Rise of Luna Chandria

CHAPTER 36 : Traitor's End

“Luna Chantal has been freed by Alpha Priam, instead of killing her. According to Rosa, the Silver Mist Pack was about to attack around midnight, and they called for a backup from their allied pack.”

Those were the words that greeted us when we arrived at the pack early this morning. I shortly glanced at Alpha Priam whose face remains blank as usual.

They let Chantal go? That’s quite a relief to know. I’ve been overthinking the entire flight what’s going on here if they were torturing my sister because based on what the Alpha and I talked about back in the plane, he seemed determined to kill my sister.

“Please call Rosa, I need to talk to her tomorrow.” Alpha Priam replied.

‘Oh no, was Rosa in trouble for freeing my sister?’

The latter just nods before bowing his head, his stolen glance didn’t escape from my eyes. He looks awkward looking at me, and so do I. Since Falcon, one of the Alpha men still carries me.

Alpha Priam leaves without saying a word but the man carrying me seems to be having fun when he called the Alpha…

“Alpha, where am I going to put her?” My forehead creased, what the hell is that? Am I a piece of baggage or what?

“Where do you think?” The Alpha asked back without even turning his back to face us.

“Alpha if you wouldn’t mind. I want Chandria to be in my home, I’ll take care of her injured leg.” Celestine suddenly appeared from a distance. My eyes lit up seeing her again, I wanted to hug her but it was impossible at this moment.

“No.” My gaze suddenly shifted to the Alpha.

“Bring her into the storage room.”

“But Alpha, the room hasn’t cleaned up yet, and there’s no bed frame available…”

“I need a rest, Celestine.” He cut her off before started walking out of our way.

“It’s fine Celestine.” I tried to smile so she wouldn’t worry about me.

“Falcon, I want to rest too,” I added and gave Celestine an assuring smile once more.

“I’ll be fine.” I mouthed before Falcon carried me to one of the rooms on the first floor.

“Just put me on the corner, Falcon. Thank you for today.” I commented, and the latter looked at me, his eyes tell it all.

“I mean it. You’re worried, aren’t you?”

He didn’t say a word as he puts me where I pointed him.

“Celestine will bring you a mat, and food.” He replied before turning his back and walking away. As the door has been closed, silence fills me, and roamed my eyes.

There were bundles of bags in front of me, and some broken and unused chairs and tables in the other corner. As Celestine mentioned earlier, the room was entirely dirty, dust and spider webs are everywhere, and there was no bed so I chose the spot that has a huge space. Or atleast good enough for me to stretch my injured leg.

When I heard the door suddenly open, it was Celestine who was holding a lot of stuff in her hand. She has an apologetic look on her face, as she walks toward me.

“You sure you’ll be fine here? I can talk to Alpha…”

“Sshh, we both know that he won’t change his mind, Celestine,” I replied.

She heaved a deep sigh, “I’ll talk to Alpha Priam later Chandria. In the meantime, stay here first, okay?”

I only nods and motioned to help her put the mat but she only shrugged me off. “This is the last thing I could do Chandria.”

I just let her do what she wants to end the conversation. She put the mat, the blanket, and two pillows in the open space. She also brought water, a few snacks, medicine, and a new bandage for my legs. I’m still wondering how she was able to bring everything here in just one go.

“Thank you, Celestine.” No words can describe how grateful I am right now, if not for her, I’ll sleep on this cold and bare floor.

“You sure you don’t want me to sleep with you here?” It was her fifth question to date.

“No, Celestine. This is enough, and I will surely sleep comfortably here now.” It was a genuine answer, if not for the spider web and dust around me, I’d rather choose here than in one of those rooms where I feel I don’t deserve it.

After a few more questions from her that I found cute, she finally left, leaving me with a warm heart. She acts like a mother to me. With that I slept peacefully with a smile plastered on my face, at least I have someone who worries about me, someone who will make me feel I’m not alone in this battle. Even though I’m not sure of what awaits me tomorrow, I set it aside for now. I’m relieved that Chantal was safe already, that’s more important.

Waking up with tolerable pain, I slowly pull myself up to at least get seated and take a look at my left leg. It took me a thousand hours to remove the bandage, just to be greeted by a bleeding and swollen wound. I heaved a deep breath to at least lessen the pain but it was useless. Nevertheless, I still extended my arms to get the kit that Celestine brought earlier and drink the medicine after that.

As chills sent down my spine, my vision started to get blurry. Was it the effect of the medicine? I coated myself in the blanket again, though it wasn’t enough to lessen the freezing ambiance. I don’t have a choice. I forced myself to sleep and keep my eyes shut, but I can’t. I’m not comfortable with my current situation, it’s both pains from my leg and frigidness.

Until I heard the door suddenly open, it was probably Celestine. But I don’t have the energy to open my eyes or remove the blanket. I felt drained, and I think I’ll collapse even if manage to do it. My breathing was too heavy and almost chased it.

I felt a warm hand touch my forehead and my neck. Checking my temperature.

‘Can you speak, Celestine?’ I thought to myself because I can’t spill it out. She should have at least said a word, so I could check if I’m still in this world or if my soul was already traveling to planet Mercury, right?

But I didn’t hear anything from her, instead, I felt that I was being carried. Or was I hallucinating again, and it was the effect of the medicine?

After a couple of minutes, I felt a soft mattress touching my back, and a warm blanket my entire being.

I’m not sure how long I was asleep, I was awakened by the smell of delicious food and when I opened my eyes, a familiar ceiling greeted me. Right next to me was Celestine who was smiling, she was holding a tray of food that was mouthwatering enough to make me crave and realize that I’m starving.

“How are you feeling Chandria?” Celestine asked.

“You had a fever earlier, good enough that Falcon checked you out.”

‘Oh was it Falcon who brought me here?’

‘Why would I even think that Celestine could carry me?’

“I should thank him then,” I replied, and smiled.

“Yeah and also Alpha Priam.” Celestine retaliated making my forehead pleated in question.

‘Is it because Alpha agreed for me to stay here for the first time?’

“Oh, I could go back to the storage room, Celestine. I’m fine anyway. ” I slowly pulled off the blanket from my body, I feel hot compared to earlier, and I almost freeze in cold.

“W-What? What the hell are you talking about Chandria?’” Celestine asked as small chuckles escape her lips.

“You know Falcon can’t move his feet without the Alpha’s order, so he told the Alpha your condition. You should thank Alpha Priam because he was the one who carried you here, and I bet he monitored your temperature the entire time.”

“W-What?” I was shocked and disbelieved by what I heard.

‘Alpha Priam took care of me? That’s the simplest sentence of what Celestine had mentioned right?’

“He was probably guilty for throwing you in that dirty place, Chandria,” Celestine added before she moves and put the tray of food she was holding onto the table near the bed.

“You should eat, I’m sure you’re starving, you haven’t been eating the entire day.”

She’s right it was already dark outside as I look through the transparent window made of glass.

“Thank you, Celestine.”

“No, you shouldn’t take me and rather bring back all your energy. You owe me a lot of your experiences back there, how’s life in the city huh?”

‘She knows?’

“Of course I know, sweetie. Rosa told me.” She’s a mind reader now huh?

“It was all written on your face, you better learn how to manage your facial expressions. They’re too bold to be easily read. I’ll go now, enjoy your dinner.” She winks at me before she heads her way out of the room leaving me speechless.

‘She never fails to amuse me.’

After eating all the delicious meals that Celestine prepared, I forced myself to stand up and used a stick of the curtain to support my weight. I barely walk on my left leg, so I was jumping just to get out of the room, but unfortunately, I bumped into someone’s chest. And I was praying to the God of the Moon that it wasn’t him, but…

As soon as I met his gaze, I swallowed a lump in my throat, and my heart started to beat insanely.

“You could tell me if you want me to buy you a wheelchair, woman.”

“A-Alpha.” It’s almost just a whisper, that even I could barely hear.

“What? Do you want me to buy one for you? Your legs look…” He paused for a moment and throw my legs a short gaze that made the aura more awkward for us.

“W-Where are you looking at?” My face heated up as I realized that I was wearing a short black dress, exposing my legs. The purpose is to easily access the injured part, but with the way he stares at me, the cloth made me uncomfortable.

“Never mind.” He turned around and leave me after that. I can’t help but be bothered by how my legs look, though this is the only thing that made my mom compliments me back then. I’m taller by about an inch or two compared to Chantal. According to my mom, my legs look long and slim, given the fact that it doesn’t have any scratches on them, before.

“Chandria! Why the hell are you out here?!” Taken aback when Celestine suddenly exclaimed.

I smile, “The moon was bright, Celestine. It was a good opportunity for me to have a few walks…”

“A few walks? Are you hearing yourself, little girl? With your condition right now, you can’t enjoy that walk you’re talking about.” She mockingly shot back.

“Maybe it won’t hurt that much if you’ll carry me?” I joked around, and we both chuckled.

“You know when I was your age, I often get injuries in the forest. As I always sneak out of my room, my parents guard me tightly because of this ability of mine to foresee the future. They said another pack might steal me away from them, and use me for their gain.” She briefly narrated. We stayed on the veranda of the hallway, and from here we could see the bright moon above.

Her solemn story, vibe with the mood that surrounds us. Down this building were the pack members who were having fun, and some groups were dancing with a bonfire in the middle of them.

“Hey, you owe me a story about your city life!”

“Nothing much.” I chuckled and looked away. Though in my almost more than a week of stay there, I witnessed how humans live their lives. How money, makes powerful people more capable yet cruel. Their world is pretty much different from ours, or probably because I was born with a golden spoon in my mouth before. I didn’t experience getting starved to death or renting a home because I have a fine one.

“A-Alpha! Alpha!” The serene night was suddenly ruined by the screams of Alpha’s men, the voice was familiar, and when I tried to recognize the man running toward the Alpha, it was Falcon.

“R-Rosa! Rosa was dead Alpha! T-They killed her!”