Garth didn’t mind filling in the information Vione already knew. He explained that the petition filed by the Pack was a double one. The pack wanted a retrial for Vione and a truth session for Mireya.
“You know the reason, don’t you?” Garth asked, and Vione nodded weakly. Still, she spoke as if to verify the accuracy of the information she had received. “Ayla’s prophecy.”
Vione remained motionless. She made no comment.
Garth’s forehead wrinkled. His sharp eyes stared at her with an investigative look. “Vione? You don’t doubt Ayla’s prophecy, do you?”
“I don’t know, Garth.” Vione’s voice sounded weak. Her face suddenly became melancholic. “I don’t know whether to believe Ayla’s prophecy or not. You know, I’m one of the results of her prophecy.”
“Vione.”
Vione smiled painfully. “I used to believe in Ayla’s prophecy so much, Garth. I believed everything with unwavering determination. But now I don’t just doubt Ayla’s prophecy, I doubt everything.”
“I understand that, Vione. You’re hurt and you should doubt. But I hope you don’t doubt the determination of the pack.”
“I appreciate that, Garth. I’m really grateful that the pack still cares about me, but I really don’t want to get into any more trouble,” Vione said with a shaking voice. She took a deep breath before continuing, “I don’t want the pack to become the target of Usher’s wrath just because of the retrial. I don’t mind, Garth. I’m fine here. Even if it feels unfair, I think it might be for the best.
Garth could not find the words. Vione’s words made him feel guilty. He blamed himself. He should have been able to protect Vione. He should have been able to make Vione and Usher’s relationship work.
Garth felt useless. And now he could not convince Usher to listen to the wishes of the pack.
“Garth.”
Garth blinked. His head, which had been bowed for who knew how long, lifted again. “Yes?”
“Don’t blame yourself for what happened. You’ve done a lot for all of us. The pack is grateful to have a Beta like you.”
A tightness in Garth’s chest made it hard for him to breathe. He could barely catch his breath. “Forgive me, Vione.”
“There is nothing to forgive. Everything has happened,” Vione said, trying to be strong, her reassuring smile on her face. She looked at Garth with compassion. “Now you better calm the pack down. You don’t have to worry about me. The most important thing for you is to always support Usher, Garth. Help him and remind him. Never leave him.”
Garth stayed still. Vione’s demeanor showed a wisdom that only added to his suffering. “Forgive me, Vione. For us there is only one Luna for Alpha Usher. You are our Luna.”
“Thank you.” Vione remembered something and spoke quickly, “Before I forget, Garth. I have to say it.”
“What is it?”
Vione took a moment to exhale. “I hope you won’t be offended, but I don’t want you to visit me again.”
Garth’s expression changed. His mouth opened, but Vione didn’t give him a chance to speak.
“I appreciate your concern. I’m very grateful that you still treat me well, but I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. You know the situation now, Garth. I’m sure Usher would be very angry if he found out that you visit me often.”
Garth couldn’t deny it. He confirmed Vione’s words with a nod.
“So, I hope this is the last time you come to see me like this. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
Garth doubted that. Nothing could last long in an underground prison. Even if food and drink were guaranteed, living in the dark was a disaster. Especially for a werewolf, who would surely long for the moonlight.
Vione’s wolf spirit must be tormented. Her inner self would suffer. In the end, she might go mad or die of despair.
“Trust me. I’ll be fine.”
Garth had no choice. “All right, if that’s what you want. I can’t argue.”
“Thank you, Garth,” Vione said, relieved. But something crossed her mind. “Oh, one more thing. I don’t need you to instruct people to secretly provide me with warm clothes and food from outside.” She looked down at the ground, specifically at the pile of straw that served as her bed. There was a pile of the warm clothes she mentioned. “That’s enough.”
“I didn’t do that,” Garth replied.
Vione stared at Garth, confused. “Didn’t you provide me with warm clothes and food from outside all this time?”
“No, Vione,” Garth replied, shaking his head. He looked at the pile of warm clothes and remembered Usher’s anger when he visited Vione. “I haven’t given you warm clothes and food from outside all this time.”
Vione’s face changed. She was shocked and her confusion deepened. “If it wasn’t you, who was it? I always thought it was you, Garth.”
“Really, Vione. It wasn’t me. In fact, I was curious and wanted to ask you the same thing.”
Vione froze. She stood still with an uneasy feeling. A cold sensation crept in and made her shiver.
“Oh, God.”
Garth held on to the prison bars. “Has anyone else visited you all this time?”
“No one,” Vione replied, shaking her head. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. “Only you have been visiting me secretly all this time, otherwise no one. Besides, who would take the risk to visit me?”
Garth knew that. The risk was considerable, which made Usher angry, and honestly, that’s what he had done. But apparently, he wasn’t the only one willing to take that risk.
Garth thought, then asked, “When did you get these clothes and food?”
“Uncertain,” Vione replied hesitantly. Then she remembered for a moment until she was sure. “Yes, uncertain. All of a sudden, the clothes and food were here. Even if I felt unwell, I would find medicine the next morning.”
“Strange,” Garth muttered under his breath. Reflexively he looked around. “No one has been able to infiltrate the prison, especially the underground one.”
Vione touched her neck. Suddenly she was afraid. “Garth, are you saying that someone came here secretly?”
Garth did not answer.
“Then what do you think his purpose is in coming here? What is his purpose for giving me all this?”
Again, Garth didn’t answer. But he tried to reassure Vione. “You needn’t worry. I’ll try to find out.” He thought quickly and found a loophole. “Do you remember the last time you received a delivery?”
Vione tried to remember. “Maybe a few days ago. Three or four days ago. I’m not sure, but it seems to be within this week.”
“Okay. I’ll try to check the surveillance camera footage,” Garth nodded decisively. “I’ll look into it, and in the meantime, I hope you take care of yourself, Vione.”
“Thank you, Garth.”
Garth nodded for the last time, then left. Vione was left alone with a whirlwind of emotions.
It had truly been a day of surprises. Not only with the news of the petition and Ayla’s prediction, but now Vione was hit with a reality that made her shudder.
Vione looked at the pile of warm clothes, medicine and leftover food. Stunned, she reached out. She took a bottle of medicine to confirm the brand.
Vione was shocked. The brand hit her with another revelation. As a weak shewolf, she had a vulnerable physical condition. She couldn’t take just any brand of medicine, and…
Vione blinked. Her eyes welled up.
It couldn’t be Usher.
*