The Prophecy Luna

Secrets Secrets

(Crystal)

Waking up felt like prying myself back to reality, the dream realm was so peaceful and full of promise. Opening my eyes, I was reminded of the chaos that is my life.

I let out a big yawn before peeking over at my phone, thank god I remembered to charge it, I thought to myself. *3 Text Messages*

I opened the first one from V, letting me know she was craving chili @6am, to which I sent a thumbs up emoji while giggling at myself.

The second was from my mom asking how my night had gone; how did my night go?

Nothing exciting, was all I texted, as when I saw her in person I’d fill her in more. Really though it was nothing exciting, except for the lingering smell of s*x that was coming off Aiden and Darla half the night.

I roll my eyes as I see the third text…from Aiden. I curse under my breath as I look; he invites me to the breakfast space at 10am for us to ‘chat’ about territory/pack matters. I pulled my upper body forward as I pulled the message again. What pack business could we possibly have to talk about, I groaned to myself as I opened my bathroom door. Glancing at the clock striking 8:30am knowing that I cannot sleep in to save my life, I stared at the warm water before entering. Mesmerized by the droplets rushing through the air, slicing through time, demanding to fall. Slowly putting my leg under the falling beads of warmth sent a tingling through my body that was happily welcomed, engulfing the water with me felt like a dream. Escape a little twinge of hope that I could hide away in my hot shower forever escaping reality.

Today's attire consisted of black leggings and spaghetti strap cameo tank, not forgetting my black Adidas before heading out the door. Making my way to the kitchen, I got the all too familiar scent of Ben, Cam, and Zane. I didn’t even finish rounding the corner before I heard my name being shouted, “Crystal!” They all sang in unison, my eyes rolled with a smile on my face as I gave Ben a hug, wondering what he was doing at the packhouse so early.

“This is a nice surprise.” I announced while opening the fridge, pouring myself some OJ. “Want some pancakes?” Cam asked not to even look at me while he flipped his pride and joy on a skillet. I said yes, as I couldn’t wait to devour the buttermilk goodness. He served me a plate of a 5-tier stack of pancakes topped with powdered sugar. We all reached for the syrup at the same time, seeing that we all had the same chief.

Once satisfied with my meal, we cut the small talk to get down to the topic at hand. “I have a meeting with Aiden this morning.” I said to no one in particular, gripping my glass while taking a long sip waiting for someone to respond. “We know” Ben muffled with his mouth full, Zane chuckled as Ben struggled to speak. *inaudible speaking from Ben* Cam slaps his back, “swallow tere buddy we can all wait the 30 extra seconds it’ll take.” With a wink and a devious smirk exchange, we all busted out laughing, Ben almost falling out of his seat. Ben cleared his throat before piping his laughter down a little, “I was saying, Aiden's mind linked me this morning asking to see me along with you.” I let out a breath as I felt a lot better, having my brother with me made me feel a little better.

Finishing up, Ben and I headed towards Aiden's office. I told Cam and Zane that I'd let them know how it went, a little voice was telling me something was off. As we started making our way, I gave Ben a sideways glance. Senning my tension, he nudged my shoulder and in doing so made me chuckle.

********************

(Aiden)

Tapping my fingers on my glass office desk is a drowning sound as I can only hear my thudding heartbeat, Boom Boom Tap, calming myself down. I can hear Luca humphing and puffing. Your insides are so tight I could make a f*cking diamond, Luca howls at me while I give him a scowl. As I am about to retort, I hear footsteps and immediately straighten up, knowing that I have to play my cards right if this will work.

I heard laughter from around the corner; her laugh, something I desperately wanted to be the cause of that one day…one day. My thoughts are cut off by a voice that instantly makes me hard with pleasure, the sheer sound of my name off her tongue. “Aiden?” I hear Crystal say, fluttering my own heart as I steady my breathing before facing them in my chair.

“Come in please.” I said while exiting my chair and heading over to my scotch on its fine china table, I abruptly started pouring three glasses while they both took a seat across from mine. I do a 180 turn while handing Ben a glass; he nods as I fully turn and walk over to hand Crystal her glass. I reach out, and she takes the glass, but not before our fingers graze. Sending a spark of electricity so powerful it could have brought me to my knees if she asked, I saw her eyes go wide for a split second before retracting her hand as quickly as she extended it, sipping the scotch as she did.

“I know today was supposed to be the last day for your pack, but there have been some developments, and I am hoping to ask that you extend your trip.” I finished my sentence by swirling my glass, trying not to hold my breath. I look at Crystal who has now stopped sipping her scotch and looks almost in a trance, her eyes seem to be moving back and forth quickly as she is trying to find a response. I know the silence needs to be broken, emanating from phase two.

“Ben, I know you're probably wondering why I have included you in this meeting.” A quick pause to get his attention before continuing. “We are expanding land for our new alliance and pack friends, with that being said. I need someone on the project I can trust as well, Crystal, the common denominator being you.” I looked at him in his eyes as I saw him lean forward in his chair, weighing out what I had just told him.

“You want me to be head of the entire process?” Ben asks a little less than I thought, I see the worry and fear he is trying to hide behind his gaze. I

“What does that have to do with me and my pack? Why is Valentina not involved in this meeting?” Crystal asks, her sentence is laced with curiosity, she doesn't trust me and I can tell that if I don’t save this I will lose them both.

“Valentina and I had a separate meeting regarding different matters, but ultimately she wanted you to take this meeting alone and let you take the reins.” Not a total lie as I did schedule a later meeting with her, just not about this.

“The reason this is a decision is we would need you here for a little while, we are also striving to incorporate both packs soon, and in order to do that we need a united front.” I can feel the hairs on my neck standing up, and beads of sweat dripping down secretly daring to be seen.

Crystal's gaze narrowed as she looked straight at me, not breaking an eye contract. “So you want me here for a few months and Valentina to go back, all while bringing our pack here in waves?” Directive tone lingered in the air as I could feel the snap in her voice and the conviction, I saw a twinkle in her eyes. Part of me is so proud to see how far she has come since being that frail little girl in math class, scared of the world to this powerful woman who analyzes every word out of someone's mouth.

“Ideally-” I began, but was quickly cut off by her raising her chair, nearly finishing her scotch as she did so. “I’ll do it, anything for the betterment of my people. They are the most important thing to me and if this speeds it up in the long run, so be it.” I tilt my head as her words were laced with bitterness, regarding how I treated her and the rawness of her face tells me that I’m right. “I'm in too, can’t let my little sis down.” Ben says while raising and giving Crystal a playful nudge. “Wonderful, I have some business to attend, but tomorrow we will go over further details.”

Before long, they are both turning to leave. I try and meet Crystal's gaze as she leaves, but with no avail. When I notice they are out of sight, I whip out my phone. Lighting up, I search for V’s number.

Me: We need to meet.

V: When and why?

Me: Tonight in the Garden, not over text. 5 min

Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I made my way out of my office, heading to the gardens. I don’t think she bought it, Luca says almost in a whisper. I think you're right, but after tonight it might not matter. I say in a bark as my mind begins racing, almost a decade of pain might be changed in one night.

**********

(Crystal)

Something is wrong, Selena says with a growl. The sweating, the excuses, something is wrong. I paused mid-walk, breaking off from Ben, telling him I had some things to catch up on, promising to meet him later.

Selena is right, the knack has been eating at me, and now I know I have to figure it out, I start making my way back towards Aiden's office when I pause quickly to duck behind a wall. I see him walking fast towards the garden, curiosity has always gotten the best of me. I sunk down and made my way in his direction, trying not to be seen.

Outside, I stop, putting on my cardigan masking my scent. He starts pacing in place, looking frantically at his phone like he is waiting for a meeting that isn’t happening. This is silly. I am just going to talk to him, I mumbled to Selena in a whisper. I begin to move from my spot before I see her, Valentina?

My face distorts as I go back to my spot, not daring to inch closer. Times like this i praise my wolf hearing, my keen instincts.

V: Why am I here?

Aiden: You know why, and I want you to fix this.

V: I don’t know what you think about me, but I did not do this to you.

Aiden: I know you can help me. What more do I have to do to make your people understand it wasn’t my fault?

V: The slaughter of the Witches was a long time ago and something that will never be forgotten.

I gasp; not loud enough to be heard, but I cover my mouth as I see Aiden’s hand curl around V’s shoulder, almost making me growl.

V: Does she know?

Aiden: No, she wouldn’t understand and there is no reason to put anyone in danger.

V: Maybe she should know of the m******e that occurred in her history

Aiden: We both know she is the demise that was cursed upon me, making her the paradox of this pack. She would kill everyone if she knew.

Wait…. I take a step back, *snap* twig snaps, making heads turn and claws extend. I turn and run fast and far. Making my way upstairs, locking myself in my bathroom.

Aiden killed who and did what!