Chapter 75 Chapter 75
Luna
That word had me startled every time.
He held out a folded piece of paper to me, worn at the edges. That set my nerves on edge and caused my spine to straighten. It was unusual. Messages rarely came directly to me. In fact, a message has never been delivered to me.
It didn’t look sealed so it wasn’t formal and it had no crest. It was personal. I took it slowly, my fingers brushing his. The moment the paper was in my hold, my wolf went still.
‘Something is wrong’ she murmured.
“Thank you” I whispered.
The guard bowed and left quickly as soon as I had dismissed him. He looked relieved. Lina leaned closer, curiosity lighting her eyes.
“Who is it from?”
“I don’t know” i said automatically, even as my thumb slid beneath the fold.
I really didn’t know who would send me a message.
“I’ll see you later” I murmured
“Wait….”
With that, I left Lina and hurried to my room. Once I had shut the door behind me. I quickly unfolded the paper.
As soon as I saw the handwriting, my pulse quickened. It was familiar. My breath caught. I didn’t need to read the name at the bottom to know.
Ailsa,
I know promised not to say anything about this again but you need to come back. Things are getting out of hand. Lorcan is no longer listening to anyone, the pack is starting to get divided. I don’t know how long I can hold things together. Please, think about this. I’ll send someone to get a reply from you and I promise to be discreet.
\-Chase.
The room tilted and the words became blurry. My fingers tightened around the paper until it crumpled in my grasp, my chest constricting as memories I tried to push to the back of my mind clawed to the surface. Things must really be bad for Chase to send me a message. My wolf stirred restlessly.
‘This is not right. He’s going to cause trouble for you’ my wolf said quietly.
I knew that more than anyone. If Lucian saw this, he would get very angry. I forced myself to breathe, smothering the paper out with shaky hands before folding it again. I crossed the room and slid it into the bottom drawer of the desk, tucking it beneath a stack of linens.
Out of sight but not out of mind.
Different thoughts collided in my head. What was Marie doing if she couldn’t help Lorcan? Lorcan should have at least one person he listens to and I supposed it was Marie. I told myself I won’t think about Marie or Lorcan again but Chase message had brought that memory back.
Why should I help a pack that had turned cold towards me, the feeling of being unwanted in a place I’d once called home. I had run because staying would have destroyed me. Now, even running wasn’t far enough.
Now, I was the only one that could help? I hadn’t stopped to think what Chase real reason for wanting me to come back was?
What if he was trying to trap me? The Chase I knew before wouldn’t do that but I hadn’t lived with Chase in a long while so I couldn’t tell who he was now. I had to talk to someone.
I couldn’t keep lying and hiding. Not to Lucian and not anymore. If there was a chance that my past could threaten him or the pack, he deserved to know. I just had to tell him now that whispers were already circling. He deserved the truth even if it changed everything.
My heart hammered as I left my room and headed towards Lucian’s office, rehearsing the words I would say once I was in his office. I left because I had to. I wasn’t accepted there any longer. Because I was rejected. Because the Alpha u thought was my mate decided I wasn’t enough. Lorcan left me for my…..
I slowed when I reached the corridor outside his door. Voices drifted through the slightly open doorway. Aiden’s voice was low and urgent while Lucian’s was firm. I leaned in closer to hear properly.
“….they are already planning a visit” Aiden said. “If you don’t denounce her publicly they’ll come here themselves” I covered my mouth with hands scared that they’ll hear the low whimper coming from me. Silence stretched.
Then Lucian spoke and something cold slid down my spine.
“They can try” Aiden exhaled sharply.
“Lucian, this isn’t a border dispute. Though, I’m with you on this but you know how persistent these elders can be. They said they won’t accept a Luna with no verified lineage and someone known as rogue…”
“I didn’t ask for your their acceptance” Lucian’s tone was clipped.
“If they arrive, they won’t just challenge you. They’ll try to drag her out of here. They say a rogue cannot be Luna. You know that” Aiden said urgently.
“We both know she isn’t a rogue” Lucian gritted his teeth.
“Then we have to prove it or else this would cause a division and we can’t have that now”
“The elders have been looking for means to start a feud with me. My decision doesn’t concern them”
“There are laws and you know that very well. I don’t have to explain to you” Lucian scoffed.
I bit down on my lower lip hard, drawing blood from it. So the servants were right after all. This was the reason for the change I had noticed in the guards. The whispers and the stares. The elders weren’t happy.
I stepped back silently, my heart pounding so hard I was scared it would give me away. I turned and fled down the corridor before either of them could sense me there. Back in my room, I closed the door and leaned against it, my knees weak.
‘This is what it costs to stand beside him’ my wolf said softly.
I knew that this happiness was not going to last long. Every single time, I am happy, there is something always trying to snatch that happiness away. Was this a curse?
Tears burned behind my eyes, but I didn’t let them fall. I stared at the drawer where Chase’s message lay hidden, at the life I was running from colliding violently with the one I was trying to build. A funny thought came to me.
Did Chase know about the elders wishes and that’s why he’s trying to get me to come back before they find out where I come from?
‘You think he’s trying to protect you?’ My wolf asked.
It could be that too. If he was not trying to get me in a trap then I believe he was trying to help me out. That’s only if he’s aware of the elders wishes.
So many thoughts, ran through my mind. I could at least write a letter to Chase asking him if he knows about this. Or if Lorcan knows I’m in this pack.
No….It could get me caught. I ran through a hand through my hair in frustration. I was so confused at this point and my thoughts were jumbled.
A knock sounded and I quickly cleaned my eyes, stood up and moved closer to the bed looking for something so whoever it was wouldn’t see the worry on my face.
“Come in” I said firmly.
The door opened after a moment and Lucian stepped inside, his gaze locked onto mine instantly, concern darkening his eyes.
“Y-you came back early. Did you forget something?” my voice cracked as I tried to speak but I hid it with a fake smile.
“I felt your distress through the bond. What’s wrong? Did something happen?” He said quietly crossing the room in long strides.
For a moment, I almost told him everything was fine and he shouldn’t be bothered. Then I remembered the letter. The elders and everything Aiden had said.
“I….” My voice faltered. I contemplated if I should tell him or not. I swallowed and continued.
“I overheard your conversation with Lucian” I said quietly.
His jaw tightened but he didn’t deny it.
“I had hoped you wouldn’t find out. I was taking care of it” he murmured.
“You should have told me about the elders. About what this is costing you” I whispered.
“Did you hear everything that was said?”
“I heard most of it” I said
Lucian cupped my face, his thumbs brushing beneath my eyes then resting on my cheeks.
“Listen to me” his voice was low and fierce. “Nothing is going to happen to you. I’m handling everything”
“They are planning to come here. They don’t want me here as your Luna. The pack members too haven’t accepted me” I said.
“They don’t get to decide that. Did any of the pack members disrespect you?” His tone rose a bit.
“No. Nobody disrespected me. They don’t have to disrespect me before I know they haven’t accepted me”
“They don’t get to make choices for me. I am the Alpha and I have the final say”
“But I’m a rogue” I murmured.
“You are not. You are now part of this pack. And even if you are a rogue, I choose you” he continued. “I did it publicly too, that was to show everyone who I’ve chosen. I will protect you from them and anyone who thinks they can take you from me”
His words made me warm and the bond flared. I searched his face, wanting to believe him. Needing to.
And for this fragile moment, I did.