The Lunar Destiny Series

Chapter 34

“…Pumping me full of enough tranquilizers to take down a horse. My body’s naturally high metabolism just burns it off every couple of hours. They come in and drug me, over and over like clockwork…I get to use the bathroom but that’s about it, just like a f*****g dog…”

Lio’s tone was angry, but he sounded so drained with all of the drugs in his system. I wasn’t surprised about the side effects.

“They can’t do this. They’ve violated not only your human rights but the rights every living creature has.” Azzo said.

He didn’t say animal rights even though that’s what category Lio’s wolf side would fall under.

“You can say it Azzo, my animal rights. Don’t censor yourself like I’m a sensitive child.” Lio said.

“Fine, but what needs to happen now is getting you free and safe again.”

Azzo stood up before going over to the bed to pick up his briefcase.

“I need to get to work. I can’t promise anything.” Azzo said.

“I know…Just do what you can Azzo.” Lio said.

Azzo knocked on the door and after a moment, the sheriff let him out. I let my hands fall away from Lio’s face and he scooted over to one side on the bench.

“Sit with me.” He said, and I did.

“Why did you come, Astraia? Didn’t you have to work?”

Lio sounded disappointed in me, very disappointed.

“Yes, but I have a good attendance so I’ll be fine just this once. I couldn’t pretend like everything was normal when it isn’t.”

Lio moved his hand onto my thigh and I put my hand over his. The chains were long enough that he could rest his hands in his lap at least.

“Thank you, suka. You were right to try and stop me. I wish I’d listened to you...” He said, shaking his head.

“Lio, what happened last night? What went wrong?”

“Iericho and I were denied visitation to see the wereleopard. After that, Iericho forced his way in. Before I knew it, he had shifted and the officers started shooting at him. I tried to help but, you know the rest from there. And here I am.“

“But where is Iericho and the wereleopard?”Lio’s eyebrows furrowed.

“I don’t know, but they aren’t here. I was overwhelmed with tranquilizers before I could see what happened to them.” He said.

What I couldn’t understand was how the cops only managed to nab Lio. Why only him?

“Don’t worry, okay? I’m going to figure this all out. They can’t keep you here like this; it’s cruel and unusual punishment.” I said.

“Tell that to the injured officers.” He said.

“You hurt cops last night?” I sounded shocked but I knew it had to be something he couldn’t have avoided.

“A couple, but not intentionally. Iericho and the wereleopard did most of the damage.”

Lio said with a sigh.

The more he told me, the more I grew suspicious of my brother.

“Look, I don’t want you getting too involved in all of this legal stuff. You could lose your job just because you’re with me.”

“They wouldn’t go that far Lio.” I said.

“Wouldn’t they? I’m not completely human Astraia. The cops are so afraid of me that they’re keeping me heavily sedated and chained to a wall. Officer Rollards said I’d be lucky to live outside of these walls again.” He said.

That sounded just like Rollards, the bastard.

“The sheriff got orders from the FBI to keep me contained until the President himself said otherwise. I could be here for a while.” He said giving me a despairing look.

“I’ll come see you every day, I promise.” I said, hoping Lio would cheer up knowing that.

He smiled before leaning towards me and kissing me deeply for a moment. I moved my leg over his and his hand found my left ass cheek, the other hand held the side of my face. The drugs must have been wearing off because I could feel how happy he was against my leg. He broke the kiss and rubbed his face against my ear.

“I want you so bad right now…” He whispered against my neck.

“I need to protect you, there’s one thing I can do. But you can’t be afraid, okay?” He said, still whispering against my ear.

“Lio, the others will protect me. Don’t worry so much.” I said, trying to reassure him.

“I know they will, but with an extra precaution I’ll have peace of mind. I need you to trust me Astraia, completely.” He said moving back to look me in the eyes.

“I already do.” He smiled warmly at me, his eyes were almost normal again. Less drowsy.

“Look away, towards the door.”

I was a little confused but I did it anyway; That’s when he covered my mouth with his right hand and bit into the side of my neck. I screamed, but it was muffled under his hand. He released my neck, and pulled back just as quickly as he’d bitten me. He began gently licking the wounds. Lio uncovered my mouth once he’d finished. I reached up to touch my neck but he slapped my hand away. I looked up at him, pissed. His expression was serious.

“Don’t touch it.” He said sternly.

“Lio what the hell!?” I asked, just short of yelling.

“Calm down will you? I partially marked you. Now, no one who is of wereblood can harm you. Nor can they claim you as theirs while I’m away.” He said.

“My neck is throbbing, damn it Lio that hurt!”

I whined, he started to smile which made me even more angry with him.

“I’m sorry suka, but that was nothing compared to what the ceremonial mark will feel like.” I sighed and glared at him.

“How comforting. This had better work.” I said annoyed.

“It will only work temporarily, but it will work.” He sounded extremely confident.

“You’ll thank me for that when the time comes. I don’t know what I could have done differently last night. Either way, our kind would have been exposed. There is one person that I blame in all of this.” He said looking away from me.

“Who?”

“Myself. I consider Iericho an enemy, yet I foolishly went along with him. It’s my fault that I’m here now.” He leaned back against the wall and sighed.

“It doesn’t matter who’s fault it is. We need to concentrate on getting you out of here.” I said.

“You’re being very brave and strong, I’m happy to see that.” He said, looking over at me.

I watched his silver eyes linger down to the diamond necklace around my neck that he gifted to me not long ago.

“I never take it off.“ I also showed him that my engagement ring was still on.

“This stays on too, even when I get mad at you.” I said, That made him smile.

The cell door clicked and I quickly moved my hair over my shoulder to cover the fresh bite marks, and tried to act natural. The door slowly slid open and both of us looked over towards it. I crossed my legs and sat up straight. Azzo walked in and the door closed again behind him. He came and sat down on the bench he was on before.

“Alright, I have some good news and some bad news.” He said looking from Lio to me.

“Of course you do. What’s the good news?”

Lio said. Azzo cleared his throat and laced his fingers together, leaning forward slightly.

“The good news is that the police are in trouble with the FBI for sedating you frequently like they have been. That wasn’t authorized. They were understanding of the initial sedation to subdue you in your wolf form, but it should have stopped there.” Azzo paused for a moment before he continued.

“Since you’ve been cooperative they are going to remove your restraints, but they still have orders to keep you locked up. They still see you as a danger to the general public. On the bright side, I’ll receive word when the President has made a decision; seventy-two hours from now. The President needs to consider what will happen to all of your kind Lio, not just you. I want to make it clear to you that his decision will be a huge one, so brace yourself.” Azzo said looking Lio square in the eyes.

“The bad news is Azzo?” Lio said, sounding impatient. I couldn’t blame him.

“The bad news is that the sheriff wants to question Astraia now that they know she’s been lying to them from the start. They’re trying to put her behind bars too.” My jaw dropped and Lio’s eyes widened.

“For keeping my secret? There’s no way they can lock her up for that. You can’t let that happen Azzo!” Lio said becoming angry.

I put my hand on his shoulder to calm him.

“Lio stay calm, I don’t want them to start tranquilizing you again.” I said.

“They can charge her with withholding information and sabotaging a police investigation. She kept valuable information from them that could’ve helped close a case so, they want to grill her. If she cooperates now she has a better chance of going home with her clean record. You’ll cooperate won’t you Astraia?” Azzo asked, looking over at me. I nodded.

“Yes, of course I will.” Azzo nodded.

“Very good. Well the sheriff and Officer Rollards are waiting for us, we should get this over with…”

Azzo said standing up and holding his hand out to Lio. Once they shook hands, Azzo headed towards the door and knocked on it. Lio and I leaned in towards each other and kissed one last time; then he hugged me tightly.

“No matter what happens, know that you have me.” I said.

“Be safe, my suka.” He said as he let me go.

I didn’t want to leave him. We were supposed to be walking out together, but today it wasn’t possible. I watched one of the officers that was on guard go into the cell as I came out and begin to free Lio from his chains and cuffs. I was thankful for that at least. Sheriff Glenndale, Azzo, Officer Rollards, and I went back up to the main floor. Azzo and I followed them to a well lit interrogation room. Let the games begin.