Chapter Five: Good Gossip!

"Where is Velma?" Esmeray cried out. "She always manages to miss the good gossip!"

"I know mother," Myrtle giggled. "I'll be sure to—"

"Don't you dare interfere. It is my tale to tell not yours. The moon goddess knows how much..."

The words of his wife faded away as realization dawned on Lord Creon that the blue wolf might have been Velma. She had looked so ethereal in the midst of the blue glow that he had failed to reconcile the semblance she bore to him. It was as if she belonged to another world under the glow of the moon. He wondered why she was wearing the robes of servants and not the dress she had worn from home. He tried convincing himself that it wasn't Velma but he could not deny the fact. Not many people had red hair and the colour of her eyes was one in a thousand.

Creon took one glance at his wife and gazed upon her foolishness lovingly. He wanted to run towards Velma and scream at the guards to let go of his daughter but he knew the negative impact it would have on his wife. Several times, he had heard the gossip amongst the werepeople that knew Velma was of his household that she wasn't his daughter. He hated the taunts and insults his wife had received since Velma hadn't wolfed out. There was rumour that perhaps Velma was an illegitimate child from his wife extramarital affairs.

When she was finally dragged out of sight, Creon said to his wife. "I ought to see the Alpha. Do not wait for me."

He needed to see Artemis as soon as possible in order to ensure Velma's release. He could not bear to think of what would happen to Velma if she was to be taken to the dungeon. He was aware firsthand what happened there because many a time he had been responsible for torturing prisoners in the dungeon. He walked away slyly, slinking in the shadows; taking his wolf form when needed. He had to make sure no one noticed him. He was able to avoid even the guards that stood in front of Artemis chambers.

He stared at the young Alpha with pity. It had been difficult for him since the death of his father and brother in-mating. The merging of two powerful packs had fallen through because of that death. Creon wanted to clear his throat to speak but he noticed Artemis was fuming. His skin was red— not from the glow of the moon.

"Celeena, forgive your servant for scornful thoughts towards you," Artemis whispered under his breath. Creon wondered if that prayer had anything to do with his daughter. Perhaps, her appearance had soured his mood.

"Have you finally come to kill me?" Artemis asked upon sighting his presence.

Creon was confused for a moment but masked his countenance so as not to betray his emotion. Instead, he said; "If I were going to kill you, you'd have been long dead."

"My apologies," Artemis muttered looking at his feet. He felt quite silly for having doubts towards the man before him. "What brings you here Lord Creon?"

"The blue wolf." He took a step further into the chambers and sat on a chair opposite Artemis. "She's my daughter."

So she was not a maid after all, Artemis thought, feeling a bit better than the moon goddess had not insulted him that much. However he stared at Creon with a raised brow. How could a full blooded wolf birth such an abomination. "She is?"

"Yes."

"And you are certain she's your own and not a product of an extrama—"

"She's mine through and through," Creon cut him off, a tad bit annoyed. He hated when it was insinuated his wife was unfaithful. "Do you not see the resemblance?"

"I knew her face was familiar, I just..." Artemis trailed off. "How is it possible?"

"What?"

"Your blood is one of the purest, untainted. Perhaps your wife's blood is not pure?"

"You saw her at the peak of the moon, yes?" Creon questioned.

It was silent for a while. Artemis anger towards the moon goddess started to build up once more. So she had not only been wicked by giving him the blue wolf as a mate but to Lord Creon as a daughter. He could only imagine the heartbreak the old warrior was going through.

"The moon goddess has a unique way of doing things," Creon told Artemis as if he could read his thoughts. "Who are we to question her?"

"This whole misunderstanding should be kept away from the public eye, don't you think?"

Creon hummed in agreement. "I do recommend we go through the formal procedures. I would also appreciate it if she's not bodily harmed in any way."

"I'll see to that," Artemis reassured him.

"Your daughter is..." Artemis paused for a while, at first he wanted to tell Creon she was his mate but decided against it. There were enough problems as it were. "Your daughter is in good hands."

"Thank you my Lord." Creon bowed.

*+*+*+*+*+*

Darius stared at the girl opposite him in the prison cell. Her body looked broken beyond measure, overwhelmed by the power of wolfing out. Before he had been dragged here, he had seen Velma in a strange place surrounded by beings he had never seen or heard of. She had being tied to a post and was being tortured as if for information, as one of the strange beings had leapt towards Velma as if to hit her he had run foward in a  bid to save her. Of course, it had not been real but what he had seen seemed vivid enough. Was it a vision? He had returned to himself only to realise in disbelief that he was standing directly under the blood moon.

Before he could process what was happening he was grabbed by some guards as the custom was. Whichever creature that that was not a complete werewolf that stood under the blood moon would turn rogue and so would have to be killed.

"What are you?" The guard had growled angrily, surprised a half werewolf servant hadn't turned rogue. He did not give Darius a chance to explain himself, instead he had alerted other guards and by the instruction of the Beta he was thrown into the dungeon.

"What are you doing here?" Velma croaked when she finally woke up. Her bones were tired and she was still very shaken but she was surprised to see him.

"I..." Darius did not know what he was to tell her. "I tried to rescue you from... Never you mind."

Velma studied the boy carefully. "You were under the blood moon, but you're ... Normal."

"Beats me," he chuckled. "How do you feel?"

Velma sighed, not knowing how to answer the question. Her throat was parched beyond measure; her skin was bruised; red welts were all over her arms and a throbbing sensation disturbed her chest and head. She did not know whether it was the pain of rejection or of wolfing out.

She remembered the look of disdain in Artemis eyes and a drop of tear slid down her face. She wiped it furiously, mad at herself for crying over a wereman. "I'm okay," she smiled at Darius. "What do you say, we try to escape here?"

The sounds of footsteps could be heard along with the voices of guards so Darius said nothing. Instead he waited. When no one was in sight he said, "How about midnight?"