CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED
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CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED
Talia’s POV
“They are waiting in the garden outside,” Maggie said eagerly. “They traveled so far just to see you. It would mean a great deal to them if you greeted them personally.”
“This is not right,’ my wolf growled. ‘Why are you going along with this?’
‘Because I want to know how far she is willing to go with this,’ I responded.
My wolf huffed. ‘We should not be reckless,’ she urged. ‘At least wait until our mate returns.’
I didn’t want to wait. I wanted another opportunity to show that Maggie should not be around us. My wolf growled low within me, but I ignored her.
How would I explain this to Nolan if I was wrong? It would look like I was being petty especially since Maggie apologized twice in front of witnesses. There was no reason, yet, to refuse a simple request.
‘I still think this is foolish,’ my wolf grumbled.
‘If this is a trap, you will reach out to Nolan immediately,’ I told her.
“Luna?” Maggie said, bringing me out of my thoughts. I had not realized I had stopped walking.
“Lead the way, Maggie,” I told her. Maggie smiled as she led me out of the hall. Two warriors approached us. They eyed Maggie suspiciously before focusing their attention on me.
“Luna,” one of them said carefully, “it is late. The outer grounds are not secure at this hour. We advise you to remain inside.”
Maggie bristled immediately. Before I could respond, she snapped, “How dare you stop our Luna! Do you have any idea how far those members traveled? If Alpha Nolan learns that you prevented her from greeting them, you will answer for it.”
The warriors looked at Maggie in surprise.
“That is not our intention,” the other warrior said. “We are only following protocol.”
“And protocol is to follow the orders of your Luna and Alpha,” Maggie countered.
“Which you are not,” the first warrior growled. “I will contact Alpha Nolan to confirm your statement.”
Maggie’s face became flushed with anger, and I could’ve sworn she looked fearful for just a moment.
“I appreciate your concern,” I said, intervening on Maggie’s behalf. “I will be nearby and will return shortly. There is no need to alert Alpha Nolan over something so minor.”
The warriors hesitated. They looked conflicted. After a moment, both bowed their heads.
“Forgive us, Luna,” the first one said, “Please be safe, We will be nearby if you need our assistance.”
“Thank you,” I told them. Maggie shot them a triumphant look as she walked past them.
“You shouldn’t antagonize them,” I said.
“They shouldn’t have stopped us. They…”
“You never make enemies of the ones that are risking their lives to protect you,” I told her firmly, cutting her off. I was starting to understand how she made rogues so angry that they were trying to chase her down and kill her back then. Maggie did not know how to talk to people. It was a miracle she got this far in Bloodmoon.
“Yes, Luna,” Maggie muttered.
HARTER TWOTHUNDRED
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We walked along the stone path that curved away from the main hall. The lamp posts cast soft light across the grounds, illuminating just enough for us to be able to see in the dark.
“Maggie, what do you think about Nolan?” I asked, breaking the silence.
After a brief pause, she said, “If it weren’t for Alpha Nolan, the Bloodmoon pack would never have grown this strong. The borders are secure. Trade has increased. Even the Elders respect him now and don’t treat him as an arrogant pup anymore.” She clearly admired Nolan and I had to bite my tongue as I felt jealousy creeping up my spine. I fought the urge to reaffirm my position as Nolan’s mate.
“He works tirelessly,” she continued. “He rarely rests. He never hesitates when the pack is threatened.”
“He takes his responsibility seriously,” I added.
“He always has,” Maggie replied. “Even before he became Alpha when the Elders governed the pack.”
I didn’t want Maggie telling me more about Nolan. There were some things that I wanted to hear from him. “Tell me about yourself, Maggie,” I said in an attempt to change the topic.
“I was an orphan,” Maggie stated.
“That had to be rough,” I said. “Did you lose your pack?”
“To rogues,” Maggie answered. “When the mad rogues attacked the border, my parents sent me away. I grew up in the wild on my own. Every night I was hiding because the mad rogues never left anyone alive. When they caught up to me, Alpha Nolan saved me. He brought me back here. This pack became my home.”
I felt sympathy for Maggie. To have that happen to her at such a young age was heart breaking. It made sense why she was so obsessed with Nolan.
“Alpha Nolan is my only family,” Maggie added.
“He is a great Alpha,” I said after a moment. “I hope, in time, I can become the kind of Luna you can respect and perhaps a sister to you.”
Maggie didn’t respond. We continued walking. The path grew narrower and less light. The garden ahead was partially obscured
by trees.
“Where exactly are they waiting?” I asked as I began to slow down.
Maggie gestured ahead vaguely. “Just beyond the hedge. They were exhausted from traveling and needed to rest.”
My wolf surged forward, “Turn back. NOW!’
“Maggie, this doesn’t feel right,” I said as I came to a complete stop.
“No, they are just ahead,” Maggie insisted.
A cool breeze ruffled the leaves on the tree.
Then, I smelled a scent I thought I would never smell here: rogue wolves. The scent was strong, too strong.
I grabbed Maggie’s arm hard enough to make her gasp.
“RUN!” I shouted.
