"We need to talk," Madeline said as she barged into my room, Lucas close behind her.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "You're right. We do."
"I can't believe you would say that about Amaya!" Madeline yelled.
"I would say the same thing about you," I said to her. "You know very well why I can let her take Aimee's place."
"She's your mate! It was her place in the first instance!" Madeline protested.
"I can't let her be my mate and you know the reason why! We can't trust her!" I argued.
Madeline scoffed. "You don't know that."
"How long are you going to deny the facts?!" It was my turn to tell.
Lucas raised his hand. "Can someone please tell me what is going on?"
Madeline huffed, throwing herself onto the couch in the room. I glared at her before turning to my oblivious subordinate.
"Madeline suggested that since Aimee isn't around, I marry Amaya for the alliance instead," I spat bitterly.
"What?" Lucas shouted. "That's crazy! Why would you do that?"
"I can't believe that you are so ungrateful," Madeline yelled at me. "If you can't trust her, at least trust the Moon!"
"Not at the risk of my pack," I hissed. "You think that I'm happy to see that my mate is behind all of this? Can't you see how this will ruin us? She almost revealed our identity today!"
"That's because you provoked her. You said she is stupid!"
"I don't want her Madeline. For me nor for the pack. Why can't you just understand that?" I asked her. "You know what? This discussion is over."
I was still seething even after that. I never imagined Madeline would do that. It was obvious that Lord Bailey never thought of offering Amaya. If it came to that, I would have no choice but to accept. I cannot blame them for what happened to Aimee and insisting on her would be unreasonable. As it is, there are some who are beginning to doubt us. If we don't fix this, we won't be welcome her and all our efforts would have been for nought.
"How did she know?" Madeline asked even though she was still sulking. "About the silver."
I massaged my temples as I remembered her taunts.
"Allergic, maybe?" she had said with a knowing grin.
"How else?" I huffed. "They probably did a bunch of research on us. I think they might have used silver on the pups."
"Weapons made of silver, specifically meant for us," Lucas mumbled. "That's a lot to think about. I mean, they don't make those here. They have no reason to. They already make enough money from the silver we buy. That can only mean someone supplied silver to those rebels."
"I wish we could tell Henry about our find bit I distrust any mode of communication here," I said. "I need to get back, fast. The biggest threat isn't here but back home. Bringing us here bought them more time."
"Maybe that's what they wanted," Lucas pointed out.
"So that means Amaya is off the hook?" Madeline asked.
"Of course not," I snorted. "She is connected to those pups. We searched her room and detected the scent of the pups. A few other servants here are in on it too but it's hard to be sure."
"Have you asked Lin?" Madeline said to Lucas.
"She doesn't know anything. She did tell me that sometimes, Amaya snuck out of the house a couple of nights. No one knows where she went though, or what she did. She hasn't left since we arrived though," Lucas answered.
"Do you think you can ask her?" I asked Madeline.
"I could but I don't like the idea," she pouted.
"I never asked for your opinion," I snapped, annoyed at her again. "Just do as I say."
"I will, if you promise to stop treating her like trash. Do you have any idea how much you're hurting her?" Madeline bargained.
I squeezed my eyes closed. "I don't want to know."
"I'm sorry, I keep getting bits and pieces of this part of the conversation. Is Amaya your mate, Alpha?" Lucas inquired.
I only sighed in reply. He sat down on the couch next to Madeline, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Your mate is that witch?!" he asked and I flinched at the insult. "But that doesn't make sense! I mean, she's human!"
I frowned. "What?"
"I'm surprised, that's all," Lucas shrugged defensively.
"What did you say?" I insisted.
"That she's human, isn't she?" Lucas repeated.
I placed my hands on my head. "This is a joke."
"Did I say something wrong?" Lucas said.
"No, I just never realised that she is a human," I whispered. "She can't be my mate."
"That's just an excuse!" Madeline argued. "The Moon paired you for a reason!"
"Maddie, how do you think she is going to fit in with the rest of us when she is human? How is she going to be my Queen? How is she going to bear my heir?!" I asked, each question feeling like a stab to the heart.
Madeline was quiet before she came up with a reply. "Well, how was Aimee going to do it? How did Lin do it?!"
"Thats different!" I said, even though I wasn't sure how.
"He's right," Lucas backed me. "Lin and I are different. I don't have a high rank so my wolf won't overwhelm her, neither will our pup. An alpha on the other hand, in fact, and alpha king is another matter."
"You just don't want to give her a chance. She's our rightful Luna!"
"I'm starting to get a headache, Maddie. I need a nap before the meeting tomorrow morning. You know I'll never get any sleep on the ship," I mumbled, the conversation taking a toll on me. "We will discuss the specifics tomorrow."
"Aren't you going to eat first?" Madeline asked after Lucas left.
I shook my head. "I'm fine."
I wasn't.
I kept seeing the pain and anger on Amaya's face when I called her out earlier. I never meant a word I said. Amaya was as beautiful as she was smart. She was very observant but preserved. She knew more than she let on. In fact, she let others think the worst of her. If anything, she was so much better than Aimee.
She would make a perfect Luna.
But no. I knew the truth behind her beautiful face. Three months ago, twenty-five pups were abducted from their homes without a trace. Intense investigation led us here, to the Southside. Our spies had done a bit of digging before we arrived. The culprit hid in Lord Bailey's home without either lord or lady knowing. We traced it to the nanny, Ms Angel, a couple other maids and eventually, Amaya. I had gone to see who had behind it all as soon as I arrived, only to discover that it was my mate. I was both hurt and angry. The longer we stayed here, the more we had on her. We just needed her to lead us to their hideout.
However, a lot of things didn't make sense, especially with today's attack. The rebels kidnapped Lady Aimee as an act to sabotage our alliance. Amaya had spoken of us colonising them so could she have wanted to break the alliance? Could that also have been why she had been trying to seduce me? Was she trying to get Aimee to decline the alliance, but it didn't work out?
And how did they get the weapons? Could Amaya disclose our identity to the Southsiders?
I did not get much sleep that night. It was a relief when morning finally came. I would feel much better going back home. A hard, long run was the first thing on my list as soon as I got back. I just needed to get through this last meeting and leave. I would leave enough skilled men to find the pups and find out more back home.
"Hey, sleep well?" Madeline greeted as I left my room and began heading for the conference room.
I shook my head, yawning in exhaustion. "Not at all."
"I'm sorry about yesterday. I know every decision you make affects the pack so you want to be careful. I'm sorry you have to be in this situation. I just want you to be happy," she told me, giving me a side hug and kissing my cheek.
"It's okay, Maddie. I know it was pure instinct to stand up for your Luna. I don't blame you. Let's just focus on getting home. I miss my niece," I said, dragging her along as she laughed.
Tension was thick when we arrived but I just endured it. This was our last day anyway. We just needed this to end quickly. Amaya had arrived earlier than us, hunkered over some book with a pencil in hand. She looked at me as soon as I arrived. The bond was affecting her, but how? Duke Lansbury approached her and muttered something to her. She was on the other side of the room and with the noise, I could not hear what they said to each other. I could only hear her laugh as the elderly man smiled at her before he left.
"I have very unfortunate news to share," Lord Bailey said as soon as he had arrived. "The rebels attacked Hack City and have claimed the city. We have refugees fleeing from their homes towards other towns for shelter."
Lucas leaned close to me and whispered, "Are we really going to leave them like this?"
I did not reply. Instead, I watched as Amaya whispered something into her father's ear. What was so different now? Why was she getting so involved now? The two seemed to have a slight argument between them.
"Father and I can't agree," she said for the rest of the room to hear. "But it is important not to allow any of these refugees into the towns."
A lot of people disagreed with her. "They won't survive on their own!"
"They could be slaughtered!"
"We had said a lockdown is best and that will not change for anything," Amaya calmly said. "Instead, we can set up a refugee camp for them."
"Bringing refugees in will increase the number of people to fight," Baron Siphles argued.
"Or, this will result in spies in the towns. They could attack from the inside. We saw what they did to us. Polluting our water supply and raiding our food. They managed to attack two places in one night. They have the numbers and we can never match them," Amaya pointed out.
"But how do we feed these refugees? Where will they go?"
"Food and medical supplies arrive in two days time. We will ration those for them," Duke Lansbury offered.
Was he on her side?
"We will deliberate on his matter further. For now, we need to settle our case with Mr. Kennedy before he leaves," Lord Bailey said. "We need details on the assistance you are willing to provide us with."
I leaned forward, not pleased with what I was about to tell them. "In addition to food and medical supplies, the number of men we can provide with are fifty, give or take. Considering the skill and experience they have, they can be considered to be more than two hundred of your people. After further consideration, I will consult with my generals and find out how many more I can send out here."
The murmurs that accompanied made me feel ashamed of myself. Was this the best I had? My pack was loyal to me. However, coming out here, where there were weapons that could kill them, was asking for too much. If I had been mated to Aimee, they would have wanted to assist a little bit more. However, my hands were tied.
"Can Amaya still... Is that option still option?"
"DAD!"
"You must understand our position, Mr Kennedy," Lord Bailey begged. "I know Amaya might not be what you expected but she is beautiful, intelligent and wise, and a daughter I never deserved. Could we still make another arrangement?"
Amaya had stormed out, leaving her Father looking grief stricken. I pursed my lips as what I did not want to happen had occurred. With how hopeless and broken these people were, I did not have the heart to say no.
"Your daughter does not seem to agree to it. I would hate it if we were forcing this on her," I tried to bargain.
He shook his head. "She was just surprised. She'll come around, I'm sure of it."
"In that case, I cannot say no," I relented. "I'm sure we'll have more to discuss soon."
With that out of the way, the room was much lighter and the meeting concluded after I promised to bring in reinforcements. My mood had soured but I suspected that I was not the one who had these feelings. I gritted my teeth and fisted my hands as I realised how slowly, but surely, our bond was growing, no matter how hard I tried to deny it.
"Mr Kennedy, a few words please," Lord Bailey said as he led me to his office. "I know you are rushing for your ship. I won't take too long. I just had to discuss the issue regarding Amaya."
"Of course," I agreed as I sat down.
"It's last minute and you might not be pleased, neither is Amaya in all honesty. I'm afraid this is all for my selfish gain. Losing Aimee has been quite the scare. I intend to protect my family to the best of my abilities. I already failed with Aimee but I need to make sure I do not do the same with Amaya. I'm hoping she'd be safer with you in the North," he expressed. "Please take care of my daughter."
I leaned back into my seat. "Are you sure she agrees to this? This might be political but her consent matters as well."
"I am sure you are aware of her infatuation with you that she had no shame in showing. Leaving home might have made her anxious but I can assure you that my daughter never removes her mind from what she has set it to," he said, smiling. "She'll be a handful for a while but you'll manage. She knows how to be stubborn just as much as she knows how to love."
"She needs time and I am afraid I cannot give her that, especially since I can no longer postpone my departure. Are you sure she will be alright?" I asked again.
He hummed. "I'm sure she won't be. I might need to check up on her and make sure she is not throwing a tantrum and that her mother has not found out. But really, thank you so much for your support."
I was waiting by the car over an hour later, impatiently tapping my foot. We had done all our packing and most of the Northerners had left. I wanted to give her time but I also did not want to miss the ship. I was also a bit worried because of what I was feeling, a snippet of her emotions. They were overwhelming and heart crushing. Did she hate leaving with me that much?
"Maddie, please go check on Amaya," I asked Madeline after another hour, deciding that I had had enough.
"We shouldn't rush her, Midas. This must be so hard for her," Madeline said, probably because she wanted to keep playing the game on her phone.
She relented after I glared at her for a full minute, grumbling as she went. Half an hour after that, no one had come back. I guess you need to do some things on your own. Finding Amaya's room was easy. I had to follow the commotion as well as the tug to my heart. How was our bond developing when we were not doing anything to result in that?
"Come on Amaya. You're going to be fine, I promise," someone chastised, to which a sobbing response followed.
"Oh, you're here," Madeline said when I reached the door. "Its probably a bad idea. She hates you right now."
I ignored her and proceeded to knock on the door. "Amaya, it's time to leave. If you don't open the door in five seconds, I'm breaking it down."
I expected her to open the door after that but she ignored me. I sighed and shook my head. This only meant trouble for me. I did as promised, using my shoulder to break the door open, only to find her room empty, and thrashed. I was slowly becoming a ticking time bomb, my homesickness, her emotions radiating to me and annoyance at Amaya adding to that. I followed her scent, heavy with peaches and morning dew, with a hint of saltiness of tears.
"Do I have to break down this door as well?" I asked her, to be answered by shouts and curses, muffled by the door and her crying.
However, I felt a slight dizziness before I heard silence from the other side of the door. Something was wrong. I put in a lot of force to break down the bathroom door, which turned out to be much stronger, only to find Amaya passed out on the floor. Madeline and the other maid in the room screamed as I rushed to check if she was hurt. Nothing appeared to be wrong do I lifted her up from the floor and gently placed her on her bed and sat beside her. I realised that my presence was slowly erasing whatever emotional pain she had.
"Where is Lord Bailey?" I asked another maid who had arrived after the first one went to find the doctor.
"He cannot come, Sir. He wants to make sure that Lady Isobel does not find out about this," the girl replied. "Is there a message I could relay to him?"
"Just tell him to send Amaya on the next ship, when she is ready," I said, looking down at my sleeping mate.
She looked so peaceful when she was asleep. Long, dark lashes rested upon flushed cheeks, moist with tears. Her big pink lips were parted as she slowly breathed through them. I caressed her soft skin, hoping she would stir and I would see her beautiful brown eyes. I pulled my hand back, cursing myself for becoming attached.
I had to do this for the pack.
"Actually, we told him what happened and he said it's for the best. He was about to ask us to have her tied up and brought to you but it will be easier to travel with her whilst unconscious," the girl piped.
I shook my head. "That's fine. She just fainted and doesn't have a fever. Tell Lord Bailey we will be leaving. Madeline, tell Stewart to prepare a sedative."
"A sedative?" Madeline almost yelled.
"Trust me, it's better this way."