Future Luna’s reluctance
“Ava!”
Nani nearly lost her breath calling her name from such a far distance, she’d called her several times after searching for her for over an hour, but Ava couldn’t hear her because of the large space that separated them.
“Oh Nani!” Ava dropped the basket she was carrying in her hand as the two walked towards each other, when they finally met, they embraced.
“Where have you been dear? I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Ava chuckled. “You know me by now Nani, I don’t stay in one place. It’s so boring to have to sleep in that big tent all by myself. I love going around to help the poor refugees.”
“That’s so sweet of you dear, but now, we have a bigger problem at hand besides the refugees.”
“What is it?” Ava frowned.
“Your mate, he’s in trouble, and I think you’re the only one who can help him.”
“Lucas is in trouble? He’s a big alpha, whatever does he need me for?”
“Ava… why are you talking like this? You haven’t even bothered to listen to what I have to say and you’re already making it sound as if I wasted my time by coming to tell you about it. Why would I come to meet you if it were something he could handle by himself?”
Ava sighed, “sorry Nani, you know that just thinking about him puts me under a lot of pressure. It’s hard to move away from the past.”
“I know dear, and I understand perfectly, but please just this once don’t try to move on yet… you have to help my Lucas first.”
“What kind of trouble is he in anyway?”
“It’s Sabrina… I don’t know why but she’s killing him, slowly. I saw his eyes today when I had to force my way into his chambers because Sabrina wouldn’t let me. He had a cry for help written all over his face! She seems to be controlling him in a way. I know very well now that Sabrina is not who she claims to be, she’s not a wolf at all….”
Ava’s eyes lit in surprise, “wait… what do you mean she’s not a wolf? I saw her shift on the first day we met her struggling with those rogues. I saw her wolf.”
“I don’t know what you saw that day Ava, but one thing I AM sure of is that Sabrina isn’t all she claims to be. Maybe appearances can be deceiving.”
“We really shouldn’t jump into conclusions without having concrete proof, Nani.”
“I’m not done Ava, on the day that Kozi examined her, he felt her blood, cold as ice, have you ever seen a wolf having cold blood before?”
“That still doesn’t prove anything.”
“What about today? I fed her a bowl full of mushrooms and garlic, and she ate it all up without even bothering to sniff it out. Mushrooms and garlic repulse wolves more than anything in the world, she’d have never been able to have a bite out of that meal if she were truly a wolf.”
“I’m still not convinced by what you say, that could mean anything.”
“This last finding of mine will convince you for sure Ava… your mate is being poisoned.”
Her frown stretched deeper, “poisoned?”
“Yes, poisoned. When I went into his room, I scented wolfbane in his bedroom, it was hidden in invisible corners close to his bed. Do you know how deadly those plants are to wolves? And did you know that the only creatures in the world that can’t detect wolfsbane are the wolves themselves? Even with their enhanced senses; the scent of wolfsbane still remains an invisible odor to them, and that because its toxic to them. People say that the goddess got rid of the wolfsbane scent for the wolves so that they would never find the plant nor be able to come close to it, thus they were safe from whatever harm it could cause them. We humans never have to bother about the wolfsbane, we can sniff it just like any other plant. And with my vast knowledge of herbs and medicines, wolf likes and dislikes, I can detect wolfsbane anywhere even without seeing it, it always has that pungent odor I can’t forget! I smelt it in your mate’s bedroom Ava, it was all over the place!”
“So, who do you think could have put it there?”
“I don’t know, but I do know that it definitely couldn’t have been a wolf, that poisonous plant burns their skin worse than fire would, it would have been someone who could touch wolfsbane without getting hurt, a non-wolf. I am the only non-wolf in the entire packhouse, and it definitely wasn’t me, but guess who’s the only person who has had exclusive access to your mates’ quarters recently? None other than Sabrina Virani herself!!!”
Ava smirked, “so he’s sleeping with Sabrina? Typical of him to do that after sending me away!”
“Ava!! Are you even listening to what I’m telling you??? Your mate’s life is in danger and you act like you don’t care!!!”
She shrugged, “Why should I? he deserves to die, after all, he’s nothing but a selfish arrogant possessive prick. I knew he was a monster the minute I found out he killed Ray.”
Ava didn’t wait to hear Nani’s response, she turned away and went back to pick up her basket to continue the distribution of food she was doing before. Nani ran towards her and snatched the basket from her hand, raising her voice.
“Is this how you want to spent the rest of your life??? Sleeping in tents? Hiding from rogues…? I understand you love helping people Ava, but what about the dawners? Don’t they also need your help?”
“Lucas De’ Clan can take care of the dawners, they are HIS followers after all, now give me back my basket!”
Nani slapped her palm against her head, “have you not been listening to anything I’ve been saying at all Ava?? Your mate is in trouble… he needs you! A dead wolf cannot rule over a pack!”
“I heard you very well Nani, and I’ll give you my answer; I am not going back to help him, no matter what you say to me, now give me back my basket!”