CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

FIONA'S P.O.V

"Honey I know it's upsetting but we really have to leave" mother says taking my hands in hers. "We need to go back and reassure the people that everything is okay" she adds and I actually understand her, it doesn't mean that I'm happy about it though.

"I get it mother, you have duties to carry out. I just thought that you'd stay a bit longer" I say sadly and she smiles at me.

"I wish we could too honey, don't be sad though. When all this is over then you know we'll be together" she tells me and I smile back. She's right, we need to take care of this rouge problem then we can finally have some peace and quiet.

"So father what do you plan to do when you get back?" I ask turning back to face him. He stays quiet for some seconds before replying.

"Well, firstly we need to assure the people that all is under control and that you're fine. They already know what you came to the human realm for so we need them to know that we're on the edge of a breakthrough" he tells me.

"However we won't give any specific details about what you have found out. Now that we suspect that there are traitors among us, we must keep the information between the royal family alone, at least until we can find those traitors" he add.

"That will be for the best sir. I would suggest that you investigate the guards and others who have access to the portals first. My guess is that the traitors must be among them" Mikhail says and my father nods in agreement.

"The dragons are already waiting for us outside, we will be leaving now" mother tells me and I sigh. 

"Now? But we haven't packed our stuff yet, we didn't know we would be leaving so soon" Jeremy says sadly. They must also be sad about leaving me. Mother only smiles at this before turning to face father.

"We have decided that the two of you should stay here with Fiona, until everything is settled" father says to my friends and I feel my face light up. 

A smile lights up Jeremy's face and I run to hug both him and Ina. We all hug and Jeremy bumps his shoulder into mine. "I guess you're not getting rid of us that easily" he says.

"Thank you for letting them stay" I say to father and I go over to hug him too. "Of course my dear daughter, I know that having your friends here with you will make this ordeal easier for you" he tells me patting my hair.

I turn back to look at my friends. Jeremy is still smiling widely but Ina doesn't show much of an expression, she must be nervous about staying away from home, this is her first time leaving our realm.

I'm still lost in my thoughts when I hear someone slightly sniffing. I turn around to see my mother looking at me with a small frown.

"Fiona, I have been meaning to ask you since we arrived, are you okay?" She asks me and at this everyone's eyes is fixed on me. I frown slightly wondering what she means.

"You smell a bit different. I noticed the smell yesterday but I thought it was because you've been around the werewolves but it smells stronger now and I can see that it's not their scent, it's coming directly from you" she says coming closer to me.

I sniff myself a bit but I can't smell anything different. Could it be the scent of my shampoo and bath soap?

"You know she's actually right. I smelt it too but I didn't pay much attention. The smell is stronger than it was yesterday, it's more defined now" father adds.

"Are you feeling okay?" Jeremy asks and I can see that everyone is now worried. 

"I'm perfectly okay" I say to them with a frown. I still can't smell anything.

Mikhail is already on his feet at this, he moves closer to me and takes my hands in his. He inspects my face for a few seconds. "I can smell it too. How come we haven't noticed before? Are you sure you're okay?"

I'm about to answer that I'm fine again when I suddenly pause. I have actually been feeling strange lately. A bit of weakness and maybe I've been overly emotional, I can't also forget what's going on with Alice. How do I tell them all that?

I look around and everyone looks a bit worried now. "I actually have been feeling a bit... Strange lately but I don't think it's anything to worry about" I tell them.

Gina takes my hand and guides me back to one of the chairs. Everyone seems to be crowding around me now. "The scent on you, it smells familiar. Like I've smelt it before" Amanda says.

"You said you've been feeling strange, what do you mean by strange?" Daphne asks me.

"Well I've been a bit weak and tired than usual and Alice has been acting strange" I tell them reluctantly.

"What's wrong with Alice?" My father asks and I can see that he is also starting to get worried. I'm about to assure him that everything is fine when I hear footsteps coming towards us.

I turn around to see the woman I met when I first came here. Mary, the woman who cooked for me. She is holding a tray, in it are some glasses of water and I'm guessing that the water is for us.

She bows at Mikhail and the others before sending a smile in my direction. I smile back and wave at her. She sets the tray down and turns around to leave but suddenly stops.

"Alpha, I couldn't help but hear the ongoing conversation on my way in and I think I might know what is wrong with the Luna" she says softly. 

All eyes are immediately on her as she says this. She just confirmed that something is indeed wrong with me.

"What is wrong with Fiona? Tell us" Mikhail says turning back to look at me but I just stare back at him with a confused look.

"Luna, can I ask you some questions to confirm if it's what I think it is?" She asks politely. "Of course Mary, you can go ahead" I tell her.

"You said that you have been feeling weak and tired right?" She asks and I nod. "How long have you been feeling like this?" She asks again and I pause to ponder over it.

"I started feeling the weakness about four days ago, the day Chandler attacked the pack" I say after thinking. She nods at this.

"Have you been feeling any form of emotional attachment since it started?" She asks further and I frown. "Emotional attachment? What do you mean?" I ask not quite understanding her question.

She clears her throat and looks at Mikhail before facing me again. "I mean, have you been feeling overly attached to the alpha? Like you want to be close to him at all times, you feel the urge to be with him, things like that" she clarifies and my eyes almost pop out of their sockets.

How did she know that? That's exactly what I've been feeling. Everyone is staring at me now expecting my answer and Mikhail looks surprised. My face heats up in embarrassment at their stares. How do I tell Mary that she's right when they're all staring at me.

I avoid all their stares and decide to concentrate on Mary. I'm tempted to deny it but I don't think that would be a wise move. Mary seems to really know what's wrong with me, denying it won't help.

"Yes, I have been feeling... Overly attached" I say playing with my fingers. I refuse to look at Mikhail right now.

She nods with a small smile on her face. "You also mentioned that your dragon has been acting strange. Has she perhaps...been suggesting that yo-" 

"YES" I scream out in embarrassment quickly getting up from the couch before Mary can complete her question.

I can already tell that she really does know what is wrong, she even knows what Alice has been telling me to do. I can't let her ask me that in front of everyone.

Everyone is looking at me in shock because of my outburst. I quickly sit back on the couch. "Yes, she has been insisting that I-" I say without completing my statement.

Mary smiles at me probably understanding why I didn't want her to complete her question. "Since that is the case then what I suspect is actually true.

Everyone is staring at Mary anxiously now, waiting to hear what is wrong with me. She smiles at me before facing Mik

hail.

"Alpha, the Luna is about to enter heat" she says calmly.

I'm about to do what now?