The Luck of the Luna

Chapter 11 Broken

Aryana

I looked at my phone groaning. I was having such a good time and didn’t want any interruptions, but it was my boss. Someone probably called in and now she’s looking for coverage. I stepped away for a little privacy.

“Hi Aryana, this is Stella.”

I sighed internally but kept my voice chipper. “Hey, how’s it going?”

“Well, not good.” My forehead creased in confusion. “We received an anonymous tip that you have been doing drugs and drinking on the job.”

My eyes went to the size of golf balls, “WHAT?” I yelled, “who said that? I have never done such things.” My blood was now boiling, and my heart was ready to pound through my chest. I was shaking from the adrenaline pumping throughout my entire body.

“Well, as I said, the tip was anonymous and we can’t take any chances, so I have no other choice, but to fire you.”

“Are you kidding me? I have put my heart and soul into that job. I love those residents.” My voice was getting higher. I cannot believe this is happening to me right now.

“Well, like I said. We can’t take any chances. Goodbye!” At that, she hung up. I was completely shocked. I never would have expected that in a million years. The wolves and Hunter looked at me with concern.

I walked back over to them. “I need to go home. I lost my job, and I have a feeling Dustin is behind it. I’m going to f*****g kill him.” My face was red with anger, my hands fisted, and my body shaking with adrenaline. I don’t want Hunter to think I’m a psycho, but I couldn’t control the words that left my mouth.

“What did they say?”

“My boss received an anonymous tip that I'd been doing drugs and drinking on the job. I don’t do drugs and I’ve never even gone to work hungover. Those residents meant everything to me. He's the only one who would do this sort of thing, and now I have to tell my mom, and find another job. I hope I don’t get blacklisted.” My voice shook as I spoke. My anger started turning to sadness. I was trying my best to hold back the tears that were threatening to seep out of my eyes.

Hunter growled; his demeanor changed, and his eyes turned black. I think he’s been hanging around wolves too much. He looks like he’s ready to blow at any moment.

“I need to get a hold of Kaya.” I pulled out my phone to call her. I noticed Hunter's eyes clouded over once again before he said, “She’s here.”

We walked back to his house while he held me close around my waist. I noticed he was able to calm down some, and so was I, just by his touch. I don’t know how he does it, but I like it.

He glanced over at me and slowed down. “You know, if you're interested, I could use your help with paperwork. You know, like an assistant. I also know of a hospital nearby that would love for you to help with the patients, if that is what you’d like to do.”

I looked at him with tears running down my face. “You would do that for me?”

“Of course, I lo... I like you a lot, and I’d do anything to help you out. You're special to me.”

I hugged him tight and kissed him. I can’t believe this. Dustin has crushed me, and Hunter is here picking me right back up. We got back to his house and Kaya was waiting. How ironic that she’s already there. We talked for a while. I cried and vented to get it out of my system, while she gave me her input. By the time we were done talking, she wanted to hunt Dustin down and kill him herself.

I called my mom to tell her what was going on and when the line picked up it wasn’t her, it was Dustin. “Hey babe, I’ve been waiting for you.” He said in a dark tone.

I froze. Suddenly, it felt like my blood had rushed from my head. “What the hell are you doing at my house, on my mom's phone?” I looked at Kaya and Hunter, who were watching me intently. Both of their eyes clouded over as their concerned expressions turned into angry ones.

“I came here to see you. Your mom was telling me that you had found someone else and that you wanted nothing to do with me. So, I had to teach her to mind her tongue.” His voice was an evil calm, and that alone scared the hell out of me.

I shot up out of my chair, “what the f**k did you do to her?” It unintentionally came out as a screech.

“Come home and find out.”

“f**k you, put her on the phone now!” I demanded.

He put the phone up to her, but all I could hear was grunting and gurgling. My heart dropped, my body went cold, and I couldn’t breathe at that moment. My entire world came to a halt. My knees felt like they were going to buckle at any moment. Hunter and Kaya rushed over to my side to help me stay on my feet.

“You’re dead Dustin, I’m gonna kill you myself.” I managed to get the words out as shock was setting in. I had tears rapidly falling down my face. I couldn’t hold my composure anymore. I could hardly stand, I couldn’t think straight, I went completely numb.

Hunter had heard the whole conversation, then went to go get his truck. Kaya and their friend, Gage, rode with us. I kept him on the phone as long as I could, but he cut the line. I started panicking, hyperventilating, sobbing, and gagging. Gage drove, while Hunter held me tight in the back seat trying to console me, but it wasn’t working very well.

We arrived at my house in about half the time it would normally take. However, by the time we got there, the road was blocked by police, firetrucks, and ambulances. I looked toward my house, and it was engulfed in flames. He had set my house on fire.

I got out of the truck and dropped to the ground, wailing, heaving, and could barely breathe. Hunter held and rocked me, while Kaya went to find out if my mom was in an ambulance. Gage stood back as if he was keeping watch.

She returned moments later with her head down looking devastated. “I’m sorry Ari, they found your mom inside the house unresponsive. She didn’t make it.” Kaya rubbed my back and did her best to give me the news as gently as possible.

He broke me. Dustin literally broke me. My mom, I’ll never see her beautiful smile again, or get to hug and kiss her and tell her I love her. I should’ve warned her right away. Those precious moments I wasted could’ve saved her life. I have nothing and no one now.

I was in total shock, completely numb to everything, I couldn’t even form a whole sentence. It just came out in mumbles and gibberish.

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Hunter

It broke me, watching her reaction to all of this. I can’t even imagine what she’s going through right now. We headed back to the packhouse in silence, aside from Aryana’s sobs. I held her head on my chest and ran my fingers through her hair while she let it all out.

When we got back home, I cradled her in my arms and carried her straight to my room. I gently laid her down on my bed, wrapping her up in my arms. She snuggled into my chest, taking in the comfort I provided.

“I want trackers and warriors out looking for him NOW!” I linked Gage. “Bring him to me alive, so I can make him suffer, like he made my mate and your future Luna suffer.” I wanted to find him myself, but Ari needs me more than anything right now. She’s completely broken and needs all the love and comfort she can get.

“Ari, I want you to stay with me here at my home. Kaya will give you some clothes until you're able to go shopping. I will pay for everything, including the funeral. I don’t want you to worry about anything else right now. Focus on yourself and I’ll have Kaya stay nearby also.”

She sat up quickly, looking at me wide-eyed and terrified. “He’s going to come after you and kill you.”

“No, he won’t. He won’t get to you or me.” I held her face in my hands, looking deep into her red, puffy eyes.

She shook her head, “no, you don’t understand. He said if I ever got with another man, he was going to kill him. I didn’t take his threats seriously and look what he did. He’s going to kill you. I need to leave. You need to stay far away from me, so he doesn’t go after you. I’m so sorry I put you in this position, I didn’t mean to.” She was hysterical and trying to pull away from me.

My heart felt like it was breaking. I’m not sure if it was because she was trying to leave me, or if it was the fact that she was terrified and panicking. Maybe it was all of it combined. I grabbed hold of her hands, “Look into my eyes, Aryana.” I waited for her eyes to meet mine before continuing. “I will protect you at all costs. He will not get onto this land.” I made sure to emphasize that for her, so she’d know how serious I was.

“How do you know? I can’t take anything else right now. I like you a lot, I can’t lose you either.” Her eyes were darting around the room as if she was looking for someone or something.

I pondered for a moment, trying to think of a way for her to believe me. “Listen, did you enjoy spending time with those wolves earlier?”

She looked at me confused but nodded her head. “Yes, they were beautiful and majestic. What does that have to do with any of this?”

I ignored her last question as I got out of bed, “I need to show you something. Do you trust me?”

She hesitated, “Yes, why?”

“Kaya, come with us,” I told her as she walked into the room to check on Ari. I grabbed Aryana’s hand and walked out the door.

We went to a clearing, away from everyone. I wanted this to be private and I wanted her to feel as comfortable and safe as possible. I know this is going to be a lot for her to take in, especially considering all that has just happened. But I’m hoping this will help ease her mind and help her to feel safe. Since I know she’s close to Kaya, I will have her do the honors.

“Kaya, shift”