Chapter Sixty-Two

Jasmine’s POV

It was hard to cope with Regan and Luke’s absence. Especially that of my mate.

I prayed so much more than I usually did for the success of their mission and for their safe return home.

Concerning things at the pack, I did not have much to worry about.

Regan had done an incredible work of preparing all that I would need in his absence.

As he had earlier said before leaving, his Gamma handled the day to day routine and managed quite well, only coming to me when my guidance or authority was required.

And I was not required much.

With everything else, Nana and Lena never left my side. Always ready with help or advice whenever I would need it.

Their presence made the absence of my mate bearable.

Gaia had decided to check on me and the pup each day, to know if there was any immediate threat against us and how to avert it.

It eased my worries each time she told me everything was well. Although I wondered if she would tell me if all was not.

It was more likely that she would send a spelled message to Regan first before telling me anything, simply to spare me the worry.

Although I was grateful, I did not like being treated as something fragile.

I would need to be tested in order for me to become stronger.

A test arrived soon after that thought.

I had finished my training session with Lena that morning and were both headed towards the healing house after stopping briefly at the stream to wash up when we witnessed an incident among members of our pack.

It seemed that a group of she-wolves and children were gathered around what seemed to be a mother, her daughter and a young she-wolf who seemed to be around the same age as the daughter.

From what we heard from where we stood observing, it seemed as though the mother was accusing the young she -wolf of stealing something that belonged to her daughter.

And it seemed like the others stood in support of the mother.

One of the people gathered suggested that someone fetched the Gamma, but on turning around and seeing me and Lena, they announced that the Luna was already present to judge the matter.

Before I knew it, they had come to us and the accusers and the accused stood before us.

“Luna”, the mother said with a bow, and I immediately recognized her voice. I looked up to the familiar face of one of the pack’s biggest gossip.

I always avoided her in the past as both Lena and Nana had advised. It seemed there was no way to avoid her any longer.

I nodded to accept her greeting.

“What seems to be the matter?” I asked, aware of Lena’s steady presence beside me that lent me the strength I needed.

The accused young she-wolf was pushed forward none too gently, tripping over her feet and falling to the ground, her dark hair falling as a curtain to hide her face from view.

“You will show respect before our Luna in both your words and actions”, Lena said sternly, glaring at the she-wolf who had pushed the girl.

The woman looked down in submission.

“Luna”, the mother said again, this time to get my attention. “This thief is no innocent”, she accused, pointing at the girl as she stood to her feet.

I bit my tongue to stop myself from telling her not to call the girl names.

“She stole my Sela’s neck pearls”, she accused. “And when I simply confronted her to reveal the truth, she denied it and has continued to do so”, she said.

The other she -wolves present echoed their agreement of the mother, but no one stood up for the girl.

“Has this happened before?” I asked the mother.

“Well”, she mumbled. “She has certainly never been caught before”, she said. “I suppose this is her unlucky day”.

Her supporters nodded their agreement and I finally turned to the girl.

“Do you have anything you wish to say?” I asked her, already knowing in my heart that she was innocent. Though how I knew was a mystery.

She was silent for a while, before a familiar voice came from her.

“I did not steal the pearls, my Luna”, the calm voice said.

I stared in surprise, only then recognizing the familiar stature I associated with the voice.

“Let me see your face”, I commanded gently.

Slowly, she moved her hair away from her face to reveal the face I already knew would be behind it.

Amy looked at me with calm eyes that glistened with tears.

“Amy”, I could not help whispering.

It was clear to see that someone had struck her across the face.

Seeing her try to hold in tears brought up anger in me that I did not expect.

I moved over to her and gently took her face in my hands to see the bruise already forming.

Since she had not yet gotten her wolf, being that she was not of age, her bruise was not healing as fast as it should have on a werewolf with a wolf.

She would not meet my eyes and I knew for certain that she was embarrassed.

“Look at me”, I whispered tenderly to her. When her eyes came up to finally meet mine, I felt my anger grow at the tear that escaped her eyes.

“Did you take the pearls?” I asked.

“No, Luna”, she answered without hesitation.

“Then how did you come to be with it?” I asked.

Even though I knew she was telling the truth, I needed her to say it aloud for everyone present to hear.

“Sela gave them to me, Luna”, she said.

“Lies, Luna!” The mother shrieked from behind me. “Sela would never give away those pearls”, she said. “It was a gift from me and she clearly said she did not give them to you”, she said.

I felt my blood begin to boil.

So, I took a deep breath before I turned to face the daughter, one of my hands still on Amy’s face.

“Did you give her the pearls?” I asked her.

She averted her gaze from mine and shot a nervous glance at her mother before she spoke. That was all I needed to see to know she would lie.

“N-no, Luna”, she stammered.

“Then how did she come to be with them?” I asked her.

“I-I I do not know, Luna”, she lied again.

Before I could ask another question, her mother had opened her mouth again.

“Luna”, she said. “Do not be deceived by her pathetic expression”, she said. “And do not let your personal feelings for that thief cloud your judgment on this matter”, she said.

The hand at my side began to shake.

“That girl is a thief”, she said, pointing an accusing finger at Amy. “And all knows it”.

Her supporters yelled out words of support in her defense before Lena cut in.

“Enough!” She said to silence them.

Everywhere immediately fell silent. “One more word from anyone of you and I will personally rip your tongues out”, she threatened with a glare.

But threats would not spare them this time. Especially Sela’s mother.

She had insulted me. And had done so in front of members of our pack.

If Luke was there, I knew exactly what he would tell me.

“Teach one of them a lesson so that the others would never forget”, he always said when we trained.

And that was what I intended to do.

And I knew for certain, that I would enjoy it.

“Lena”, I called, not taking my eyes away from Amy.

She immediately came closer.

“Please send for Gaia”, I said. “Tell her to meet us in front of the pack house. And tell her it is urgent”.

Probably seeing the look on my face, Lena nodded once and left.

I turned then to those still gathered.

“The rest of you”, I said. “Follow me”, I commanded and turned around, putting an arm around Amy to pull her close before making my way towards the pack house.

They did as I had said, each one of them following after me at a respectable distance.

By the time we all arrived at the pack house, Lena was already there alongside Gaia.

They all bowed to Gaia in respect, aware of her rank and title.

“Luna, you sent for me”, Gaia said to me.

I knew she only addressed me that way simply because of those present.

“Yes Gaia”, I said, coming to a stop before her. “There is a small issue in my pack that I need your sight for, before giving out my judgment”, I said.

“It would be my pleasure to help in any way I can”, she said.

I turned to the small crowd behind me.

“That mother and daughter”, I said pointing at the two. “Alongside all that are gathered here, have accused this young she-wolf of theft”, I said. “Using your power of sight, I was hoping you could tell us what has happened and bring this issue to an end”.

Gaia nodded. “With pleasure”, she said before turning to the ones involved. “Come closer so I may read you”, She instructed.

The mother gently pushed the daughter forward and she hesitated before giving her hand to Gaia.

Amy did so as well, but without any hesitation.

Having one of the girls’ hands in both of her own, Gaia shut her eyes and began to murmur chants.

All gathered were silent as we waited.

By the time she opened her eyes and let go of both girls’ hands, a chuckle escaped her lips.

“I am hoping you have seen what has happened?” I asked Gaia.

She nodded, her laughter dying down.

“Indeed I have, Luna”, she said before turning to the girls.

“You may return to your places”, she said.

As they did so, I spoke.

“Please, share what you have seen with all who are gathered here”, I requested.

Gaia smiled her acceptance before turning to the audience.

“It seems there has been a misunderstanding”, she said. “No theft has been committed here”, she said.

“Then how did that girl come to be in possession of my daughter’s pearls?!” The mother asked from where she stood.

Gaia turned to her with a freezing look. “I will tell you, if you do not interrupt me again”, she warned.

The mother shrank back.

“Your daughter gave that poor girl her pearls”, Gaia announced and everyone began to murmur in surprise. “And as to the reason why, that is simple”, she said before leveling Sela with a look and a smile. “Young love”, she declared.

Even I did not understand Gaia’s words and said so.

To that, she responded.

“You see”, she said. “Those pearls were given in hopes of your daughter winning her over so that she could put in a good word for her to her brother”, Gaia said.

It took a minute before it all clicked in.

“So you are saying”, I said to clarify for everyone else gathered. “That Sela gave Amy those pearls, in the hopes that Amy would tell Emry how kind she has been to her when he returns?” I asked, already knowing that was the truth.

Gaia nodded and the small crowd erupted in talks.

Sela hid her face behind her arms.

“She could not tell her mother she had given her pearls away because of a young wolf”, Gaia further explained. “So when her mother saw them and asked, she simply denied it”.

As everyone murmured, I had already made my conclusions.

“Since the truth has come out”, I said loudly to quiet them. “I will render my judgment”.

All fell silent as they awaited my pronouncement.

“Every one of you gathered her will render an apology to young Amy for your accusations and ill treatment of her”, I said, no one opposed. “For Sela, for lying against a pack member, you will apologize to Amy and be given chores as punishment for your actions”, I said.

She simply bowed her head and cried.

“And as for you”, I said turning to her mother. “You will be flogged for your insolence and punished for your disrespect. And afterwards, you will be demoted to serve under Amy’s mother at the Healing house”.

At my pronouncement, she fell to her knees in tears.

“Mercy, Luna”, she cried. “Please have mercy!”

I glared at her without sympathy.

“Did you remember mercy when you struck and ridiculed someone else’s child?” I asked. “When you yourself are a mother, yet you harmed someone’s own”, I told her, before moving to stand before her.

“You had the audacity to insult me before my pack”, I told her. “And I will make an example out of you to anyone who forgets, even for a moment, that I am Luna of this pack”, I said for all to hear and they all bowed their heads in submission.

“This is my judgment”. I said and turned to take Amy away so that I could tend to her wounds, giving Gaia a nod of gratitude as she smiled in pride.