AITHNE'S POV
"Make way! Hey you, quickly call Jeyre here. Tell her to come over the med house immediately. The lady needs her. Also, send word to the Alpha of the current situation." Someone yelled frantically and pantingly, giving out orders while moving in hurried strides as though he was in a rush. Wait, where am I? The last I remembered, I was holding Odin's body to myself before I had slipped into an unconscious state due to the overwhelming pains on my thighs and legs. Dyson's and his surbodinate's clawing on Majesty had certainly reflected greatly on my human body the moment I had transitioned. And the impact of it was a terribly bothersome sight to the eyes... I was hurted and I was bleeding profusely from the injuries I sustained during the fight. I couldn't contain the horrifying pain that came with Odin's death, and neither was my body able to withstand the pain from my wounds any longer, resulting in my fainting... For how long I was in that state, I couldn't tell. But now, I knew I was laying on something warm.... Almost like.... My eyelids fluttered open and I was taken aback by the sharp brightness of the day. One slow look at my surroundings made me realize I was at the pack's clinic, and someone was running me inside, through the crowded lobby and down a hallway. And instantly, I realized I was strapped on someone's back. A bit stunned, I lifted my head from his back and stared at his bouncing mop of short red curls and immediately recognized him.Eris. He was one of my father's most trusted warriors and a brother to my personal maid. It took only a few seconds for me to understand the situation.Eris must have found me unconscious at Alsernia. Good that he brought me back home because I must immediately report Varda to the Alpha. And I must see the Beta as well. He would be heartbroken the instant he learns of Odin's death. Odin, my mate was dead. And it's because of me... My heart sank, instantly. "My lady, you must be awake." Eris suddenly said on noticing my movements on his back. I had been lost in my thoughts I didn't realized we had arrived at one of the rooms in the clinic. An Omega opened the door as Eris helped us inside. "Get the physicians this instant." He ordered her while he gently lowered me to the bed. She bowed curtly before scurrying out of the room. I winced the instant my legs touched the bed, noticing for the first time that Eris had covered my injuries with some clothing which was now soaked up with my blood. "That must hurt pretty bad," He sighed. Standing upright, he suddenly bowed to the waist at me. "My apologies my lady, I couldn't arrive on time before your injuries worsened." "D-don't apologize, Eris." My voice came out strange, croaky and patchy. I would have been surprised if I hadn't just experienced the greatest loss of my life. I swallowed painfully. "It's not your fault." "No, my lady. If we had known there was an ambush, we wouldn't have delayed two days before searching for you." He protested. "Two days? What do you mean?" "The Alpha had wanted us to search for your group when it was noon the next day and none of you had returned. But..." He paused. "But?" I urged. "Luna Varda had persuaded him against it, insisting you would have returned if you had found Morwen and that the Alpha should wait a few..." "Varda did?" I interrupted, not quite shocked but almost rendered speechless at the insane height of her wickedness. Eris's brows shot up at me, he was clearly taken aback by the manner I had referred my stepmother which was a first since she was declared Luna, few years back. "Err... yes, my lady." The witch! She made me lost so much with only a lie. I have to make sure she's rewarded to the very last of it. I was out of consciousness for over 48hrs because of her! And poor Odin was left in the cold for that long too. As well as the five escort warriors that went to Alsernia with me... "Eris, what of my mate and the five warriors that went with me? Did you return home with their bodies as well?" I asked and his eyes and head hung low, while his broad shoulders carved inwards. "I'm greatly sorry for your loss, my lady." He said sadly. "We brought Sir Odin's body home as well as that of the five warriors that accompanied you." He sighed. "Thank goddess their bodies were still intact, the wild beasts of Alsernia hadn't seem to touch them. We've delivered their bodies to their respective families and the entire pack is in mourning due to the loss presently. The Alpha is currently paying condolences to each of the bereaved family." He explained and I nodded. "I have to see the Beta immediately, I must pay my condolences." "I'm afraid, not in your condition, my lady." He objected. "I know, but I have to. He was my mate!" A sob caught in my throat instantly and I tried to blink back the tears already pooling in my eyes. "You're badly injured and need immediate care to ensure the fast recuperation of your legs." A thought occured to me and I felt rage building within me. I couldn't even feel Majesty, she seemed to be reclined at the depths of my subconscious in deep mourning. "Eris," I said. "Where is Morwen?!" My question was sudden and I knew Eris felt the wave of anger that erupted with it, making him somewhat stunned. "Uhmm, he's currently at DeK's pub with a group of friends, celebrating and telling tales of how you had rescued him from the clutch of the ex gamma, and that you had sacrificed yourself to save his life." Of course, if Dyson was right -- which I know he was -- Varda would let Morwen out from where she's been hiding him only when my return (either dead or alive) have been confirmed and would have contorted all sorts of lies to align with the moment I was returned to Mooncrest. Bloody wicked lies such as this... "Tales huh?" A painful smile reflected on my face as I listened to Eris's words. "I'm sorry, my lady. I didn't mean it that way. What you did is commendable and is what a true leader would do. What I meant was that, Morwen is praising and appreciating ..." "Eris stop rambling!" I snapped. Then sighed. "It's okay, I understand. And I'm not upset at you," I paused. "You know what, just get Morwen here this instant. I need to see him." "I'm afraid my darling child, your command cannot be fulfilled." The door of the room opened suddenly, just as Varda stepped inside, accompanied by the Beta and two physicians. And I sat up the bed instantly, ignoring the pain that pierced through me from my legs as a result of my careless and sudden action, the moment my eyes met the grieve stricken eyes of Odin's father. "A-and why is that?!" I couldn't be bothered to say my greetings at this point. "You see, you've done a good deed in rescuing your brother from Dyson, that vicious rogue." Varda continued, her expression clouded with a false look of appreciation and sympathy.I just couldn't believe the effrontery of this woman, after what she's done... "However, it's really heartbreaking because you've lost so much in the process." Her mock sympathy was making me irritated and sick... She wiped her eyes with a thumb. "Aithne Seraphina Luwen, you've lost your mate as well as your ability to shift. And as a result, loosing your Alpha title as well."W-what does she mean? The beating of my heart became irregular, my breathing unstable, my eyes and mouth wide open as my hands clutching my sides trembled greatly... And for the first time since I regain consciousness, Majesty stirred fiercely within me...AITHNE'S POV "..." I opened my mouth to talk but words failed me. "Y-y-y-ou..." A miserable stutter was all I could get out.*Don't let her get to you!**She's the one who's supposed to be cowering with shame and fear right now! And she would, once she's exposed.* I shut my eyes briefly and took in a sharp breath. Majesty has been forced to motion within me because of Varda's words. I won't let her do this to me -- to us. How dare her conclude on my matter like that, without an examination or treatment by a physician yet? She must be really insane to think of such a thing. Wouldn't the moon goddess be so cruel if that was really my situation? "You don't get to say that to me." I finally said, looking her directly in the eyes. "You have no right to conclude about my abilities when I haven't even been examined by the physicians!" I yelled. "Oh," Varda's lower lip pursed outwards in an attempt at a pout. "Oh, my dear." She paused, "I'm sorry I must have hurt you wi
AITHNE'S POV "What?!" Father uttered, his blue eyes wide open as he stared at the physician in disbelief. "Reynold, what did you just say?" He thundered. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I listened to physician Reynold repeat the same words he had told me only moments ago, to my father. "I'm sorry, My Alpha." Reynold bowed. "The lady has lost her chance to walk again because of the multiple damages in either of her calf bones. It would have been corrected if she had been rescued earlier. Now it's impossible to treat as it's too late for a surgery correction. Also, if she tries to shift in the future, it would cause her death." He carefully repeated, his head still bowed. I watched Father turned to look at me and I saw the faintest hint of tears gathering in his usually sparkly blue eyes. We were in the private room in the clinic and Jeyre -- my personal maid and closest companion was with me. I was seated on a wheelchair --damn, how I hate that fact-- and her hands were ge
AITHNE'S POV A teary smile reflected on my face as I trailed a sentence in the novel I was holding with a finger, my eyes taking in every word in it. The novel was one of the series in Odin's favorite collection. I was in the library -- my comfort haven in recent times -- in my father's castle, away from the gossipy eyes and hushed whispers of the servants and pack members as well. For about a month, this had been my routine every morning. I was existing but not living. I had nothing left, nothing at all... Varda took everything from me. Including the last hope I had left. She took away my dreams, my future and my happiness. She didn't spare me even the bliss of being an only child. She didn't let me be my father's daughter anymore. Somehow, she had succeeded in ruining my life, no doubt. But it was all so maddeningly humiliating because there was nothing I could do to stop her... nothing at all. I sighed, wiping tears from my eyes and closing the book the moment I
AITHNE'S POV I had decided to use myself as an evidence to my father in hopes that he would believe me but he had suddenly became too busy to see me, after I was discharged from the clinic and now at home, here in the castle he lived. Yet, I wasn't able to see my father. I was now living a depressed lifestyle, subjecting to my room and personal library only. Initially, I had taken several trips to town but the false story of my brave rescue of Morwen filled the air and the losses I had suffered as a result of my 'supposed' bravery, only earned me the sympathetic looks of the werewolves' society. I was fed up with Varda's and Morwen's false display of loyalty and care towards the entire members of Mooncrest Pack. I was irritated that I had become the gossip of society. And many were already saying I couldn't be the leader of the pack in future because of my permanent disability. Varda had been right when she told me that I would only end up ridiculing my father if I
AITHNE'S POV I was silent for a little longer than necessary, as I pondered on Majesty's words. It's obvious she's had enough of this environment as well. Mooncrest has become an unfamiliar place for us since the death of our mate. *Are you sure?* I finally said. *There's.. nothing.. here.. for.. us.. anymore.. I.. want.. to.. leave..* *But what about father?* I reminded. *We'd.. come.. back.. certainly. But.. only.. after.. a.. long.. time.. so.. we.. can.. heal. Mooncrest.. doesn't.. feel.. like.. home.. anymore. It's.. now.. toxic.. and.. not.. good.. for.. you.. for.. us.* *Majesty, are you sure?* I repeated. *I.. am.. certain.. But.. I.. don't.. think.. you.. are.* She's right. I'm not as sure or convinced about this as she is. I sighed, outwardly. *I would think about it.* I finally said. *Father.. would.. be.. fine. I'm.. sure.. Untill.. we.. return.. at.. least.. he.. should.. be.. fine.* She reassured. Jeyre leaned off me and grinned. "You were
AITHNE'S POV "My lady," I raised my gaze from the book I was reading and turned to Jeyre beside me. "We've arrived at the border of Fieryflames Pack, Eris must return now before your absence is noticed." She continued and I nodded. "I agree." I said, just as a footman came and opened the carriage door and Jeyre alighted. "My apologies, my lady." Eris appeared in front of the open carriage and bowed to the waist at me. "It would have been a pleasure to see you through to your destination but I must return to Mooncrest and report my presence before the Alpha." "I understand," I smiled. "Thanks for your selfless services to me and my late mate so far. Your efforts would never be forgotten, Eris." "It's been a pleasure to serve you as well, my lady." Eris lifted his gaze towards his sister briefly. "Thanks for looking after my sister and I and giving us a home even after the death of our mother." He paused, and Jeyre looked emotional. "Your absence at the pack house would b
AITHNE'S POV~VeMiCa Restaurant~ "Here's your Derita Pasta Frittata." "Thank you." Jeyre and I said as the lady carefully dropped the tray on the table and served us. "You're welcome." She smiled, leaning upwards. Then she suddenly paused and leaned down slightly, inclining towards me. "You're obviously not from around here." She said and my mouth opened slightly in surprise. "I mean, it's way too obvious given your fashion sense." 'By the goddess!'I swore internally and I felt Majesty's mocking chuckle within me. 'I see what you're doing.' I telepathically retorted at her. 'Remind me to go shopping with Jeyre immediately we get ought of here.' The curious waitress was still talking. "...yet, you seem familiar with our restaurant's most special cuisine. Also, I sense a powerful aura around you." Her eyes fell on my lower body and a flash appeared in her eyes. Pity! Pity? I don't need that from anyone around here. "It seems you might have a sad story you may want to s
AITHNE'S POV From the corner of my eyes I could see he was getting closer and closer, his graceful strides covering the distance between him and Regan who was still standing beside our table-- whose warm, cheerful expression, I observed, became clouded at the sight of the man. Well, why not... Even an Alpha would tremble at the recognition of the Alpha King talk more of an... I observed Regan once more. I could sense a strong aura around him but I couldn't place his goddess given identity. Hmm, regardless... I think it's okay to be this way. But why would the great Alpha King of Elgarion, ruler of the mighty Crystal-Moon Dynasty, visit this restaurant? Well, that's because...*Focus..Aithne.. Focus* Majesty chided.*Yeah, right. What am I even doing?* I decided to ignore such thoughts and focus on my current situation. Whatever the case may be, the owners must be honoured to have him visit their coast. But why do I feel Regan seems displeased by his presence? Even though he h