The Lady By the Moon

The Inspection

These were the fastest three hours of my life. I was running around like crazy from room to room trying to thoroughly clean all 6 stories of the humongous house. I tried to make every room look as if no one had ever lived in it before, knowing one window left unwashed would mean trouble for Gemma. My mop finally strokes the final bit of floor left in the room. As I step into the hallway, I hear the loud pounding of footsteps coming towards me. My chest instantly feels tight as I hear “Where is the brave Gemma? I thought she was overseeing you?” before I had a chance to respond I hear from the room directly beside mine “I am right here Jacob, and I have called on Layla as a witness. I just want to make sure that I receive a fair judging.” The smile on her face as she spoke these words was very confident. “Good evening, Jacob” Layla said with an unimpressed look flashing across her face. “Layla” He pulled his lips together in a straight line and nodded his head towards her. “It has been a while.” As he finished this sentence Layla began chuckling. “Clearly not long enough. It does not seem you have changed a bit. Here we are meeting on the account that you are still picking on those weaker than you.” As she said this a complicated look flashed across Jacob’s face. Not many dared to insult or talk back to him, Jacob was known to be many things, but kind was never one of them. “I think you are forgetting the majority are weaker than me, I am the third in command. Don’t get too cocky Layla... or I will remind you why.” His aura bled out of him with this sentence hitting every corner in the room, and making the air feel heavy around us. It was enough to make Layla and Gemma bow their head instantly, but for some reason it did not seem as powerful to me. His aura was calling me to submit to him, pulling at my bones and yanking at my skin. However, this time it felt as if I had a choice, it felt like I could fight against it if I wanted to. ‘This is strange’ I thought to myself before I allowed his aura to wash over me and bowed my head.

After Jacob’s show of power, we began walking through the house. We walked room to room, with Jacob examining every inch of each room. He ran his fingers along every hard surface checking for dust and dirt, looked behind every dresser and bed, checked every trash can and laundry bin. As we walk down the last set of steps leading to the first story, I feel my nerves die down a bit. ‘This is almost over, just a few more rooms.’ I try to reassure myself. The silence was deafening. No one has dared to speak through this “inspection” as there was too much tension, but as we walk through the remaining rooms Layla and Gemma begin to speak. “I would ask how you have been sister, but it seems as if you have your hands full.” Layla says as she glances towards Jacob. “I have actually been great, besides this here. I am just making sure every member of our pack has a fair chance.” Gemma said this proudly, being such a kind and caring person was what everyone loved most about Gemma... Everyone except Jacob. “We do not live by those rules anymore Gemma, this is exactly why, it creates weak wolves like yourself. No one is given a fair chance, if you want a chance you have to make one for yourself.” as he spoke these words Gemma looked down at the ground. It seemed as if she was unable to reply to him. “What rules?” I'm not sure if it was my mouth or mind that betrayed me, but these words were just supposed to be a thought. Upon hearing my question everyone fell silent, it was as if I had just announced someone’s death. “Do not participate in conversations you are not welcome in Mutt. It is none of your business, and is not to be spoken about” Hearing Jacob say this only made me want to press more, but after some thought I realized that would not be in my or Gemma’s best interest.

‘Old rules?’ I had never been allowed to go to school, but Gemma always tried her best to educate me. She had never spoken of any other rules when teaching me history, and I had never heard of anyone else speak of it either. We are finally approaching the last room when Jacob suddenly turns to us “It seems as if Azzie has done what is required of her for once, because of this I will let Gemma resume her regular nightly routine, without punishment.” Hearing him say these words instantly brought me relief. It almost felt unreal. In my years of serving this pack house Jacob had always found fault in my work, he always found a reason to punish me. “However, since you clearly have not learned your place in this pack you will be taken to the chamber.” My stomach instantly dropped, and I found it hard to stand. It had been a while since I was taken to the chamber, but I will never forget the terror it brings. The last time I was brought there I left with a permanent reminder, a reminder of how little I mean. At this thought the scar on my leg begins to itch, and I fight everything in my body not to lean down and scratch it. I hold my head high; I will not show any fear. “Okay”. I muttered. This simple four letter word was all that was needed. “What exactly has she done out of line Jacob?” I hear Gemma say as she tries to blink away the tears in her eyes. “Well, let’s see.” He was pleased to have another chance to tell everyone how worthless I am. “She show’s up for her duties late after we kindly allowed her into our home, she admits to putting her personal feelings in front of work duties” Gemma interrupts him before he can continue speaking “We already discussed these issues this morning and that is why we are here now, I thought every room was to your satisfaction?”

I look at her pleading with her to stop, but she does not even glance my way. Unable to bare this any longer I raise my head strongly “I accept my punishment.” I feel the ground beneath my feet fly away as if it was ripped from beneath me. In an instant the wind is knocked out of me as my back hits the wall, and I am left gasping for air as my body slides to the floor. Through the labored breaths I look up to see Jacob standing over me, his jaw was clenched and his eyes had begun glowing. “This is why she is being punished; she does not know how to speak when spoken to. She believes she has the right to speak to her superiors as if we are her friends, and that is because she has you two making her believe this. Until she realizes her place, she will continue being punished.” Those words hurt more than the pain I was already experiencing. Gemma had never expected me to look at her as my superior, and now she will think I am being punished because of it. She will constantly blame herself for Jacob torturing me. ‘All I have ever done is cause problems for Gemma.’ I can't help but think this as I finally catch my breath.