His Luna

Know a bit

A heavy silence hung in the air, engulfing the ballroom as Chloe's explanation reverberated through the room. The weight of her words, filled with accusation and malice, settled upon the gathering, leaving a bitter taste in everyone's mouths. Kassandra's father, his face etched with a mixture of remorse and embarrassment, mustered the courage to break the stillness.

"I apologize for my daughter's behavior, Alpha," he interjected, his voice tinged with regret. His words held a hint of desperation, an attempt to smooth over the tension that now permeated the room. The weight of responsibility rested heavily upon his shoulders as he acknowledged his daughter's wrongdoing.

Kassandra's mother, standing beside her husband, mirrored his expression of shame. Her eyes darted between Chloe's triumphant posture and her daughter's still defiant stance. The woman's heart ached with a mixture of disappointment and concern for her daughter's refusal to accept the unfolding reality. She knew that healing the wounds between the families would require delicate handling.

In an attempt to defuse the mounting tension, Kassandra's mother stepped forward, her voice gentle yet firm. "May I request the presence of Matilda?" she implored, her gaze moving from Chloe to the older woman. The subtle shift in the atmosphere was palpable as the older woman's soft expression caught Chloe's attention. It stood in stark contrast to the hostility emanating from her own daughter.

Chloe, ever observant, noted the stark difference in the two women's demeanor. The old lady's compassionate gaze revealed an underlying understanding, a glimmer of empathy that softened the edges of the unfolding conflict. Chloe's eyes flickered, her confidence wavered for just a moment, as she realized the gap between her own harshness and the old lady's compassionate approach.

“I told her to go home as I knew Matilda was not fine.” As much as Chloe wanted to see the situation of her servant, she couldn’t just leave the castle in the middle of the commotion that she was involved in.

“Oh, I see. Please extend my apologies to her.” She turned her attention back to the conversation unfolding before her. The old lady, whose name she had yet to learn, appeared understanding of Chloe's predicament. With a calm demeanor, she asked Chloe to extend her apologies to Matilda.

“You don’t have to lower yourselves and apologize for that piece of servant-“

“Kassandra.” Her mother cut her off.

“It was the-“

In that tense moment, the Alpha of the Tourage pack, Raymundo, stepped forward, breaking the palpable tension in the air. He understood the gravity of the situation and took responsibility for his pack member's actions. "Apologies, please excuse us," he murmured, his voice heavy with regret.

Draken, standing beside Chloe, nodded in acknowledgment to Raymundo. He recognized the difficult position they were all in, torn between their obligations and their personal concerns. "Raymundo," he said, his voice laced with understanding.

Raymundo locked eyes with Draken, appreciating the unspoken support. "Draken, apologies. We have to go, for now," he replied, his voice filled with regret, including the raging face of their daughter.

“Hey…”

"Hey... Are you okay? Where's Rodolfo?" Kirsty asked, her voice filled with genuine worry.

Chloe blinked, snapping out of her reverie, and offered a sad smile. The usual sparkle in her eyes seemed dimmed, replaced by a lingering sorrow. "Uh-uh, apologies," she murmured, her voice tinged with melancholy. "I just remembered something."

Kirsty's heart sank, sensing the weight of Chloe's grief. She had noticed the gloomy atmosphere that surrounded them since they arrived at the old house. It felt as though a heavy cloud loomed over their presence, casting a shadow on their every move. Concerned, Kirsty reached out and placed a comforting hand on Chloe's arm.

"It's okay," Kirsty said softly, her voice filled with empathy. "Are you, uhm... fine? You don't look like you are..."

She could feel that the woman was grieving for something and all she could ever feel is the gloomy atmosphere inside the place where they currently stayed. Kirsty was left wondering the moment they stopped at c***k’s place and Chloe decided to seat on the grass in front of the white stallion. It was like the woman’s mind flew to something as no matter how hard Kirsty tried to call her name, the woman did not respond to it. So, instead, with doubts in her mind, she decided to tap the woman’s shoulder.

“Oh, I’ve been absent-minded earlier. I just remember something…from the past.”

The cold and sad smile that replaced Chloe's usual warmth sent a shiver down Kirsty's spine. It was as if a gust of wind had blown through the room, carrying with it a heavy weight of sorrow. Kirsty watched Chloe's eyes glaze over, lost in the depths of painful memories.

"Oh..." Kirsty managed to utter, her voice barely a whisper. She felt a surge of helplessness, unsure of how to console a grieving woman she had only recently met. At that moment, all she could offer was her presence, a silent assurance that she was there for Chloe.

As Kirsty stood beside Chloe, the weight of her guard remained. She had entered the pack with a cautious mindset, her instincts trained to question the intentions of those around her. Even Sam, who had extended a hand of friendship and facilitated their meeting, hadn't fully convinced Kirsty to let her guard down. The pack appeared secure, surrounded by sturdy fences and guarded by watchful soldiers stationed throughout the area. It seemed like a fortress designed to protect its inhabitants. But to Kirsty, the walls symbolized both safety and confinement. She couldn't shake off the nagging thought that one wrong move could jeopardize her life within the pack.

Slowly, Kirsty reached out and gently clasped Chloe's hand, offering a small gesture of solidarity. It was a tentative act, a fragile bridge built between two souls navigating the treacherous landscape of loss and uncertainty. Chloe looked down at their joined hands, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Thank you," Chloe whispered, her voice trembling with gratitude. "It means more to me than you know."

"It's okay..."

The rain continued to pour outside, creating a symphony of soothing sounds that echoed through the old house. Kirsty and Chloe found themselves standing in a room filled with memories, their shared gaze fixed upon the horse statue that seemed to observe their every move.

"I... I don't know, but I feel that you can be trusted," Chloe began, her voice filled with vulnerability. The weight of her words hung in the air, waiting for Kirsty's response.

Kirsty remained silent, her eyes locked on Chloe's, patiently waiting for the woman to reveal her thoughts. She sensed that Chloe had something important to say, something that required a safe space to be spoken.

"Rodolfo is waiting for us outside," Chloe continued, her voice tinged with a mixture of hope and hesitation. "But since the rain is still pouring outside, let's just stay here for a moment. Would that be okay with you?"

Chloe's hands nervously picked at small rocks near her feet, her gaze fixed on Kirsty, seeking her acceptance. Kirsty took a deep breath, considering Chloe's request. She understood the need for a moment of respite, a sanctuary within the storm.

"Uhm... I agree," Kirsty finally replied, her voice carrying a gentle reassurance. She shifted her gaze from Chloe to the horse's face, as if seeking guidance from the silent guardian. The horse seemed to acknowledge their decision, its stoic expression offering a sense of understanding.

A moment of silence enveloped the room, broken only by the sound of raindrops tapping against the windows. Chloe's piercing gaze fixed upon Kirsty, her observant nature apparent in the way she studied every nuance of Kirsty's being.

"Why are you stuttering?" Chloe asked, her voice laced with curiosity and a touch of amusement.

Kirsty's cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and vulnerability. She wasn't accustomed to sharing her fears openly, especially with someone she had just met. But there was something about Chloe that made her feel safe as if the woman possessed an innate understanding.

"Me?" Kirsty stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I am just... afraid. And... I felt shameful."

“Yeah, who else might it be.”

“I am just afraid and uhm…felt shameful.”

Chloe's laughter filled the room, she chuckles like a warm embrace that enveloped Kirsty's insecurities. It was a laughter that held both lightness and depth, a reflection of Chloe's gentle yet resilient spirit.

"I won't bite you, I promise," Chloe assured, her voice infused with sincerity. She understood the weight of fear and shame, for she had walked those paths herself. She carried scars that ran deep, but they had never broken her spirit.

Kirsty's smile bloomed in response to Chloe's words, a flicker of trust and relief dancing in her eyes. At that moment, a connection formed between them, built upon shared vulnerabilities and an unspoken understanding.

"Don't ever think that I am more than you, above you because of our social status in the pack," Chloe declared with fervor, her voice filled with defiance. She picked up a rock and flung it forcefully near the closed front door, releasing her frustration. "Truth be told, neither do I like the said statuses."

Kirsty listened intently, her curiosity piqued by Chloe's words. The woman's strong convictions resonated with her own beliefs, and a sense of camaraderie began to form between them. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage to respond.

“It’s what the society used to live.” At last, Kirsty gathered all of her courage to answer the woman back.

“If I am the Luna of this pack, I would definitely erase such statuses…”

What the woman said caught Kirsty’s attention about the Luna of the pack. She already assumed that the Alpha is an old man and definitely has an heir to the throne.

“Luna?” She asked. Her curiosity started to build up.

Chloe nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Yes, the Luna. You're new to the pack, right? By the way, when did you arrive?" Chloe's curiosity mirrored Kirsty's, as they both realized how little they knew about each other's backgrounds.

Kirsty hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to share her recent arrival and the circumstances that led her to the pack. She decided to trust Chloe, sensing a connection between them that transcended their limited knowledge.

“Oh…that sucks…”

“I am still glad I have food to eat and a shelter to protect me, especially in this type of weather. And oh, the safeness of the pack.”

“I do agree. Hmmm, Kirsty, right?”

“Yeah, Kirsty Lincoln.” Kirsty picked up a piece of black string, a thing that she hadn’t noticed when she entered, and cleaned the said place.

“May I ask about your parents?” Chloe suddenly asked.

When Chloe noticed the expression on Kirsty’s face, she immediately proceeded to take back what she said.

"Oh, never mind, I apologize for asking-" Chloe stammered, her voice laced with guilt.

"No, it's okay," Kirsty reassured, her voice tinged with a touch of apprehension. "Uhm, to be honest... I don't remember my parents."

Chloe's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and compassion. She could sense the significance of Kirsty's confession, realizing that it was the first time Kirsty had ever divulged this deeply personal information to someone.

"What do you mean?" Chloe asked gently, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.

Kirsty took a deep breath, steadying herself as she delved into the recesses of her fragmented memories. Each word carried a weight that only she truly understood. She mustered a bittersweet smile, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I just uhm... wake up one day and found out I don't remember them," Kirsty explained, her voice tinged with sadness.

Chloe's gaze softened, and she reached out, placing a comforting hand on Kirsty's arm. The weight of Kirsty's unknown past felt palpable in the air as if it were a puzzle piece waiting to be found.

"I'm so sorry, Kirsty," Chloe murmured, her voice filled with empathy. "That must have been incredibly difficult for you."

Kirsty nodded, a mixture of sorrow and acceptance in her eyes. It was fate that she's accepted already.

"I-It's okay, you don't have to apologize." Kirsty smiled genuinely and sighed, her gaze fixated on a distant point, lost in the depths of her thoughts.

Chloe's grip on Kirsty's arm tightened, offering a wordless assurance that she was not alone in her journey. Kirsty's vulnerability had opened a door between them, revealing their shared experiences of loss and the pursuit of answers. Chloe nodded her admiration for Kirsty's strength growing with every word.

"You have an incredible spirit, Kirsty," she said, her voice filled with warmth.