I follow Darius into a room, and he sits; I follow and sit with him, waiting and wondering what this is about. He doesn't talk; he just stares at his hands. I feel like this was the first time he ever really went somewhere like that."You made it sound like you see and speak to everyone, Darius.""I assumed I did." He looks at me. "I went around, and I visited hospitals, schools.""You clearly didn't, Darius. The orphanage didn't personally know you. Had they had, maybe you would have known about the children without wolves before??""Which right now I hate myself for. I followed my father's rules and guidelines. He had told me his way worked. No one complained, no one showed resistance against his way."I laugh. "Have you actually looked at it? I mean, did you pay attention to the way your father did things and question it? Or was it a case of you doing it and not questioning it?""Why would I consider it or question it? Our father was a great man. He worked hard to right the wrong."
The door swings open, and Kellan walks in with Beta William."We have a problem."Darius groans. "Can it wait?""No, you need to see it now." William looks at us. "And Elara." He grabs a laptop and turns it.It's me and Kellan. What is the issue? Wait, some of these video clips aren't meant to be released."Where did all this footage come from?" Darius looks at them."That isn't the issue. Look at the comments." Kellan sighs. I don't think I want to. Darius pulls the laptop to him and begins to look through it."Well, shit." He looks from it to Kellan."Just tell me, I'll handle it." I'll be fine."You're not the issue, Kellan is." Darius looks at him and turns the laptop to me. Sitting, I read through and feel sick. Surely this is wrong? I look between them."They want you to be Darius' Luna. Your followers do believe you should win, so seeing this video has made them react badly towards Kellan."The comments are worrying. A lot are saying that Kellan has pulled me out of the contest
Sitting, I look at Darius, but he's quiet. We're meant to be talking. He's clearly struggling, though; the conversation as they walked in was around his father."Other than the basic needs, what else could the orphanage benefit from there? That may help the children?" I look at him, trying to get this thing going."I was considering that while talking to Wendy." He smiles at me. "The place is over capacity. What should have five or six children in a room is around ten. So a bigger location would be beneficial as it won't be healthy for ten kids in one room meant for five.""I didn't know that." Is there really that many in one room?"You were sitting with the kids when she told us. They have had to start turning away children because there is no space." I stare at him."Then where do they go?" What did I expect? It's not going to fit every child."That will do." William looks at us. Wait. I look at Darius. I will ask later. I've not finished that conversation. Walking out, I get chang
Kellan looks so damn happy right now. He's talking about my wolf and everything else. Still, he's ignoring my worries that this is foolish and dangerous.He's using his own wolf to get information. What happens when he loses it? Something tells me that his wolf won't be hung up or used to fight. I feel someone would replace their wolf with his.Of course, though, that's not possible as he won't lose it. So I've given up trying to talk sense into him. Getting my wolf back isn't worth the risk of losing his.It is a risk, even if he doesn't see it as it is. We sit talking, and I watch him fall asleep. I'm worried he's focused solely on getting my wolf. He's not thinking straight. Yori knows his plan and is just going along with it.I get it, Yori has been there since he was a child and will protect him, but even he can't be much use if Kellan uses his wolf as a way to get information.Climbing from the bed, I walk out. Ash smiles at me. That is good, Yori would likely ask why I'm going
I wake up early and go to Sage's room. She looks at me, clearly confused that I'm here."How did you do yesterday?" I never got a chance to catch up with her after she left for the event."Amazing. I forgot how much I missed being outside the palace; everyone was asking what happened, why Darius cancelled Selene's and why you weren't at dinner." Of course, they are."Darius saw some issues he wanted to fix." She nods but doesn't ask. Walking in, we sit down. Kellan is sitting with Callista and Selene next to him. Walking over, I see my name next to Darius.Sitting, I try to get Kellan's attention, but he's too invested in his conversation to take notice of me."You upset him." Turning, I look at Darius. "He didn't even look at you when you came in.""He's not happy that I told you." I can't blame him either, but I wouldn't have had to if he had listened to me."He will be fine with you later. The best thing you can do is give him space, don't try and get his attention." I nod and deci
I walk to the man, and he stands."Elara, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Ryan. Shall we begin?" I nod and sit down. So far, he seems fine."How has your time been at the Luna battle so far?""It's been amazing; I've learnt a lot, especially about myself. Regardless of how this ends, I know I'm taking away a lot of positives from this."He smiles and nods. "Your past isn't conventional at all, yet you seem to get far more support than most people from those outside. Why do you think that is?"I consider his words. "Maybe because I can relate to so many of the people? It gives them hope of a better future.""You do give people hope, Elara. My own daughter speaks highly of you. Her situation is unique, and seeing you here has made her realise that not having a wolf isn't always bad. Did you realise that you were changing people's views?""How did your daughter lose her wolf? I didn't realise people's views had changed, especially not because of me.""My daughter is unique. She was born
DariusToday has been long, but all the contestants have gone to the places they needed to. Now it's a case of adding up the scores and seeing who has lost. Elara I know has won, there's no doubt about it. She was amazing visiting her places."Anything?" William looks at me."Not yet." I was hoping Kellan's plan would work by now, but he hasn't gotten anywhere yet.I hear the door and look up to see Kellan walk in. "What are you working on?""Never mind that. Stop being a jerk." I glance down at the papers."Thanks." He laughs and sits with us, glancing at the papers. "What is this all about?"Sighing, I look at him. "I'm seeing the punishments that Father had set. Ensuring they are appropriate.""You have an idea, what?" He laughs. He's not a fool."Look, forced slavery isn't allowed. It's happening, though, and people don't care. Dad said he had it sorted. He has a team of Gamma that deals with it. After the mess yesterday, I need to read everything." I can't just hope everything is
I wake up with Kellan in my bed, his body pressed against mine. Moving back, I look at him."You know, my dad would have punished me for this if he was still alive."My eyes roll at his words. "He's not alive. Your brother is the king now.""I know; I just mean, had he not passed before doing this? The mess would be awful; you would likely have been thrown out, and I would be getting lectured.""So what you're saying is, Darius isn't as bad as your father was?" It sounds like that is what he is hinting at."Pretty much. You have a busy day today." I laugh at him. "You will be with Sage watching the footage from your travels."Oh, I am looking forward to that. More to see myself and see if I did anything wrong. I feel his fingers walk up my side and stop at my shoulder."I'm sorry I was a jerk."I laugh. "Kellan, it's fine. Honestly, you should go and do things you would normally be doing if I weren't here." He can't spend all his time with me."Fine, but we're eating with you ladies a