Chapter 5

Arielle's Dilemma 

Arielle's POV 

Three days later 

Is it true? Are the rumors true?

Few days ago I was locked in the dungeon, the cold stone walls and rats were my only companion but now I'm expected to take over a prestigious position, a position I would never dream of ascertaining. I couldn't understand why the sudden change of plans but I was happy it changed although it left unsettling feelings in me.

My waist felt heavy because of the loads of royal paraphernalia I was draped in. I stood in front of a mirror, my hand tracing the diamond necklace that sat on my neck. I was shining as the light that peeped through the window reflected on my silver gown. I still couldn't believe this was happening, I couldn't believe that I was going to marry the Alpha of our pack and become the Luna. 

What would the people think? They hate me and think I'm a spy. 

This could definitely be Elder Orion's influence, right? Speaking of elder Orion, where is he? Ever since I was released I've not seen him or anyone in general as I've been confined within the walls of this majestic estate far away from the pack. I walked away from the mirror in front of me towards the window as I looked outside, beneath me were four wolf guards standing at the entrance—I’ll never get used to that.  

“Arielle, we need to get your makeup on and accessories your hair.” A soft and subtle voice came from behind me. 

Oh! Emily, my maid. Ever since I was released she was assigned to look after me in this God forsaking estate till the day of the wedding. I was lost in my thoughts that I had almost forgotten that she was here with me. I walked away from the window towards the chair as I sat, my eyes landing on my reflection on the mirror. 

“Emily, when would the carriage that would take me back to the pack arrive?” I asked. 

Emily walked towards me, her hands landing on the table as she picked a Bone Comb—Fashioned from the bones of a long-extinct lunar beast, only appearing under an eclipse, carrying the wisdom of forgotten ages.

“The carriage would arrive in an hour or two.” She said as the bone comb ran through my hair untangling the tangled strands of hair that looked like a bird cage. “You'll definitely be able to have breakfast before they get here.” 

I nodded. 

For the past three days that I had lived with Emily our conversation had always been professional. However, I wasn't going to do so today as I had questions that needed answers eating me up from within. 

“Emily.” I called out softly, a little bit hesitant. 

“Yes.” She said, her hands running through my hair gently with the bone comb. 

“What happened…what happened when I was locked away in the dungeon? What happened that night?” I asked. 

Emily paused, dropping the bone comb on the table. “I’m sorry but I'm not allowed to talk about it.” 

“Why? You can talk to me.” I said, trying to persuade her. 

“They made me vow not to spill or I'll be killed by the moon goddess.” Emily said, fear audible through her voice. 

“Listen Emily, it's just you and I here in this large estate far away from the pack. You can tell me. I wouldn't tell anyone…trust me Emily.” I said, pleading. 

“I’m sorry I can't tell you, I don't want to die.” Emily said, her head lowered. 

Damn it! I guess the good girl role won't make her spill. 

“You're still going to die anyway.” I said, rolling my eyes as I picked up the bone comb running it through my hair. 

“I'm still going to die…how?” Emily asked, stammering. 

“By night fall I'll become Luna of the pack, do you know what that means?” I asked. 

“No..no. Yes.” Emily stuttered, words dancing in her mouth. 

“I wonder what punishment the pack would give to you if I tell them you maltreated and refused to serve me all my days in this estate.” I said, standing up from the chair. 

“Please…don't do this. I'll tell you everything that happened.” Emily said, falling on her knees. 

“You made a wise decision.” I said. I sat down on the chair, my lips curving into a smile. 

“The night that you were thrown into the dungeon I overheard something. The Alpha…he he felt the mate bond too. He confessed to his father that you're his mate.” Emily said. 

So he felt the mate bond too? Why did he act the way he did? Why did he suddenly want to marry me now?

As if Emily could read my mind she answered all the questions. “Yes, he felt the mate bond too. I know you might be surprised and wondering why he acted the way he did, commanding that you were locked up. The truth was that he was scared of what the council of elders and the rest of the pack would say if he announced that you're his Luna. I also overheard elder Orion talking Alpha Adrian into marrying you. That's all I know, please pardon me.” Emily said, pleading. 

I felt bad for making her worry but I needed answers and now I understood why he acted the way he did. 

“Is that really all there is? Don't lie to me.” I said. 

The room was silent for a few minutes before Emily broke it. 

“During Beta Lucian family dinner, I overheard him plotting…..” 

“THE ROYAL CARRIAGE IS HERE!!!” 

A loud voice from outside echoed through the estate. Emily stood up running towards the window only to see a large carriage outside. 

“The royal carriage is here. Let's go.” Emily said as she swiftly ran passed me into the inner room to get my stuff. 

Silly girl! She forgot my hair and makeup. 

In a few minutes we were done and ready to leave. For the first time in three days I was to walk out of this forsaking estate, I've tried going out but the guards outside had restricted me. 

Emily and I walked side by side as we approached the entrance. The guards greeted us with a smile on their face as they bowed lightly. 

“Arielle, the carriage is ready.” Festus said, gesturing towards the carriage ahead of us. 

Emily and I stroded towards it as we highlighted the carriage. Festus entered and the carriage rolled out of the estate into the woods. 

The ride was long and boring, very boring. 

“You were about to tell me something before the royal carriage came.” I said, my gaze darted towards Emily's. 

“I was.” Emily said, trying to avoid eye contact. 

“Yes.” I said. 

“I…I…there are people around us now. They would hear what I'm saying.” Emily said, her face brightened up like she had found an escape route. 

“We can talk in whispers.” I said, whispering the words out of my mouth. 

Emily was hesitant at first but the look I wore was that of one who wouldn't give up no matter what. 

“I was walking through the hallway of Beta Lucian Manor when I overheard his conversation with his family. He was planning on…..” 

“ASSASSINS!!!!!” 

A loud voice from outside let out a loud deafening cry. 

Assassin? What does it mean? 

“I think we're being ambushed. I told you the moon goddess would kill me if I told you anything.” Emily said as she started crying. 

Did the moon goddess really orchestrate this? Or was someone behind it? 

The clashes of swords outside made every form of oblivion in me disappear. 

“Run! Arielle, run!” The voice of a man outside echoed through the woods alongside the scream of fallen men. 

“Let's go!” Emily said as she pushed the other door open. 

Emily ran outside dragging me out. It was hard for me to move because of the weight of the royal paraphernalia I was draped in. 

My jaws dropped when I saw the development outside, nearly all the men that were escorting me were dead. 

“Arielle run!” Emily yelled. 

She grabbed my hand pulling me from my thoughts. We ran like our life depended on it—well it did. 

“Protect Arielle!” Festus yelled as he shape shifted into a wolf. A loud howl filled the air. 

We ran deeper into the wood till the terror of the fight slowly faded away and the only thing that was heard were the sound of dead branches and fallen leaf crunching on the floor as we stepped on it. 

Emily and I kept running, we didn't stop not even when my clothes got stuck in a tree branch, I pulled myself tearing the lower part of the gown which actually made running easier for me. 

A loud how echoed through the woods from behind. They were catching up with us, someone was going to die and it shouldn't be me. 

“Run! Run faster Arielle, they're catching up with us!” Emily yelled. 

I ran faster, as fast as my l

egs could carry me but my leg failed me when I saw Emily lying on the floor with a sword sitting on her back and blood flowing. 

I screamed.