Two days had passed since Ikrus had shifted into his wolf and almost killed her, since she had that argument with the Luna.
Ikrus wasn't back yet and Oana was nowhere to be found. Goldie must be really injured.
It was a good thing she hadn't ran into the Alpha while touring the Pack House during her free time. As much as Aniya was glad about Ikrus absence, she felt unsettled with every second she didn't see him.
Was he simply giving her time to prepare for her death?
Besides that, she had caught herself being worried about him. What had become of him? Had he been killed that night? No one seemed to be talking about him.
Was this something he did all the time?
Why was she worried about him?
She had someone better to worry about, like her son.
Arlo, her poor baby.
By Ignas, she needed to find her son, she needed to go back to Inaymi.
The guards were of no help when she tried to ask about how she could communicate to Oana, and with her argument with the Luna, she was certain that the Luna would be even worse.
Aniya had tried to escape from the pack House but with the amount of guards at every door, it was impossible. She knew the Luna would be watching for her to make a mistake, so she could rightly punish her for the words she had said.
Aniya was no fool, she wouldn't give her what she wanted.
She had tried to explore the library, to find out more about the Matebond and if there was any way she could manipulate it to her advantage. As powerful as they claimed it to be, it didn't seem to work on Ikrus while he was in his wolf form.
Why was that?!
It was confusing, something wasn't right!
However, the library wasn't of much help.
They were all in the Lycan's language.
Aniya’s mind boiled over with rage as she tossed one of the books against the library wall, her mind filled with spite.
This was all Ikrus’ fault! She hated him.
That night she had gone to sleep angry, filled with worry and frustration; the rain from her cheeks dampened her pillows.
It was in the evening of the next day that everything started to change.
She had seen Syon.
He had called her into the room he had pulled her into on the night of Ikrus’ attack. She followed, not expecting anything, but in the room awaited Ula and her son.
“Arlo,” she cried, taking her son in her arms. He laughed, excited to see her.
“Mama,” he said.
What? He could talk, more than he could before and she had missed it!
All because of Ikrus!
Why did he even exist in her life?
“There is a letter from him,” Syon said, stretching the letter to her while barely holding her gaze.
Aniya collected the letter from Syon. She knew who “him” was, it was unnecessary for him to explain.
“Was he the one that did this?” She asked in reference to the presence of Ula and her son.
“No. I did. You cannot tell him I was the one to deliver the letter, I have gone out of my way to do it so I could bring them.”
Aniya's heart filled over with gratitude. Why was he being so kind? “Thank you.”
She clenched the letter in her hand, determined not to read it now. Something about it made her feel like she would hate what was written in it.
Besides, it was Ikrus.
Ikrus didn't care about anyone’s feelings, not even his.
He was wicked, insensitive and blunt.
His letter would be the same.
Instead, she went to Ula as she patted her Arlo’s back, trying to calm him down from how excited he was to see her.
To be honest, Arlo looked like he had been well taken care of. He wasn't running a fever, neither did he have any cuts on him. He was perfectly fine, healthy and well-fed.
She thanked Ula for that and Ula smiled in return.
“I love little ones. I can't wait to have one of my own some day.”
That was a beautiful thing to think about, especially because she already had someone that she was definitely planning a family with.
“How is Eldrick?”
Ula’s smile vanished, knowing what that question entailed.
“He is well.”
“Good. The Hunt is approaching, my orders stands.”
Ula fell to her knees, her head bowed.
“Please have mercy on us. He intends to win to bring me out of the Moon Guardian selection. I have only volunteered for my Father’s sickness, to buy the expensive herbs to take care of his rare ailment. I know that you do have mercy in you, please— take it back.”
Aniya swallowed, feeling sorry for Ula. She extended her hand to her and pulled her.
“Being selected as the Moon Guardian does not mean death. If he doesn't request for my freedom after winning the Hunt or if her loses the Hunt, then I will lose my son and my life.” Tears glimmered in her eyes but she refused to shed.
“Please–”
“No, you are the one to have mercy on me. My order stands, if you betray, I will not be dying alone.”
“There has to be some other way please—” She continued to beg but Aniya snapped immediately.
“I will not have anymore of this!”
The room fell into silence.
Aniya took in a sharp breath, shocked at her own ourburst, then she looked back at Syon whose eyes were filled with surprise, but he immediately looked at the floor when she turned to him.
She let out a shaky breath, her gaze back on Ula who was now sniffling.
No, it couldn't be happening.
She wasn't becoming her mother, was she?