18. A Truth I Hate or I Am The Luna Chapter 96 By Moonlight Muse
VALERIE.
“Why didn’t you go with them?” I ask Sebastian. He has been sitting on the sofa, on edge the entire time, a deep frown on his face and his aura is overwhelming. Even the children kept their distance from him and so I had taken them upstairs quickly.
Although I myself have been channelling my aura and trying to draw on it, it is still not as strong as his, although I am part of the triquetra.
However, I have been working on drawing upon it, trying to become one with my inner strength, but Sebastian… He sits there with this effortlessly deadly aura that sends a chill down my spine. How in touch with his wolf is he?
He’s angry. Although he says nothing, I can sense it, clinging to him like the shadows cling to the dark corners of a room. He doesn’t respond to my question, and I walk over to him.
I have just put the children to bed, but I am concerned. Why do I feel there’s more to his mood than the others going and why didn’t he go with them?
“The Alpha Sebastian I know wouldn’t let Zaia out there alone,” I say quietly, taking a seat on the sofa opposite him and crossing my legs.
His piercing eyes turn to me. “You have been out of it for several years. You don’t know me, nor do you know Zaia.”
His words sting but I’m not a fool. “Oh, I beg to differ. I know my girl. She is brave, loving, and strong. I know she can handle this, but I also don’t see you letting her go alone.”
“I didn’t let her go alone. She has company.’ “It’s not the same as you going with her, and you know that,” I say, watching him sharply. “We all know how dangerous this meeting is.”
Our eyes meet and I feel uneasy. “You are a smart woman, Valerie. Why are you trying to push me for an answer you already know?” he replies coldly, and his words are like a weight suddenly dropped upon me, making me feel dread. No… I refuse to believe anything else…
I stare at him, now realising he’s in turmoil…
“You’re-”
“You’ve been working on a cure for Sia? Tell me how far have you gotten?” he cuts in.
I look down, hating that I haven’t gotten anywhere. Everything I’ve sampled on her blood has only attacked her other cells. I’ve reached out for help, but so far there is nothing…
“My point exactly, and we both know that her health will only get worse. I don’t care if I’m selfish or not. Nothing matters more to me than my children and my woman.” He replies, his voice so calm, yet equally terrifying.
“If you do this… it will break Zaia, your woman.” I remind him, my heart thudding. “You don’t want to hurt her, do you?”
“No. But like you said, Zaia is brave and strong… right now, my priority is Sia. Even Zaia needs Sia to be healthy.”
“At what cost will you do this?” I whisper. I do understand… but will Zaia be able to handle it or will it break her?
She had just opened her heart to him again. I may not have been around, but I know she must have suffered. If he breaks her trust again…
“I know, we all want Sia to be better… but perhaps tell Zaia you have a plan to “There is no plan, no façade, I will get that antidote for Sia. Because as long as she has her children… Zaia will be fine.”
My heart breaks as I stare at him, it breaks for Zaia.
“I am going to say this, and I hope you understand and listen. We may not be friends, and I don’t mean any disrespect, but don’t do anything foolish or dangerous.” I plead. My voice is strong and I’m trying to hide the desperation I’m beginning to feel. We can’t split! We are a team! All of us! ”
She also needs you. She lost all trust in you and yet she let you in once more. If you do this again, you will-”
“Lose her forever? Maybe.”
My eyes sting, my heart clenching. This isn’t even my love story…
“She’s staying strong because you are by her side.” I try again. He scoffs and shakes his head. “No, she’s staying strong, because she IS strong. That is the end of the discussion. Make sure that this conversation stays between us.”
“What do you mean by that? You know I can’t hide anything from Zaia, I will tell her!” I exclaim as he stands up and I stand up myself, blocking his path as I push him back, but he doesn’t even budge.
“I mean what I said, If you don’t do as I say, it will only hurt Zaia. So keep this between us because I’d rather she be angry than…” “Than broken?” I finish, glaring up at him accusingly, my heart thundering with anger. She’ll break if I don’t!
“Yes, I will get you the antidote, and you are not to tell Zaia where it came from.” He replies quietly.
I swallow.
He’s going to do exactly what I know is Zaia’s deepest fear.
He’s going to join them… the Sable…
No. No. “NO!” I shout. He glances upwards, clamping a hand over my mouth, his eyes blazing.
“The children are asleep.” He says coldly. “You have no option. Tell Zaia and she will only become weak. They need to know and believe that I have chosen without an incentive to become one of them… Zaia’s reaction needs to be genuine.”
There’s an urgency in his voice as if he needed me to understand that.
“This is for my little girl. She’s barely lived… she deserves to experience life to its fullest. She doesn’t deserve to be pulled away from this world so soon. Do you understand?”
He releases my mouth, but I’m unable to reply.
I know what he means…
She won’t live long… we all know that even if Zaia is trying her best….
Sia… our little princess….
“I can’t lie to her.” I plead once more, but there’s no power behind my words any longer.
I understand him…
“You will.” His eyes flash as his alpha command rolls off of him. I frown and although I feel strong enough to defy it to an extent, it still weighs upon me. I’ll leave it to you to decide what you will do… but remember this can cost Sia if anything happens to my little girl…”
He leaves his threat open, and I know I can’t risk it. I too have found nothing. We do need the antidote…
I’m about to reply when we hear the door open and instantly, we both step away from one another. “Anyone there!” Atticus shouts, and I quickly rush to the hallway.
“Valerie!” Zaia’s panicked voice comes just as I round the bend and the sight of both her and Atticus supporting a bloody Jai makes my heart stop.
Fear washes over me and for a moment, time stands still.
No. “Jai!” I rush to his side, cupping his face. His eyes flutter, sweat coating his forehead as he looks at me through half -closed eyes.
Please be ok! He’s bleeding a lot, there’s a makeshift bandage around his chest and waist and it’s drenched in blood..
“Why didn’t you take him to a hospital?” I ask, my heart thumping.
“We were followed,” Zaia explains, helplessly. “You can do this,” Sebastian says to me and I nod despite the fear inside. I don’t have much here!
“Bring him to the dining table!” I command. “I need clean water, bandages and I need to stitch him up!”
I rush to get some supplies, my heart beating as everyone rushes to get me what I need. Goddess! Let him be ok! I return to his side as they bring everything I need.
“How did he get hurt? What happened?” I ask as Zaia stands beside Jai’s head, her aura swirling around her as if she’s concentrating on something. Sebastian is watching her intently, but she’s too focused on what she’s doing.
“He was shot, and as you can see, a wolf managed to get his claws into him,” Atticus says, running his fingers through his hair. Sebastian rips open Jai’s shirt for me fully and I begin wiping the blood so I can take a better look.
My breath catches in my throat as I stare down at the three deep gashes along his flank, but there are also two other wounds.
Focus Valerie, Jai needs you to be in a proper mindset right now. You are the only one who can help him!
“I will need to remove the bullet first,” I say, having no other option, the table is already a bloody mess. “I don’t have anaesthesia, give him something to bite down on.”
Sebastian puts a thick strip of cloth in Jai’s mouth. I pull my gloves on and begin probing for the bullet, making Jai groan. I’m shaking slightly.
This is Jai… my Jai…
You have a steady hand, Valerie, you can do this! He’s been there for me… I have to be there for him. I have to repay the favour I owe him. I have to…
My breath hitches as I hear his heartbeat slow down.
“Jai! Stay with us!” I scream.
“Jai, listen to me.” Sebastian growls, ” Look at me.”
Jai groans, but I can tell from his eyes he’s losing focus. “What happened?” Sebastian asks, his voice sharp.
“It was a trap.” Atticus begins. “But it was handled. Zaia killed the Alpha of the Rogues and she’s now… wait. You said you felt the shift in power, right?”
“Yes,” Zaia says, her aura still swirling around her as she stares down at Jai as if willing him to be alright.
“He said he had a son. If he had a son, then…” Atticus trails off. “Fuck!”
I glance up, my heart pounding, but I’m unable to understand. “If he had a son, he would have become Alpha… not me… He wasn’t his son… he must have been one of the Sable.” Zaia says quietly. “That aura…”
“Was a red flag.” Atticus growls. “So, you didn’t listen to my advice and went with them,” Sebastian says quietly. His voice is low, but I can tell he’s angry. “Jai, better be alright. We’ll discuss this later.” With those words, he turns and storms out of the room.
“Keep talking to him! Please!” I say to the two that remain, both are covered in blood, and I can tell it’s not just Jai’s They both have some minor cuts and bruises, but it’s nothing like Jai.
I take a deep breath as I focus on getting the bullet out of him. Twenty minutes later, I slump into one of the dining chairs, resting my head on the table. I have removed the bullet and managed to stitch him up. Luckily, no vital organ was penetrated, but he was still wounded deeply.
My hands are trembling and I stare down at them. They’re coated in blood. Zaia wraps her arm around me. “You did it, he’s going to be ok.” She promises me. I look up into her eyes. They’re shining with unshed tears.
“I hope so,” I whisper.
Life really is short…
I stare at his body on the table, now bandaged, but he still needs to be wiped down, the blood stains are a reminder of his injuries.
“I’m sorry.” She says, and I shake my head. “No, it isn’t your fault,” I say. She looks down and I know she’s holding herself responsible, and Sebastian’s reaction didn’t help either…
She moves away and I stare vacantly at Jai, who is breathing heavily, but at least his heart is steadier…
His words return to me, and I realise I really can’t tell her… we can’t lose Sia…
I look at Jai. I’d do anything for him… anything…
“I’ll take him to his room. He might be more comfortable there?” Atticus offers softly. “He’s going to be ok, the hard part is done, Doctor.”
I’ve never liked him, but I have to admit he isn’t too bad. I nod.
“Let’s hope so,” I reply quietly. The risk of him going into a coma is still high. “Let me just clean him up a little. Then we can move him.” I add, standing up to get some water, only to see Zaia returning with towels and a bowl of water.
She smiles sadly, through the blood streaks on her face, and I smile back, hoping she doesn’t beat herself up over this. This was not her fault.
Goddess… I have never asked for much, but tonight… tonight I ask that you don’t cause my friends any more pain…. please.
I soak one of the towels in warm water, wringing it out before I gently place it on Jai’s face. Wiping away the streaks of blood, the strong smell of coppery blood remains. A reminder of the dangers we are facing.
I gaze down on his sleeping form; he hurt me once… but… if he wakes up, I promise I’ll forgive him. So please goddess, let him wake up soon.
