After he finished speaking, Zael led Moira and their pup upstairs without offering me a single glance. My head felt heavy from the freezing rain, so after a hot wash, I went straight to my furs.
I was not sure how long I had slept, but my throat felt as if it had been cut by a silver blade.
"Zael," I called out several times, but my voice was weak. All I could hear was the sound of someone telling a tale in the next room.
"Zael, Aelin has your spirit," Moira said with a joyful hum. "Even when she is troubled, she mimics your strength and tries to soothe me."
"Of course," Zael replied with pride in his voice. "She is of my blood. It is good that she is protective, so she can guard you even when I am away from the pack."
Even through the stone wall, I could imagine the triumphant smile on Moira’s face.
Zael gently stroked Aelin’s hair. "Now, close your eyes. I will tell you and your mother a legend of the ancient stars."
After the sounds of settling, Zael’s soft voice drifted through. "In a land before time, there lived a Great King and a Moon Queen."
Staring at the dark ceiling, I could only manage a bitter smile. Zael and I had been bonded for three years, but he and Moira looked like the true Alpha and Luna, sharing sweet dreams with their three-year old pup.
I tried to sit up to reach my water basin, but I accidentally knocked over a crystal frame on the side table. The glass shattered and the image of Zael and me was torn.
I climbed out of bed to gather the pieces, but the room was too dark and I stepped onto a sharp shard. Fighting the sting, I limped to the wall torch, cleaned the mess and poured my water.
The whole time, the sound of Zael’s gentle storytelling continued from the room next door.
As I bandaged my foot and crawled back into bed, a memory hit me. Long ago, I had been caught in a light spring rain, yet Zael had canceled all pack meetings to stay by my side for a week, terrified I might catch a chill.
Back then, he had whispered, "Aletta, do not fear, I am here with you. Because you are suffering, my own heart hurts more than yours."
But now, after I had walked through a freezing storm to reach my home, he gave the warm tonic to Moira instead. As soon as I closed my eyes, silent tears fell onto my pillow.
The next morning, loud laughter from the great hall woke me. I opened the chamber door and saw Moira chatting happily with Zael’s mother, Elowen.
Before I could speak, Moira spotted me. She gave me a smug look, then spoke sweetly to my mother-in-law. "Great Mother, do not worry. Zael is only letting us stay in the villa for a few sun-cycles because of Aelin’s heart. Once the healing is done, we will depart. I do not want Aletta to be angry."
Elowen held Aelin in her arms and said coldly, "Why should she be angry? She has been bonded for three years and has produced no heirs. Our little Aelin is the pride of the pack. Call me Grandmother."
Aelin looked up and chirped, "Grandmother."
"Ah!" Elowen’s face beamed with delight. She patted Moira’s hand. "Moira, one daughter is not enough for our lineage. Once you give Zael a son, I will see to it that he makes you his official Luna!"
Moira’s face turned red at once. For a moment, I felt a wave of sickness wash over me.
Just as I turned to retreat into my room, I heard Elowen snap, "Stay right there!"
In the next heartbeat, two pack sentinels appeared and gripped my wrists, holding me fast.
"Time has passed and you have grown disrespectful! You do not even come down to serve me tea? You two, drag her down here."
Right after she spoke, the men grabbed my arms and forced me down from the second floor. I struggled against them, but their wolf strength was too much.
Seeing me humbled, my mother-in-law said with a haughty air, "Go and prepare me a cup of tea with water heated to exactly 99 degrees."
I stood perfectly still, acting as if I had not heard her.
Seeing this, Moira spoke up softly, "Great Mother, let me do it. I am used to performing such humble tasks."
Elowen took Moira’s hand and said, "You are the future Luna of the Stormridge Pack. How could you do such servant work? Let her do it."
I watched them play their roles. Moira tried to walk away, but my cold stare made her falter. She looked annoyed.
"What use is she to us? She cannot provide pups and now she refuses to serve. You two, lock her in the cellar. I do not wish to see her face!"
The two sentinels gripped my shoulders, moving to take me away. Just then, Zael stepped out of the study, his brow furrowed in a frown.
"Mother, that is enough!"
