Chapter 7

Neriah

I sat still on the bed, staring at Tina as she carefully placed the food box on the small table. I could tell she’s a happy woman and Beta Sylas is taking good care of her from the way she’s acting. 

“You’ve really lost so much weight, Luna.” she said, more like gazing at my body. “You need to eat to gain back your strength.” 

I nodded, “Yes,” I muttered, trying hard not to say much not to notice the difference. 

She smiled as she wheeled the food tray table closer to the bed, the wheels squeaking softly as she pulled it toward my laps and adjusted it to level with my chest. 

“I brought something light because of your stomach, Luna.” she said, opening the food box carefully, as if there’s something that could spill.

She put a steamy bowl of chicken broth on the tray, unwrapped the bread rolls, and placed a plate of sliced apple and pear on the side of the tray. 

My stomach growled loudly, reminding me I hadn't eaten properly for days – I barely had anything good to eat since the coronation day. 

“I understand Luna.” she muttered slowly, as if she caught me hiding my flushed face. “I mixed the chicken broth with herbs, it will give you strength and help you feel calm. You can only eat the bread rolls if you have the strength to chew it. As for the fruit, you can eat them if you’re still hungry,” she felt like a mother begging her baby to eat.

“T....thank you, Tina,” I whispered softly. “It smells good.” 

I hesitated at first, but I carefully picked a spoonful of the broth, wondering if my stomach would take since I've not eaten for days. When I finally started it, I discover the soup s rich and warm, soothing my dry throat and filling the emptiness in my stomach. The genuineness in preparing the food felt like a dream to me. It was like nothing I ever had. 

But I barely take ten spoons when my stomach churned and before I knew it, I felt like vomiting.  

Quickly, Tina helped me to the bathroom where I vomited the little I had taken. I felt really bad because I know it must have taken a lot for her to prepare so I stayed back, she noticed this and smiled. 

“Don't force yourself, Luna, you’ve been through a lot already.” she patted my back, helping me back to the bed.”I also can’t take soup for now because I can't stomach it because I'm preg…..” 

She froze, eyes shifting towards me. 

“When you what?” I faked not hearing her well. 

“I…” her lips trembled. “I’m pregnant, Luna. but like I said, one spoon is enough for you.” 

“Congratulations, Tina.” I said, even though my insides were turning. I felt so jealous and wished I knew I was pregnant a few days ago. Maybe I would have protected it from Alina, Lorelei and my father. Maybe things would have been different if I knew earlier. I feel so bad that the people who took my baby from me are my so called family. 

She’s really lucky to have a good mate who takes care of her. I thought until she said. 

“But I don’t want to keep it.” she said, voice low, laced with regret. 

“Why?” I asked. 

“I was still in school when I found Sylas, four months ago and we agreed not to have babies for now, but we just can’t stay away from each other and Sylas doesn't want me to go back to school.”  

I felt like shouting at her, but I controlled my anger. “Have you spoken to him about it?”

“No,” she nodded. 

“Then talk to him first, don’t make the mistake of losing your baby.” I said, more like begging. I felt the urge to say more, but stopped myself, knowing my past is dead as long as I'm in this pack. 

“Thank you, Luna. You always have a way with your words. I’ll speak with Sylas about it, hopefully we'll agree on something.” 

I nodded, feeling sorry for her, knowing she would eventually choose her baby because Sylas won't let her go. 

I felt Tina’s gaze on me again, and my heart skipped a beat. It was as if I knew she was going to ask about it.

“What really happened that night, Luna?” she started, while I froze. 

“I don’t know what happened that night, I’m even just finding out that your luna was kidnapped.” I screamed in my mind. 

“We talked till late in the night before you retired to your room. So who could have entered your chamber and kidnapped you? Am I the only one that thinks it's someone close that did that?” 

“I don’t remember much about that night. My memory about that night is just blank” I rubbed my temples as if trying to remember. She seemed to catch me struggling because she said.  

“Don’t worry, I know Alpha will get the culprit.”

I nodded quickly, “Yes, he's working on it already." 

She studied me for a moment, as if trying to figure out if anything had changed in me.

After some time, Tina left and I was left alone. 

Feeling bored and curious about how big Moonveil hospital which I've only ever heard it's rumor is, I stepped out of my VIP room, using the IV pole to support myself and wandered down the hallway. 

 The hospital was built in a circular design, each hallway bending to the next. From one corner of the balcony, I looked down and saw how big the hospital is – doctors rushing with clipboards in their hands, nurses wheeling carts, using different machines to treat patients and people moving from one section to the other.  

The hospital in Redmoon could barely contain fifty people, including the doctor and nurses. But this place looks like it can swallow a thousand people, which look very strange to me. 

I stood there for some time, admiring everything I saw, until my legs reminded me I wasn’t too strong. 

I turned to the same corner I passed while leaving my room, but I immediately regretted my decision. About five people were standing in front, and they saw me. I was still wondering if they know me when someone spoke.  

“Luna?” a woman gasped.

I froze. I should have known better than to leave my room. Now there was no way to hide, no matter what I did. 

“Luna, how are you feeling?” 

“Luna, it’s good to see you again.” 

“We missed you, Luna.” 

Before I knew it, more people were coming closer to greet me. 

They kept calling me Luna, bowing their heads, smiling while I felt like the ground should swallow me. The scene where Callen humiliated me at the park square flashed through my memory and I felt dizzy. 

No, this is too much for me. My chest was beating very fast, my hands trembling, sweat forming on my head as I stayed there. I didn’t know what to do or how to answer them. I could only bow, hoping they leave me alone.

Just then, a warm, smoky scandalwood scent filled the air, strong arms slid around my waist and pulled me closer. I didn’t need to look up before I knew it was Jasper. 

A cold shiver ran down my spine from the touch. 

Everywhere turned silent, while I leaned on him to support myself. 

“Good evening, Alpha.” They greeted him.

 Jasper smiled, but I could feel his grip tightening on my waist.

“Thank you for welcoming Luna.” his deep voice echoed through the hallway. “But she has to go now. She’s been walking for a while and she needs to rest.” 

“Get well soon, Luna.” Someone said, others nodded as Jasper led me back to the room. 

The moment he shut the door, he pulled his hand away from my waist as if it's burning him. 

My stomach churned, I knew I was in trouble. 

“We are going home, now,” he said, voice low and sharp, leaving no room for questioning.