. You're strong, Solana. Your body's already fighting to heal itself." She smiled faintly, her words reassuring. "Still, I'll prepare something to help with the healing process. I'll get you salves for the scars and a tonic to strengthen your system. I noticed you might have had miscarriages…”

I tightened my grip on my dress.

“The other test results will be out in three days,” she said and I nodded quickly.

A tight breath left me, relief flooding through my chest.

No mention of the wolfsbane.

No questions about what was still festering in my blood.

Maybe... she hadn't seen it. Or maybe she had, and chose mercy over truth.

Either way, I was grateful.

Tessa stood, tucking the file under her arm. "You'll recover, Luna. Just give yourself time. Your body has endured more than most, but it's resilient. You are resilient."

Her words made my throat sting. I nodded, blinking fast to hold back the tears.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"Of course." She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "I'll have Hawke bring you the salves later. Get some rest, alright?"

As I rose, I caught my reflection in the glass of the office window. My skin was incredibly pale, my green eyes tired.

Still, I couldn't help but smile because the moon goddess was finally smiling down on me.

...

"I don't think my husband likes me," I said to Hawke as we stepped out of the car on arriving back at the house.

He slammed the door shut, and I flinched. His eyes widened. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. But...why do you think he dislikes you?"

I sighed.

"You saw it this morning, he didn't speak to me. He just—"

Hawke chuckled softly.

"Our alpha is not much of a talker. Take it easy on him, Luna. Just don't give up," he said, and I chewed on my bottom lip, uneasy. I couldn't forget the way he had wrapped his hand around my throat after the wedding.

"Lana!"

I looked up at the sound of my best friend's voice. She ran to me, hugging me.

"Where did you go?" She asked, and I beamed.

"I went to the pack’s clinic," I told her, and she pouted.

"Are you feeling okay?"

It was only at this point that I realized that I wasn't as achy or cold as I used to be.

Hawke nudged me slightly, and I turned to look at him.

"Your husband wants to see you. He's in the garden," he said, and the familiar feeling of nervousness settled over me.

I gulped, pulling away from Tara. "I'll be back, wait for me," I mumbled.

My heart pounded faster and faster as I moved towards the back of the house, where I hoped the garden was. The smell of flowers drifted into my nostrils, getting stronger the closer I got to the back.

When I finally got to the garden, my eyes widened. It was huge. My eyes practically bulged in their sockets when I saw the red roses.

Alpha Roman was crouched before them, brushing a petal gently.

"Do you know what this flower is called?" He asked, and I moved closer, halting behind him.

He was shirtless, his hair pulled into a half ponytail. He had deep incision scars on his back. They looked painful.

"It's a Rose," I said, crouching beside him.

He glanced at me, his green eye glowing. "Rose," he rolled the word on his tongue.

My vision blurred for a few seconds and cleared again.

What was that? I thought, tense.

"How about those ones?" My husband asked, pointing at the yellow gardenias.

"Gardenias," I replied, and he sighed.

"I don't think I'll be able to remember that one," he muttered, and I grinned.

He seemed like a child seeing the world for the first time. It was so cute.

"Do you like flowers?" I asked, and he nodded. “Which one do you like the most?"

He stared at the flowers for a moment. He looked like he was seriously deliberating his response.

"I'm not sure," he said, and my smile widened.

We were both silent for a while, but it was strangely comfortable.

"Why aren't you scared of me, Solana?" He asked.

I stared at the damp earth, swallowing hard. I'd heard stories of bloodshed and chaos all tied to the demon alpha's name. But now that I was married to him, he seemed different from the monster everyone had painted him out to be.

"I don't know," I mumbled. I honestly didn't know why I felt different...safer around him.

"Do not delude yourself, woman…" He straightened, towering over me. “I am no Prince Charming. We are married to give each other what we both want. After you bear me a child, you will be free to live out your life the way you want to," he said, and my chest tightened.

But it was fine.

I’d seen this coming. He didn't understand that it was still the greatest gift anyone had ever offered me.

Smiling, I rose to my feet, tilting my head as I met his gaze.

"Are you afraid you're going to fall in love with me?"