A Luna's Pain (Ch.31)

Neveah strolled through the woods, taking a deep breath in of the refreshing air and the scents of nature.

Neveah had told Luna Colleen it was best to begin the process of neutralizing the poison in an environment she felt most relaxed in.

Neutralizing the Moon Whisper would involve dealing some bodily harm and the last thing they needed was for Luna Colleen's protective instincts to be stirred.

If Luna Colleen panicked, her wolf would assume there was a danger to their pups and if Luna Colleen's wolf took over, it would be a big problem.

Of course, Neveah had to think of all possibilities in order to keep herself safe, she had spent all her life posing to be a human and she had long began thinking like one.

No human wanted to be faced with a raging mother wolf and identified as a threat to her pups because that was asking for death.

Luna Colleen had found Neveah's concerns amusing but she understood considering Neveah was an Omega and stood no chance against her wolf.

After breakfast, Luna Colleen had decided it was best they take a walk through the mountain woods to calm her anxiety and perhaps they would find a location to begin neutralizing the poison.

Neveah agreed without hesitation and so here they were, strolling through the woods at a leisure pace.

Neveah had not gone out into the woods since the night of the Eclipse Ball, her father had made it clear there would be consequences if she was caught prancing around the woods again.

Neveah found it relieving that she did not have to worry about any consequences this time, it was only now that she was away from her father's scrutiny temporarily,

Neveah finally realized just how caged she had been for the past seventeen years of her life, imprisoned in a large, luxurious palace and surrounded by maids and attendants,

But no matter how large a prison was, it was still a cage, only that you could not see the prison bars visibly.

"You know, I met Dane when I was ten, a young pup cuddled by my parents and never let out due to their protectiveness."

"My parents were extremely ordinary wolves with neither title nor position, but we lived a blissful life as within the Eclipse Hunt, all wolves are regarded as equals." Luna Colleen began as they strolled through the woods.

Neveah was slightly surprised Luna Colleen was talking about her relationship with Alpha Dane to Neveah who was no more than a stranger,

But Neveah guessed talking about her mate helped calm her anxiety and Neveah had no problems being the listener.

"Dane was fifteen then, a young and promising wolf and soon to be named Alpha of the pack. He was the dream of every she wolf,"

"They all hoped they would wake up one day to realize fate had paired them with the most promising wolf in Eclipse Hunt." Luna Colleen chuckled quietly.

"Yet the very moment we set eyes on each other, amongst the crowd of over a hundred she wolves at the Moon Festival...his eyes found mine."

"There were no sparks or anything else, we were too young to know for sure if we were fated mates but I'll tell you this... the love, it was immediate... right from that instant."

"Somehow, we both knew that we were meant for each other. There was just this feeling, as though I was gazing upon someone I had known for longer than my ten years of life."

As Luna Colleen spoke, there was a smile on her lips and a twinkle in her eyes, the love she had for her mate could be seen and felt all around her and it was a beautiful sight to behold,

Witnessing the beauty of the mate bond like this, Neveah wondered how there could actually be people like her father who could desecrate such a sacred bond.

Sometimes, Neveah could not bring herself to blame her step mother, all Alpha Queen Vilma had ever done was love her mate... and to feel betrayed and resentful by his betrayal was no sin

Although it was hard to see past all the pain and agony she had suffered at the hands of her step mother, at a time like this, Neveah accepted Alpha Queen Vilma was only but a jilted woman.

And Neveah's presence was one that would always tear at the wounds inflicted on Alpha Queen Vilma's heart by her mate's betrayal...how could she not loathe Neveah?

In all of it, Neveah knew if there was anyone to be blamed, then it could only be her father.

"From that moment on, he stuck close to my side, never letting me out of sight. I grew up showered with his love and affection."

"Dane loved and protected me with all his heart before he even knew for sure that I was his and when we came of age and stared into the eyes of one another again,"

"Our wolves only confirmed a fact we already knew... that Dane was mine and I was his." Luna Colleen passed Neveah a glance, a small smile on her lips.

"The pack was overjoyed, there were a few disgruntled females of course but no one cared about them. Dane's parents were so accepting despite my humble roots."

"They did not care that I was not a ranked wolf but instead taught me with patience and a warm smile, how to be a Luna."

"Dane and I did not have to get to know each other or strive to develop feelings. We already loved each other deeply."

"On the night of my coming of age, Dane marked me as his and that very night, he claimed me completely, sealing the mate bond." Luna Colleen said,

"I conceived my first pup that night Veah...I conceived Dane's child and I can never forget the look of joy and adoration in Dane's eyes when he heard the news..."

"I was barely a month gone when I lost my pup, the first case of a miscarriage in over a hundred years in the Eclipse Hunt." Luna Colleen's voice broke at this point.

"I was only eighteen then Veah... eighteen and I wish not upon my worst enemy the pain and devastation I felt at the loss of my child, even if I never got to hold or see him." Luna Colleen sobbed out.

Neveah's heart ached as she felt Luna Colleen's pain through her words.

"Twenty years has passed since then Veah...In these twenty years, I have mourned the loss of six of my children and I have yet to hear the cry of my own living child."

"And now, whenever I look into the eyes of my mate and see the pain he tries to hide for fear of hurting me... I feel like a failure..." Luna Colleen sobbed.