Free Web NovelChapter 43: Chapter FORTY THREE — NOT AN EMPTY THREAT
Candace
"Luna?" I spun around to meet Bree’s questioning look.
"The meeting should be here but I can’t see any of them." I hissed, trying to dial Deidre’s line but it wasn’t going through.
"I can try to find out from the other maids if the location has changed, Luna." Bree said.
I flashed her a warm smile. "That would be awesome, Bree. Thank you."
I took a seat on one of the empty chairs in the conference room, waiting for Bree to come back. Ten minutes later, she showed up at the doorway. "They’re holding the meeting at Andrea Gardens, Luna."
"Thank you, Bree."
In no time, I strode out of the Packhouse and one of the drivers, Greg, drove me down to Andrea Gardens with the surliest look on his face, as if I had asked him to sacrifice his firstborn to some demon.
I found the ladies of the council in the garden, seated in a circle with Deidre at the head, chatting and gesturing in the air.
Their elegant dresses fluttered in the gentle breeze. I remembered sneaking up on my mother whenever she had meetings with the ladies of the council, trying to eavesdrop on their conversations. Mother had always said my time would come. She had no idea it would be through hell and fire.
Crystal glasses clinked, and pastries sat spread out before them. At the head of the gathering, Deidre sat like a queen on her throne, laughing brightly as she gestured with her red-coated long nails.
Star growled low as I walked in. One of the ladies noticed me first and gasped. "The First Luna is here."
All eyes turned to me at once. I caught the flicker of surprise that crossed the faces of several council women — some curious, some cautious, a few carefully blank.
Deidre’s eyes widened for one unguarded second before she smoothed her expression into something soft and doe-eyed and utterly practiced.
I kept my face warm, my smile steady even though I was simmering inside. Deidre had made me come late on purpose on my first day as Luna but as Luna I had to be in control on my emotions.
"Good day, Ladies." I waved at them before turning to Deidre. "Would you please excuse us? I’d like a word with the Second Luna."
A hush moved through the circle. I watched two of the older women exchange a glance. Deidre’s smile drained away slowly, her face growing pale. Her green eyes narrowed, and her fingers tightened around her teacup until her knuckles turned white.
"Is there a problem?" She gritted iyt.
"Not at all." I smiled pleasantly. "I’d just like a word. Privately."
Without waiting for a reply, I turned and walked out of the garden. freёweɓnovel.com
Deidre had no choice but to follow. Refusing would make her look petty and disobedient in front of the most influential women in the pack — and she would never hand me that.
She rose slowly, smoothing her dress with a forced smile, and followed me to a shaded path away outside. The moment we were out of earshot, I turned to face her.
"The meeting was scheduled for the Pack hall." I crossed my arms over my chest, keeping my voice even. "Why did you move it here without telling me?"
"I thought it would be better here." She shrugged, looking at me the way you look at a child throwing a tantrum. frёewebnoѵēl.com
"That’s it?"
She ignored me, staring at her nails like I was addressing the air.
"I gave an instruction as the first Luna, you should have consulted me first to say the least." I added.
Deidre’s green eyes flashed with anger, her lips curling in a snarl. Finally her patience was running thing."You’re forgetting something, cousin. I am also a Luna. You don’t get to order me around like I’m one of your little maids."
Alright, since Deidre needed to learn Luna 101, I didn’t mind teaching her the basics since her mother never taught her. I had tried my best to approach the matter calmly but cousin dearest would apparently have it go south. South, we would go.
"Second Luna," I corrected her instantly, stepping closer. "I am the First Luna and the chosen mate of the Alphas, under the Prikaya law. The next time you pull this kind of stunt—challenging my authority, moving an important meeting while leaving me out and making me look incompetent, I will show you exactly why I am was crowned First Luna and you were not."
For one unguarded second her mask slipped, and I saw that my words had found their mark. But it lasted no longer than a heartbeat — then a wild, dark look crossed her face that had chills ripping down my spine. Deidre’s lips curved into an ugly smile, and she let out a soft, mocking laugh.
"Oh, Candace." Her voice dropped to a low sneer, one that had goosebumps breaking on my skin.
"You carry their marks and that Prikaya law is your only saving grace for now." Her green eyes darkened. "But there are things even the Prikaya law will never be able to protect you from. I think you should start watching your back. First Luna."
The title dripped off her tongue like venom.
My heart slammed hard against my ribs, as I soaked in the subtle threat in her words.
"Did you just threaten me?"
Deidre blinked, wide-eyed, pressing a hand to her chest. "Threaten the First Luna? I would never." A slow, dangerous smile lit up her face. "But if that’s how it landed... well. Maybe you have every reason to feel that way."
We stared at each other. The air between us had gone very still, very cold.
I shook my head in pity for what she had become before turning on my heel without another word.
Behind me, her voice floated after me, soft as silk.
"Enjoy your little meeting, First Luna. I hope it’s everything you dreamed of."
I didn’t look back but her words moved through my veins like ice water, and I could feel her eyes on my back the whole way.
I stepped back into the garden. Several pairs of eyes turned to me immediately, they were watching my every step. I lifted my chin and walked to the head of the circle, the seat Deidre had vacated, and sat down.
Around me, a few of the women straightened almost imperceptibly. One — silver-haired, sharp-eyed — gave the smallest nod before they all greeted me.
I noted it, I had a lot of work to do with the Luna council if they could easily be swayed by Deidre even after I had sent out instructions.
"Shall we begin?" I said, "We have several matters to get through today."
Deidre settled into her seat across from me, a fake smile had now replaced the former sneer on her face. Even as I addressed the council, her parting words circled quietly at the back of my mind.
There are things the Prikaya law will never be able to protect you from.
What exactly did she mean by that?
