Chapter 12
“What’s your name? “I questioned the precious child who was lying on my bed as I ran the towel soaked with warm water over her bruised arm, and she wiped the tears that escaped her eyes as she answered in a small, fragile voice.
“Emily. “She replied and my heart throbbed.
“Emily. That’s a beautiful name. “I noted and she forced a smile.
“Thank you. “She whimpered, and my heart broke at the fear she emitted. She’s been through so much.
“How old are you? “I questioned, and she sniffled.
“Six.”
“Six! Oh, wow. You’re a big girl. “I said as I tried to sound playful, but I noticed she was still scared. I would know. For seven years, fear, and hurt were the only things I felt. So, I could see it in this child. In her eyes, composure. And even hear it in her voice…
I dropped the towel back into the bucket of warm water and stared at the beautiful child with brown hair and brown eyes.
“Do you miss your mom? Do you want to go back home? “I questioned, and fresh tears filled her eyes.
“Will you treat me better? “She questioned and my heart broke. I took her little fingers in mine, and my heart squeezed.
“How do they treat you? “I questioned, and her tears began to pour..
“Mommy doesn’t want me. She calls me a mistake because I was born on a moonless night and won’t get a wolf. Dad hates me too. They make me stay in the attic and only come out when 1 need to do work. They beat me when I can’t finish all the work, and they threaten to sell me off if I keep slipping up. “She replied, and I felt hurt flow through me.
I smiled bitterly at the little girl and patted her hair gently as I spoke.
“Well, here, you will stay with me. I will feed you all the goodies you want, get you pretty dresses and shoes, no one will ever hurt you again, and the only work you’ll have to do is schoolwork. “I said, and I saw something shine in her eyes before a smile curved on her face.
“Promise? “She whispered, and I smiled at her.
“Promise. “I replied, and she chuckled lightly.
“Thank you, Luna Celine. “She said, and I froze.
“I’m not Luna, Emily. “I corrected gently, and she stared at me for a few seconds,
“But you should be Luna. You’re kind and beautiful. You are like a goddess. “She said, and I smiled.
“But I’m not, dear. I’m just a normal woman.”
“You’re no normal woman. You’re a goddess. My hero. “She said and I smiled.
“You’re such a precious child. “I noted as I patted her hair, and she smiled at me.
There was suddenly a knock on my door, and we both turned
“Who’s there? “I called, and a maid responded.
to it
“Good evening, my lady. Alpha Aiden calls for you. “She said, and I froze. Aiden. He most likely wants to talk about the girl.
“Come in. “I ordered, and a maid walked in.
“Bath her and get her in something comfortable. I want all her wounds attended to, and she should be put to sleep before I return. “I ordered and the maid nodded.
“What room would you like us to prepare for her? “She questioned and I froze. I looked at the little girl who was watching me closely, and I smiled.
Chapter 12
“Leave her in my bed. And I want Carla nowhere near her. “I replied and the maid nodded. As I walked away, my heart thudded, but I knew I had to stay calm. What’s the worst that could happen?
Whatever it was, I would make sure that I won’t lose my child again. Not a chance.
Aiden;
I started at Celine as she walked into the throne room. Her new, ever so confident aura followed her into the room and filled the space
“You called for me. “She said with a bow, and I adjusted in my throne.
She was in a purple dress that hugged her figure perfectly. She was stunning- Beautiful. Tempting. She suddenly looked up at me and I battled to maintain composure as I stood up.
“You left the castle grounds,” I said, but she remained silent with her blue eyes pinned on me as I walked up to her.
“Who gave you permission to? “I added, and I saw something shift in her eyes.
“The maids don’t need permission before leaving. Why do I? “She replied in her ever so sassy tone, and I stopped only a few feet away from her.
“Because y
eyes.
you are my rebellious mate, and I won’t risk the insult of you attempting to run away. “I replied, and she rolled her
“I was with Ace. “
“Ace is not me! “I growled.
“No kidding. “She replied with a scoff and I clenched my fists.
“I am your mate, and above that, I am your Alpha. That gives me twice the right over you. That means you do not leave unless
I permit you to. I am to know exactly where you are at all times. “I spoke, and she stared at me in silence. Not an atom of fear in her eyes and that enraged me.
“You seem to be forgetting your place, Celine. “I spoke as I stepped closer to her, and she didn’t move. She simply stared at me. Challenging me with those eyes as beautiful as the night sky.
“You seem to be forgetting that you are alive today only because of my father’s mercy. You seem to be forgetting the lengths I can go to punish you for what your family did to mine. “I continued, and I saw her clench her jaw before she looked away
“You dared to leave my castle without my permission. Forgetting that you belong to me, and for that, you will be punished. “I added, and she looked back up at me with an expression I couldn’t read
“What? “She questioned, and I drew a deep breath. This was an opportunity I would not lose no matter what. The mate pull has been dragging me to her and now that I’ve seen an opportunity to help myself, I won’t lose it
“You will spend the night with me. “I reply and her eyes widen. Silence envelops the empty room for a few seconds, and when I’m sure that she’s not going to say a thing, I make to leave and just when I’ve taken a few steps away from her, she speaks.
“And if I don’t agree “She questions, and I sigh
*Til have to find another way to punish you then. I will simply throw the girl you so heroically saved back to her parents. “1 reply and without waiting for her response, I continue my journey out of the throne room
I will do anything to get Celine under my control again. I will do anything to have her, including this. I will kick the child out and pull every string I need to pull to once again see that want, and desire in Celine’s eyes when she looks at me.
Anything! Including forcing her to spend a night with me.
