Maya The Rejected Luna

Chapter Two

"Their alpha is dangerous. We must tread with caution while dealing with the Montana wolves." The werewolves' noise quietened as Ben spoke.

"We aren't certain if they are encroaching in our territory. The blue island woods are originally ours but we don't go there because we are scared they could feast on us." Adolf's voice sent echoes that reverberated through the room. He had a way of getting attention as he spoke and as usual, he had all eyes on him.

Leo has been silent since the meeting started. He exchanged occasional glances with Ryan before returning his eyes to the room and to paintings of deceased Alphas of the pack that hung in the room… ruthless, ferocious werewolves! The room was a small one with paintings, a chandelier, and a round table. Since Ben became the alpha, he reserved it solely for important meetings.

The thought of the previous Alphas sent a wave of fury in him. It inflamed his dislike for Ben, the yellow-eyed wolf that had lived for over three hundred years. He yearned for a blood-thirsty and daring Alpha that would take on the Montana pack for stepping on their nerves and not this werewolf that resorted to round table meetings when action was pertinent.

"Our steps should be marked with caution. Any irrational decision could lead to the extinction of the pack." Adolf spoke again, it was his voice that regained Leo's attention from thoughts that hazed his mind.

"The territory needs to be inspected. We haven't ascertained what is going on there so we shouldn't jump to hasty conclusions." Ryan said while giving Leo a side-eye. It was a chance for him to come in.

"Ryan is right." Leo snapped. It was almost like he couldn't wait for Ryan to finish talking. "The blue island woods need inspection and I will be glad to check it out." It was the first time he had spoken since the meeting started.

"Going out alone is not safe, Cornell can go with you." Ben's eyes drifted to Cornell, a green-eyed beta werewolf, his face was blank and his mouth didn't open to say a word. Somehow, his silence signalled acceptance and compliance with the Alpha's directive.

Leo didn't like the idea of going with Cornell but he knew better than to go against the Alpha, one who had the loyalty of most members of the pack.

The meeting came to an end in a few minutes and Leo didn't hesitate to walk through the door and to the garage where he packed his ash-coloured SUV. He heard footsteps behind him almost immediately, it was Cornell.

"I suggest we go tomorrow. The timelier, the better. I will phone you when I'm ready so we can meet up." Cornell's face was still expressionless, it was always like that.

Leo felt a sense of finality in Cornell's voice. It was almost like he didn't have a say and just had to stick to the rules. He despised that feeling, he despised taking orders. He ran a glance at Cornell's jeans and oversized tee and responded with a short nod. A response that Cornell quickly understood and walked away.

Leo went into his car and zoomed off, he didn't want to wait for Ryan or any other person. He knew he wasn't happy, he knew he wasn't also sad, he was just hanging in there and didn't want further conversations with anyone. The only voice he wanted to listen to was Jennifer Taylor's melodious voice in his favourite soundtrack.

***

"Do you want anything?" Maya said calmly. She was cleaning the house when Leo came back. She had the rickety guitar that had always hung on the wall in her hand and ran a damp towel through it exposing the shiny red colour that had been hidden by dirt particles.

"I don't want anything, I'm fine." Leo's voice was stern. It was normal for Maya to have him respond to her like that, she was always ready to receive a cold shoulder and he never disappointed her.

Maya sighed and continued cleaning the guitar. He wondered if Leo ever played it or if it was some sort of decoration. No, this werewolf she lived with had no time for such frivolity as he would describe it.

Somehow, it seemed the guitar she had in her hand flashed back memories of her high school days. She giggled as she recalled her dance crew at the Elite Girls and the Lionesses, their major contenders, and how they would play the guitar and dance to its tune in contests. She remembered how the girls fought over Chris, the handsome boy in school who didn't even take notice of their advances and fell onto the sofa in laughter.

As the laughter died down, Maya was drawn back to her reality, a reality where she barely laughed, a sad reality that began that fateful night about a year ago.

That snowy night in the woods when the wolves closed in on her. She has gone on an adventure with her team members but strayed off to get an unrestricted view and feel of the forest. And yes, she did get an unrestricted experience when the wolves covered in on her. Their grey, fluffy fur covered the constellations in the skies as they pressed their bodies against hers, biting and licking. She wanted to scream for rescue but was unsure if she would be heard. Well, she did scream later letting out a shrill wild cry when she felt their rough teeth penetrate her skin, screams of helplessness, screams of gruesome pain.

Now, she felt entrapped in this new life. She had been cursed to live an immortal life as a monster and abandon her aspirations as a young woman, her dreams of becoming a TV presenter and having people watch and listen to her voice all over the world. She felt even more cursed to be with a male who cared less about her or her womanly feelings, one who let her wallow in extreme loneliness and neglect.

"No, I can't take this anymore!" Maya sprang up from the sofa, her eyes clogged with hot tears as she made her way to the bedroom to see Leo.

She met Leo lying on the bed with his eyes closed. "What wrong have I done, Leo? Why does the distance between us keep widening with each passing day? Why are you so cold towards me?" Maya chided. She knew he was awake and could hear her.

"What do you want, woman?" Leo asked, his eyes still shut.

"Time, care, attention, company…"

"And I don't have that!" Leo cut in, throwing his eyes wide open and his body up from the cot.

Maya was taken aback, she bent her head as fresh tears gathered in her eyes.

"Then let me be," Maya said under her breath, she was certain he heard her.

"Leave!"

She stood still, wrapping her hands around her body.

"Now!" His voice came again and this time, Maya turned and trudged out of the bedroom.

Leo watched her leave as guilt washed over him. He wasn't sure he wanted her but still raged at the thought of letting her go. He curled up in his bed and closed his eyes, wishing sleep could come faster and soothe his troubled mind