Questions In The Dark
1040 Words
Rael's Pov
I waited until night came before I left my room. The pack house was quieter then, and fewer people were around to stare at me with their pitying looks, judgment, or whatever they felt when they saw the Luna who came back from the dead.
I walked barefoot and silent through the hallways and found my way to Corvin's study easily, even though it had been five years. Some things you don't forget, i had spent many evenings in that room, sitting by the fire while he worked, reading together, or just talking about our day.
The door was closed, but light shone from underneath it, so I knew he was inside. I didn't bother knocking, i just pushed the door open and walked in.
Corvin sat at his desk, papers spread out in front of him. He looked up sharply when I entered, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Rael. What are you doing here? You should be resting."
"I need answers," I said, closing the door behind me.
He stood up quickly and came around the desk as if to approach me, but I held up my hand to stop him.
"Don't come near me. Just answer my questions."
He stopped, his face falling, but he nodded. "Alright. What do you want to know?"
"That night. The night I was taken. You weren't here."
"I was at a meeting with the Silver Fang Pack. I told you before I left."
"Why did you go? Why that night?"
"The messengers said it was urgent. Alpha Garrett needed to talk about border disputes and trade agreements, and it couldn't wait."
"Couldn't wait," I repeated. "So urgent that you had to leave right away, even though you didn't want to go."
"Yes. That's what they said."
"Who were the messengers?"
He frowned and thought a moment. "I don't remember their names. Two wolves from Silver Fang, they had the proper credentials and Alpha Garrett's seal on the letter."
"And you just went? You didn't think it was strange that this urgent meeting was scheduled exactly that night?"
"What are you implying, Rael?"
"I'm saying it was too convenient, Corvin. You leave for an urgent meeting that can't wait, and that same night, I'm attacked and kidnapped. Don't you think that's suspicious?"
He went pale and shook his head. "No. You can't be suggesting what I think you're suggesting."
"Why not? Who knew you'd be gone that night? Who knew I'd be alone?"
"Everyone knew. The meeting wasn't secret. I told my Beta, the council, and half the pack probably heard."
"So anyone could have planned this. Anyone could have known."
"Rael, you're not making sense. Why would anyone want to hurt you? You were loved by this pack. Everyone adored you."
I laughed, but it was harsh and bitter. "Did they? Because I remember being dragged from my bed and tortured for five years, and no one came to rescue me. No one found me, no one even tried hard enough."
"That's not true," he said, his voice rising. "I searched everywhere for you. I sent warriors to every pack within five hundred miles. I offered rewards, i contacted every Alpha I knew. I did everything I could."
"But you didn't find me."
"Because there was no trail, Rael. Whoever took you covered their tracks perfectly. There was nothing to follow, no scent, no evidence. Nothing."
"There was blood. My blood all over our bed."
"I know," he said quietly, pain showing in his face. "I saw it, i thought you were dead. There was so much blood and no body, and the bond was fading. I thought I'd lost you forever."
"And how long did you mourn before you moved on to my cousin?"
His jaw clenched. "That's not fair."
"Answer the question, Corvin. How long?"
"Two years," he said. "I grieved for two years before anything happened with Nyra. Even then, it wasn't planned. We were both mourning you, and we found comfort in each other, and it happened."
"Comfort," I said, feeling rage burn hot in my chest. "You found comfort in my cousin while I was being tortured. While I was losing everything, including our child. You were finding comfort."
His eyes went wide. "Child? What child?"
"I was pregnant that night. Did you know? I found out that morning. I was going to surprise you when you got back from your meeting but you never came back in time. I was taken and lost the baby in that cell alone, in pain, and you weren't there."
He looked like I hit him and stumbled back against the desk. "No. Rael, no. I didn't know, you never told me."
"I didn't get the chance to tell you because you weren't there. You were at your urgent meeting that couldn't wait."
"I didn't know," he repeated, voice cracking. "Goddess Rael, I didn't know. If I had, I never would have left. I would have stayed. I would have protected you."
"But you didn't. You left, and I was taken, and everything was destroyed and now you stand here and say it was all bad timing and coincidence."
"What else could it be?" he asked desperately. "You think I planned this? You think I wanted you taken? You were my mate, Rael. I loved you more than anything."
"Loved. Past tense." i said.
"Love," he corrected quickly. "I still love you. I never stopped."
"You married someone else." i said.
"Because I thought you were dead. Because the bond was gone and everyone told me to move on. I was drowning in grief, and I didn't know what else to do."
I stared at him, trying to see the man I had married, but all I saw was a stranger. Someone who moved on, built a new life, and left me behind.
"I need to know who sent those messengers," I said. "I need to know who arranged that meeting and why it was so urgent it couldn't wait."
"I can find out. I can contact Alpha Garrett and ask."
"Do it tomorrow. I want answers, Corvin."
"I will get them for you. I promise."
"Your promises don't mean much to me anymore." I said and walked out.
- Writer
