Chapter 25 Chapter 25
Chapter 25
\- Aria -
We set out on a ride. Just Natasha and me, and when we got out of the central, she said it's better to continue the rest of the journey on foot.
It was the first time she spoke to me since we began the journey
I didn't think it was a good idea
"I have been enjoying the view of the city from here," I told her. "I don't think there is any need."
"We can't go into the villages with the ride," she said, looking straight ahead. "And walking into the streets will allow the people to see you and build a connection. You said you wanted to have a get-together with the people, yet you're scared to be with them."
"That is not it. I think you're right. I should go down and experience the life of the people."
And so she convinced me to even though I was not sure about that
At first, everything was fine, or so I thought
Walking side by side with Natasha in the streets, drawing in the air that is mixed with the normal werewolves
It made me remember how I had mingled with the ones in my previous pack, playing and chatting with them like they were family
They loved me...or so I thought
I began to notice the cold stares of the people. They stopped briefly to steal glances at me, but did not acknowledge me
Normally, they'd bow and greet. But these ones just looked at me like the stranger I was and not their Luna
I began to feel uncomfortable but I tried not to let it worry me.
I cannot really blame the people can I? Maybe they are not used to me and I need to give them some time to accept me
I wanted to tell Natasha we should return from here, but she kept walking and walking deep into the streets, almost not paying attention to me as if we were not together and I tried to catch up with her pace, afraid to be left alone
Then the stares graduated to murmurs and fingers pointed at me. And then I heard it
"That is the stranger who came to take our pack," someone said
"Woe to you, we don't accept you as queen."
"You don't deserve the throne."
"Woe! Woe!! Woe!!!"
The murmurs turned into a chant and soon they encircled me.
Natasha was suddenly nowhere to be found. My legs felt wobbly and my entire body went cold
I could not tell if I had fainted out of fear or what happened, but the next time I opened my eyes, I was in the palace on my bed with Jason, Alexei and Natasha standing over me
"Alpha, she's awake," Alexei announced as he was the first to notice and they all turned
I tried to sit up but my head felt heavy
"What happened?" I managed to ask. I looked at Jason for an answer and for the first time since I met him, I saw fury in his eyes
"Aria, what the hell do you think you are doing, going out of the damn palace without informing anyone and without any guards? What the hell is wrong with you?"
I shook slightly, tears gathering in my eyes
"Alpha, please don't be upset," Natasha said, and that was when I noticed she was covered in blood. "I was with the Luna. She told me she wanted to have a relationship with the people since she is Luna now and demanded to see around."
"Is that reason enough for her to risk her life as well as yours going that far with no protection? She would have died. And you too. She should be grateful to you for saving her life."
Wait a minute, why did Natasha say I was the one who demanded to see the people? She was the one who suggested it and led the way
"I think it's probably because you threw a ceremony for her and invited the whole pack, she thinks she can do that now that she's Luna," Natasha was obviously adding fuel to the fire while she stood there looking like she was doing me a favour.
And this must have really made Jason mad.
"No Jason. That was not it. I did not go this way intentionally. Natasha said we could..." I tried to explain but she immediately cut me off.
"The Luna must have thought it was safe going out without any protection because she does not expect the people to try to attack her," she said with her eyes steady on me as if daring me to say otherwise and I swallowed my words
"Aria, I do not expect you to make hasty decisions. I expect you know what is at stake and move strategically. Or do you need me to remind you every day, this is just a play that would end, and you are not a part of this pack either, so it would take time for the people to come to terms with this. Rumours are flying all over about you, and while I am trying to deal with that, you are causing more problems for yourself and others."
"Jason..." I cried softly, his words hurting more than Natasha's lie.
Without waiting for me to say anything, he turned round and walked away. Natasha followed after and only the beta, Alexei stayed to console me
"You should have known better Aria," he said softly.
"I was only trying to be nice..." I sobbed. "I wanted to meet the people. That's all. Did I do something wrong?"
"You have to use your head here and not your emotions. Jason is a very great and popular Alpha, but ruthless and strict sometimes, so not everyone likes him. Even amongst his people. His Luna walking around recklessly is not wise as you don't know who's lurking around. If you want to meet the people, invite them to the palace or a pack gathering where it is safe for you. But if you ask me, you don't have to do too much for now."
"Thank you so much, Alexei," I cleaned my tears, and he nodded before leaving.