Reclaiming Herself—Completed

Chapter Seventeen

Danielle.

Taking Sharon around the back, Danielle felt uncomfortable and nervous. This hadn’t been part of the plan. She’d been told that it would just be done in his office with him there to witness the entire thing. She hadn’t counted on Sharon to be so shrewd as to see right through d**k’s plan immediately.

Danielle did feel a small sense of pride however, as the two walked up to the small yet lavish garden. Though she was mainly a luna in title only, Danielle had pleaded with Richard to fix up the garden and make it presentable. In reality, Danielle had wanted to make it a place for her girls to go when they needed space, but she didn’t dare mention this to the alpha. She knew his response would have been a firm ‘no’. Instead, she played on his ego and said that a dingy garden would reflect poorly on his character. She was happy to be right and hoped that Richard would see this as a positive in her favor.

Gesturing to a small table, the two women sat. It was made of iron but painted white to look rustic. Each chair had a small blue cushion. They were surrounded by roses of varying colors. It was tranquil. The only quiet spot in all of Richard’s pack lands.

“This is pleasant. I’m sure you put in a lot of effort to get it here. Alpha Richard was never known to be so…caring,” Sharon said, looking around.

The table was set in the middle of the garden, which was circled by red, white, and pink roses. The aerial view of the garden was that of a bullseye. It had a circular pattern, with the table in the middle and rows of roses and other flowers mixed in surrounding the table. The second layer of flowers made another circular row followed by the third and final layer which cut into 90 degree angles to look like the corners of a box. Soft gravel walking paths made a cross in the middle to give access to the entire garden. The vast forest of the land pressed up against the back of the garden, giving a secluded feeling to the place.

Though the garden was pleasant, Danielle knew the deeper meaning behind the layout. Richard always wanted her to feel like the prey she was. She was sitting right in his crossfire. She knew he was watching them from his big window in his room. She knew he was attempting to decipher every word they said, though she purposefully had Sharon sit with her back to his room.

“I try my best,” Danielle replied graciously.

“It must be hard, though, right? He is not an easy man to please, so I’ve heard.”

Danielle looked around uneasily, looking at the guards stationed around the perimeter.

Sharon gently chuckled. “Don’t not fret. Their listening ears will detect nothing, much to Richard’s chagrin. I always wear a silencing device when doing these interviews. I know how he likes to control and listen in on conversations he should not be privy to. You are safe with me. You can tell me the truth. The actual truth. Not the one I’m sure he has forced you to believe.”

In that moment, Danielle felt heavy with guilt and fear. Though the other woman’s words were meant to help, she felt more hopeless than before. How could she trust this woman? How did she know whether this was a trap by d**k to test her loyalty? If she failed him, he would go through with his threat–there was no doubt about it.

“Ah,” Sharon said, breaking Danielle’s racing thoughts. “He has done much to you already. Heavy is the burden of the Luna of the Silver Sliver Pack. I recognize that look. The defeat. The pain and sorrow and despair. I am sorry you’ve had to endure it for so long. Pray tell me, how long has it been?”

“Since, uh, becoming his Luna or since…”

“The latter, please.”

Danielle cleared her throat. “I have been Luna of the mighty Silver Sliver Pack for a little over a month. It has been the best thing to ever happen to me. I am very happy here.”

Sharon frowned but didn’t miss the brief flittering of Danielle’s eyes to something over her head. It didn’t take long for her to understand what sort of situation the woman across from her was in. The Investigator began to do just that–investigate how to help the other woman without putting her in danger.

“He is getting smarter, which puts you in a very real predicament. So, to save time, I’ll be frank with you. I knew the Luna before you very well. I could not save her. So, when there was an opportunity to visit this pack, I pushed to be the one to do it. I called in a favor, and I intend to get the most of it. I know who Alpha Richard Degrano truly is. I know what he did to his former Luna, and I’m sure you are not his second chance mate. I want to help you–save you from this. But, I will need evidence. Evidence that only you can give the New Council in a court of law. I’m sure he’s got something over you which is keeping you here. He has many dirty tricks. So, I’m going to have you recount the version of last night that he taught to you; however, I’d like you to either nod or shake your head to answer my questions. Does that sound good to you?”

“Yes, I can retell you the events of last night,” Danielle nodded.

The new Luna felt so much relief flood through her body that she wanted to cry. She knew without a shadow of a doubt that the Investigator was being truthful and earnest. The way she spoke, the anger in her eyes followed by sadness and grief confirmed her true intentions. There was a raw understanding between the two.

“Tell me how you got into the hallway. But answer the question as to whether he has begun his black market sales again.”

Danielle nodded. “Yes, I was talking with some fellow lunas at the party and needed to use the restroom. So, I asked an attendant, who directed me to where I needed to go. I entered the hallway. It was dark.”

“Do you know how his operation is set up?”

Sighing, and looking down at her fingers in her lap, Danielle frowned and bobbed her head up and down and side-to-side. “I tripped over my dress as I was walking toward the bathroom and as I stumbled forward, someone caught me.”

Sharon looked pained as she asked, “Was it really him? Is he using this as a way to cover up what he’s done to you?”

Danielle nodded, fighting back the tears. “I tried to thank the person, but instead, they pushed me into the wall and pulled up my dress. H–he threatened me if I didn’t comply and covered my mouth to stop me from calling out for help. He was so strong.”

“I’m so sorry,” Sharon whispered before clearing her throat. “Do you have a way to escape? To get away from here and get to somewhere safe?”

Shaking her head, the luna looked away from Sharon. “I then heard his pants unzip and thought he was going to hurt me. Thankfully, Richard showed up just in time and saved me. If it wasn’t for him, I–I fear what would have happened. I’m so thankful to him.”

“Richard used to hold auctions. Is he still doing that?”

Danielle feigned confusion. “What does it matter what I was talking to the lunas about before I left for the bathroom?”

“Is there one planned already?”

“Oh, every detail helps the investigation. Alright. I was telling them about how we are creating a foundation for rogue women looking to reintegrate into society. At the end of this month, we’ll be holding a charity event and all the proceeds will be for these women. They’ve made some beautiful pieces that I’m sure will fetch a high price. I’m trying to get the word out about it.”

Sharon nodded in comprehension. “I will do what I can on my end. I will see you at that charity event. Please take care, at least, as much as you can.”

“Thank you for speaking with me and taking the time to hear my side of the story. It seems as though women aren’t believed when things like this happen. Let me show you out.”

Both stood up from the table, and Danielle began leading Sharon back towards the front of the house.

“Over already, eh?” Richard asked, a little too cheerful to see the investigator leaving.

“Yes, I am taking my leave, Alpha Richard. Luna Danielle was very insightful, and I’m glad you were able to save her before anything untoward happened. I’ll be in touch.”

Sharon climbed back into the car and drove off, leaving Danielle to face Richard’s angry stare.

“How did it go?”

“I told her everything you said. I followed the script as directed.”

“Yes, I saw. Do you think she believed it?”

Danielle nodded.

“Good. Now, go upstairs and wait for me there. I’ll be up to visit you shortly. The blonde is safe unless I hear otherwise from the New Council.”

Without waiting another second, Danielle turned and did as Richard commanded.