AMARIS
The word wench and fiancee echoed in waves coursing through all the receded trauma of being bullied I had residing in my brain. .
Here I was thinking, he was different. How disappointing.
He sounded different, felt different but just like all the men I have known all my life.
He was not. He is just like them. "Excuse me," the words choked out from my lips as I stood up, this time not waiting for a response, or any one to yell my ass back to my seat. I quickened my pace and hurried to my room, slamming the door shut as soon as I made my way in.
I sank to my bed and that was when the tears came crashing down like a thunderstorm, I wailed and cried uncontrollably and inconsolably.
This was my wrecked up life now. What did I ever do to deserve this?
I had not gotten my thoughts completely out when I heard a knock on my door, it was gentle.
"Go away," I yelled out. I was sure it was Rowan here to apologize for what his fiancee said.
"It's me, Luna Amaris." A voice I had registered to belong to Nia gently said.
"Nia," I sobbed out.
"Yes, should I come back later?" She asked, I heard the concern in her voice.
With one heavy sob, I pulled myself from the king size bed, used my dry palm to wipe away the salted water from my cheeks.
I sneaked a peek of my reflection in the mirror as I strode towards the door and I looked like shit, I barely recognized myself.
I pulled the doorknob forcing a smile on my face as I was met with Nia's worried gaze.
"Are you okay, Luna Amaris? She asked, her voice sounded concerned but I knew she was not, she was merely just doing her job.
"I am fine, is there anything you want?" I asked, already at the peak of my tolerance for drama today.
She didn't respond instantly, her eyes narrowed to stare at me, her expression not quite readable. She exhaled right before saying, "They lost their Luna a year ago,"
My gaze squinted, not sure what to make of the information dump I had just received. Yes I was aware that the former Luna had died, I wasn't just sure why she was telling me this.
"What does that have to do with me?" I asked.
She shifted her gaze to the far end of the hallway and back to me. "Can I come in?" She asked politely in a soft tone.
I nodded making way for her as she gently walked into my room shutting the door behind her. I leaned against the door frame, I didn't want to get comfortable.
If there was one thing I had gotten from my interaction with Rowan today was that even the nice ones still think you are a wench.
"Talk" I said. Not allowing her to get comfortable either, she veered to face me.
"Alpha Corvin and Ryker aren't in good terms,"
I figured.
"Rowan too but Ryker grievance with his father is deeper, he blames his dad for the death of his mother,"
I was caught in the classic 'kids blame one parent for the death of the other' which is a cycle I know so well because even though I never got to know my mom, I blamed my father for her death.
"So, they are angry because they think I came to replace their mother as Luna?" I asked, trying my best not to conclude.
"I don't think so," she muttered with a slight stutter at the end.
My eyes met hers and I saw the uncertainty in her eyes, she was rethinking telling me. "Then why, I need to know why?"
She bit her lips slightly, "I am not sure I should say,"
Of course those words piqued my curiosity. "Nia, please I need to know what I am walking into, I need to know why everyone is acting cold towards me,"
She hesitated, her eyes scanning around the room as if looking for any form of hidden camera which thinking of it doesn't seem far fetched for the kind of treatment I had gotten.
She took a step closer, almost closing the distance between us, her fingers fidgeting nervously. "After she died, rumor had it that the Alpha had been the one that killed her,"
My eyes widened, my breath hitched, my heart beat dropped and my stomach churned twisting to what I had just heard.
I waited for her to take back what she just said as I repeated her words in my head.
Killed her? Why would he kill the mother of his children?
"That couldn't possibly be true," I wasn't asking, I wanted her to keep talking. I crossed my arms feigning doubt.
It wasn't that I didn't believe her or doubted her, there was just too little information to build upon.
"I think it is, they said Ryker was there and that is why he hates his father," she whispered almost like someone else was in the room with us.
If Ryker witnessed his father killing his mother, I am sure he would be planning his father's funeral now.
He seemed like a dangerous, vengeful person. It was in his eyes, I knew darkness when I saw one. He had a cloud of darkness hovering over him.
I swallowed a gulp of saliva that I had been holding in my throat, "Why, why would he kill his Luna?"
She closed the distance between us and stretched forth her hands and placed them on my shoulders. I felt the itch to shrug them away but instead I held still.
"Rumor has it that he found his fated mate?"
And those words sucked away all the air left in my lungs, I struggled to breathe as I choked on the saliva I had just gulped.
"I have to go, Luna Amaris." She pulled the doorknob not even attempting to help me and my choking plight.
I gave way for her to exit the room and just like someone was after her she scurried away her heels to her toe.
Why the hell did she tell me all that?
Was it even true? She said they were rumors but having grown up in a pack myself I knew there was no smoke without fire.
Whenever it was 'rumored' my dad was having an affair with an omega, she would end up dead.
There is always truth to every rumor.
Bang!
I startled at the sound of a heavy pounce on the door.
Was it Nia here to complete the rest of her tale?
I hurriedly opened the door but as soon as I did, I paused. My wolf stirred from the corner she had retreated into, the scent hitting me. Furs.
My eyes held his dark gaze as he smirked, "Hello mate, I am here to have some fun with you,"
Ryker Grave