Chapter 53

53 Shock And Fear

Tia.

I could not believe what had happened during breakfast. There had been horrible moments in that

lounge, but this was the most shocking. I wasn’t expecting Luke to go at his father the way he did. When

I told him what Alpha Aesop said to me in the office, he had taken it calmly,

and I did not see it as anything. I was used to the insults. People often referred to me as a commodity or

gold digger; the list went on. It never got to me because my husband did not see me that way, and I

knew that wasn’t the truth. It did not bother me, but it hurt a bit when

Alpha Aesop used it against me in the office because he knew the truth. He did not buy me for his son;

he forced my parents’ hands and for him to make it seem like they willingly sold me to him in the

presence of Monica was low. I did not like the man anyway and had no respect for him. He was a coward

and clearly pussy whipped by Stacy. He was a shame to his family and pack.

I knew it was difficult for Alpha Aesop to apologise to his son, but he was in the wrong. I admired that

about him. He really did not need to say sorry. There was nothing Luke could do to him, but I knew he

loved Luke and did not want any more damage to occur between him and his son; I guess that was why

he apologised. After seeing Luke go at his family for my sake, I knew there was nothing he wouldn’t do

for me because this was the height of it. I was blessed to be mated to a strong man like Luke.

The revelation was shocking. Who would have thought Stacy was in a serious relationship before she

met alpha, Aesop. It was unimaginable. The woman behaved as if the man was her

first love. Deep down, I knew there was more to the story. No matter what Stacy said, she clearly left the

guy because he did not have money. She had come into the Moon family with an excavator. Too bad for

her; it took twenty-three years for Alpha Aesop to run out of gold for her to dig. If he had handed the

company to Luke long ago and Stacy was younger, I am sure she would find somewhere else to dig

from. She was still a looker; I wouldn’t put that past her. The only downside for her was Aesop’s mark on

her neck. It was a strong deterrent.

Everyone was shocked, and I understood why Kimberly wasn’t allowed to be at the table.

“Where is Kimberly?” I finally asked, trying to change the topic, and Luke placed his hands on my thigh. I

turned to look at him, but his face was expressionless, so he just wanted to touch me. I could feel his

discomfort. The revelation had troubled him.

“She went for her antenatal appointment,” Stacy said, and I looked at Caleb.

“You let her go alone?” I asked him, and he looked away in shame. There was still tension between us,

but we tried to be civil whenever needed. As much as I did not like Kimberly, someone had to speak up

for her.

“Whether the baby is yours or not, you shouldn’t do that to her. Whatever you might say here, Caleb, you

were once fond of that girl. I can understand you not wanting to settle down with her yet but letting her go

through this is cruel and wicked. If she gives birth and the baby is yours, you would have missed out on

significant moments. I am sure you let her go to her breathing classes alone, too,” I said, and everyone

was shocked at my utterances.

“You claim it isn’t yours, but the fact remains is there is a possibility that it is. She is your friend. You

should be there for her,” I said.

“I am busy, Tia. I have the training and other stuff, and she brought this upon herself. It is her fault that…”

he said and stopped. I knew what he wanted to say because he looked at Luke and held his peace. Not

wanting to create a problem. I was quiet, too and let it go.

“I am sure they will work out their differences, Tia,” Alpha Aesop said, and I bowed my head.

“Maybe I should help since you are busy,” I suggested as his friend, and Caleb excused us from the

table. No one bothered to call him back.

‘Why?” Luke asked me, and I turned to him.

“She shouldn’t be going through this alone. I don’t mind escorting her to her antenatal sessions and

breathing classes. Kimberly is practically alone all the time.” I said, and he sighed. He did not know what

to say, but he wasn’t in agreement. “I think you should leave her alone,” Stacy said, and I let it go. I just

wanted Caleb to spend some time with Kimberly to get over me. Maybe if he went for her appointments

with her, he would soften towards her and the baby. I was tired of the tension and awkwardness between

us.

“Then take her. Support her. For someone who has had children, you should understand her needs more

than anyone. After all, Timothy is your friend. I do not think he would be happy you let his daughter

suffer,” Alpha Aesop told Stacy, and she looked at me with scorn.

“Gladly, when Luke starts supporting and caring for Elisabeth. When he starts taking her for her antenatal

and breathing classes, I will do it,” she said with a smug look.

“Enough, Stacy,” Aesop said. The man was clearly angry with his wife, and I knew it had nothing to do

with our discussion.

“Tia is right. If you can’t do it, delegate a staff to do it. That is what Luke did. Elisabeth has staff with her

all the time. Her needs are cared for, and she never goes for her appointments alone. Luke is married, so

he cannot do those things for Miss Barnes; Kimberly, on the other, will be Caleb’s wife once we confirm

the baby is his, You have even collected money from her parents to seal the deal. You encouraged the

relationship. It is time you start fixing some of the damages you caused. I agree with Tia on this. Kimberly

should not do this alone. If you do not do something about it, I will step in,” he threatened her, and she

shook her head immediately.

“Very well, Monica will do it. She has no job. I am sure Luke does not mind paying her for the services

she would be rendering for his brother; after all, he is paying the staff attending to Elisabeth,” She said,

looking at Luke, and he smiled at her.

“He is her cousin. Monica was raised with Moon money; she should show some gratitude. Right now, the

only reason you are still here is because of Caleb.” Luke said and stood up.

“Are you leaving?” Alpha Aesop asked his son and Luke nodded.

“Tia and I have things to do,” Luke said.

“But today is Saturday. I thought you two would stay longer,” he said, not wanting his son to leave.

“If we remain, what would we do?” Luke asked him, and he did not know what to say.

“I need to go to the defence quarters and check out what is going on with the borders,” Luke told his

father, and I wondered what might be happening at the border and why Luke was yet

to tell me anything.

“Is it that serious?”Alpha Aesop asked, and Luke sighed and nodded.

“The troops are keeping it under control, but we do not even know who is attacking us and why. We have

been at peace for so long that our army is not really experienced in war. I had selected a few to train with

me for war purposes just in case it comes to that. ” Luke told his father, and I was afraid. I became very

uneasy.

“Is it that serious, Luke?” his father asked, and Luke could not give a straight answer. “The arsenal that

Caleb’s team went to protect had nothing, yet they attacked with full force. Woodclaw is an Island, and

almost all our borders have been attacked. I do not want to imagine the worst, but we must prepare for it.

Just in case,” Luke said, and my heart began to beat fast, but I held it together.

“Do you know why?” Alpha Aesop asked.

“No, we are still investigating,” Luke said, and his father sat up in his chair with a serious expression.

“I guess my duty as alpha isn’t over yet. We have to handle this together. If it comes to war, we have to

take charge together. I would have told you to sit it out, but you are the one with the active mark.” He

said.

“I hope it doesn’t come to it, and it is just some groups of ambitious unrelated packs of wolves, ” Luke

said, trying to ease the tension in the room.

“Is Caleb training for this too?” Stacy asked. Ever selfish as always.

“Yes, but when it comes to war, he and Kirk must stay behind to assist Tia in managing the pack. They

are not ready for that magnitude of war,” Luke said, and I looked at him. My fear was evident. I touched

his hand and squeezed, and then he rubbed the back of my hands gently to calm me down.

“It is okay, Tia; it isn’t as serious as I am making it sound,” He linked me, but I did not believe him.

“Why must they assist Tia? I thought he was to temporarily take over while you are away. Grey always

took over whenever your father was temporarily away,” Stacy stated, and Aesop sighed.

“That was because you are not a trained warrior, Stacy. Tia is a qualified soldier. If Luke is away, the

command falls to his Luna. If she was like you, then Caleb being the beta, would take over, but because

she is trained and capable, she will take over, and Caleb and Kirk would work under her.” he explained to

her, and she was silent.

“It will not come to that, hopefully,” Luke said, and his father nodded. “Let’s go, Tia,” Luke said, and I was

ready to follow him. I was too worried to remain in that place.

“Keep me posted and let me know when you need me. Do not fight anyone without me, Luke,” Aesop

warned him, and Luke nodded.

We walked away from the lounge briskly. I held my breath all through until we entered the car. I began to

hyperventilate.

“Tia,” Luke said and leaned close, but I hit his chest really hard. Tears were streaming down

my face. I wondered why but I couldn’t handle my emotions. They were all over the place. ‘When were

you going to tell me, Luke. When were you going to tell me you were training for war. Instead, you told

me they wanted to sharpen your alpha skills. I knew there was something off about your explanation, but

I gave you the benefit of the doubt,” I said, and he pulled me close to him.

“I did not want you to be worried. I did not want this. It is really nothing, and I doubt it would result in

that.” He explained.

“But you should have told me still. You should have given me the heads up instead of letting me find out

how I did. I wouldn’t have known if it weren’t because your father asked you to deploy troops to protect

Stacy’s parents.” I told him, and he did not know what else to say. “Do you mind if we leave this place?”

Luke asked me, and I wiped away my tears and told him we should go.