Chapter 8

Boredom…

If Ethan didn't kill me, then the truth slipping out surely would, or I'd most definitely die from the steel like quiet that clouded my room.

Every second I spent in the Ravenwood pack palace felt like I was playing Russian roulette with my secret.

I sucked at gamble games…

Almost a week had gone by now and the people I had come across since my arrival here remained the Alpha, Ethan himself, Aurora, the maid and finally Dan, the guard.

It was no surprise that I hadn't seen Ethan after our last incident and the way he had spoken to me about the door, it wasn't like we shared a room or anything for that matter.

Exploring the palace by myself brought me doubts, what if my curiosity managed to pull me back to the locked doors?

And god's forbid, Ethan got to know of it, and I'd have myself to blame for becoming even more of a prisoner than I already was.

So, I had also respected myself and decided to stick to my room which was gradually becoming a familiar space, it's not like I was dying to bump into him again…

Thanks to the goddess he had instructed all my meals be delivered to me in my room daily, I wasn't ready to face him yet and take in more lashes of his cold words.

As I set by myself on the window seat which has unsurprising turned out to be my favorite aspect of the room as it provided access to the huge pack courtyard that always had kids ruining around and people moving about, a knock on the door pulls my attention.

I call for the person to come in and find myself smiling as the maid walks in with a tray of something that smelled absolutely delicious in her hands.

“Good day Luna, here's your breakfast.” She bows continuing to ignore my continuous requests of her not having to be so formal around me.

Pulling away from the window, I let out a soft sigh, watching her set up the table.

She turns to leave once she's done, arms folded behind her back and eyes never moving from the floor.

“Wait… please. May I know your name?” I ask tentatively, and she halts with her back to me before turning slowly.

“Clara, my name's Clara Henley.” Comes her meek reply, and I smile excitedly as for the first time ever she finally looks up at me!

Yay! We were making progress in the attempt of friendship!

“Thank you Clara, for everything.” I didn't really know what everything meant, but I hoped my tone encompassed just how much gratefulness I felt towards her.

She hesitates at the door for a second longer, shuffling on her feet awkwardly at first, and flashes me a genuine full-blown smile.

“Thank you Luna, you're a good person.” She replies.

“You're just what our pack needs…I can feel it in my heart.” She mutters under her breath just before she exits the room, leaving before I can say anything else.

Me? A good person? Just what their pack required? A mere human? Would she still think the same if she knew?

As I stand by my bed, staring at all she had laid out for my breakfast, I can't help but begin to miss Amanda.

I really wished there was a way I'd be able to get across to her, I had a lot I wanted to get off my chest and no one got me as well as she did.

Failing at pushing down the sudden wave of nostalgia that hits me at the thought of home, I dig into breakfast, forcing myself to at least try to enjoy the delicacies of their hard work.

Well-fed and about to return to bed and try forcing some sleep in seeing as I barely ever got any at nights, my plans are interrupted by another knock on the door.

I call for the person to come in, but this one doesn't, remaining outside the door.

“I can't… that'll be going against the alpha's orders, I'm sorry, Luna. I was sent to get you by beta Aurora, there's something going on outside, she suggested you might like to be a part of.” The voice which unmistakable belonged to Dan calls back from the other side.

Aurora? Oh, no…

Just when I was beginning to think she had forgotten about my existence and her threats were just empty drama.

I knew it was all too good to be true to ever assume that someone with that level of jealousy and hatred in her eyes would suddenly just let it all go.

I hadn't seen or gotten any message or threat from her since after we had met again during the meeting with the council.

A few days ago now and she managed to stay away and not come after my life or put her threats into motion.

So what exactly was she planning now?

What could possibly be going on outside that required my presence?

What exactly was she up to this time?

I could feel it in my gut that it wouldn't be good…I at least hoped Ethan would be close by to intervene in whatever she had plotted before it was too late.

“I'll be out in a minute.” I reply, going to the mirror to give myself a once over.

The bags are more prominent than ever, my face even more worn out from all my crying and misery, my hair looking unruly.

Sighing for about the thousandth time today, I quickly pull my once luxurious looking curls that were now suffering from neglect into a high bun, pat my cheeks lightly to give it some color, rearrange my dress and then head out.

Time to face the grim reaper of my existence! Aka, our dearest Aurora.

Dan bows his head in greeting, and we begin to walk.

After a while of me continuing to fiddle with my hands subconsciously, his ever observant eyes catching onto the unease on my face as he glances at me sidelong, he stops walking, forcing me to do the same.

“I can see you have questions Luna, I will answer to the best of my ability.” He breaks the ice, and I'm surprised by his almost friendly tone.

Was this him trying to be nice to me?

It was an appreciated gesture, and I was going to take advantage of it to the most!

If I could get not just Clara on my side, but Dan also, life around here would be slightly less hectic.

“What exactly is going on outside? A hint or two would be nice, so I'll be a bit prepared, don't worry, I won't tell that you spilled the tea with me.” I joke and surprising me once more today, he chuckles lightly.

“The beta organized an evening shift run of sort, everyone in the pack get to shift and run through the woods free, letting our primal side out for a while to enjoy the night, it's more like a bonding exercise.” He explains.

Everyone was expected to shift?

My lungs constrict, my pulse pounding so loud I can barely make out the rest of what he's saying.

Shift? How the hell was I supposed to do that? In front of everyone?

If what he had just said was true, then I was in for a lot more trouble than I had initial thought.

Was this really a pack tradition or had she invented something just to watch me crumble?

The turn of today's events just took an unpleasant turn.