AALIYAH There's silence as a maid dishes out our dinner. The only noise heard is that of the spoon clinking the dish. As necessary, she's in her uniform, her hair near bound in a not-so-archaic cap, and for Hudson, extra demand is an apron that's now neatly strapped to her body. Around the long dinner table, the three alphas and I are seated. Hunter facing Hudson and that leaves Hector and I sitting directly opposite, but I don't meet his gaze. It’s been a tradition since I got marked as their Luna and the pack’s lady. We all sit around the table to eat, with all smiles, spreading love and lust and joy. Sometimes we try to do it daily, but when either of us is sick or out of town, we may decide to eat separately or together, regardless of the other’s absence. But in the case of us all being present, we must eat together as a happy unit. Only today I feel different, I don't want to be in the likes of them, sniff their smell, look in their faces, and hear their voices as they rant
HUDSON.When Aaliyah walks away, we're left staring at each other in utter confusion. Like what the fuck just happened? I drop the spoon and whatever the shit I'm holding and settle in my sit, having already lost my appetite. "Let her be, we must have gotten on her nerves with the incessant jokes.” Hunter speaks up after long minutes of us staring ourselves down and the food that's going cold. “Indeed!” Hector scoffs. "We must always make an exception for her shit. What the hell did we say to piss her off?”"Nothing, but you know how their body system functions uniquely, hormonal dominance and all...”"Hunter, please! More like stupidly and not uniquely...”"You should be the one calming down. It sure hasn't gotten to this, so...”"Oh please. Spare me the sermon. You should be mute if you've got nothing to say.”“Unsolicited.” He takes a spoonful of his food, no more bothered about the situation. I, on the other hand, keep staring at my food, still confused to death. And more than
AALIYAH.I don't know how but I find myself trapped in a room with this physician that's almost like a psycho. With great scrutiny, she scans my every system. From my palms to my teeth and nostrils, it won't be a surprise if she also assesses my breath, the actual air. When she arrived at the house, a maid came to inform me of the pack house physician’s arrival... For long minutes, I was confused and pale as paper, trying to get why she was here at first. I'm not sick, or pregnant... Perhaps, it's in the long minutes of frustration I dragged my feet down here for I should have declined and I truly wish I did. Jeez. She waves an informal greeting, and doesn't hesitate to fix me a seat for my torture... And the moment I butt kisses the seat, every of her action reeks of my bad decision to be trapped. And right now? I'm in need of a rescue. “Be still.” The old physician instructs. I obey almost at once, halting every naughty movement and taking the form of a statue. Her pen touch
HECTOR.I sit quietly at my seat at the top, in the spacious chamber. Scouting through miserable journals is of no use, considering that I know the state of finance of the pack by heart. Doing stupid plus and minus won't amount to anything when there's nothing to show for it, no gold to fill up a box, talk more of a bag, no rhinestones or pearls or sapphires to speak for it."Call me Hudson...” I hesitate. "...and Hunter.” I add, after much deliberation. Hunter has been nothing but surprisingly annoying of late and having him spew more shit would push me to the wall, regardless, it's better than saying things behind his back, he wouldn't find it funny, nor will the aftermath of things. "Yes, Alpha." The guard by the entrance responds, with a bow and walks out. It takes long minutes before they show up, chanting like kids and daily I wish to trade places with them, desperately. And to think we almost ended our lives for a throne...this throne? Moon!"Good day, brother." Hudson begi
AALIYAH Silence descends on the chamber like a plague immediately their eyes meet mine. Their faces are in uttermost shock and I bet they must be wondering how long I've been there for and how much I heard. Apparently, everything...I heard every fucking thing. When the guard had gone to summon Hudson and Hunter, and was dismissed for privacy, I stood by the door. The guard though remains close by, he dares not ask me to leave or inform them of my presence. Constantly he gave me this scared look, for both his job and his life and I’ve gotten too far to give a shit or let anything sabotage my plans. I've barely seven days to the deadline and I’m yet to come up with a selling plot. I’m in dire need of one ... Freaking desperate. “Aaliyah...” Hector begins, choosing his words carefully. “Yeah, alpha Hector.” I shade him. “We didn't realize we've got company, for how long have you been there? Perhaps waiting to see either of us.” His tone is blunt. He freaking knows I’m here for ei
NIKKI I wake up to an empty bed, Chris is up already up and about. Recently, he's been too busy flipping through journals and accounts and stocking up treasures in a medium golden box. Ever since he sent the letter to Orlando Pack, he's been acting weird and alone. Perhaps they turned him down, but I doubt that Aaliyah would do such, considering it's her late papa’s pack and she is the legal alpha. And even if they did turn him down, I’m sure the reason is justifiable. The army is kicking off strong, intense training and skills and over the months, they've increased in number, of people volunteering themselves. Regardless, there's more work to be done. The army is not strong enough to defend the pack fully if it's kissed with battle. The only way out is investing in ammunition and redeeming the pack members held captive as slaves, the sole reason why Chris is working his ass off. I scratch my lazy eyes, get out of my bed and into my robe before stalling out of the bedroom. With a
NIKKIIt’s been a hectic day, and the blessing of a day like this is the beauty of sleep. Taking off my dress, I amble into the bathroom. The bath one of the maids prepared earlier is still warm.I soak myself in the water, allowing its warmth to massage my skin. The fragrance from fresh lemon soap wafts into my nose, calming my senses as I take a deep breath. Just what I need.The activities of the day play before me, and Chris’ voice yelling at me is one I can’t shake off. I get it; he was exhausted and under pressure, but having him take it out on me is unacceptable.Is it because he’s never yelled at me before? We were once cozy lovers set ablaze and ready to destroy everything we touched with our heat.And now?I sigh. I just might be overthinking it; perhaps I’m still pissed at him.Getting out of the bath, I press off the excess water from my hair. I take the towel to pat dry my body and properly dry my hair, leaving it wet and clogged around my shoulders.As I open the door to
NIKKI Where could Shelly be? Is she okay? How is her baby and the unborn? I’m still haunted by the questions. Curious, I hurriedly take my bath and get into a simple black gown with thick fabric for protection from the chilly weather. While Chris is neck deep into his old journals as usual, I take a stroll with a few servants around the pack and first, to Shelly’s house. As usual, it's locked. No signs of her or her baby or any living thing in there... What could be wrong? The last time we spoke wasn't something to be fond of, but I tried to be polite. I was hoping she would come around and not disappear like a thief. Right now, I don't care what she's doing with her life, I just want to be sure she's okay...just any clue, please moon! I talk within myself in frustration, leaving no hint to the servants keeping me company. Disappointed, I take a U-turn, heading to the palace. The cold weather is almost sniffing life out of me in the most brutal way imaginable and the heavy wind s