ROWAN.
“What are those two whispering about?” Rina winders at me and I look over to see what she is talking about.
Viktor is kneeling in front of Jhenelle, both of them staring intently in each other’s eyes as he whispers something to her.
“Hmm, she is most likely drilling him about him being her daddy and him assuring her of it,” I reply.
“Right,” she whispers as she turns back to her plate, her eyes downcast. “So, it is settled then? You are moving here?”
I look around and I notice that neither Andre nor Lisa are around us and Alden has most probably gone to skulk in the shadows, watching us from there.
“We haven’t settled anything. We haven’t really talked about that, yet.”
“But you are going to, right?”
“I… I was thinking more along the lines of shuffling my presence.”
“Huh?”
“Some time here, in the pack and the rest, back at the settlement,” I clarify. “It will take some adjustments and some time to get used to the new arrangement but I think it can work.”
“Hmm, I suppose. That makes sense.”
“Rina, you know it wouldn’t change anything between us, right?” I ask her. “We are all still sisters.”
“I know that… I just… it is strange. For years, we have been together, living in each other’s space, getting on each other’s nerves and then in quick succession, you both find your mates and now, I am alone. I feel so… unmoored. Like two pillars have been removed from my side and I suddenly don’t know how to stand on my own.”
“Oh, Rina…”
“I know… I know. It is ridiculous. But this is how I feel.”
“It is not ridiculous. Your feelings are legit. And I hate the fact that our happiness is causing you this much distress. I just-”
I don’t resent your happiness!” She cuts in, her head snapping up as her eyes frantically stare into mine. “I don’t! I just-”
“I know. I know, and I will never think that of you. Trust me, I can underrt6wht you mean. I would probably feel worse if the case was reversed and I thought I am losing my two basic supporters.”
“Lose us? You would never lose us. No matter what.”
“Exactly! It doesn’t matter that we have new mates now, it doesn’t change anything about us. It just adds a new dynamic, so to say. We are still the three musketeers, just with lovers now and I hope you know that we will always be there for you whenever you need us.”
“I do. I know that. I am just being silly, I guess.”
“Not being silly, just scared,” I tell her as I reach Over and take her hand. “And that too, is valid.”
She sniffs before wiping away one errant tear from her face.
“Oh,” she chuckles wetly. “Look at me. I am such a mess.”
“What else is new?” I retort.
“Hey! Take that back. If anything, I am a hot mess.”
“That is still a mess.”
“Hmph!” She scoffs before reaching for one of the cups of juice to clear her throat.
“You are going to be a great Luna,” she says once she is done. “Viktor is lucky to have you. And I almost feel bad for Dominic about him not realizing what he has lost. Almost.”
“Meh. I am quite glad he did lose me. Even up till now, I still can’t fathom myself being Luna to those people. The very idea is repulsive.”
“Hmm, speaking of Dominic, how did the meeting go? As per you two’s order, the rest of us as well as the pack had stayed away from the mansion and as such, the only sign of conflict we got was when we heard the windows break and saw Dominic crashing to the floor. Who kicked him out?”
“Viktor. He was being an asshole and Viktor put him in his place,” I reply.
“How did he feel about his plans for a war coming to nothing? How did he take it?”
“Hmm, he was somewhat controlled. His displeasure was clear but he didn’t really misbehave until he came towards me and Viktor. I wish he had. It would make discrediting him much easier.”
“And what was his reaction when he saw you?” She asks with an unholy gleam. “Did he recognize you? Was he shocked? Did he call you out? Or did he run for the woods? Tell me!” She pleads.
“Calm down, will you?” I laugh at her. “Let’s see, he was most definitely stunned,” I begin. “I mean, he froze up when he saw me and then he tried to demand me when we walked in for the meeting. I think it was Sven who put him in place and told him that I was the leader of the coalition.”
“Wait, he tried to put you down? Did he wonder what it was you were doing there? Didn’t he ask how you survived?”
“And thereby opening a can of worms of how I ended up in this position? No. Dominic might be a degenerate but he is not stupid. Well, not completely stupid. He can be political savvy when his mental wires aren’t crossed.”
“Okay, so then what happened?”
“The meeting began, we all had our say and by we, I mean, I, Viktor and Dominic and we voted.”
“And what was the vote?”
“Thirty three to his three,” I reply
“Damn. That is an overwhelming loss. He must have been so embarrassed.”
“Oh, he most definitely was.”
“So, what happened after the meeting?”
“Nothing much. We socialized, Viktor and I had a laugh at his expense. He tried to call my honor and that of Viktor into question, Viktor punched his face and threw him out the window. You know what happens from there.”
“Hmm, I suppose. Just how hard would it be to kill that man?” She mutters.
“I-”
“Alpha!”
As one, everyone from where we were staying all looked towards the wolf as he runs straight for Viktor.
I don’t get to hear much of what is said but I do manage to pick a few key words.
“… missing alphas …found …alive.”