Chapter 186 Brave
Kristen's POV
"Are you sure about this?" Maddy cannot hide her discomfort as she nears my side on the dressing mirror, holding Aiden.
It's noon the following day, and I have this meeting with all Greyhound women.
"To be honest, I don't even know. I keep seeing his face everywhere and then I act up. Flinch when someone approaches me from behind or calls my name when I am zoning out," My hand trembles along with the lipgloss in my grasp because I shuddered from the dreadful experiences I've been having since the nightmare in the early hours of this morning.
"This is getting serious, you need help," Maddy props Aiden on her hip and looks at me with worry making her forehead lines visible. Sapphire couldn't show up because she doesn't want to run into Bruce, so she's keeping out of his way for good.
"You seriously need help, my friend," Maddy repeats.
"I don't want Calhoun to think I am too much trouble, it's been one problem after the other," My shoulders sag as I heave deeply.
"The same thing you did and worse things escalated with Theodore Fitzgerald," Maddy states matter of factly with a scowl.
"Except he's not alive anymore and I am being haunted by his ghost," Staring up at the ceiling, I sigh.
"It can be your imagination, Kristen," Maddy tries to put me at ease but it's not working.
"What if it's a curse? He was my second mate and I killed him without any rejection, and now his spirit is restless. Still tied to me,"
"Okay, just stop," Puzzled by my response, Maddy holds up her right hand.
"I am completely fine," I say more to myself than my friend. It's a lie, but it's just me trying to reassure myself.
"No, you're not," Maddy shakes her head at me but she doesn't let go of my son either. There's a little bit of fondness between the two of them.
"I need to go address those women in the second hall, I can't keep them waiting longer," I return my gaze to the mirror in front of me, so I can do the finishing touches of my make-up.
"Call it off, you could do it some other day," Maddy is trying to talk me out of what I already planned.
"No," I brush this off while applying mascara to my lashes, "it has to be today."
"Ladies, we need unity to strengthen our pack. Together we can make things better for everyone," I am standing tall as I address the women who are gathered in the hall. Despite Maddy's protests, I still went ahead to hold the meeting because I intend to get along with all of them and plan to reward every one of them for showing up today
However, a rushed murmur arises in the audience and a few women are exchanging skeptical glances and huge frowns.
This makes me unsettled but I remain calm. I can spot Maddy staring at me with wary eyes.
And one of the outspoken members, known as Sarah doesn't even bother to hide her sneer as she stands.
"What does a Luna who stole her mother's husband know about unity?"
Her question is like a whip in the face because it reminds me of my mother and Calhoun who were
happy until I came into the picture.
But I still maintain my composure, upon deciding I won't show anyone I am affected.
"We're gathered here today to discuss as women, so do me the favor of respecting me, because I am your Luna," My voice is stern, but my expression is calm. As I have mastered the art of keeping my emotions concealed.
But a bitter scoff rolls from a woman in the front pew of seats.
"Let's not even talk about how you cheated on our Alpha with another man," she shakes her head at me. "I beg your pardon?" I can feel my eyes lowering in their sockets from confusion.
"Theodore Fitzgerald, the man whom you were having an affair with, and he tried to kill our Alpha
before running away with you. Then you had to kill him, bring back his dead body, so Alpha Calhoun will think you're innocent and then accept you back!" And the crowd of women break into a collective gasp.
This accusation riles up anger and fear in me. To think such rumors have been going around without my knowledge, and they think this low of me?
No one bothered to bring this up around Calhoun, and suddenly I am alone, addressing women of this pack, and now I am being shaded with insults?
First, it was about my mother.
And now, it's Theodore. The dead man who has been
haunting me in my dreams.
"You're too young to rule us, Kristen. Still a child at heart and you've done more harm than good to our Alpha and this pack!" The woman from earlier continues.
"Enough!" I yell, boldly resisting the lies and accusations, although it's cutting deep through me.
"Speak no more about me and my husband, or you'll be punished severely," I warn, bouncing my head from one woman to the other, and ensuring my face
is as stiff as a rock, "No one has the right to demean or insult me, because half of you might not survive what I've suffered."
A weighty silence hangs in the atmosphere as I glare at their faces.
"These accusations won't help us move forward, now,
if you aren't willing to work with me, get out through
that door," I point at the door, not even caring that I am taking things overboard because they asked for it. Thought they could bully me because Calhoun isn't at my side today.
"No one is leaving?" I smirk upon seeing them remaining seated in their seats. Not a single sound is made by everyone.
And I can see Maddy giving me a thumbs up from the
far end of the hall.
"Good. Now, we shall proceed with the meeting," I conclude.