The Wolf King's Luna

CHAPTER 22

CATHERINE

"Raise and shine."

I startle awake at the noise, turning in the direction of the voice as if I could actually see him.

What is the point of putting a bag over my face if you are going to lock me in a truck? It's not like I could see anything.

Or say anything.

This gag was starting to fray into my mouth.

They didn't even have the decency to feed me. However, in retrospect, there is no point in wasting food on someone who is going to die.

"Come on," the voice says as he drags me off the truck. I crumble to the ground, having no strength to stand.

I am hungry and thirsty.

Starvation is a cruel way to die.

"Get up," the voice snarls.

It is not the same voice. This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

That is strange.

The man apparently gives up and grabs me and throws me over his shoulder. He gives a few orders to the people around him and begins walking.

I vaguely remember the first voice being violent with someone who had walked into where I was kept. I couldn't see what was happening, but the sounds were enough to get an idea.

Whoever it was, is dead now.

He didn't want me to be seen by others.

So if he is not here, where is he?

What could make him risk me being seen by others?

Why did we move?

"...They are very good at tracking."

Had they found us?

Damon?

If so, then that means…

I don't know what that means.

No, that is not true.

I don't want to believe what that means. I am too scared to believe it.

That he would still want me. Melissa must have discovered that some of the clothes are missing. Clothes that I insisted on buying. They must have found the note.

And still, they are searching for me.

The thought is both frightening and hopeful.

On one hand, I want them to find me, on the other, what happens when they do?

Will they forgive me? Can they? I played them after all.

I don't dare comprehend the answer. Unwilling to face what the result from any of the beers will be.

Not too long, I am dropped unceremoniously on the floor. The man begins to chain me up when he hears a call from outside.

With a curse, he turns around and leaves, forgetting the chains.

"Catherine?" my wolf whispers.

"Hey," I say. "How are you holding up?"

"I should be asking you that. You haven't eaten."

"I know. I can't be bothered by that now. We are going to die."

"no, we aren't."

"You always say that. But how can you be so sure?"

"Have I ever been wrong?"

I stop at her question and think back. There have been times when I was sure I was going to die. When I had fallen ill and no one paid any attention or helped me, instead they had worked me to the bone. It almost felt like they wanted me to die.

I didn't.

The time when we were attacked and one of the enemies vaporized the air with gaseous wolfsbane.

Many had died, people far stronger than me, fully grown adults.

I didn't.

I was twelve.

And there is of course, when Tammy had her men beat me and toss me in the river.

Each of those times, my wolf had assured me that I would live. She was sure of it.

"No, you haven't. How?"

"How what?"

"How is it that you have never been wrong? That you have always been so sure."

"It is because I am the wolf queen. And you are my human."

"Oh, not this again."

"Listen to me. For eons, my mate and I have been reincarnating. Sometimes we meet each other, sometimes we don't. We are either too late or too far gone. But we always reincarnate. You and

Damon have been chosen by us, and for the first time in eight hundred years, we see each other again.

"He is your mate. He is your protector. He will love you, just the same way you already love him"

"Wait- what? No, yo-"

"You," she says, cutting me off. "have a rare opportunity to have one of the greatest, most fulfilling love ever known and you are shying from it because of fear. So hear me now, no mediocre wolf, poison, attack, or whatever can kill you because I live in you. And I can't be killed, not without my say so. I am a queen. And so are you."

Well, when she puts it that way…

BORDER OF SKYLIGHT PACK.

TAMMY.

"Why is she still alive?" I snarl at the dark shadow where my contact is hiding.

"Simply put, I don't trust you."

"What do you mean by that? I have always held up my end of the deal."

"And you have always said you protect your own. And yet, a few days ago, seven of your men were killed and their bodies burnt and you did nothing. Instead, you are locked up and sneaking around like a fugitive. Suffice it to say, I no longer have faith in your… abilities. Payment first."

I won't lie. That was a low blow.

"Very well," I say as I throw him a large duffel bag. "There you go. Sixty pounds of silver and thirty pounds of wolfsbane as requested."

"Impressive, * he says as he picks it up, only his hand stretching from the shadows. "I didn't think you would pull through."

"She dies tonight."

"As you wish."

I watch him slowly move back until I can't see him, not even his silhouette.

As I turn to head back to the mansion, I see a shadow flash by, going in the direction of the man.

Probably imagining things.

As I tuck myself into bed, I remember that I had not taken my phone with me.

Searching the whole room proves effortless and just as I decide to sneak out to see if it had dropped during one of my forbidding outings, the door clicks open.

Vance walks in and after staring at me for a few seconds, raises up his hand.

It is my phone.

"Looking for this?"

Oh shit.