Chapter 10 - The unveiling

“Yes, Ombra Nera.”

“Shhh!!!” His eyes darted to the door, then the window. “Don’t say that name.”

I froze.

“They’re dangerous,” he whispered. “Their people could be anywhere. Anyone.”

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. 

“Are you… one of them?” he studied me like he could see through my skin.

I shook my head so fast, I almost got a whiplash. “No, I promise. I only heard it from my brother yesterday.”

The suspicion in his eyes vanished. He bent over his work again, voice dropping to a rasp. “They’re the shadow people. Deadly. They kill for sport.”.

“Please, what are they?My brother….”

He shook his head, looking at me in pity. “No one involved leaves the Ombra Nera alive. It’s not a dance club. It’s a mafia, bound by blood, loyal to each othher, ” he added.

I recoiled sharply. 

Outside, the guards’ shadows shifted across the shop window.

I swallowed hard.

Mafia?

——

Ombra Nera, Italian for “Black Shadow”, was a criminal underground group, tightly knit and bound by blood, ran both legal and illegal operations across the city and beyond.

 According to Mr Perri, my “brother” could do nothing to save himself if he had already gotten entangled with them and wanted to leave. 

Good thing he didn't exist.

No one knew if the Ombra Nera was led by one person or by a group of people but one thing was sure. Whoever was in charge kills for sport.

I kept my questions simple. As far as I could tell, Mr. Perri didn’t know about werewolves, or that I was one, so I couldn’t ask directly about Open Creek.

“Do they normally hurt or get involved with humans?” I asked. He shot me a look and I quickly corrected myself. “We... the civilians…. I mean.”

 “Usually, no. But lately, they’ve seizing lands, properties. Even going as far as–” he suddenly stopped talking and stared at a spot behind me. 

 I followed his gaze to see Nigel walking into the shop. “Ma'am, we have to leave now,” he said, careful not to address me by my newly forced title.

Mr. Perri snipped the thread and held out the jeans. “Just in time. Hold on, I’ll get your change…”

“That’s okay. Thank you for your help,” I replied, rushing out the door with Nigel hot on my tail before Mr Perri could stop me.

 It was only when we were back on the road that a thought dawned on me. 

“Wait!” I said, causing the driver to step hard on the brakes, the tires screeching.

 “Do you think we can drive through my former pack? I’d like to catch a glimpse of my Grannie. Nothing funny, I promise.” 

A nagging thought reminded me that I had no clue where she was staying but I pushed it away. 

They shared a look. I cleared my throat and tried again. After all, I was their Luna. “Let's drive through my former pack, I won't be getting out of the car.”

“My apologies Luna, but Alpha Romano's instructions were clear; to the town square and back to the pack.”

I opened my mouth to argue but changed my mind. They would probably rather tie me up than go against their beloved Alpha. 

I caught Nigel glancing back at me from the corner of his eyes. He thought I would try to run away, and frankly, I thought so too but I knew better.

I eyed them both suspiciously. Were they also of Ombra Nera too? 

The thought gnawed on me all the way back.

Was that why Enzo suddenly accepted me as his mate? Some hidden connection I didn’t know? Or just coincidence?

“Luna?” The drivers voice pulled me out of my thoughts.  “We're home.” 

 I looked out the window to the mansion in front of me. Home? I almost scoffed. What a joke! Romano Crest was a cage, no home.

I grabbed my bag and hurried inside. In Open Creek, one pack house held us all together. Here, the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and endless guards crowded around the mansion, while families filled the estate in separate houses.

Later, lying in bed beneath the high ceiling, the thoughts returned. 

If Alpha Romano belonged to a mafia, did that mean every member of his pack was a part of it too? Or was he hiding that part of his life from others? 

I was grateful he had gone on his trip. It could have been difficult to control my tongue at dinner. 

Sofia crossed my mind. She didn't look like she would be a part of something so despicable. But who was I kidding? We're werewolves, it was in our nature to be despicable.

“Luna?”

 I jolted upright. Chayil stood at the foot of my bed, a food trolley between her hands.

“Chayil! What are you doing here?”

She blinked rapidly. “I knocked several times, and even called out, but you didn't respond. I was worried something had happened.”

 “Oh!” 

“I'm alright, I must have just fallen asleep,” I forced a smile, even though I knew my face betrayed me. 

——

The following day, I headed the garden for the first time with Nigel tailing me as usual.

I couldn't help but wonder if Nigel was a part of the mafia too. Mr. Perri’s words echoed ….”bound by blood, loyal to each other”. If I asked, he’d never answer.

 “Ombra Nera,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

 “What?” He said, turning to look at me.

 “Ombra Nera,” I repeated, clearer this time, watching his face for any reaction or even a response.