Page 45 of My Only Luna

“Patience, handsome,” I scold lightly, smirking slightly. Just then Elijah’s phone beeps. He frowns. It is a bit weird for any of us to get texts this close to home.

“Who is it?” I ask curiously. He unlocks his phone as I lean over and realise it’s a text from my old number.

CANDICE: Hello, I do apologise for the late text, but the Alpha has been on a rampage. We were attacked by some rogues and the Alpha had me serving punishment for a few things, but I wanted to let you know half the pack will side with you if you are willing to end Zidane’s rule. I only asked those I could trust. There very well may be more

Both Elijah and I look at each other, our hearts racing. This is a positive sign. It means our numbers are growing. I take the phone from him, taking a deep breath, ready to text a reply. My hands shake slightly from the nerves.

SCARLETT: Thank you, Candice, we plan to make a move after the Blood Moon. I can’t give you a proper date because I don’t want Zidane alerted by chance. I promise, as future Alpha of the Desert Storm Pack, I will claim my place and end the suffering he has put everyone through. When the time comes, just be prepared to stand down and side with me.

This is it, we’re getting there. Soon my people will be safe and that monster will be dead. I hit send and look at Elijah, who is watching me with a proud look on his face.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing. I’m just thinking I’m so fucking lucky to have an Alpha Queen by my side,” he whispers sexily, making my heart skip a beat, his lips once more claiming mine in a sizzling kiss…

Together

Scarlett

Leave them, I’ll do those.”

I glance over at Mama, who comes over to me just as I am about to put on the washing-up gloves, “Er, why? I always wash the evening dishes.” I cock a brow, putting the rubber gloves on.

“I know, but you should go do something else, maybe finish that book you were reading?”

I frown slightly, taking the sponge and bottle of washing-up liquid from her. “Mama…”

She smiles gently at me, trying to usher me aside, but I don’t move. She’s been doing this since everything came out, and it’s the same way she treats Indigo, never wanting to upset her and trying to make her happy or something.

“Mama, I think we need to talk,” I say firmly, placing the sponge and liquid in the sink.

“No really, I have nothing to do.”

I glance at the bags of cake supplies. I’m sure she has an anniversary and a birthday order to work on…

“Then let’s talk, you have time for that,” I say, taking her by the elbow and guiding her to the table.

“Is everything ok?” she asks me worriedly.

“Yeah, it’s good.” I make her sit down before I go around and take a seat opposite her.

“Hear me out, alright?” She nods, and I look around the kitchen. I’m not the kind of person who’s good with their words, but here goes nothing. “Look, I know you feel bad for the shit in our past. Honestly, I get it, but I don’t want you to treat me like you do Indy-”

“I’ve been so hard on you. I’ve always been hard on you, believing what she went through and not you. But I-”

“Mama! It’s not your fault, but seriously, you shouldn’t even treat Indigo like that. Yeah, we had a traumatic childhood, but we can’t live our lives being treated like china dolls in fear we might break. Let’s talk about it. Let’s express how we feel when we’re having a bad day. Talk. When one of us is feeling down, let’s talk. Pampering us isn’t the way.”

Her heart is racing, and I reach over the table, taking her hands in my gloved ones. I don’t like talking about stuff, but I realise Mama and Indigo need me to do just that. “Let’s work on our triggers. Let’s overcome them. Let’s be there for one another and not have to walk on eggshells around one another in fear the other might break. We can do this. Together.”

She looks at me before closing her eyes and taking a shaky breath. “See, once again you’re looking out for us when I should be the one-”

“Mama, you went through hell too, not everyone is made the same way. We all have our strengths and weaknesses.”

“I was too weak-”

“Mama, sometimes people look at a woman in a toxic relationship and call her weak for not just leaving. It’s never that easy. And it definitely doesn’t mean you’re weak.” The silence in the kitchen is somehow soothing, the drip of the tap and the occasional sounds the fridge makes fill it. The sound of a dog barking or a cat meowing in the distance occasionally fills the quiet.

“But I feel otherwise. My strength was you girls. It was the two of you who gave me the willpower to leave. To try to escape him, but I still failed.” She squeezes my hand. “And for years, I was firmer with you.”

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