Ridian.
I spoke to the pack for half an hour before releasing them. When they had returned to their jobs, I observed their operations, noting how they were working together. For a pack with such a shitty leader, they seemed to be very united. They worked together harmoniously. What I noted was that there were very few sympathizers of Aragon. I spoke to the young man who had yelled at me during the assembly. He seemed very adamant so he was thrown into the dungeon.
More of my warriors had come to the Moonshine pack to ensure that everyone was in line which was important in preventing insurrection. Although most of the pack members were suggesting that Aragon should be thrown into the dungeon, I thought that was too much punishment for a man who had lost almost everything already.
Most of the members I spoke to about Cilla’s issue seemed to think the person who shot her was an intruder, or someone working for a person outside the pack. I figured it was time for me to study my enemies and see who might have the biggest motive to come against me. I had no idea if the shooting had been a spur of the moment decision or premeditated. What I heard was satisfactory enough to prove that the perpetrator was not from Moonshine pack.
Leaving my men in charge, I decided to go back home. The first thing I did was to go and check on Cilla. Entering the treatment room, I saw that she was awake, sitting up and eating. my heart warmed as I drew closer to her. I went and hugged her. She put her arms around me but it was clear that she was not very comfortable. I remembered that we had not resolved the issues between us. Holding each other closer clearly wasn’t going to work them out.
My mother and brother entered while I was asking Cilla how she was feeling. My mother neither liked nor hated Cilla, which was enough for me. I loved that she had always been neutral. When I decided to marry Cilla, I expected her to go off on me but she never did. She accepted the whole thing which was a shock to me because she had always ranted about class and all that.
They asked Cilla how she was doing before asking me to step out with them. I reluctantly agreed. When we were out of earshot, Brody spoke. “I think Jane Willow was the one who attacked the luna.”
“What?” I said, remembering that Jane had left and not yet returned. “Why do you think so? Jane seemed resigned to her fate. Besides, she’s too busy whoring around to care about Cilla and I.”
Brody shook his head. “How come you spent a lot of time with Jane and never really knew her. You should have got rid of that woman the moment she returned, but you wanted to be saint Ridian. Jane is a vindictive person, she’s not the kind of woman who lets things go unless she gets her desired outcome.”
“She was not always like that. However, she changed but that doesn’t mean she’s that evil.”
“No wonder your brother thinks you’re dumb,” my mother said.
“Jane tried to recruit me into the anti-Ridian team but I turned her down,” Brody said. “It’s logical that she would try to find someone else. I have a feeling that one of the moon shine pack men fell for her offers. Wait, what the hell is she doing?”
“Who?” I asked before turning to follow Brody’s gaze.
Cilla was coming out of the treatment with a light dress. She was walking slowly on her own but escorted by Cara.”
“Stop her right now,” my mother said looking panicked. “The pack can’t see their luna like that. This is stupid.”
“Take her back,” my mother yelled at Cara. We all rushed to where they were standing. “Get back inside.”
“What’s wrong?” Cilla asked, stopping.
“What’s wrong?” mother asked as if she couldn’t believe her ears. I couldn’t believe Cilla was doing something like that as well. Every werewolf knew that they were not supposed to see their luna when she looked that weak. Other women in the pack had the luxury of being weak if they wanted but not the luna. She could be weak behind closed doors but not in front of the whole pack. “You can’t come out looking like that. You’re the luna, for goodness sake.”
“I don’t care about stupid traditions right now,” Cilla said. “I’m tired of being here and I want to go to my room. Everyone knows I’m sick anyway. I don’t see any point in hiding it.”
“The luna and the alpha are supposed to inspire confidence in the pack. What do you think the pack will think when they see you walking around like someone who is half dead?”
“I’m sorry but I have to go,” Cilla insisted and starting walking again.
“Look at your luna, Ridian.” Brody said. “Say something.”
“I won’t say anything,” I said, smirking. “I’ll do something.”
I took a few steps towards Cilla and swiftly scooped her in my arms and held her bridal style. She tried to resist and wriggle out of my hold but nothing happened since I was much stronger. I strode towards the back of the pack house, ignoring her while smiling. When we got to the backyard of the pack house and saw people, I leaned down and kissed her before entering the house. She looked so angry and cute I thought she was going to slap me. When we entered the elevator, I set her down.
“How dare you?” she yelled.
I just chuckled.
“I’m serious, Ridian. This is not a laughing matter.”
My mood changed as I remembered how we got there in the first place.
“Yes, it’s not a laughing matter. Now tell me why you almost got yourself killed.”
Her confident demeanour disappeared. It was her time to be on the spot.