Lunar Temptations

Ch 19

We arrived at a familiar place, and that was when I took my time carefully analyzing it. It was similar to the other hallways in this gigantic house, except this one was larger. Mom, alongside a tired-looking Esme and Winnie, was quarrelling with Paul.

"Haven't we gotten rid of all of them?" She ran a frustrated hand through her hair.

"Yes, but there were doubts that some of them were still alive," Paul calmly explained to her. But she looked like she wasn't having it, and that was when Zayden cleared his throat. All of their heads snapped in our direction, and for a moment, they all paused to take a good look. My eyes landed on Esme, pleading silently to divert their attention. Her eyes narrowed in on me as she pretentiously scanned me from top to bottom and cleared her throat.

Great, now this was more awkward than it was supposed to be. If Esme hasn't assumed anything wrong then now, she definitely was. Zayden let go of my hand to greet Mom, and I watched amazed at how that man could act like it was his profession. His chivalrous behaviour was all it needed to sway Mom's frustration as a smile spread across her lips.

Wow, maybe I should take some tips from him. - I thought, making mental notes.

Her eyes landed on me, and her expression filled with concern. "I am so glad you're out of danger now." She hugged me, and I hugged her back. I couldn't see her, but I knew if I didn't distract her, she might start crying again. "What were you talking about, Mom?" I asked, pulling away from the hug.

Her brows furrowed, confused. I pointed towards Paul and watched her expressions unfold. "It was nothing for you to be concerned about. We'll handle it," she waved off, but I didn't budge.

I couldn't remain unaware of things anymore. I could already tell it was something related to the pack, and as much as I didn't want to remind her of that, I was still going to be the next Luna. Therefore, there was no one else more important to know about it than me. I sighed before putting my hands on her shoulders, understandingly.

"Don't you think it's time for me to be more concerned about it and learn how to handle it?" I lowered my head and gave her the puppy eyes. As tough as she could be to come around, I just learned something from Zayden. I had to be chivalrous to get what I wanted, and for her to simply lay off her duties to me now. It was high time that I focused on something other than finding a mate, like learning to lead as a Luna. What better way than to convince Mom to teach me?

"But you're injured," she began to resist.

"My duties won't wait for me to heal." I cut her off. She went quiet, her brows lightly furrowed before she used a hand to smother my face. "I can't believe you've grown into such a strong wolf." A hint of a smile appeared on her face as she inhaled deeply. Pride and contentment were raw on her face. "You will be the best Luna this pack needs," she said, and I simply smiled.

I was in the moment, enjoying it when out of the corner of my eye, I saw Zayden closing the door of the room I was in before disappearing inside. What was he doing in there? Wasn't that the supposed hospital room where I was being treated? I shook off the thoughts as Mom continued her conversation with Paul.

"What did I miss?" I asked, approaching them, and Paul hesitated. "Go ahead. As our future Luna, she needs to know," Mom nodded at him.

"Alright. A week ago, several rogues penetrated our borders and scattered through her territory with the intention of hiding," he began to explain.

"Yes, I remember," I nodded. It had happened the day Zayden came to meet me at the mansion and ended up agreeing to get married within the next 6 months. Though I forgive it now, I still remember the events of that day very well. We were interrupted by Paul with the sudden news of rogues breaching our borders.

"Orders were issued from Alpha Dawson to take care of the matter immediately, and so we did," he paused. "The patrol guards recognized a few of the rogues, and many were caught, but some of them, however, are still at large."

Slowly, it was starting to make sense as to why those wolves who attacked me didn't know about me. Why they didn't bow, and not only that, they also tried to kill me.

"We believe that they are behind this attack on you," he said, pointing towards the bandage on my neck, and for a moment, I was lost in a trance.

Did that mean the rogues had attacked me? Ever since a werewolf gained their senses, we were told that rogues were bad wolves, the kind that had disobeyed and refused to follow the pack leaders' commands. We were warned to be aware of them and keep our distance if we were to ever come across one. No matter the stories I had heard, or the warnings I was given, I couldn't stop myself when I found Elio. The time when Zayden had turned 18 and his wolf showed, his training had started. While I was barely 16, I had nowhere to go and no one to befriend. I found Elio. At first, we barely saw each other, but after a year passed and some strict restrictions over rogue wolves were implemented after being approved by every pack, I would sometimes quietly sneak off to meet him and would bring him food. What had started as sneaking off to give him food, turned into a friendship and later an affair. Call it a product of loneliness and having him as my only friend or an infatuation, I was attracted to him and the fun I would have with him outside our borderline.

After him, I started to believe that not all rogues were bad, until now. Years later, I was finding myself questioning my choices and my morals.