Chapter 013

“What is going on?” I asked Sophia as we walked out of the kitchen

She remained silent in an unnerving manner. "What's going on? Did I do something wrong?" I asked again , trying to keep up with her brisk pace.

Sophia didn't respond, leading me through the winding corridors of the mansion. We finally stopped at a door I recognized – the entrance to the luna’s private quarters.

Veronica.

My heart skipped a beat. Was I really in trouble?

Sophia opened the door and nudged me inside. "She wants to see you," she said, her expression unreadable.

I stepped inside, my eyes adjusting to the dim lighting. The room was empty, except for a figure standing by the window, cleaning the glass steadily.

I found myself in an elegant anteroom. Sophia gestured for me to follow her.

We walked through another set of doors, leading to the Luna's private chambers. The room was warm and inviting, with soft cushions and a crackling fireplace.

Veronica, the Luna, sat on a plush couch, her once pinned hair now flowed to her back with a piercing green eyes fixed on me. "Astrid, thank you for coming," she said, her voice stern but calm.

I curtsied, trying to hide my nervousness. "Luna Veronica."

Sophia discreetly exited the room, leaving me alone with the Luna.

Veronica's gaze swept over me, her expression thoughtful. "You are alive.”

My cheeks flushed, and I looked down, unsure how to respond.

“Do you remember anything from last night, child?”

I shuffled my weight on each of my feet, what does she mean by that?

“Um……yes” I answered unsure of what to expect.

“Tell me” she said.

“I remember the dinner, the rain, the drinking from the cups and then nothing.”

The room was quite, making me uncomfortable, I peeked at her from under my lashes, her expression was unreadable.

A glass or red wine sat by the small table besides her. For all I care that could be blood. I felt something tugging at the back of my mind, retreating back into somewhere more closed off than turned before

Luna Veronica's gaze seemed to bore into my soul. "Astrid, I want to discuss your... arrangement with the Alpha," she said, her tone measured.

I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. "Yes, Luna?"

Veronica leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Kael's actions have raised eyebrows within the pack. Some question his judgment, while other fear him" Her voice was laced with subtle warning.

I felt a shiver run down my spine. "I understand, Luna."

Veronica's expression remained steady as she leaned back into her couch. "I know, child. But survival in our world requires more than just obedience. It demands strategy." She paused, studying me. "Tell me, Astrid, what do you want?"

The question caught me off guard. No one had ever asked me what I wanted. I hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Veronica's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Don't worry, Astrid. I won't bite... yet." Her smile was dangerous. "But seriously, consider my question. What do you truly desire?"

I took a deep breath, searching for answers within myself. What did I want?

I had list I once created for all the things I ever dreamed of having and wanting but yet at this very moment my mind was blank.

As I pondered, a soft knock at the door interrupted us. Sophia entered, walking up to the high stool where the Luna sat, Veronica's expression turned thoughtful as Sophia whispered in her ear.

"It seems Kael has requested your presence tonight, Astrid," Veronica said, her voice dripping with implication. "It seems your answer will have to wait."

Luna Veronica's words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I nodded, trying to hide my trepidation.

"Very well, Luna," I said, trying to sound composed.

Veronica's gaze lingered on me before she nodded to Sophia. "See Astrid to her quarters. Make sure she's... prepared for tonight."

Sophia's expression was neutral, but her eyes flickered with a hint of sympathy. "Yes, Luna."

As I followed Sophia out of the Luna's chambers, my mind reeled with questions. What did Kael want from me tonight? And what did Veronica mean by "prepared"?

Sophia led me to my quarters, her silence comforting. Inside, she helped me bathe and dress in a flowing white gown, its simplicity belied by intricate lace details. This was probably going to be my last night in the comfort of this room, I looked around, my mind going back to The house of lost, Ruby and Aria.

“Sophia?” I called, hoping Is doesn’t get mad.

“Mmh hmm,” Sophia hummed in response.”

“I need your help with something,”

“What is it?”

“ I need to find my friends, they were taken away from the house of the lost same day as I was. I need to know if they are doing okay”

Sophia fingers paused on my hair, she looked at me through the mirror, with questions in her eye.

“You want me to go digging in to other wolf territories?”

“Please I really need to find out where they are?”

“ you know that, if they are in a bad situation you can’t help them?”

“Yes” I murmured, lowering y head “ still I’d just like to know.”

“Fine, get their names to me and I’ll see what I can do,” she said, continuing whatever she was doing on my hair.

As she styled my hair, Sophia's hands moved with gentle precision. "Astrid, you need be careful tonight," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I met her gaze in the mirror. "What do you mean?"

Sophia's eyes darted around the room before focusing on mine. "Kael's mood is... unpredictable. Don't provoke him."

Yeah, I know first hand that he switch mood like a woman, who was seeing her blood.

I nodded, I’ve already seen blood rain from the sky and drank it too, what could be worse than that?

We walked in the direction of a small cottage behind that pack house, the build was old and damp.

Sophia opened the door, the space was dimly light, with candles. Smell of tittering wood hit me. I expected to see Kael's imposing figure. Instead, Alpha Elijah stood before me, his piercing blue eyes gleaming in the dim light.

My heart skipped a beat. What was Elijah doing here?

"Astrid," Elijah said, his deep voice low and smooth. "Kael has other things to attend to. He's... detained."

I nodded, trying to hide my confusion. Elijah's presence seemed to fill the room, his alpha energy palpable.

Sophia discreetly exited, leaving me alone with Elijah. He gestured to a nearby chair. "Please, sit."

I obeyed, my mind racing.

“What did Elijah want with me?”

Elijah's gaze roamed over me, his expression unreadable. "Astrid, I must admit... I'm curious about you."

My rues flashed up to his, "Curious, Alpha?"

Elijah's smile was enigmatic. "Yes. You seem to have captured such attention to yourself. I want to know why."

I shifted uncomfortably. "I... don't know, Alpha. I don’t understand "

Elijah leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Don't play coy with me, Astrid. I can sense there's more to you. What are you hiding and who are you really!?”