The Slave Who Owned The Moon

CHAPTER 11

AMAYA

I don't know why I didn't do this earlier, but going for nightly runs has been the best way for me to relieve the tension always radiating all over my body.

Thankfully, I have also successfully avoided Lucian for the past few days. I don't need him unsettling me.

However, I haven’t been able to go back to the west wing. I don’t want to risk it for now in case I run into Lucian again. Maybe after some time, when he grows tired of me like everyone does, I’ll be able to go back there. I’m playing the long game after all.

Evelara, on the other hand, doesn’t stop making my life a living hell. She makes sure I’m always fully occupied so that I won’t be able to go to the pack clinic, and it’s one of the things I do that brings me peace.

My mentor is an old wolf. He has a wealth of experience in healing and is already teaching me some of his methods.

Working in the clinic makes me feel like I’m born to be a healer, and being a protégé of one of the most experienced healers in the Grayhide Pack is a privilege.

It’s always the best part of my day, but Evelara has to go and ruin even that for me.

I haven't given up, though. I still study in my free time and help myself to books that are available in the public library.

The rumors about me and Lucian also die down when people see that he can't be bothered with me, which I'm grateful for. The last thing I want is to attract unnecessary attention to myself. If I'm going to be able to set my revenge plan in motion, it's best to remain invisible to others, especially to the most important wolves in the pack.

That also means I can’t give in to this bond between me and Darian. He already rejects me, so why the hell am I in so much agony?

Every time the realization hits that he’s with Evelara, I feel a tightening in my chest that makes me just want to jump out of my skin.

I’m well aware that once a mate is rejected, the bond is severed. So why is mine different?

“Hey, Amaya,” Trish says, walking into the kitchen.

“Hi, Trish,” I greet. “Did you need something?”

“I’m actually looking for you. Lucian orders that you bring his food to his room,” she says, and I stiffen.

She notices the change in my demeanor and says, “I’m sorry you’re in this position, but I make sure Evelara isn’t anywhere close by when he makes the request.”

"What if someone tells her? Or worse, people start gossiping again, and she overhears?"

I'm doing so well avoiding him, but he's apparently done and is now pulling rank over me.

“I can go and tell him you’re not available if you want,” she suggests, and I shake my head.

I don’t want her to get in trouble because of me.

“It’s okay. If I don’t go now, who knows what he’ll do next time. I don’t want to get you in trouble. I’ll just go,” I tell her.

She nods and replies, "If you say so, but be careful, though. Make sure Evelara doesn't see you."

“I will. Thanks again, Trish.”

“You’re welcome.”

I quickly arrange a tray of food, and I’m taking it up to Lucian’s room when I run into Darian.

His presence makes me pause for a while, but I recover quickly and go on my way.

“Where are you taking that to?” he asks.

“Lucian requests that I bring his food up to him,” I answer.

“I thought I told you to stay away from my brother.”

"Well, I don't think he gets the message. Now, if you would excuse me, I don't want to keep your brother waiting," I say, hoping to spite him with my words, and I walk away before he can say anything else.

I find him by his study table, head bent over some papers with a pen in his hand.

I clear my throat to announce my presence, but he still doesn’t look up.

“You don’t have to announce your presence, Amaya. I can smell you just fine,” he says.

Right.

“Uhm… I bring your dinner,” I say.

He drops the pen on the table and turns to face me.

“I can see that.”

“So where do you want me to leave it?” I ask.

He points to a spot on his bed, and I drop it over there and turn to leave, but he stops me.

“Why have you been avoiding me?” he asks.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie. “I’m a slave who’s always busy doing house chores. I don’t really have the luxury of avoiding you.”

He smiles and walks closer to me. Every step he takes forward, I take one backward until my back is against the wall and he’s only a few feet from me.

“I don’t like being lied to, Amaya, but I do find you interesting enough to want to know why you would lie to me,” he says.

“I’m not lying to you,” I reply.

“And I’m not the alpha’s brother, but we both know that’s a lie,” he retorts.

Lucian sure doesn’t know when to give up, and I hate to admit that he affects me more than I want him to.

“What do you want from me?” I whisper, staring into his eyes.

They say the eyes are the pathway to the mind, and I’m curious to know what’s swirling in that head of his.

“I just want to get to know you,” he says. “Who is Amaya?”

"I already told you who I am, but you don't want to believe me," I reply.

“And who do you say you are?”

“I’m just a lowly slave that serves the Grayhide Pack,” I tell him.

“No, Amaya. That’s where you’re wrong. You’re more than just a slave, and I’m going to find out who exactly you are.”