Chapter 72: SEVENTY-TWO

Hurt Ava laid there in that position, letting the tears run freely. Why had she said those words to him?

And since when did it become a Luna’s duty to protect her alpha? She just said anything that came to her mind at that point, most of which didn’t make sense. She’d even lied that she was in love with Ray, when she knew the person her heart really beats for. But she didn’t choose any of this… she didn’t choose Lucas to be her mate, she didn’t choose to fall in love with him.

‘You didn’t choose Ray to be your betrothed either.’

‘Not now Layla, please not now.’

The sobs continued, she said terrible things to him he didn’t deserve at all, she asked herself the reason for saying those words, maybe its because her she didn’t want to accept the fact that she was in love with the man who abducted her, the man who wanted to change the course of her destiny she’d prepared her whole life for, she knew she couldn’t be Ray’s Luna anymore, but she ought to pay her last respects to him as Lucas had said, but with all she’d said today, one thing she wasn’t wrong about;

she’s stayed here for too long.

She got up from the study and headed towards the direction to her room, the room she hasn’t slept in a long time, all because the warm feel of Lucas’s bed welcomes her more. She didn’t know why she came here, none of what was here belonged to her; the clothes, the fancy jewelry and accessories, the gifts, all came from Lucas, and she didn’t want to take anything back with her that reminded her of him.

The only thing she carried on her neck was the moon necklace he gave her, maybe she would just hold on to that one for his sake.

She stripped off her clothes and changed into her wolf form, running as fast as she could out of her room, through the passages and out the back, towards the bushes that leads to the drawl forest, yes, she chose to take the short cut, letting her mind travel as Layla took her back home.

**********

Nani hummed a sad old wolf folksong as she took alpha Lucas’s breakfast to his bedroom, news always spread fast in the packhouse as those who’d overheard the argument wasted no time in spreading the news, everyone now knew that Ava was gone with no news of if she’s coming back or not. It was sad to see their heartbroken faces at breakfast today, she didn’t even say goodbye. She and the other servants had thrown away a lot of food today, the pack members, especially the ones close to Ava didn’t so much as touch their food, even Meeka couldn’t help the situation this time around.

The atmosphere was gloomy, even worse than the way it was before Ava came into their lives and as everyone expected, the alpha didn’t join them for breakfast this morning, he’d ordered that he shouldn’t be disturbed for days to come by anyone, and he shouldn’t be served any meals for now but of course, Nani wouldn’t hear of him starving himself to death, she is the pack’s care taker after all.

She reached the front of his chambers with the tray in her hands, the doors were guarded by two wolf guards who stopped her.

“The alpha has ordered that he’d be not disturbed Nani. We’re sorry.”

“I know, but please, just let me see him, just once.”

The guards looked at each other, as if asking the other what to do. Everyone in the dawn packhouse had a soft spot for Nani Rosalyn, and they knew that anyone picking a fit with her would be picking a fit with the alpha himself.

“He’s looked the door from inside,” Kiron stated.

Nani closed her eyes, no, not again, he’s locked himself alone in there but that’s not the main problem; he’s sliding into his dark state, only twice had there been this occurrence; during the time he lost his parents, and again the time he lost Amelia and Bambi, those were not good times for him at all, and now he’s lost Ava, only the goddess knows what he’ll do to himself next.

“Kiron.”

“Yes Nani?”

“Go downstairs to the vaults in the basement, near where the weapons are assembled, on the opposite wall, there are hangings containing every spare key to all rooms in the packhouse. Find the one that belongs to the alpha’s chambers and bring it here. I’m waiting.”

“As you wish, Nani.”

Kiron hurried off to do as the caretaker had asked while she waited, still holding the tray of food in her hand. He then came back a few minutes with the keys dangling in his hands. “Thank the goddess he found them,” she muttered.

He assisted her in opening the doors and then she entered, closing it slowly behind her with her leg.

“Lucas?”

She looked around, but he was nowhere to be found in the lounge, she went into his inner chambers and saw him sitting on the floor, his eyes closed and his head rested at the edge of his bed, with an empty bottle of alcohol lying beside him. The alcohol didn’t seem to do any good, didn’t take away the hurt, didn’t make him forget, that’s why he didn’t bother to take anymore gulps.

“Oh no!” Nani gasped; he’s never taken alcohol since… Since Susan.