16. A Rendezvous or I Am The Luna Chapter 94 By Moonlight Muse
ZAIA.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, concerned. The meeting has ended, and we had just gotten home. I immediately called Dad in the car but he had not picked up, making me extremely worried. Sebastian had told me to remain calm, and I was relieved when he had rang back a few moments ago.
“Calm down, Zaia, everything is handled, but you should come down as soon as you can,” Dad says calmly. Why did he sound… different?
“What happened?” I asked. “You said it’s urgent and now you’re saying to calm down?” “We’ll discuss it when you pop down, say tomorrow? Alright?”
Pop down?
That doesn’t sound like Dad, his voice sounds almost indifferent.
“Are you sure tomorrow is ok? I can come down tonight?” I suggest, running my fingers through my hair as I take out some black pants and a fitted black top from my suitcase.
“Yes. You should come tomorrow, take care. He ends the call and I frown down at it. That was… strange.
He didn’t even ask about the children, that… isn’t like Dad.
Is everything ok? Tomorrow… I’ll talk to the boys and Val, and see what they make of it. Putting my thoughts aside, I change swiftly and pull on some boots, ready to meet Olivan and his people. Leaving our room, I head downstairs, the sound of talking reaching my ears.
Three voices?
Bastien, Jai and… is that Atticus?
“Atticus, what are you doing here?” I ask with a smile as I make my way down the stairs, surprised to see him there. He’s standing with Jai and Sebastian, and they fall silent, turning to me.
“I’m coming with you,” Atticus says with a small smirk. “Sebastian himself called me. I look at Sebastian, surprised.
“Oh? How come?” I ask, confused, as I walk over to them, and Atticus gives me a hug that makes Sebastian frown.
“You don’t seem so happy to see me,’ Atticus replies with a small smile. “It’s not that. I’m just curious as to why.” I reply as I look up at Sebastian questioningly.
“Atticus will go with you to the Rogues. I wanted to make sure you have enough backup.” He says to me, his face serious.
“I’m sure you are enough,” I say with a smile. His eyes meet mine before he looks away indifferently.
“I’ll be staying with the children.”
My smile vanishes, and I glance at Jai, who looks a little concerned, but he’s masking it well. I glance back at Sebastian. He isn’t going with me…
My stomach twists and I don’t know why that hurts. It’s not like he told me he’d come with me, but… I was expecting it. “Oh, I… ok, that’s great,” I say, forcing a graceful smile onto my face.
Why am I acting so emotional? I went alone last time. Maybe because he seemed concerned… and I didn’t think he’d let me go alone We are a team.
“Well, you really must be concerned if you called Atticus to accompany me. Although I think I would have been fine alone.” I say smoothly.
“Take care of yourself and I will tell all three of you this one final time. The decision is ultimately yours. Don’t go anywhere with them. They chose the meeting spot. Do not let them dictate the final location. Keep it in the open and stay aware. Trust no one.” Sebastian says before he looks me over.
“I’m sure they won’t be that bad. I mean, they did let Zaia go unharmed.” Jai says.
“Everyone has ulterior motives. I don’t care what happens to anyone but her. Bring her back, safe.” Sebastian says, his eyes cold as he looks at Jai. It was not a comment from friend to friend, but an Alpha’s command to his Beta.
“Understood,” Jai replies with a bow of his head.
“Ok guys, it’s not that serious,” I say lightly before becoming serious and crossing my arms. “I called Dad, he sounded weird… I think something isn’t right, but he’d like us to come tomorrow. I have half a mind to go tonight.”
“Really? What did he say?” Jai asks.
“Let’s discuss that when you return,” Sebastian says. I nod “Alright then, let’s head out now, it’s almost time.” I say, glancing at my watch.
“Take care of yourself,” Sebastian says. I nod as he bends down, kissing my cheek fleetingly before he steps back. Our eyes meet and I give him a smile, wondering when did I become so clingy again?
“Stop here,” I say to Jai.
“Right, this place is anything but safe,” Jai mutters. “We’re prepared. My men are staked all around. I had a feeling they’d watch your pack, so I had mine put in place.” Atticus says, as he fixes his jacket and I see the glint of a gun.
“Smart move,” Jai says.
“I don’t know if it’s a smart move. I frown. “Might have been partially Sebastian’s idea.” He admits reluctantly, making me shake my head.
“Well, remember, no violence,” I warn them. Atticus looks over at me as I’m sitting in the back. “I’ll follow your command.” He winks.
“Right let’s get out,” Jai mutters. “You sure they won’t fuck up the car?” “I don’t think so, but it doesn’t matter. We aren’t returning in this one.” I murmur as he opens the door.
“Sebastian’s idea?” Jai says. “Mine actually, since he was being so paranoid,” I say as we get out, lock the car doors and head to the same spot where I had met Olivan and the other two wolves last time.
There’s silence all around but I’m paying attention, honing in on everything around me, trying to feel and hear for any change in the vibrations beneath us or our surroundings. I can smell others around. They aren’t close, but people are nearby…
I give the boys a small nod as we step into the clearing and stand back-to- back.
“Alpha Olivan?!” I call out. There’s silence for a few moments before I hear a rustle in the trees, and we all turn as Olivan steps out of the trees with two men who I am certain were the two wolves from last time.
They don’t look impressed, their eyes sharp as they assess us. “Alpha Zaia, what a surprise – I had thought perhaps you would change your mind.” He smiles, but there’s a distrusting glint in his eyes as he looks at Jai and Atticus. “I didn’t know you were bringing company.”
“Oh, I have brought Alpha Atticus, who is also part of the Sublime Triquetra and my Beta, Jai, in hopes that you understand what I am trying to do. So together we can discuss our views and what we want for this potential alliance.” I say.
“If we want an alliance,” Olivan says, taking me by surprise, but I keep my emotions hidden.
“Well, as I said, potential alliance. I told you before, that I am willing to do an exchange.” I remind him firmly.
“Of course, let’s go somewhere a little private so we can discuss the terms and what benefits it would bring for both parties,” he says, motioning for me to follow.
“Well, I would like to request if we…” I trail off, knowing that if I did just that…. it would do nothing but cause more hostility between us.
“Yes?” Olivan asks, almost as if expecting me to refuse.
“Say it.” Jai murmurs. “I would like to request we move quickly. There’s plenty to discuss.” I say instead with a small smile. Atticus looks down at me, frowning, clearly not happy with the decision I’ve made.
“Red…”
“Then let’s go.” Olivan smiles as he motions me over. I follow him, and we step into the thick trees. The moonlight disappears, and we are blanketed by darkness, but it doesn’t bother me.
Not anymore. I can see perfectly, and I can sense the people who are hidden. out of sight.
“I am placing my faith in you, Alpha Olivan. We are even entering your forest alone, yet you have men stationed at every corner…” I say with a smile, my eyes glimmering as I let my aura out.
A display of power that although I may be cordial, I am still very much an Alpha who will not tolerate disrespect or betrayal.
“Of course, I understand,” he replies. We walk in silence for several minutes and even I realise they are taking detours and backtracking to confuse us. But I have not lost my sense of direction, the moon that peeps through the trees is enough of a guidance.
They may be trying to protect their own location, but I am beginning to feel a little doubtful about trusting them. Should I have heeded Sebastian’s warning?
Just when I’m about to refuse to go any further, Olivan comes to a stop in front of what looks like a large log cabin. It’s long, and it’s a good size. The windows are covered, but through some cracks, I can see the faint glow of light.
“Ah! Here we are. Come, I apologise for the delay, but we have arrived.” He smiles as he knocks on the door, and they swing open. We’re in what reminds me of a winter lodge. This might be their pack house…
The first thing I notice is a powerful aura coming from the shadows of the room. There’s a man sitting there, his back is to us, a hood pulled over his head, but it’s the aura that intrigues me…
He’s holding a steaming mug in his hand, tattooed numerals cover his fingers, and he wears a few rings.
Who is that?
“Ah, that is my son, come let’s head to my office.” He says, leading me past the sofas and tables. It’s empty… too empty as if they were told to clear out.
I glance at Jai, who gives me a look, clearly telling me he doesn’t trust any of this. I’m not sure if Jai’s men are close anymore, but I hope I’m not wrong and that Olivan will really consider joining hands with us.
Once we are in the office, which isn’t too big. Olivan gestures to me to take a seat in one of the three chairs. He motions Atticus to take the next one, but Atticus shakes his head.
“I prefer to stand.” He says, positioning himself right behind me. “As you wish,” Olivan replies, taking the seat opposite us. “Now what do you have to offer that the Sable Triquetra can’t?”
“Excuse me?” I ask, my heart skipping a beat.
Why did he even bring us all this way just to say that?
“Well, all I can say is, there is nothing that you can offer me that the Sable can’t. So why should I pick the side where a woman is the leader, when they clearly are the winners?” Olivan says as he relaxes back in his seat, making my stomach sink.
Sebastian was right.
“Then you should have told us out there,” Jai snarls, his eyes flashing in irritation. Olivan smiles. “But then, how would I be able to do my part?”
“What-” Atticus stops mid-sentence as a sudden smoke begins filling the room. “Don’t inhale!” he shouts.
Olivan grabs something from under his desk, pulling on a mask as I instantly cover my mouth as smoke fills the room, stinging my eyes and skin.
Jai launches himself across the table, but I pull him back as something smashes through the window, whizzing past our heads before I hear the sound of the gunshot.
Fuck.
We’ve been tricked.
