Reborn as the Lycan's mate

Episode8

ELENA’S POV~

Was this it? Was this my reckoning?

The arena fell silent, the gaze of the Lycans directed at me. I swallowed hard, trying my best to hide the fear that swirled in my stomach. I saw the anticipation in their eyes, waiting to see my reaction.

The man who had spoken stepped forward, his chest heaving with anger and the veins in his bald head pulsating like they were transporting the blood of three lycans in one body. I needed to think fast—just like I did with Garrison.

But this was different. Garrison was my mate—Rhoda’s mate. He would believe her without blinking twice. These are warriors. Trained men and women.

They needed to be convinced. The weight of their stares pressed on me like physical force, waiting for me to explode. But I knew I had to be careful. One wrong move, one slip of the tongue, and everything would unravel. I inched closer to the man, my guards following behind.

With a smile, hiding all the storm of thoughts going on in my head, I gave my first response, “Justice shall be served.”

That did nothing because I could still see the hunter for justice lingering in his eyes.

“But true justice is not in revenge or cruelty. It is in balance and in mercy when it is deserved,” I added, my voice steady despite the hard my heart hammered in my chest. I noticed my fingers were trembling, so I held them together, taking a deep breath.

“You speak of mercy—undeserving of the wolves who killed you! The wolves who brought war to our gates! You’re a traitor!” He yelled. My heart sank at his words. I felt my confidence recoil the moment he growled.

His chest grew larger, tearing his shirt into pieces. He grew bigger, more aggressive—into his beast. With a heavy stomp, he lunged at me. I wanted to close my eyes and give myself up to his ferocious fangs.

But I felt energy coursing through me. One that didn’t belong to me. One that made me feel powerful. In a swift motion, I dodged his attack and grasped his neck by the back just before he made contact with the ground.

He fought, squeaked, and struggled for his release as I held him in the air. Murmurs swept through the crowd, a few of them loud enough to my hearing.

“How foolish of him to have challenged the Luna,” one of them said.

I stood there in disbelief, struck by the kind of strength I had just displayed. Lisa was right. I am strong. I let him fall and he morphed into his human form. Immediately, he bent a knee, burying his head on his leg.

“Luna…forgive me. I beg of you. How foolish I was to doubt the goddess even for a minute,” he cried.

A sigh of relief left my lips. I inched closer to him, feeling the heat of the lycans following my every step.

“What is your name?” I asked.

“Haaland, Luna,” he answered.

I squatted to his level and lifted his face with my index. “Haaland, you should understand that if we become monsters in the name of justice, we betray the very values we claim to uphold,” my heart hammered as I spoke, knowing this wasn’t my knowledge.

I stood up, and the first eyes I met were those of Garrison. He was standing a few meters away from us with a smile on his face. He winked at me, his smile growing wider.

“You handled that perfectly,” he mind-linked me, biting his lower lips. An unintentional blush tore through my cheek before I realized myself.

“Everyone get back to work,” I ordered, leaving the arena.

*****

Later that day, as the sun traveled back to its nest, I walked down the castle’s halls, my mind still spinning from the events of the morning. How I was able to spill all those had me in awe. I couldn’t believe I once doubted myself.

After I got back to my room, I asked Lisa to return the books which were taken out of the room a few days ago. I believed if I went through them, I would find something that was linked to who Rhoda was.

Maybe a journal, a diary, or even a book about herself. I stopped at a window after I saw the Lycans leading the werewolf slaves into another cabin.

The doctor.

I needed to see her again. I rushed out of the castle and made my way to the clinic. She was chained to the bed like she was a threat. Her wounds were freshly bandaged. I inched closer to her and her eyes fluttered open.

“Thank you,” those were her first words. Her voice was faint, but I heard her. I glanced at the guards in the room. They were watching me closely, waiting for my orders on her fate.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“Grateful,” she answered with a smile. “Thank you,” she added.

“Take the chains off,” I ordered the guards standing in the room. There was reluctance in their response before one of them stepped forward.

“We’re sorry Luna but stew a wolf,”

“You’ll do as I say,” I cut him short. He bowed, and they proceeded to take the chains off. Garrison walked into the clinic just in time and came to my side. He crossed his hands over my shoulder, causing my heart to sink.

I doubt I would ever get used to the man who killed me standing by my side.

“What do you intend to do with her?” He asked while his fingers massaged my shoulder blade.

“I’ll set her free. She’s innocent,” I answered. His hand stopped working on my shoulder that second.

I feared he was going to be against it, but then, he resumed his massage.

“You’re making a habit of going against the grain,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. I scoffed with a smile.

“I know, this just feels right” I responded.

“Thread carefully love. The other lycans may not be understanding as I am,” he replied, turning me to him. “But know one thing, I’ll always stand by you,” he added. I gulped, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. His lips crashed on mine for a few seconds.

“I know,” I murmured. My gaze returned to the Lycans who were helping the doctor out of bed. My fingers started twitching as thoughts stormed my head.

It will only be my doom when I make a glaring mistake, something that will throw my secret under the light. I could feel it, I could taste it. It tasted like my blood traveling through the sand in search of peace.

My gaze shifted to Garrison while he instructed the Lycans on what to do. His voice was faded in my ears, or maybe I was in my world.

Was I ready to take the risk? To make him pay— To make everyone pay?

****