I Am The Luna

ZAIA.

I know I should have listened to him, but I truly believed I was doing the right thing. I honestly didn’t think things would end up this bad. The festering thoughts aren’t easing up, and I feel mentally exhausted.

“Go with him. Show Atticus his room. I’ll clean this up. “I tell Valerie gently. She’s shaken by it all, and I know she’s going through a lot. I hope she at least realises she does love him.

Everyone deserves a second chance, right?

She nods and I give her a smile, watching Atticus lift him carefully. “You did amazingly. Now go with him.” I whisper to her.

She’s about to say something, but instead, she simply smiles and nods before she helps Atticus with Jai, supporting his head. She’s got blood in her hair and over her clothes, but like me, she has far bigger things to be concerned about.

They leave the room and my smile fades as I slowly drop into one of the chairs, my face falling. No longer able to keep the mask of strength on my face.

Everything went wrong tonight… This was not what I was expecting to happen.

I wanted to make things right between the rogues and us, to prove that they were just like us… But they’re not, and the painful truth is they don’t like us and never wanted to create an alliance of peace.

Then Jai, Jai shouldn’t have gotten hurt He almost died because of me… How many more people’s lives will I be responsible for in the war that I have created?

I’m terrified. Terrified of what I can possibly do… I killed someone with no hesitation and the most chilling part is, I know I’ll do it all over again if I have to. I look down at my blood-covered hands. Look at the blood behind my fingernails…

Who am I becoming?

Do I even recognise myself?

hating

pathetic, aren’t I? I wanted him to pull me into his arms and tell me it’s going to be ok… or

brushing my hair back as I try to pull myself

tears but I can’t cry. There’s so much I need to do and

“Zaia…”

and I quickly sit up looking away as

“Hey…”

in his room. Valerie has given him something for the pain for when he wakes up. I’m

Stay, you need rest and it’s not

here.” He

who helped us escape and stopped those wolves that refused to pledge their allegiance to me. Even the rogues had run, clearly fearing their lives. It’s all a mess.

realise is a reflex to hide his real emotions. “Seven.” He says softly. There’s a sadness in

sorry,”

they have families? Children?

More deaths…

and my pack is ready.” He kneels before me and gives my shoulder

incredible out there. I’m damn proud of you. Who would have thought the pregnant woman seeking a home in

brushes my hair back, and

takes his leave. The words are comforting… but they

the rug away, not wanting the children to see any signs of this tomorrow, I mop the entire floor. Finally, the smell of blood has eased up, replaced

in the getaway car, and I’m still covered in blood. I need a bath Once everything is clean and I’ve disposed of the bloody clothes and towels, I head upstairs. I pop into the children’s room, they’re

stronger. I fuss with the blankets before I gently check Sia’s pulse, frowning.

her back and I gaze down at her, wishing all her pain and illness were

you better. I peck them ever so lightly, not wanting to get this filthy blood on them and then leave the room

if he is… he’s going to be angry. I enter the room, and the first thing that hits me is the smell of smoke. Then I see him standing there. He’s only in a pair of sweatpants

rarely smokes There’s a deep frown on his face and I don’t know what to say. I walk to my suitcase and take out some yoga pants and a tank top and head to the bathroom to

says when I’m about to step into the bathroom, making

at him, feeling as if I’ve just been punched in

also handled it in the best way I possibly could. I’m trying.” I reply quietly. I don’t want

my eyes replays in my mind and the way I mercilessly flung

this tomorrow? I’m tired.” I say

want

We’re doing this now. I gave you a clear warning, Zaia, a fucking warning not to go anywhere with them and you did just that.” He says as he advances on

did, and like I said,

you stand in this twisted play of

recklessness and your ego- “Please stop.” I plead quietly. My heart

hold me. He looks down at

“Zaia-”

into my eyes, his soften. There’s regret, guilt, pain and so much more in them as he grabs me by my arm and yanks me close,

close my eyes, sinking into his embrace. Sparks course through me, but more than that it’s

to let go. His heart is thudding hard and so is mine as I hold on tight, as if he might just

as he kisses the

His voice is quiet

through the