Chapter 0005

Mabel’s POV…

There was so much gossip in the pack, especially regarding this matter. The truth might be out that I am barren, but that didn’t mean I would let any of my subjects disrespect me in such a manner. I needed to use these three servants as scapegoats for everyone else to learn not to spread rumors about matters that don’t concern them.

“P-p-please, Luna Mabel. We never meant any of those things. We were just…” She paused, not having anything else to say.

“Just what? Spreading rumors, lies and gossips? I’d honestly like to know more.”

“Please, forgive us, Luna Mabel. We heard this from other servants, and we decided to just talk about it this evening,” Prisca explained. “We never thought you would hear us, but it’s not different from what other people have been saying. Please don’t punish us. I promise to personally debunk any such rumors whenever they come up.”

I shook my head. “Prisca, you of all people. I never thought that such words about me could come from your mouth. I am highly disappointed in you for thinking I would ever stoop to the levels you are used to. How could you think so low of me?”

“I am sorry, Luna Mabel. I will never do it again. Please just let us go this time. I swear that you will never catch me say another dishonorable word about you in this pack. Forgive us, Luna Mabel.”

“Please, Luna Mabel. We are sorry. It will not happen again,” the second servant repeated.

I sighed. Coming from a humble background, I had always tried my best to be careful with these servants and not treat them like slaves. I did most of my personal chores myself even though I didn’t need to, but this was just my way of remaining meek till the end. I knew that if any of these ladies were given my kind of power, they would have abused it on human beings like themselves, but that didn’t mean I should change my heart of compassion towards them. They deserved to be punished, but I would let them off this time, expecting that they would keep to their words by debunking the rumors for me.

I turned my back, and before leaving the garden, I told them. “I have taken note of you three, make sure these rumors don’t spread far. Debunk them as soon as they come up. I would be holding you accountable for the next gossips I hear about me.”

Prisca gasped. “Thank you so much for your kind heart, Luna Mabel. I promise to punch the teeth out of anyone that dares say a false word about you. You will always be our queen!”

I ignored them as I went back into the packhouse and into my room, surprised to see that Cillian was still there. Caitlin had left.

“I thought I made it clear that I needed time and space away from you both.”

“I know, I promise you will have enough of it after this, but there’s something else I needed to inform you of.”

“What is it?”

“After the worldwide pack tour, we will be having the finale in this pack. All other packs we visited the past three months will be coming here to meet with me, same as I did with them, and I am planning a banquet afterwards.”

“How is that any of my business?”

“You are the Luna of this pack, so it is very much your business. I am sorry to bring this up in the middle of this mess, but I have no choice. You are the female face of this pack, and all my other allies have indicated interest in meeting my Luna. I would love for us both to appear as Alpha and Luna and not act like anything is going on in our marriage.”

“When is the banquet?”

“Tomorrow night.”

“I don’t know, Cillian. This is all so sudden. Why are you just bringing this up now when you knew I would need time to prepare?”

“You would have had a week to prepare if you hadn’t been so bent on ignoring me the past seven days.”

I nodded .”Of course, why not blame me for what happened?”

Cillian sighed. “I am not blaming you, Mabel. I know that there are still a lot of things we have to sort out between ourselves, but there isn’t enough time for that before the banquet. I am just begging you to be by my side and on your best behaviour tomorrow.”

“So, now you’re saying I’ve not always been behaved? Terrific!”

“No. You always have. I know your emotions are not in place right now because of what happened. I would have let you sit out the banquet if I could, but since that would not be possible, I hope you won’t get triggered tomorrow if anyone mentions anything about Caitlin to your face.”

“Thank the goddess you just mentioned her name now, and the room is still in order. I am a woman, Cillian, not a monster. I am sure tomorrow night will pass without anything major happening.”

“To keep trouble further away, I have made sure that Caitlin will not be attending the banquet, and thank you for agreeing to do this.”

“I didn’t do it for you. I did it for the Lunar Fangs, because aside our wedding vows I have kept to till this day, I also kept my oaths to this pack. To always be available and ready for duty.”

“That’s why I am thanking you, for keeping to your duties despite our situation. I pray to the goddess that things will get sorted out afterwards.”

“Hopefully they do, or, if worse meets worse, this marriage will end.”

***

***THE FOLLOWING EVENING***

I had been so buried in my emotions that I hadn’t even noticed preparations being made in the pack house for the banquet. It was held in our biggest and finest hall, and there were so many honorable guests that travelled from around the world to be here to witness the glories of the Lunar Fang. No wonder Cillian had come to beg me last night not to cause any trouble.

Cillian had arranged for my dress, hair and make-up during the period I’d snubbed him, so it didn’t take much for me to get ready today. I first stood by the entrance with my husband and Beta Theo, greeting the guests, mainly Alphas and Beta wolves as they went in.

After the greetings, Cillian and I were called in to have the first dance. It reminded me so much of our wedding day. The violinist played a solo, and all eyes were fixed on us as we waltzed the empty space in the middle of the hall. Soon, other couples joined in and our dance ended. One of the female Alphas who had come in after we left the entrance walked up to us. Her name was Alpha Grace.

“Hello, Alpha Cillian, and if I’m not mistaken, this must be the beautiful Luna Mabel. It is such an honor to finally meet you.”

I bowed my head slightly, “thank you. It is an honor to meet you too, Alpha Grace. Your story as a very powerful female warrior inspires me so much. I’ve only read about you in books, but I never thought you would even know anything about me.”

“Oh, I know a lot about you, and I also admire not just you, but your husband for sticking with you, even in the worst of times.”

I don’t know what she really meant by that, but remembering what Cillian said, I put a smile on my face so as not to confirm any gossips.

After Grace left us, I bumped into someone else unexpectedly. The last person I wished to see. Caitlin, wearing a beautiful red dinner dress that proudly graced her baby bump. I passed a glare in Cillian’s direction. I thought he told me that Caitlin would not be here tonight, so why is she here?