58. A Doctor’s Duty or I Am The Luna Chapter 136 By Moonlight Muse
VALERIE.
Zaia has made her decision.
It wasn’t what I expected or wanted for them, but just the way she respected and had my back when it came to Jai, I will do the same. It’s been three days since and she’s handed the title back to Sebastian.
I’ve chosen to remain here. I know it’s what Jai would have wanted me to do, help rebuild this pack and its homes.
The people here would need me too, especially those who lost loved ones. Zaia will move back to The Crystal Shadow Pack, with the rogue pack being hers she planned to make good use of the lands.
Those rogues who were innocent enough were assigned into packs, and some who wanted to leave were allowed to do so of their own free will.
A few who seemed pretty unhinged were put in isolation for questioning and imprisonment, if need be, including the few who had refused to stand down.
Most of Gerard’s men were captured, and although some killed themselves rather than let themselves be caught, a few were still put into imprisonment.
Talking about imprisonment, Sebastian wanted to give Annalise a proper sentencing, but Zaia had said having her exiled and banishment from any pack in this state was more fitting.
So, after her baby’s birth, she would have to leave, but there was a catch. She would have to wear a tracker for the next three years and would have to report bi-weekly.
Then there was Cara… well, Sebastian had her locked up for coercing someone into sex when they were not of sound mind and also for working with the enemy. She will spend a minimum of five years in imprisonment and if she’s lucky, she might just get to walk away after that.
Turns out she was the illegitimate daughter of Rufus Santoni, someone who had embezzled money from the Toussaint Enterprise many years ago. Well, the apple sure didn’t fall far from the tree.
The car stops and I see Atticus walk over and open the door for me before I can. To think once I found him annoying, I now feel like a lucky girl to have a brother like him.
“Welcome to our pack, Val,” he says, hugging me.
I hug him back. “Thanks. It sure feels weird visiting now.” I chuckle.
“Well, I hope this will be a visit you truly enjoy,” he says. Stepping back, he turns to the two women standing there. The previous Luna, Shelby, his mother and his sister Linette.
Both women are watching me. Shelby is smiling, and Linette simply looks observant. Something tells me she won’t like me so much.
“Mom, Linette, this is Valerie,” Atticus introduces me as I step closer and offer Shelby my hand.
“Valerie! Welcome to The Whispering Mountain Pack!” she exclaims, enveloping me in a powerful hug.
“Thank you, Ms Payne,” I reply, slowly pulling away from her iron grip with a smile. “Linette. Hello.” I offer her my hand, which she takes and smiles.
“Hi, just to let you know, I’m his favourite sister.”
I can’t help but laugh at that. “I’ll remember,” I promise with a chuckle. I look at Atticus, who is smirking in amusement as he watches us.
But I don’t need to be his favourite. What he has done for me is more than I could have hoped for, and he has been there through the rough times.
I truly appreciate him, and I hope one day soon he’ll find a woman who will love him with all her heart.
“Well, I can have more than one favourite, can’t I?” Atticus teases before he puts an arm around both of us, making Linette smile.
“Ok fine, but I’m the better favourite.” Linette persists.
“I’m cool with that,” I reply before Atticus can answer. She smiles at me and although it doesn’t mean much to me, to her, that title does.
Maybe she felt threatened by me? I’m not sure, but if her wanting the title of favourite would help our relationship, I am fine with that.
“Ok, enough of this silliness, come let’s go inside. I have prepared plenty of delicious dishes.” Shelby says, shaking her head at her daughter.
“You or the cook?” Atticus asks, cocking a brow. Linette snickers and I hide a smile as Shelby pouts. “Well, it’s the same thing!” she scolds him.
I think I’m going to like this family. Speaking of, I did talk to Dad about everything, and he was pretty much honest with me, I just wish they had told me earlier…
“Anyway, Valerie, Atticus tells me you are a doctor, so are you like a doctor, doctor? Fully qualified?” Shelby asks me.
“Yes, fully qualified and definitely a doctor, doctor,” I answer with a smile.
“I told you that, Mom,” Atticus adds.
“I’m making conversation. Shush you.” Shelby counters, waving her hand.
I chuckle as I look at Atticus, who is almost pouting and I feel light. Even when we are faced with pain and tragedy, there are moments that lift that burden, and this is one of those.
‘Thank you.’
Atticus looks down at me, that trademark smirk on his face.
‘No need to thank me. That’s what brothers are for.’
I don’t respond, but I don’t think he realises that not all brothers are… just like Zade.
He is nothing to Zaia like Atticus is to me…
(FLASHBACK – TWO DAYS AGO)
“Doctor, he isn’t eating.” One of the men says holding out none other than Zade Toussaint’s file card.
I purse my lips, refusing to let my emotions take over.
“Then let him continue to starve,” I reply, turning away.
“Doctor…”
I close my eyes, not wanting to bother with the one who killed Jai, but a doctor’s duty is to heal all.
“I’ll be there later tonight or tomorrow,” I reply curtly before walking away.
Night had fallen, but I had not gone to check on Zade even though I had the time. Who cares if he dies of starvation? I throw the bag I’m holding to the ground angrily.
He does nothing but invoke rage and hatred within me. I have never hated someone so deeply and passionately as I do Zade. Why did Jai have to die?! Why not Zade?!
Why did the Goddess do this?!
I fall to my knees, my heart breaking all over again. I sit there, trying to control the pain in my chest.
Jai… I didn’t deserve your love…
His blue eyes and his smile come to my mind, making tears burn my eyes.
I don’t know how much time passes before I stand up. Deciding to get this over with and grabbing my coat, I head towards the prison facility.
I flash my badge before I am allowed in.
“Are you here to see prisoner 186?” The Head Guard asks.
I nod, and he leads us through. Zade’s prison isn’t like Gerard’s, nor is it like the one any other prisoner is kept in. It is a cage surrounded by electric wires. Anyone who tries to step through it would be instantly dead, werewolf or not.1
There, in the middle, slumped in the chair, bound with chains, his head hanging back, is Zade.
His body is pure muscle, every ridge and every groove of his abs is carved deep. Chiselled to perfection, but he is far from perfect.
I’m not sure if he’s even awake as he remains unmoving and only when the door is unlocked, and I’m allowed in, do I realise he’s awake.
“If you don’t eat, it shows how much of a coward you are. You wouldn’t be serving your punishment if you died so soon, right?” I say coldly, staring down at the man in the chair. He slowly raises his head and cocks a brow, but like always, he says nothing.
He simply stares at me, his face unreadable, his pale eye creeping me out, and I quickly take out the injection of vital vitamins that would keep him alive even if he is not hungry.
I don’t like the way those eyes are watching me, and my heart begins racing as I approach him.
Stop looking at me!
He blinks almost as if he can sense my rage as I jab the syringe into his neck, in the most tender spot, but he doesn’t flinch, simply continuing to observe me.
My heart clenches. I hate this… I hate seeing him.
I back away from him, but his eyes don’t leave me. I turn, stepping out of the cell, but even then, those eyes follow me…
(END OF FLASHBACK)
I push the painful thought away, not wanting to think of the man who did not accept my rejection. The monster who is my mate.
“Oh, this does smell good,” Atticus says, drawing me from my dark train of thoughts, and those dark thoughts of mine are not for today…
