The Moon Goddess's Mistake

Chapter 6

"You spoil me too much, baby girl. How about your famous cinnamon rolls?" If Lily didn't like to cook, Michael wouldn't let her cook for him all the time. But he knew she loved it, so he didn't feel too bad about it.

Lily's eyes lit up like fireflies. "I knew you would pick that," she smiled. "I'll make those and a few extra things on the side." Michael swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat and forced a smile.

After Lily had completely outdone herself by making cinnamon rolls, eggs, homemade biscuits, and bacon, and everything was cleaned up, the two were sitting on the couch in front of the TV. Though neither of them were really watching it, the sounds were comforting and helped to calm Michael's nerves.

"So when do we leave?" Lily broke the silence. Michael looked at her with an expression that he hoped was neutral.

"Actually, I think you should stay here, Lils. It's going to be a long day and I'd rather you just remain here where you'll be safe."

"But I want to see you win," she spoke, warming his heart once again. "Please let me go! The whole pack will be there, it won't be unsafe."

Michael knew that she was probably right. Lily wouldn't be harmed. But if he were harmed, he couldn't physically bear the thought of Lily having to watch that. He thought of his horrid nightmare.

No, he needed her to stay here. And he knew that if he looked at her big blue eyes or listened to her angelic voice for a second longer, he would give in.

So he stood up straight and looked away, pretending to be interested in something out the window. "You'll stay here, Lily. I don't want to hear another thing about it," he spoke firmly before turning around and walking up the stairs to get ready.

Lily's shoulders shrugged in defeat, and she couldn't see the lone tear that rolled down her father's face as he made his way up to his room.

Lily had never disobeyed a thing her father said. She vividly remembered a time when she was 8 years old and her father told her not to eat any of her grandmother's oatmeal raisin cookies before dinner. When he left the room, the cookies were in plain sight and it would have been so easy for Lily to reach for one and eat it quickly before her father returned. But she didn't. He meant too much to her and even in her little mind, she couldn't justify disobeying him. He was her king, and she truly believed he knew what was best.

But this time was different. Lily had given it lots of consideration, and she didn't know exactly why, but she sensed danger. Although there were many things she didn't understand, she was keenly aware of her father's recent behavior and she didn't want him to have to face this alone.

Those thoughts in mind, Lily ran up to her room to get dressed. She slipped on a cream colored summer dress and matching dress shoes with a small heel. Only 30 minutes after her father had left, she was out the door and on her way to the town's courthouse. Since her town was so small, it was only about a 15 minute walk. She would have considered driving herself, but she didn't have a car. She also wasn't the best driver in the world...

Despite the pricks of anxiety that Lily felt on her father's behalf, she willed herself to admire the smell of the lilacs around her. She giggled to herself when a small chipmunk scurried across the gravelly road just a few feet in front of her. The peaceful sounds around her and the dull presence of the sun calmed her greatly.

Before she knew it, she had arrived at the courthouse. It was an old building, one of the oldest in the town, and rather large for such a small town. It lead one to think that perhaps when the town was built, it was meant for great things. Although her town was the smallest of the towns that belonged to the Blue Eclipse pack, Lily always felt its worth. It was where the pack's alpha chose to live, after all. It was beautiful and it was home.

Lily slowly opened the heavy wooden doors in front of her. She walked down a short hallway toward the courtroom, her heels clicking softly against the floor. She sighed in relief when her ears were filled with the sound of her father's voice. She was also happy that she would get to watch some of the trial. Quietly, she pushed open the door to the courtroom. She hoped she wouldn't attract too much attention walking in late, so she kept her head down as far as possible.

The room was crowded and she recognized many of her pack members. To Lily's relief, because there were so many people, including people standing and sitting near the door, she was able to walk in fairly unnoticed.

"When we are young, we act impulsively and foolishly, regardless of our status in society. Yes, Ellison was born with alpha blood. But this does not mean he was born perfect, as none of us are," Lily listened to her father's strong voice as she found a seat in a corner. "These mistakes should not define us. With no regard to the sea of the millions of amazing things Ellison has done for his pack and his family, we are here today simply because of one mistake. Because of one piece of coal among the hundreds of diamonds. How easy it is for us to forget the good in someone."

Some of the pack members' heads dropped guiltily at her words. Many of them had discussed their outrage at Alpha Ellison without filter. They had turned their backs on him just like that.