CHAPTER SEVEN: CONTROL

ZEPHYR'S POV

“Alpha that woman is a danger to all of us!” Celeste yelled. The other members nodded their heads in agreement.

“She really is! Why are you keeping her here?” Someone yelled from the crowd.

“Who knows what else she will do to us?”

“This is the Alpha's business.” Ronan said, trying to calm them down.

“The Alpha's business? This includes the whole pack. Everyone was affected by the howl that rogue let out.” Celeste argued.

“We cannot keep her here, she needs to be killed before she kills all of us.”

“Celeste!” Ronan growled.

“What? Did I say anything wrong? Some of our pack members are in a coma because of that howl. We do not know if they will wake up or not! Alpha this is about the safety of your pack members!” She clapped back.

Multiple voices erupted in agreement with her. I watched them in silence. Morrigan's howl had affected everyone in the pack except me. Was it because I was her mate?

She was much more powerful than I thought, could I keep her here? I didn't want to let her go, no I couldn't and wouldn't let her go no matter what.

“Celeste calm down, nobody died.” Kierra rolled her eyes.

Celeste let out a loud chuckle, “Are you listening to yourself? That thing in the Alpha's house is a danger to all of us. People are in a coma because of whatever trick she pulled, they might as well be dead!!” She yelled.

“How can you say that? We…”

“Oh come on Kierra everyone knows you have been feeding that dirty thing. Are you even still the Kierra we know or did that thing brainwash you like she did the Alpha.” She said, causing everyone to gasp.

“Celeste.” I called calmly. Everyone went silent.

“Y…yes a-alpha.” She stuttered.

“Repeat what you just said.” I kept my eyes on her. She kept her head bowed.

“I… I am s-s-sorry, b-but I think that w-woman did something to y-you.”

“Celeste, you know very well how I hate repeating myself.”

“ I… said that e-everyone here knows t-that Kierra has been taking care of her and that she might have been b..brainwashed l-like you.” She stuttered.

I slowly got up from my chair. “Who here thinks I should kill her?” I asked, I scanned the room as almost everyone's hand went up. I nodded slowly.

“I'm gonna tell it to you straight. Morrigan is not going anywhere, she is here to stay and you all need to respect her. She is your future Luna whether you like it or not. The howl was somehow my fault, I apologize for that.” I watched their expressions.

“And Celeste, I warned you last time. Ronan put her in the dungeon until I tell you to let her out. No water or food.”

“Zephyr!” She yelled, a look of disbelief on her face.

“It's Alpha to you Celeste. Next time think before calling my Luna names.” I growled. They all bowed their heads in submission.

Ronan grabbed Celeste by the arm, she shrugged his hand off.

“Are you really doing this to me?” She sobbed. Everyone watched in silence.

Ronan grabbed her again and pulled her out as she struggled against him.

“I am sure the one affected by the howl will wake up soon. So do not worry too much. I will make sure nothing like this happens again.” I reassured them.

“B…but alpha, what if it happens again?” Mrs Montclair asked.

“It won't.” I could smell and feel their fear and worry.

“Everything will be alright. Meeting dismissed.” They all rushed out.

I walked out of the meeting hall and headed towards my house. I needed to come to some type of agreement with Morrigan otherwise someone might actually end up dead.

I knocked on the door before opening it. She was looking out the window. I slowly walked in and sat down.

“What do you want?” She asked without turning around.

“I apologize for my behavior yesterday,” I said hoping she would turn. “your howl, it caused a lot of trouble for my pack.”

“Then let me go.” She said nonchalantly, her back still turned.

“What's making you so desperate to leave here?

“Do you really hate me that much? I…. I really want to make this work.” I ran a hand through my hair.

Goddess I sounded so desperate, but I really wanted to keep her here with me. I wanted to know why she was desperate to leave yet she didn't reject me.

“I don't hate you…” She finally turned around, my breath caught in my throat, she was so beautiful.

“I just want my freedom back. Please.” She begged. My heart skipped a beat.

I bit my lip as my eyes ran up and down her body. She wore a blue dress that hugged her body in all the right places.

My mouth began watering as I imagined all the things I could do to her, while she begged me for more.

“Are you listening to me?” She questioned snapping me out of my thoughts.

My pants felt uncomfortable, as I shifted in my chair. I crossed my legs to cover the evidence of my lustful thoughts.

“Look Morrigan, I can't let you go-”

“You can't or you won't.” She snapped.

“I won't. You are my mate, I want us to be together. Why are you resisting this bond that the moon goddess gifted us?” I questioned.

She let out a loud sigh and plopped on the bed. A desperate look in her eyes.

“I cannot accept this. I do not want this. I just want to get away from here, from you. Please I beg you, if you really consider me your mate reject me and let me leave. Please.” She pleaded with her hands put together.

“Why? Just tell me why.”

“ For goodness sake, I will do anything for you to just let me leave. I cannot stay here!” She cried out.

She aggressively wiped a stray tear that rolled down her cheek. My heart squeezed as I watched her aggressively wiping the tears on

her face.

“I am sorry Morrigan but I can't do that and I won't. You just have to accept this bond and stay with me. I will let you out of this room but don't try anything stupid, you won't like the consequences.” I said before forcing myself to leave. I desperately wanted to wipe away her tears and tell her it was okay, but she wouldn't let me get close to her.

I walked out of the house and ran towards the forest. My muscles rippled underneath my skin, stretching and reshaping as my bones began to shift. My legs grew stronger, feet broadening, my toes curved into claws that dug into the ground with each stride. The skin on my arms thickened as fur sprouted.

My face began to elongate, my senses sharpened with every heartbeat and every inhalation of the air. My spine arched and with a final leap, I landed on my paws.

I let out a loud howl as I ran through the forest, feeling the wind thread through my gray fur.

“ Zephyr, are you ok?” Ronan asked through the mind link. Without a second thought I slammed a mental wall between us.

I just wanted to clear my mind and think of a way to keep Morrigan here with me.