Grief

Grief
HER

Entering the prison area wasn't easy; no one wanted to let me through, and they even intended to call Derik. To my luck, however, Gamma Adanir came to meet me.

— What are you doing here, Gamma? — I asked, smiling, trying to convey an innocence I didn't possess.

He stared back at me, his face impassive, but his narrowed eyes sparkled.

— I met Astor on the way; he was taking one of the omegas to Lord Agar's cabin.

— How is Solveig? — I asked, concerned.

— He was unconscious. I can't measure how terrible the pain must be to know that your mate impregnated someone else.

He kept his eyes on mine, searching for some answer I might be trying to hide.

— That's why I'm here, Gamma, but the guards won't let me in.

Adanir turned to the guards on duty.

— Who dares to disobey the Luna's orders? — His voice was low, calm, but the aura of General Gama emanated from his body.

— We had no intention of disobeying orders. We believe the prison is not an appropriate place for our Luna. Alpha Derik might not like it…

— I appreciate your concern, but I need to speak with one of my females who was brought to this place. Now that my Gamma is here to protect me, there's no reason to refuse, so, excuse us!

Still hesitant, the guards had no choice but to let us in. As I walked down the cell corridor, I thought I would hear the vulgarities from the last time I was here, but it seemed the memory of what Derik did to those who insulted me was fresh in their minds, as they only looked at us with curiosity.

In a secluded corner, away from the gaze of the males, sat Vivi, on the floor, head bowed, weeping, with her hands covering her face. Hearing us approach, she lifted her face before standing and running to the bars.

— Luna, you need to get me out of here! I was wrong, and I regret what I did!

— I'd very much like to believe you truly regret it, Vivi!

— But I do, I swear!

She held the bars, her face between two of them, bringing back terrible memories of captivity.

— Are you regretful enough to tell the truth to Gama Astor?

She opened and closed her mouth a few times, like a fish out of water. Adanir moved away a bit, leaned his back against the wall, and looked the other way; however, his attention was on us.

— But… wh-what do you mean? What truth, Luna Nadja?

— You're not pregnant, Vivi!

— Yes, I am! — She insisted, but her voice lacked any confidence.

— If you were, I would feel it, unless it was recent. But I know very well that ever since he was chosen by Hecate as one of my gammas, he hasn't touched you!

— Of course, he still slept with me! There's no way you could know that! — She insisted out of pure stubbornness.

— Gammas are immune to the females' heat; that's why he cooled off with you. Neither the teas nor the baths you've been using would help, although they did help you attract him before!

She covered her face and cried for a few seconds. I gave her time to compose herself. When she looked at me, she seemed tired, and her voice was weak and disheartened.

— How do you know about the baths?

— The sweet scent you've been emitting since I joined the pack is subtle, but it strongly reminds me of the aphrodisiac used on the victims where I was imprisoned, and it's also similar to what General Azis used on Sunna.

Adanir looked in my direction; although his expression remained neutral, his hands clenched into fists.

— I didn't do anything wrong; many females use them in perfumes to attract sexual partners.

— I understand, but that's physical, artificial attraction, nothing to do with love. Deep down, you always knew that, just as you knew he had a soulmate waiting for him out there!

— Don't you understand? I'm not from here! My mate, Taog, found me in another territory and brought me here. I have no family or friends. When he passed, I wanted to die, my life had no meaning. When Astor showed interest in me, it was as if my heart started beating again. I just wanted him for myself!

— I understand your pain, yes, Vivi, but I cannot understand your selfishness! Mistreating innocent omegas? Lying that you're pregnant? What did you think you would achieve with that?

She ran her hand over her face, distressed and disoriented. Her eyes red and bloodshot from crying so much.

— I don't know, okay? I don't know what I wanted! Actually, yes, I do, I just wanted them to suffer as much as I am suffering!

— Your pain will never justify your wickedness, Vivi! You could have sought me out, found a way to ease your loneliness. I am your Luna, I came to help my females, but now, you know I'll have to punish you, don't you?

— I- I know... But I'll accept anything to get rid of this pain, this loneliness! I can't stand to see them together, happy, with Astor doting on them wherever they go, as if I don't matter.

— Would you like to go back to your old clan? — I suggested, pitying her pain.

— No! Please, Luna, I can't go back there, I'll be ridiculed! My old clan is small, my relatives are humble, if I go back without a male, I don't even know what they'll do to me.

— Let's make a deal, then. — She looked at me with a little hope in her suffering eyes. — Tell me where you got the herbs and the baths, who gave you these things, and I will be able to lighten your sentence.

If Hira had anything to do with this, this would be the best chance to get some proof against her.

— I... I made them myself, Luna.

I stared at her for a few seconds, trying to detect a lie in her words, but I felt nothing.

— How do you know how to do something like that? — I asked, somewhat disappointed that Hira wasn't involved in this mess.

— My grandmother was a healer, she made several potions and I helped her. I learned how to attract males and keep them attracted, it's nothing too potent... — She bit her lips before gathering courage and asking: — What will be my punishment, Luna?

— I need you to retract this pregnancy story, apologize to the omegas...

Adanir forced a fake laugh and shook her head from side to side.

— You have to be stricter, Luna. This female acted against the soulmate connection, assaulted an Omega, and tried to assault you. The penalty would be public flogging, loss of property and name, and just for what she tried to do to you, she deserves to be executed!