Northern Luna

            Esmere POV

            And although Aamon’s words implied I should not be worried about him having an intimate relationship with that woman, his actions greatly contradicted them.

               It has been three days since I last talked to him, and even though we were under the same roof, I haven’t seen him.

               “The alpha has never gone outside his room since the day he arrived. What could he be doing inside the whole three days?” Ophelia said.

               We were in the garden outside the castle with Cecilia at that time.

               Ophelia was right — Aamon has never gone outside his room ever since that day we talked. Rocco was the one who did all the chores he should have been doing.

               And that right-hand man was too loyal — he refused to answer every question regarding the alpha, even if it was me asking.

               “Madam, I believe you talked to the alpha the other day?” Cecilia suddenly let out a question.

               I looked at her and smiled. “Yes.”

               “What did he say about his supposed mate?”

               “He told me that we should not be worried about her existence,” I said reassuringly. “He only brought her here for a while for her safety. She seems to have become a target of the southern pack because of his fated connection to Aamon.”

               “How come the southern pack knew about her existence?” Cecilia said suspiciously.

               “I- I don’t know. He did not tell me,” I answered. “We should have just faith in our alpha.”

               Ophelia then asked worriedly. “Does it mean that she will stay here with us?”

               I smiled at them. “Don’t worry. She will be here only for a moment. Aamon will transfer her to a safe place once he finds one.”

               Cecilia breathed a sigh of relief as she held her chest. “Oh, that’s good. I don’t want you to be in an awkward situation.”

               I let out a gentle laugh and answered, “Don’t worry about me, and also, she has not done anything wrong, so we should do our part in making her feel safe.”

               “You are always so nice, madam,” Ophelia told me. “That’s why I am so proud to be a western werewolf just like you.”

               On the other hand, Cecilia pouted her lips as if she were sulking. “She’s a northern werewolf as well.”

               We were laughing and talking at that time when suddenly we sensed an unusual presence.

               A presence that was so different from a werewolf.

               A human!

               The three of us simultaneously looked at the spot where we had sensed the aura and saw a lone woman standing there.

               She wore a white dress and was looking back at us as well.

               My chest painfully throbbed upon realizing who that woman was.

               It was her — Aamon’s mate.

               “Hey!” she said as she gradually approached us. “I am Elisa.”

               Ophelia, who seemed irritated by the woman’s presence, answered, “She is the northern luna.”

               Elisa smiled confidently and replied, “I know. It’s the reason I approached you.” Then she looked at me and continued, “Hello, Esmere! I have longed to meet you since we will be together here in the castle.”

               She called me by my name only as if we were friends and equals — and in a confident and proud tone.

               The woman continued speaking. “Sorry if I introduced myself too late. I only have the time now since Aamon went away for some alliance meeting.”

               Cecilia and Ophelia gazed at her, astounded.

               I was also surprised. I did not know that Aamon went away — he did not tell me.

               “We just told you she is the northern luna — the alpha’s wife. It would be best if you showed some respect while you are here in the northern land,” Ophelia blurted out.

               Confused, Elisa answered, “But I am a northern luna, too. We are equals.”

               “What?” Cecilia and Ophelia blurted out in surprise.

               “There can only be one luna — the one who has the mark of the alpha. You are not a northern luna,” Cecilia told her as calmly as possible.

               “But I am Aamon’s mate, and that makes me a northern luna,” Elisa protested. “I only came here to the north to be one.”

               And at that time, I was the one who reacted. “What?” I uttered in bewilderment.

               I could not believe that I had heard such words from her.

               She came here to be a northern luna. That was a terrible joke.

               Elisa looked at me with a severe countenance and answered, “Yes. Aamon told me.”

               My heart suddenly thumped so fast.

               It was not my temperament to be easily triggered by nonsensical things, but at that time, I answered, “No. You are only here because the southern pack thinks you are Aamon’s weakness due to your fated connection with him, and you have become their target.”

               “W- what do you mean?” Elisa muttered, seemingly scared by what she had just heard from me.

               “Aamon is currently looking for a safe place for you,” I continued.

               Elisa’s face suddenly became filled with confusion, and that was when I wondered if she even knew her situation.

               Then, after just a few moments, Rocco arrived and saw Elisa. He cried in relief. “Ma’am Elisa. I have been looking all over the castle for you. A human’s presence is weak, so please always stay by my side whenever the alpha is not around.”

               But when he realized Elisa was standing there with me, Rocco’s expression became uncomfortable. “Madam?” he said upon looking at me.

               I gazed at him and asked, “I didn’t know that Aamon went away, and why aren’t you with him?”

               “Madam,” he answered in an awkward voice. “I am in charge of guarding Ma’am Elisa while the alpha is not around.”

               “But she will be safe here even when you are not here,” I said.

               Rocco stroked his throat before answering. “Yes, but the alpha has ordered me to show her the castle and attend to her needs.”

               On the other hand, Elisa was just standing there. She seemed to be really shocked by what I had just told her about being the southern pack’s target.

               Rocco lowered his head and told me, “We will be leaving first, madam.” Then he immediately took Elisa away.

               I was left there with Cecilia and Ophelia.

               “Let’s get some rest, madam,” Cecilia told me upon noticing my unpleasant expression.

               I agreed, and while walking to my room, I couldn’t take Elisa’s words off my mind.

               “I only came here to the north to be a luna.”

               What the hell did Aamon say for her to utter such a remark?

              

~~

               That night, I was soundly sleeping in my room when suddenly I was awakened by a loud banging on the door.

               I immediately stood up from the bed when I saw someone had forcefully opened it.

               That presence. I couldn’t be wrong.

               My heart almost jumped out of my chest when I saw Aamon emerge from the door and tell me, “I need to talk to you, Esmere.”

               He told me that in such an angry voice.