Lunar wolves: The chase (Book 2) - Complete

Chapter 7 - A special pin and an ambulance.

Willow

I didn’t get much sleep, but I was so excited that I was full of energy and up before sunrise. Checking that everything was ready for our guests for breakfast before they left. I couldn’t send them off on this trip before having sustenance.

A few of the members slowly started moving out of their rooms and I showed them the way out to the beautiful gardens for their morning meditation sessions. These members would be staying with us as part of our new protection team and I had to work around their schedules from there on out.

I checked the dining room and went back to my room to get dressed. Taking out a black dress, cut in an A-line, the neckline rounded and short sleeves just down my shoulders. A thin silver belt to round off my look. I smoothed out my skirt to make sure the hemline hung evenly just below my knees.

I took care doing my make-up to ensure I looked perfect. Then took out the small black box from my drawer, carefully opening the lid to reveal my new pin. Taking a deep breath, I took it out and attached it to my dress, looking at myself in the mirror.

“Well, this was something I never even dreamed could happen to me. Now step out there and be a council member.” I stood in front of my door, and took a deep breath and opened the door to find Radagast standing right in front of me.

“Ready for breakfast.” His breath, even though he clearly tried to hide it, still smelled of alcohol. Holding out his arm for me, his eyes drifted to the pin on my shoulder and his posture changed. His arm dropped back down to his side.

“What is that?!” He pointed to my pin.

“You know what it is. You have one. I thought you knew about this!” I felt confused. He shoved me back into my room, kicking the door closed behind us. His grip crushing down on my arms.

“No! I did not! So that was what you and the Councillor were all cozying up about!?!” His voice was thick with poison.

“NO! I had no idea about this! I found the box in my room last night! Here! Here is the note!!! I thought you nominated me!” I tried to grab the note from my dressing table, but he shoved me backward and let me fall on the bed, then grabbed the note, reading it.

“Well, it seems you have made quite the impression. All on your own. How long have you been planning this?!” He grabbed hold of my left arm again, pulling me up from the bed.

“I told you! I had nothing to do with this!!” I was in shock.

“I don’t believe you! You are planning on leaving me! That’s it! You were planning on leaving me, that is why you did this. Well, I won’t allow it! Now put that pin back in the box and when we get to the dining room you will very politely decline the offer!! Do you understand me?!” he shouted.

I’ve grown used to his shouting and bullying of late, but I would not give in this time! If he couldn’t be happy for me, then that was his problem!

“Yes, I hear you!” Taking the pin off my dress, I put it back in the box and ripped my arm from his grip. Leaving the room, leaving him behind, I walked as fast as I could to the dining room, so I was there to meet our guests as they arrived.

Breakfast was delightful, or so it seemed. I couldn’t really taste the food with the way Radagast was glaring at me. Hopefully, none of the guests noticed the tension between the two of us.

“Willow, my dear. Did you receive our gift last night?” the Councillor finally asked. Oh hell, the box was on the table where everyone could see it. I just hadn’t decided yet if I was going to go through with my plan or not.

“I did, thank you Councillor. It is a great honour to have been considered without someone even nominating me.” I felt Radagast grip my leg.

“Ah, but you were nominated. By my personal secretary, in fact. She felt that your professionalism with which you always handle matters would make you the perfect addition to the council. Your reasoning is logical, and you stay calm under the most strenuous of circumstances. Take the attack on your family as an example.” He smiled, and I fought to keep a smile on my face.

“Thank you, Councillor.” I couldn’t help but blush. I actually got the pin on merit and not because of Radagast.

“You should be wearing your pin. I’m sure the note said so. Didn’t it?” He turned to his secretary, who nodded and immediately jumped up to remedy the situation.

“Councillor, this is unheard of. There should be an initiation ceremony before she is worthy of such an honour!” He took his hand off my leg, waving his hands around furiously.

“Radagast? Am I to understand that you are denying her this… gift?” The Councillor frowned. I saw the anger starting to rise inside Radagast, his neck starting to turn red.

“No, of course not, Councillor.” Radagast hissed through gritted teeth. The secretary walked up to me and I stood up. She made me hold the box while she put the pin back in place and everyone clapped their hands congratulating me.

Everyone accept Radagast. When breakfast was finished, we saw them off and walked back into the castle. I could feel his gaze burning through my skin while we talked to the members staying behind. We needed to start preparations for his protection and he had to stay behind in the castle, which seemed to agitate him even more.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go off on you like that. Of course, you deserve the council’s praise for all your hard work. Please, forgive me?” Pulling me to one side before we left to take up positions in the forest.

“We can talk about this later. I need to sort out your protection duty. Now let go of me,” I said through gritted teeth, pulling away from his touch, anger flaring through my eyes. He ruined what was supposed to have been a special … no a once in a lifetime special day for me. It was going to take more than “I’m sorry” to fix it!

Melissa

“What were you doing there on the floor, woman?!” Frank stormed in, looking worried.

“I told you. I tripped.” We were waiting for the doctor to come and look at my twisted ankle, which I hoped would happen soon because my charm to hide the mud and my cloak was only going to last a little while longer what with all this pain shooting through my foot! I was having a hard time concentrating!!

“Okay well, can I get you anything while we wait? Maybe some tea?” Frank frowned. HA! Yes!

“Yes, please, tea would be great, thank you.” I grinned from ear to ear, convinced I was overdoing it. If he asked, I would just blame it on the pain. The second he turned his back, I let go of the spell, loosened my cloak and floated it to the hidden cupboard next to the stairs.

“Morning. Mom!! What did you do?!” Circe came bounding in. That split second made me drop the cloak on the floor halfway to the stairs.

“Cr@p!! Sorry. Morning my girl,” I sighed. She walked to me, looking concerned, then Frank came over with my tea, explaining how he found me.

“Mom? You are full of mud. Where was it that you said you fell? Dad? Do you think Glinda snuck out again?” UGH!!!! Of course, Circe would notice literally everything!

“Okay fine!! I snuck out! I tripped over a tree root on my way back in through the trap door. Why on earth do you always have to ask so many questions, Circe!” I slapped my hands down my sides, aggravated at how nosey my daughter could be.

“Seeing as you are so clever. You can take my cloak and wash it. Hand wash. The beading is delicate.” I sat there with my arms crossed over my chest and Frank put the tea down on the coffee table. Circe was completely stunned and sat there looking at me like a rabbit in headlights.

“Circe… move, before your mother turns you into a rat!” Frank ordered, and she looked at him, then at me, getting up, she moved silently, picking up my cloak and disappearing.

“Don’t you dare look at me that way, Frank!” I didn’t have to see the look on his face to know it was there.

“What way? I didn’t do anything.” He claimed innocence.

“That way you do at the girls when they don’t follow your instructions. I did it for a good reason. Where is the damn doctor? I’m in pain and I want to take a long hot bath. I’m cold and sticky with mud,” I complained, and he stood up from sitting on the coffee table.

“Well, if you hadn’t gone traipsing around the forest on your own in the night, you wouldn’t be full of mud and injured right now.” He sighed, and I grabbed the teacup full of tea. It flung through the air and just missed his head.

“I got ya… I will wait for the doctor outside…”

Frank

I was guessing that’s what she meant with “that way”? Why did these women in my family have to be so damn hard-headed?! Oh, brother! I forgot to make myself some coffee, and now there was no going back into the house until after the doctor had given her some medication.

I was not even going to suggest she magically fix it … she might just turn me into a toad!! The doctor arrived and I nearly kissed him. Opening the front door for him to go in, I closed it right behind him once he was inside.

I waited outside until I knew for sure it was safe to go back in. It was times like these that I wished there was a way for Melissa to be a wolf. I couldn’t stand seeing her in so much pain and unable to heal on her own. The sad thing was that a wolf could be born both a witch and a wolf… a witch, however, couldn’t be bitten, then she would lose her powers…

“Is it safe to go in yet?” Circe appeared beside me.

“Uh-uh, the doctor is still there. Have you finished with your mother’s cloak?” I frowned. She had the delicate velvet cloth folded up in her arms.

“Yup, clean and dry.” Circe sighed.

“I’m not going to ask.” I heard sirens and stood up at the same time as Circe turned around.

“Surely mom can’t be hurt that badly?!” Circe frowned. I was not taking any further chances and rushed inside the house.

“What is happening?!” I looked worried, my heart racing.

“Husband… relax. I apparently possibly broke my ankle and didn’t twist it like I was hoping I did. The doctor just wants me to go for x-rays.” Melissa rolled her eyes.

“Oh… but I could have taken you… Never mind. We will meet you at the hospital.” I rushed to grab my keys. “Tabatha, we are taking your mom to the hospital. She has broken her leg. We will be back later.” I mind linked Tabatha.

“WHAT?! Wait for me!!” She came running down the stairs, just as the paramedics put Melissa on the stretcher. “What happened? Mom! How did you break your leg?”

“FRANK!!!! Tabatha, I didn’t break my leg, my girl. I thought I had twisted my ankle, and the doctor thinks I might… MIGHT have broken it… I’m just going for x-rays. Will all of you please calm down!” Melissa looked furious.

“Oh, is that all? DAD?!” Tabatha smacked me on my arm.

“Ankle, leg… it’s all part of the same body part.” I shrugged.

Willow

I heard sirens in the direction of the packhouse! I might not be a wolf, but some of my senses were stronger than the average person. That was what made me such a strong witch. Why would an ambulance be going to the packhouse?

I was showing the councillors the forest areas, and we were deciding who would be standing guard when and where. They clearly didn’t hear the sirens and I had to try and keep my cool, not alerting them to what I heard.

It could be as simple as a pack member who got injured … but then … MOM! I felt adrenaline rush through me and felt nausea rush up my throat, puking without being able to stop it.

“Willow? Are you okay?” Wendy was a young trainee who was trying way too hard to get attention. She was talented, but she was also not ashamed of climbing the ladder in any way possible.

“I’m fine. It’s the wolf smell in the forest. It’s sometimes overwhelming.” I made up an excuse, cleaning my mouth with my handkerchief.

“Oh? Funny, I don’t smell anything, maybe you ate something that didn’t agree with you. Or do you think you could be… No, surely you wouldn’t be pregnant without a mate?” Wendy gushed, but it was fake.

“Wendy!! You forget your place!! That is no way to talk to a council member!” Olivia appeared. Olivia and I became immediate friends when I started dealing with the council. She had a soft heart that she hid very well.

“My apologies, Olivia… Willow.” She gave both of us a little bow and quickly left.