Chapter 77

*LUNA*

I woke up to find myself in an unfamiliar face, blinking rapidly to adjust my eyes to my environment, I discovered I was in a camping tent with Kayden sitting a few feet away watching me. I immediately sat up, touching my neck to see if he rejected me before I passed out or after I passed out, but to my surprise, my mark was still intact.

I sighed in relief, our relationship might be complicated right now but the last thing I want is for him rejecting me, if that happens then the councils will come for me! My life would be pretty much over by then. I recalled Miranda telling him something about my mom and judging from Kayden's reaction, he seems to know her. Do I dare ask him about it when he's not in a good mood right now? I decided against it, sinking back into my sleeping bag. I have so many questions but I guess I have no choice but to wait until he is in a better mood.

"If you want something, all you have to do is ask" His voice was too calm, and I didn't like it. I pushed back the fear I was feeling as I met his gaze, he was staring at me narrowly the anger still evident from the way he looks at me. Suddenly I'm missing the heated look he normally gives me.

"I just want to know where we are, did.. you manage to free them?" I required, referring to Rebekah and Darren. I don't even want to imagine what the councils must be doing to them right now. Why did they call a meeting with Kayden asking for a negotiation when in fact they weren't going to?

My eyes widened a little when I realized their goal must have been to get Kayden to reject me so it would have been easy for him to hand me over to them. Or separating us might make Kayden weak enough for them to launch an attack which doesn't make sense. I wasn't Kayden's true mate so I doubt rejection will affect him that much.

*You are his true mate, don't you think the councils know that? Why do you think they are interested in a common damaged slave huh?* I couldn't help but recalled Scarlet's words I had strongly dismissed. I glance at him from beneath my lashes, what if Scarlet was right about Kayden being my true mate?

The councils wanted me to kill my true mate then! Since I was the closet and they assumed I would be his weakness, what a faster way to kill someone? By using someone the person won't see coming. I couldn't believe I have been so hung out about being a slave, about getting freedom that I allowed myself to be used like that. I made a deal with people who made my life a living hell. A single tear ran down my face and I didn't bother wiping it away.

"You have every right to hand me over to the councils" I murmured forgetting my earlier question. "Thank you for not doing that" I look away from him as he stood up to join me in my sleeping bag.

When he reached out to touch me, I misunderstood his intention thinking he wanted to hit me and that made me flinch except that he touched my cheek gently drying the tears in my eyes.

"While you were unconscious, I have been doing a lot of thinking. Life has not been very easy for you and I didn't make it any easier, it is only natural for you to want to find a way out. I regretted ever killing Rose, it wasn't until weeks after her death I realized how much she mean to you in that short time. As for the young man," His voice tightened. "I don't regret killing him, I would do it again and again" My eyes widened at that, wondering he if has some sort of beef with Jeremy.

"Why? He never did anything to you? He only disobeyed you to save me, he knew I wanted my freedom more than anything. He gave his life up for me, I will never forgive myself or forget him" I blurted out making him withdraw from me immediately. I opened my mouth to ask him what was wrong but snapped it short as someone knocked on the tent.

Kayden left to see what the problem might be, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I sat there thinking of a way we could get Darren and Rebekah back, war or attacking the councils will only get more people killed. The councils are powerful and they have Miranda who happens to be a witch and my aunt on their side. I shuddered at the thought wondering if I could emotionally blackmail her. I doubt she cares about me or the fact that we were family.

"We are leaving" Kayden hissed as he stepped into the tent. "The councils must have found our hideout, they are sending their men"

"I think we should do what they want. Give me to them, you can get Rebekah and Darren home safely and then come for me" I pleaded holding onto his hand. "She is the only family I have left, please" Unshed tears clouded my vision and I blinked them back.

"Trading you is not the solution. I will not put your life at risk, we will figure out something. There is a powerful witch in the mountains, I think the councils don't know about her yet. Damon is out to ask her to help us" I nodded my head in agreement, letting go of his arm.

We parked up the tents and everything before returning to the park, Damon hasn't gotten back yet so we had no choice but to wait. I returned to my room trying to figure out a way to help if the witch didn't want to help us. I bumped into a pacing Scarlet in my room.

"Where are they?" She cried.

"Damon went to get help so for now we are hoping for the best. If he doesn't come with help then I'll have no choice than give them what they want"

"Are you insane? You have no idea what they will do to you. Rebekah would never allow you to put your life at risk. Trust me whatever the councils are planning to use you for will not only affect Alpha but everyone in the pack! They want power, they won't hesitate to cut down anyone in their way and this pack is the only pack right now that isn't being run by the councils. They want it" She explained.

"Then what should I do? Stay back and watch the person who has been there for me die with her mate? I might never get the chance to be happy, to get all the things I want but at least. Rebekah has a chance" I reported.

"What about you and Alpha? Are you giving up already? Look he knows you betrayed him and you are still standing here alive, that is some improvement and I think he cares about you. Don't focus on only the bad things Luna because there is no good without bad" She concluded making me go weak.

What if?

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TBC