“It is alleged that there is something going on between this young woman and alpha Lucius but we do not have enough details to decide whether that is true or not,” the man continued. “That is why we are all gathered here. We’re going to listen to all the parties and see what needs to be done because for the pack to run smoothly, the alpha and the luna need to be on fairly good terms with each other. I will start with the complainant.” He turned to look at Michelle who was seated next to Lucius near the throne at the end of the table. Emma was two chairs away from the couple.
“Can you please tell us why you’re concerned about this young woman?” he asked her.
“Of course, I will.” Michelle said. “This young woman came back here to seduce Lucius and take my rightful place. You may not know it but their affair started long before Lucius married me. He actually wanted to reject me as his mate so that he could be with her.” Michelle paused and looked around to observe the effect of her words. Emma scanned the faces and noticed that they seemed quite surprised to hear what Michelle had said. She inhaled. It was time to brace for the worst.
“I was devastated when she told me about it,” Michelle continued. “She lied to me, saying she was going to leave the pack and never return so out of the goodness of my heart, I gave her some money to take of her needs.”
“That was a bribe to make me stay away,” Emma interjected.
Everyone glared at her so she went silent and let Michelle continue. “It was not a bribe, gentlemen. Had I wanted to bribe her, I would have looked for me. But that day, it was she who looked for me. Didn’t you come to my room, Emma?”
Emma refused to reply.
“I helped her and she left only to return a few days later with a friend of hers. I didn’t know what she was up to at first. I thought she had returned because of the insecurity in the region. But, I was wrong. This woman went and spent all the money I gave her in a few days. When it was done, she returned, this time to take the alpha. She found that he was now married but that did not deter her from pursuing me.”
“Miss greenfield has never pursued me,” Lucius said.
“My dearest husband. Are you saying that you were the one who pursued her?” Michelle asked, shedding a tear. Emma rolled her eyes. The woman is so good at acting, she thought feeling annoyed.
“No,” he shook his head. “What I’m saying is that there is nothing between miss Greenfield and I, except friendship. She and I are good friends, that’s all. You need to stop this drama, Michelle.”
“Elders, what I’m saying is the truth, I swear.” By now, sobs were rocking her lithe body and she looked genuinely unhappy. Emma saw the uncomfortable looks on the elders’ faces. “What I don’t understand is why Lucius married me when he had no interest in honouring the marriage? Why? Why didn’t you reject me and marry the one you wanted? Why make me go through all this? I thought my problems were over because I had married the love of my life but it seems they were just starting. You ruined my life, Lucius Bradford.”
“Please compose yourself, luna Michelle.” A middle aged man seated at the end of the table said. “Don’t forget that our luna and shouldn’t be acting like this in public.”
Michelle straightened up and looked at him. “Don’t you see it? I’m in deep pain. How am I supposed to act when my life is this miserable?”
The elders started to talk among themselves as Michelle continued to ramble on.
“Will you stop it?” Lucius told her but she ignored him, acting like she had not heard anything.
Emma was just watching the two of them exchanging insults. Suddenly, an old man stood up. “Settle down, everyone. It seems that the luna cannot proceed in this meeting because-
“What are you talking about?” Michelle said. “I knew it, you men are all the same.” She shook her head. “I was stupid to expect some sort of justice from you all. You men always support each other even when you’re wrong. I cannot believe you’re doing this to your luna.”
“Calm down, little girl.” The man said, shutting her down. When she was angry, Michelle spoke fast and loud. Clearly, Emma was not the only one she was irritating in the room. “I’m afraid we cannot continue with this meeting because of your behaviour.”
“What have I done wrong?” she asked. “It’s this girl who decided to steal my man.”
“We’re sending you back to Jenezel Miller so you can continue with your training on how to be a luna. Judging by your behaviour, you have not fully grasped what it means to be a luna. We can’t have you acting like a little child in front of us. It is very unbecoming and we cannot continue to discuss with you if you act like that. For the next two weeks, you will be retrained.”
“But i-
“The luna and alpha are supposed to be strong, calm and collected in all situations especially when in public. You can cry in your room but when you come out, you have to be the strong luna every pack needs. Until you can be that, you will be relieved of your duties.”
“What?” Michelle suddenly stood up. “You can’t do this to me. You’re only doing it so that Lucius doesn’t have to pay for his bad behaviour. I’m not going to allow it. You have no right to do this to me.”
“I agree with the elders,” Lucius said. “And I’m the alpha. I have the power and the right to recommend their suggestions.”
“You’re a jerk, Lucius.” She said before storming out.
Emma felt bad for her.
“Now back to you,” the old man turned to her. Her heart nearly stopped. “Why are you really here?”