Chapter 12

Chapter 12

I slept in spurts, not eating, barely drinking water, staring at the ceiling of pink fluffy clouds and unicorns. I didn’t know how much time had passed, but I did know what had happened to me was even more unbelievable than the unicorns on my ceiling.

A summons came, and I checked the clock, noting that a whole day had passed. I rose and changed out of the white dress into something more comfortable. Something more me. Something I felt confident in and could use to steel myself for the ultimate rejection I knew I had to face.

For. Hale was surely calling me because he realized he’d made a mistake. It was the only logical explanation. Id puzzled over it and puzzled over it and decided Hale had temporarily lost his mind. And he’d finally come to the same conclusion.

1 walked in my uniform to Hale’s study, trying to feel confident. Trying to get ready for the disappointment that was sure to

follow.

However, when I raised my fist to knock on the door, it was a timid sound. I grimaced. Maybe I wasn’t as ready for this as I’d thought.

The door opened, and I was surprised to see the pack Beta, Eddie Brookfield, standing there before me. He smiled widely at me and stepped aside so I could walk in

Hale was not there.

I turned and looked back at Eddie.

“Oh, he’s off on a diplomatic thing with another pack. Don’t worry, you’re not being rejected,” Eddie winked. He’d always been very intuitive. When we were younger, we’d been great friends. We’d all been great friends. How could one–moment change so much?

“I did think he was calling me to his office because he’d come to his senses,” I admitted.

“Completely understand,” Eddie said. “But he hasn’t come to his senses.” He gave me a light punch in the shoulder. “I, for one, don’t care if he ever does. How are you doing? It’s been so long since we’ve talked. I saw you at the ball–I was really surprised to see you there”

“I’ve been…” I tried to think of how to formulate how I’d been. It was hard to describe, especially given the events of the last forty–eight hours.

Eddie frowned and brushed my check with the back of his fingers “No scars, but you’ve still got lines there. Is that make–up?

I touched my cheek, then remembered I hadn’t washed it all off my face yet. I’d been too busy reeling from all the changes. “Oh, yeah, the maid was making me up for the ceremony.”

Eddie’s frown turned to a scowl. “She was trying to accentuate your scars?”

“I’m not terribly well–liked in the pack. Don’t know if you’ve noticed, Ijoked.

“Not funny,” Eddie said seriously. He licked his thumb, then rubbed away the lines. “That woman sounds like a right b*tch.” “She was,” I agreed. “But she got me ready, anyway.”

Eddie took my hands in his. “Really, though. How have you been?”

I sighed. “Eddie, I was sent to the Traitors‘ Cave. I’ve been trained to die in combat. Then all this happened, and Alpha Hale still hasn’t said a word to the about it-”

“Alpha Hale. I think, since he’s going to be your husband, you’re allowed to start calling him Mason again,” Eddie said, a slightly teasing smile on his face.

Husband. When I was a little girl, all I’d ever dreamed about was being at Mason’s side forever. Now, unless he changed his mind again, I would be. Only, even in my stunned state, I knew I was absolutely the wrong choice for Luna. The pack would never accept me.

“What was he thinking?” 1 mumbled.

“He was thinking of you going off with Shawn Norman,” Eddie said. “I think he broke three glasses fuming about it right here in front of me. You must know you really hurt him with that. Low blow, Kora”

“How else was I supposed to stay? I argued, crossing my arms. “I was going to be exiled.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “After all you’ve been through, you really wanted to STAY here?”

“Twant to know what happened. What really happened with my father. Do you know the details? All anyb*dy ever says is that he killed the Alpha, but I just can’t believe-“I began.

Eddie held up a hand. “We’re not allowed to talk about it.”

“But…” I gave him what I expected was a desperate, pleading look. Because I was desperate. And pleading. “I want to know. I really need to know. Before I ever consider leaving this pack, I need to know the truth.”

“Kora, we can’t talk about it. Mason’s orders,” Eddie repeated.

My heart sank.

I thought we just didn’t have a chance to talk, but it seemed that it was only me who was still trapped in that night, that bloody moon, the scream and silent misery.

“How can no one talk about it?!” Before I realized what I’d done, I’d shouted it out.

“There are so many doubts about this case, that night. People died, our friends died, and dare you say you’ve found the truth?” I questioned, slowly, coldness burning at the corners of my heart. And my whole life was ruined – I hid it deep in my

heart.

Eddie sighed and pulled me into a hug. “Kora, I’m sorry. I’ve missed you, and I still consider myself your friend. But we really just can’t talk about it. Hell, even if we could, I don’t know enough of the details to satisfy your curiosity. I promise. You just… wait for Mason to come back and ask him, okay?”

I pulled away, throwing up my hands in exasperation. “Fine, FINE. I suppose now that he’s going to be my husband, though I don’t know why. He’ll be willing to answer a few of my questions.”

“I hope so,” Eddie said. He patted me on the back. “I just wanted to tell you Mason would be gone for a while, and see you again. That’s all.”

“It.. really is good to see you again, Eddie,” I replied, now giving him a soft punch in the arm. “You can call me for a chat anytime. Or better yet, come visit me. I’m still in the same room.”

“Yeah.. no. No way I’m getting caught going in and out of the Alpha’s mate’s room. I like my head right where it is,” Eddie chuckled.

I hadn’t even thought of that. But then, given how Hale had reacted to Shawn, Eddie’s caution made sense. “Okay. Well, see you around, then,” I said lamely.

“See you,” Eddie grinned.

I walked out of the study and made my way back to my room. Since Hale was gone, and Eddie was watching the study, there was really nothing I could do to further my investigation. Plus, there was still the whole shocking idea that I was Hale’s mate swirling around in my mind.

Not noticing my surroundings, I sat on my bed, only to hear a crinkle and feel something poke me in the backside.

I stood again and looked at the comforter. Someone had placed an unassuming envelope on the bed with my name on it.

Puzzled, I picked up the envelope and opened it, almost expecting it to be a letter from a disgruntled subject, telling me how unworthy I was.

Or, maybe a letter from Hale.

I smiled, however, when I saw it was a letter from Shawn.

It was Shawn’s handwriting

“Meet him at the warriors‘ training center?” I mumbled to myself. Well, I supposed we did have a lot to discuss, not the least of which was our broken engagement.

I put the letter in a drawer, then started out for the training center. On impulse, I looked back at the castle….

and could have sworn I saw Giselle grinning at me before disappearing from sight.