Chapter 11
I was floating.
For the longest time I felt like I was floating. My body felt weightless in the darkness I drifted in. There was no pain, no thoughts to break me of my peace. Peace.
It was all I sought in life.
It's why I had Diana teach me how to meditate. She helped me overcome my emotions and tame them. She was the one that taught me how to always remain positive and not afraid of kindness and love. There is strength in kindness, and courage in love. It takes a bold person to show true feelings, she would always say.
I missed her.
That confession alone brought back a whole host of memories. I startled awake, blinking and rubbing my eyes as I tried to take in my surroundings. I wasn't in the cell anymore. I was in a hospital of some sorts.
I heard footsteps and the click of the door. A man wearing scrubs stepped in, followed by the white haired elderly woman I saw last time I was awake.
"You're awake," she exclaimed, taking the seat besides my bed. She reached for my hand and instinctively, I pulled it away, wondering what her intentions were.
"How do you feel Luna?" She asked. Feeling the doctor move, I snapped my eyes onto him as he stepped closer to me, looking at the machine besides me that connected to the needle in my arm and the clip on my finger.
"My name's Artemis," I stated. I didn't understand what I was going here. I was a prisoner. Why were they treating me? Were they going to heal me before delivering another punishment to make it more painful?
I wouldn't put it past them to be honest.
I could feel a third presence linger by the door. The powerful aura seeped into the room with a rich scent and I knew instantly who hovered over there. I didn't look at him, instead focusing on the doctor that explained to me he was doubling the dosage to make up for lost nutrients.
"Luna Artemis, how are you feeling?" The woman asked again. She sounded impatient.
"I am no Luna Ma'am, I'm a filthy rogue and a traitor," I kept my voice cool and even as I watched the doctor pull out one needle and insert another in my arm.
I ignored her pitiful look. "Why am I here?" I demanded.
She pursed her lips, reaching for my hand again and this time I let her grasp it in both of hers.
"You're here to build up your strength. My grandson has come to his senses and realised that despite your duties to each other as mates, you both have duties to this pack as leaders," she explained. I furrowed my brows and looked towards the door where her said grandson stood.
He had the decency to look away from my gaze and focused on the spot between his shoes. His hands were tucked into his jean pockets and I could tell he had them clenched in there.
"What are you implying?" I asked, turning back to the old woman.
"What I'm saying is that you will be introduced to the pack shortly. You'll have a list of things you need to do before The Joining Ceremony," she explained, giving me a mischievous smile at the end.
It was at times like these where my lack of pack knowledge and dynamics really showed. I had no idea what this joining ceremony was and asides from birthing pups and being a doting mate, I wasn't sure what other duties a Luna would have. My confusion must have been apparent.
"Oh dear, it looks like there more work I need to do than I thought," the woman muttered to herself. "Alright Keiran, spit out what you wanted to say. I'm going to get myself some water," Much to my horror, she got up and hobbled her way over the door, intent on leaving me alone with him.
Before she left, she turned, eyeing me for a moment and giving the alpha a pointed look. "Be quick and careful, I want her calm and ready for everything I'm going to teach her," she warned. Her words only added to my confusion as she swiftly left the room, shutting the door with a click.
Aurelius stood there in the corner, looking awkward and uncomfortable. He looked up from the invisible spot on the linoleum he was inspecting so intensely and met my eyes when he felt my gaze.
His blue eyes looked darker today, a deep sapphire instead of their usual crystal colour. I could see the exhaustion and the pain swimming in them, and despite all that he did, it hurt me to see him hurt. I wanted to make his pain go away.
The mate bond was to blame.
His inky hair was messy and he had a stubble across his face. The shirt he wore looked worn and the shadows under his eyes spoke of many sleepless nights.
He moved closer to me and I tensed, preparing for the worst. His grandmother told him to be quick and careful and I had no idea what kind of t*****e techniques he'd devise to deliver while we were alone.
"I'm not going to hurt you, you know," he muttered as he took the seat the lady occupied before.
"That means nothing to me Alpha," I hissed. He looked down, looking conflicted for a moment before putting on his usual blank mask.
"I'm sorry," he whispered after a moment of silence. I'm sure the words were supposed to warm my heart and melt away my bitterness, but they did the opposite. The fuelled the fire of my rage and pain, making a part of me itch to get out. I quickly tightened the leash on my beast before replying. "No you're not," I gritted. He looked up at me, surprised with his dark brows furrowed.
"Why would you say that?" He asked defensively. I let out a humourless chuckle and shook my head.
"The smell of your lie is so strong I can taste it in the air," I spat. It was true. His words were not earnest and a part of him disagreed with the words he uttered. He genuinely didn't think locking me up to rot in a cell for two weeks without food and fresh air was wrong.
"Okay. You're right," he leaned back in his chair. His eyes were back to their icy colour and his nonchalant indifference irritated me.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
"You're a coward then. Too afraid to say what you truly feel in front of those you love," I stated, looking down at my bandaged wrists and fiddling with one.
"I do not love you!" He snarled. I looked at him with a raised brow. His eyes looked wild as he bared his teeth at me.
"I was referring to your grandmother," I explained in a 'duh' tone. He dropped his snarl and turned away again. He's a f*****g train wreck.
"We all do things we don't want to because it's our duty. Something you'll learn in the next couple of days," he sneered.
"I'm just going to get one thing straight. There will be nothing between us. Ever. We are strangers forced together by fate and I refuse to give in. This stays between us.
Outside, we are Alpha and Luna of the pack. We serve and protect the pack without uttering a word about our personal lives," he hissed. He had leaned forward during his little speech and he was close enough that I could feel his breath on my face. I closed me eyes and sighed, turning away as I tried to ignore the throbbing pain in my chest.
"And what if I refuse?" I asked, already knowing his answer.
"Then I send you back to the prisons for even worse t*****e," he finished.
His words only confirmed my suspicions and I sighed in defeat, knowing what my choice would be.