When we got to the throne room, the elders were already seated and deliberating but our entrance caused silence to descend on the group and I could see some nod in approval.
'A good day to you, Chief, Elders of council', Millicent greeted curtsying.
They nodded in acknowledgment.
'Please, be seated the both of you. The matter we are here to deliberate on has lingered', the Chief began. 'We cannot afford to waste anymore time on it'.
Millicent sat on the chair closest to her and I sat on my armchair.
'Alright, Chief and Elders, we are here now, you can go ahead and tell us what you deemed it necessary to bring to our awareness!' I said without preambles.
'Thank you, Alpha Sylvester', he said. 'Millcent, Alpha Sylvester introduced you to us as his mate and his soon to be Luna', he paused to take in air. 'It's been awhile now and we want to know if both of you have decided to make it official!'
'I do not think that will be possible!' Millicent said.
'I hope you do not mean that,' an elder said. 'because you see, we are sure Alpha Sylvester is ready to make you his Luna anytime you are ready. Is that not so, Alpha?'
I nodded in agreement, my eyes never leaving Millicent's face.
'You collaborated with the late Alpha of the Moonlight pack to bring war to our pack! You were the reason our guards let them in, in the first place', the Chief started. 'What do you have to say about this?'
'Guilty as charged' Millicent said, simply, showing no emotion.
'You are responsible for the attack that claimed the life of our dear Alpha Christopher', he added.
'Guilty as charged', Millicent replied in the same monotone.
'These offenses are punishable by death!' he said, and all the elders murmured in agreement. 'So what do you think your punishment should be?'
'Whatever you decide!' she said like a robot and I became alarmed that she might go into shock again. She was acting so lifeless.
It was standard procedure to question as my traitor this way but I had explained the reason for this to them and hence was not expecting them to bring it up but then again, protocol must be followed no matter who is involved.
'We are also aware that you killed the idiot, Blake who killed the late Alpha Christopher', he said, awaiting a response from her which was not forthcoming. So he continued. 'We are willing to forget all that if you become Alpha Sylvester's Luna with immediate effect!'
I had expected this but hadn't expected them to present it as an ultimatum. 'You want me to marry Sylvester when Christopher is not even buried yet?' Millicent asked, her tone incredulous.
'We are aware that you were claimed by the late Alpha Christopher, so we understand your hesitation and misgivings', he started.
I was watching Millicent and saw her show her first real emotion since coming into the throne room for this meeting. Shock, then grief and deep regret chased each other in her eye.
'But I assure you, that you'll be doing no wrong, you were mated to the both of them afterall', Chief said. 'And from the information reaching me, Christopher himself asked Sylvester to take care of you. It will therefore be an honour to show him that his last wishes were swiftly carried out. And he will rest in peace!'
Said that way, even I had no objection. Anything that would make Christopher happy in the afterlife where he is watching. But I also did not want to have Millicent against her will.
'I am still in mourning', she said, emotionlessly. 'I have heard what you said and I'll think about it and give you an answer in a couple of days'.
I recalled the two days she had asked from me to raise her love from the dead. What was she up to? Now I appreciated Samantha's anxiety. We hat if she wanted to commit suicide so that she could be buried with Christopher with the thought of continuing their love in the afterlife?
'We do not have two days to give you. You have until tomorrow because we cannot keep postponing Christopher's burial!' he said.
'Alpha Sylvester has already consented to giving me two days to mourn and say farewell to my mate', she said in annoyance, looking at me as though challenging me to deny it.
The elders were all also looking at me to refute or confirm her claims.
'She is right', I said sighing. 'I told her to get ready for Christopher's burial but she pleaded for a couple of days to be with him and wish him a proper farewell!'
'In that case, there's nothing to be said against that because the word of the Alpha is law and honourable. He cannot be made to go back on his word!' Chief said.
'Thank you for understanding ', I said in appreciation.
'But', he continued, 'at the end of the second day, we shall expect you both to be properly wedded before the us all with the pack priest presiding. After which we shall proceed to the royal graveyard to lay the remains of the late Alpha Christopher to rest!'
I nodded and the meeting came to an end.
They filed out and as Millicent was about to leave, but I called her back. I did not know if I'd have another chance to speak to her or not but since the event, she had been off and I haven't been able to speak to her.
'Millicent', I began. 'I want you to know that I understand why you did it'.
She said nothing. So, I continued., 'I am sorry for what I did. I have no excuse for my unforgivable actions against you and no explanation will ease your pain but I want you to know that I am very sorry'. I wanted to say more but what could I really say? 'Suffice it to say that I regret my actions and have regretted it even before my brother sacrificed himself for it!'
She whimpered when I said that. That had not been my intention.
'If you cannot bear to be my Luna, then I shall not force you. Not even to please the Chief and elders. I regret threatening to take Christopher's life if I saw you with him. It was just an empty threat. I could not have murdered my own brother. We would have fought and continued fighting but what is new? That's what brothers do. They fight and reconcile. We've been disagreeing for as long as I can remember. I wish he were still alive and I'd have gladly allowed you to be his Luna but it is too late now!' Then pausing and choosing my words carefully, 'But if you decide to honour Christopher's last wishes, then I promise you that I shall treat you better than even you could ever have envisaged. I know I do not deserve your trust, I have not given you any reason to trust me but not only will I ensure that my brother is happy wherever he is by treating you better than I have in the past, but I'll love you till my last breath!'
She still said nothing.
'I love you Millicent !' I added, hoping that she could feel the sincerity in my words.'I have loved you for a long time now but I wouldn't admit it even to myself and that was why I had been so jealous of Christopher. Accept to be my Luna and I'll move the earth for you...'
