Behind The Mask
1006 Words
Nyra's POV
I stood outside the guest room holding a tray of food and took a deep breath before knocking softly on the door. I had to look worried and caring, like a good cousin who cared about family. I had to play this perfectly.
"Rael," I said gently. "It's me. Nyra, can I come in?"
There was a long pause. Then her voice, flat and tired: "What do you want?"
"I brought food. I heard you haven't been eating. Maybe you'll eat it if I bring it, you really need to get something to eat to make you feel more agile."
There was another pause. "It's fine. You can come in."
I opened the door and stepped inside. I had to stop myself from smiling when I saw her. She looked awful, she was looked pale and thin, dark circles under her eyes, hair tangled and dull. She sat on the bed wrapped in a blanket, looking small and broken and perfect.
"Oh, Rael," I said softly, filling my voice with concern. "You look so tired. Here, I made you soup. It's easy on your stomach. The doctor also said that it is healthy for you as well."
I put the tray on the small table and pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down. Rael watched me suspiciously but didn't say anything.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Fine." she answered.
"You don't look fine. You look like you've been through something terrible."
"I said I'm fine, Nyra."
I nodded slowly and looked down at my hands like I felt awkward. "I'm so glad you're back. We all thought you were dead. Your parents were heartbroken, the whole pack mourned you."
"My parents?" She sounded sharp now. "Where are they? I want to see them."
My stomach twisted. This was the part I dreaded, but I kept sad and sympathetic. "Oh, Rael. I'm so sorry. They both passed away two years ago. They died from broken hearts, they never stopped hoping you'd come back, and when you didn't, they just gave up."
I watched her face closely and saw exactly when it hit her. Her eyes got wide and her mouth dropped open a little. All the color left her face.
"No," she whispered. "No, that can't be true."
"I'm so sorry, cousin. I wish I could say differently, but it's true. They're buried in the pack cemetery, i can take you there if you want."
She looked away. I saw her hands clench into fists on her lap. I knew she was trying not to cry. Good, Let her hurt, let her feel loss.
"I should have been here," she said quietly. "I should have been here for them."
"You couldn't have known. None of us did, where were you all this time?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Of course it matters. We were worried, Corvin searched everywhere for you. He sent warriors to every pack and offered rewards. He did everything he could to find you."
She laughed, but bitter. "Did he now."
"He did," I said firmly. "He was destroyed, Rael. He barely ate or slept for months. He aged years in weeks, losing you broke him."
"And yet he married you," she said, looking at me coldly. "How convenient."
I let hurt flash on my face like she stabbed me. "That's not fair, i didn't plan any of this. Corvin didn't either. We were grieving and found comfort in each other. It just happened."
"How long?" she asked. "How long after I disappeared did you start sleeping with my husband?"
I felt anger flare but held it down and kept my voice gentle and sad. "It wasn't like that. We waited years, we thought you were dead, everyone did. The bond faded and there was so much blood and no trail or sign anywhere. What else could we think?"
She said nothing and stared at the wall.
"The pack needed a Luna," I kept going. "Corvin needed a mate. The elders pushed for it, i didn't want to replace you, but what choice did we have? Life goes on, Rael. Even when we don't want it to."
"Life goes on," she repeated quietly. "Yeah. I guess it does."
I reached over and touched her hand, but she pulled away like I'd burned her. I pretended not to see and folded my hands in my lap.
"I know this is so hard for you," I said. "Coming back and finding everything changed. But you have to understand, we all thought you were gone forever. We mourned. We moved on because we had to."
"I understand perfectly."
"Do you? Because you seem angry."
"I'm not angry, Nyra. I'm just tired."
"Well, you should eat and rest. You need your strength." I stood and smoothed my dress. Made sure she saw my belly swell a little. It was just a few months but enough.
Her eyes went to my stomach, and I saw something break on her face.
"You're pregnant," she said, not a question.
"Yes," I said softly. "Four months. It's Corvin's, an heir for the pack."
She closed her eyes and I saw her jaw clench.
"I know this is hard," I said. "But try to be happy for us, Rael. A baby's a blessing, you know that, right?"
"Get out," she said quietly.
"What?"
"I said get out, Nyra. Leave now."
I made my eyes wide like I was hurt and shocked. "I was just trying to help."
"You've helped enough. Get out."
I picked up the tray since she wasn't going to eat and headed to the door. I stopped there.
"I'm really sorry, Rael. For everything, i hope you find peace here. But you have to understand, things are different now. I'm Luna. Corvin's my husband, this is my pack. There's no place here for you anymore except as a guest."
I didn't wait for her answer. I just walked out and closed the door behind me.
Once in the hallway, I let myself smile.
That went perfectly.
- Writer
