Chapter 8.2: Punishment?

Chapter 8.2

Mæra spent the rest of the day in the hideout that Yule had gotten for her. She lay on the bed made of hay and turned repeatedly, the cramps worsening almost every second.

When nighttime came, she sat by the window and stared out at the moon. Her knees curled up to her chest as if that would somehow alleviate the pain she felt.

The worst part about having to deal with her monthly flow was the high rise of emotions she felt: anger, sadness, and feeling lust every now and then.

She closed her eyes for a brief second, and all she could imagine was Theron pinning her against the wall, his hands holding her waist tightly and brushing up to her chest.

“You're so needy and deprived," Naya whispered. She scoffed, ignoring her wolf's comment.

Naya wasn't wrong though; there were so many things she wanted to experience, but her decision had come with a sacrifice.

A sacrifice that meant she could not be with any man.

She remembered when she was still that girl in the village, missing her brother and father almost every day.

She hung around with men, much to her mother's disapproval. She still remembered her best friend— first man she kissed, the first man whose hands had brushed her nipples, turning them hard.

She still remembered his mouth on her womanhood and how she screamed out in pleasure.

But then a knock on the door had interrupted them, and they did not do the part she had always looked forward to.

Their village had been invaded yet again— for what might have been the thousandth time.

She never saw him again since then.

She blinked rapidly, trying not to think of who she was years ago, because then she would only be a second away from crying.

She hated war for only one reason.

It took everything away from her.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Maera did not get an ounce of sleep. Just when she began drifting off, a crow cawed loudly, and a cock crowed in the distance.

She looked up to see the sky turning pink with streaks of orange cutting across it, and she realized it was morning and she needed to get back to camp.

Back to camp to face the man who had kissed her spontaneously yesterday.

She touched her lips gently, almost reliving the sensation. Sighing, she got up and went to do her daily business, making sure to drink some herbs to alleviate her pain that had lessened a bit but was still there, and to use a more comfortable version of what would soak up the blood. When she was done, she journeyed back to the camp on her horse.

The camp was alive. There was a gathering with the major generals and commanders of the war. "Ah, speak of the devil," he called out to her. "We were wondering where you went."

She made no comments but strode forward. "What are the plans for today? My apologies for being late, Alpha."

"We have worked on a new formation," Alpha Theron responded curtly.

"Is that so?”

"Yes. The new one is perfect, Commander Cael," Alpha Theron responded. "You are a fit soldier. Your achievements surpass even those of greater age than you, and so far being here, you have proven to be invaluable.”

Maera's lips twitched, knowing that something sinister was coming out of Theron complimenting her.

As a result, we think you would be best fit to lead the very front lines."

"You are punishing me," she wanted to say, but her lips only twitched again. "As you wish, Alpha."

Theron cocked his eyebrows. He expected Cael to say something, maybe to argue, but he seemed unbothered in the slightest.

"I shall prepare for battle today," she said.

"I want you to lead the night battles. So recuperate your strength through the day, and by dusk you shall go to the front lines and fight. Every evening you will fight. We want the strongest of our soldiers during the night attacks, and we want you to lead them forward."

"Of course."

"What a bloody coward," Naya spat inside Maera's head. "He's doing this to get rid of you. He wants you never to be in the same place at the same time."

"Well, he's ashamed of what he has done," Maera said, "and he's scared. Maybe I will tell the whole world he kissed a man." She almost laughed at the ridiculousness of it, though. If only he knew. "He wants me to die, but I guess I'll have to prove to him exactly who I am, Commander Cael, for a reason."

•

“Cursed be the bloody moon,” Theron swore in his mind as he ran across the dusty streets. He had shifted into his wolf because he needed to feel free, to let go. Just to clear his damn head.

He didn’t want to send Cael there because there was still that part of him that wanted to protect Cael.

But Cael was Cael, abd he do not need protection.

Riel, his wolf has been unusually silent in his head. Even now as they ran, he felt disconnected from his wolf.

He knew Riel was angry.

And he knew Riel was not going to forgive him if anything happened to Cael.

Physical attraction waa one thing, but for his wolf to be slowly getting attracted to a man… he sure needed to get rid of whoever it was.

When he reached the gates of the palace, the guards bowed to him ans opened them up. He strutted in, shifting back the instant he reached the west wing. He changed into something more appropriate and then sent a messenger to deliver a note to the council members.

An hour later, he sat at the end of a long table, perched on a chair higher than the rest.

He felt out of place, and grief prodded his chest.

This was supposed to be his father’s.

His eyes travelled around the table, from Beta Gerald, to the Zeta— Elder Maverick, and then the delta, and gamma and the rest of the elders.

He felt even more out of place.

These were men of his father; men who still saw him as a big unfit for rule. Men who wanted only one thing— to control him. Because they felt with age came wisdom, and they knew what was best unlike him.

He needed a reform. Something to get rid of most of them.

They didn’t respect him.

What was the point of being being the Supreme Alpha of one of the largest packs?

“I have called you all here for an important meeting,” Theron began. The council had their ears perked up in anticipation. “As I have not been granted one by the goddess yet, I shall be taking one.”

“Do you mind explaining?” It was Beta Gerald who spoke.

“I mean, you have all been concerned about an heir. What’s the first step to that?”

“A legitimate heir,” Elder Maverick said in a warning tone. “Please do not tell me a maid is with your child.”

“Ah yes, you’ll know enough about maids carrying children for high ranking wolves,” Theron snorted.

The council pretended like they did not want to laugh. Elder maverick was turning red.

“I’m getting married.”