Chapter 49: Ferrin

Once I sent Dante home, I blocked my emotional connection with Willa. She couldn’t take being locked away again, and quite honestly, I wouldn’t be able to either. It was one thing when it was the two of us completing our mate bond. It was completely different now that she was supposed to be taking her place as Luna.

I met with Austin in his office. We were going to keep the same guards as Willa’s permanent guard detail. Shawn and Adam were happy with the assignment. They would be the team leads and her primary bodyguards. Austin had also gotten more information about our mole, and we reviewed everything we had so far. When I was satisfied we were ready to move on to the next steps, I left him to get that into place.

I was on my way to my office when Damen mind-linked me that Haley had arrived. I told him not to bring her to Willa until I got there. I wanted to be there to see what happened. I also mind-linked Rebekah for her to be there.

When I got back to my quarters, Willa was pacing. Her training session with Arlo must not have worked off as much energy as I had hoped. She didn’t even notice I had come in. She was chewing on her lip as she moved the length of the room and back. She was definitely having some kind of conversation in her head.

I walked up to her and stopped her in her tracks. “Okay, enough of that for now.”

“Ferrin, I can’t do this. I can’t be stuck in here.”

“I know, sweetheart. I know,” I said, rubbing her arms. “We don’t even know if this means anything. It could have just been a fluke. Dante has been under a lot of pressure. He may just need a break.”

Willa snorted. “Like we would be that lucky.”

“Well, Haley is on her way up. So we’ll figure something out in a few minutes,” I assured her. “And whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. Okay?”

Willa took a deep breath. “Okay.”

“Knock knock,” Rebekah’s voice sounded as she opened the door. “Everybody decent?”

I rolled my eyes. “If you didn’t think we would be, then it wasn’t very smart to just barge in, now was it?”

“Eh, I took a gamble,” she said with a grin. She looked around the room as she came in. “There seems to be more furniture missing than I expected. Impressive.” She winked at Willa. “So, why do you need me here?”

I looked at Willa. “We had a… strange incident with Detective Rhodes this morning.”

“He had some kind of reaction to me,” Willa offered.

My sister’s face scrunched up in confusion. “What kind of reaction?”

“We think it may be because she’s an alpha again,” I said. “It’s hard to explain. We’ve got someone coming in to test a theory. I thought you would want to see it.”

“Okay,” she said. “Color me intrigued.”

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. I felt Willa tense up a little beside me. I rubbed her back, letting her know everything would be okay.

“Come in,” I called.

Damen came in, a blonde woman trailing behind. She walked a few feet into the room before she looked toward us. Just like Dante, her face suddenly filled with shock and wonder when her eyes fell on Willa.

“M-my Luna,” she stammered, rushing forward and falling to her knees before my mate. “It’s an honor to see you again, Your Majesty.”

Again, we were all bewildered about the reaction Willa was receiving. Even Rebekah looked like she was having trouble finding something to say.

“Haley,” Willa said kindly, “stand up. There’s no reason for any of that. I’m still just Willa.”

Haley looked up at her like she was being absurd. “No, my lady, I will show you the respect you deserve.”

Willa’s shoulders fell, and I felt her confusion and worry through our connection. I nodded to Damen to take Haley away.

“It was lovely to see you again, Haley,” Willa told her as Damen encouraged her to her feet. “I hope to meet again soon.”

Haley’s face lit up. “Of course, my Luna. I would love that.”

Damen guided her out, shutting the door behind them. I looked over to Rebekah.

“Okay,” Rebekah started, “Willa, honey, I think you’re wonderful and all, but what the hell was that?”

“I don’t know,” she replied. “I’ve never seen anyone react like that before. But it seems to only be werewolves.”

“Okay, that is pretty bizarre. And you think it’s because of your alpha aura?”

“It’s the only thing different about her,” I said. “You said she’s likely been repressed for years. Her dad made it sound like she had never been at full strength before. And lycans were the only ones interacting with her in the tower.”

“Well, it’s not the only thing different,” Rebekah said, brushing her neck along her mark.

“Well, shit,” Willa murmured. “Let’s hope it’s not that. How would we get control of this?”

“How are you going to control it now?” Rebekah asked.

I took a deep breath. “I think we may need you to suppress her aura again, Bekah.”

I knew Willa wasn’t happy about the idea, but it was better than keeping her locked away from half the kingdom. Suppressing her aura was our only option right now. I just hoped that would solve the problem until we could figure out what was going on. Because if it was my mark that caused this, I had no idea what to do.

“If marking each other stopped the suppression, it would have burned through any silver that was left in her system,” Rebekah said. “There’s nothing for me to work with.”

“Then I’ll need another dose,” Willa said with a shrug.

“I suppose,” Rebekah said. “I’d have to go get some. I don’t exactly make a habit of keeping it on hand.”

“How long would it take?” I asked.

“I can check around in town, but I may have to order it,” Rebekah replied.

“As soon as you can,” I urged. “And thank you. I know you’re not crazy about doing this.”

She gave Willa and me a gentle smile, reaching out to rub Willa’s arm. “I was ready for you to not have to hide anything anymore, but I do get it. You being an alpha is going to cause enough waves. Having the werewolf community worshipping at your feet every time you walk past isn’t going to help the council’s faith.”

“Or my sanity,” Willa snorted.

“I can agree with you there,” Rebekah said, hugging each of us before heading out. “I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”