His gaze goes from my face to my neck, lingering there for a moment. He swallows thickly, but I don’t give him time to say anything, just proceed to walk down the corridor and up the stairs to Jordan’s office.
Before opening the door, I turn around to Clemmens once more. “I wonder what Rory would say,” I say before disappearing through the door and closing it behind me.
Inside, I am greeted by the sight of our three elders, seated around the table in Jordan’s office. At the head of the table, thereis Jordan. He is talking with one of the elders, a smile on his lips, which completely vanishes when he sees me.
“You are here,” he says. “We have been waiting.”
I don’t tell him that I am right on time. It doesn’t matter to them anyway.
The elders get up to greet me. It’s just for show. I know they don’t respect me, and they certainly don’t value me or my position. “Good afternoon, Luna.”
“Good afternoon, to you, too.” I take the seat they offer me and sit down.
“Luna, we have summoned you here to talk about the most pressing issue concerning this pack and its future.”
We have had more attacks than usual, and we also have a lack of investment in education; the nursery and infirmary could need some upgrades, too, but I am well aware they don’t care about any of that.
“And what is that?” I ask, deciding to play along. “If there is a way for me to help, I will do so.”
One of the elders has the decency to look uncomfortable. He is an older guy named Arthur, almost a bit grandfatherly. He was around when my father still reigned; the other two joined later and were picked by Jordan for their position.
“Rosea—” Jordan folds his hands in a thoughtful gesture. He looks worried that way, and as if he is hurt. It gives me a twinge in my chest to see him like that, because once more I realize how well he plays this game. “You know we need an heir to the pack.”
“The alpha is correct,” an elder says. “Without an heir, no one will be able to take over. You need to secure the future of this pack.”
It’s bullshit! There are other packs with no heirs, who choose someone from their other ranked members or from the extended alpha families. “You know, it’s out of my power to get pregnant,” I simply say.
“It’s your main duty,” one of the elders continues as if he didn’t hear me. “The luna’s duty is to produce an heir, or she is worthless.”
Elder Arthur looks even more uncomfortable at these words. “Isn’t this a bit harsh, Frank?”
“No, if she can’t produce an heir, she is worthless,” Elder Frank snarls. “What is she here for if she can’t even do that?!”
“As the luna, that’s her only task,” the other man agrees.
Hot fury fills me at his words. This is not the luna’s only duty! My mother was a luna, a fantastic one, and through her, I know more than one thing about a luna’s duty. Being reduced to a womb and baby machine is not one of them!
Elder Arthur still looks displeased, but apparently, he isn’t upset enough to voice his concerns further. It takes me all my willpower not to lash out at the other two men. The only reason I manage to keep my cool is that I know it ticks Jordan off. “I apologize,” I say. “I will try everything in my power to fulfill the luna’s duty.”
Elder Arthur’s discomfort seems to grow, while the other three, Jordan included, look equal parts annoyed and pissed.
“Then maybe you should stick to your words, Rosea,” Elder Frank snarls. He is leaving out my title, obviously on purpose, as a sign of clear disrespect. That’s how little I, or rather my existence, means to him. “And don’t waste your time with excuses.”
What is he talking about? Jordan has successfully isolated me from everyone, so there is not much I can do throughout the day. True, I have found my own ways to sneak around, covering them asfulfilling my duties, such as luna meetings that I can’t miss or running errands.
“Please elaborate,” I tell him.
“We have photos, which are a huge concern to us. The alpha’s already seen them.”
I make sure not to look at Jordan when he says that. Photos? Goddess! Did Jordan spot me sneaking around? I barely do that anyway, but sometimes I need to prepare for my exit plan. I try to continue playing dumb. “I’d need you to be clearer. I don’t know what kind of photos you are talking about, Frank.”
He furrows his brows when I only use his first name, but I pretend not to see it. Instead, he tosses Elder Arthur a gaze. “But we aren’t sure—” Elder Arthur starts.
“Just show her,” Frank hisses.
Elder Arthur sighs, rummaging in his pocket and revealing an envelope. He hands it to me. True to Frank’s words, there are photos in them of a woman with brown hair and a man I recognize as a pack warrior. They are hugging. The woman is wearing one of my dresses, but it’s impossible to see her face.
Who’s that?
