"Crystal. I need you to understand that things are different now - no baby - don't cry. It's just that you and I can't live together right now."
I remember my barely fourteen year old self shedding tears. I remember being afraid, confused too. Abandoned.
"Your Uncle Victor will take really good care of you." She continued as she wiped my tears with her sweater sleeves.
It was no use, the tears still rolled down my cheeks. Why didn't my own mother want me?
Was I cursed? Was this thing I was turning into the problem?
"Baby, mummy needs to go now, okay?" She continued.
"No." I protested as I held on to her. "Don't leave me, mum."
"It's okay, baby girl." She cooed as she stroked my hair. "Mummy loves you, okay? She loves you so so much."
She took the crescent necklace that hang around my neck and then took out her own from under her sweater.
"We're always connected, my love, one way or another, we're Van Cliff wolves. I'll be back for you. I promise." Her eyes glowed blue and mine mirrored them. As a sign of affirmation.
Some promise... I haven't seen her since. Or heard from her for that matter.
I wonder what she would think about all this...
Bridgette took me to the school bathroom and gave me some clothes.
Lost but found P.E shorts and one of Tristan's black t shirts. As if I wanted his scent on me right now.
I couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened?
Why was it that the universe chose the most introverted person to thrust into the spotlight?
Someone should write a book and call it 'The unfortunate life of Crystal Swan'.
We would start off with her being abandoned by her own mother to falling for a boy who turned out to be a spy and then we would add a little bit of humour, her getting called out in front of the whole school by being chosen for a coveted program she didn't even apply for. And of course we would top it off with the climax, she's the Luna of a pack that secretly hates her and doesn't accept her. So beautifully tragic, don't you think?
I thought about how Kat and Chris had looked at me.
Kat didn't even have an expression on her face.
I understood, she must not have known how to react.
If I had chosen to tell anyone my secret, it would have been her.
But I didn't.
And now I probably just seemed like a liar in her mind.
Chris literally had his mouth hanging open in a 'what the heck?' way.
I bet he couldn't have seen this coming either. And that's a boy who has read too many DC and Marvel comic books for his own good. Those things always have unexpected plot twists.
After I was done getting dressed, Bridgette ushered me out into the halls again, we were met with the gaping faces of my fellow students who were now staring at me like I had two heads.
Technically, I did. I had no doubt that now that they knew the truth, whenever they would look at me, they would see Tristan as well. Or at least they wouldn't just see me but the Luna as well.
Me? Luna? What a joke.
When I see Tristan again, he is going to get it for sure.
How dare he?
What was he thinking?
After all this time he chooses to veto my rejection now? And in front of the whole student body?
"What are you all doing out here? Get to your classrooms this instant!" I heard Ms Marin's sharp voice screech.
This is probably the first time I could ever say I was glad to see her.
Ms Marin's voice and frantic behaviour was enough to scare the spectators away.
Headmaster Forbes walked behind her calmly as they headed towards us.
"Oh Beta Bridget, I apologise profoundly for these unruly students, they really don't know how to follow protocol in these incidents. In my days, we were trained as soldiers in school. If there was a rogue in town, we would deal with him ourselves! I was only eight when I dealt with my first rogue." Ms Marin spoke with a sense of pride.
She did a double take at me. "Oh my! I forgot my manners, I apologise Luna, I should have addressed you first."
Was it just me or did I detect sarcasm in her voice?
I cringed. I bet if I wasn't a halfling and I wasn't connected to Roman, Ms Marin wouldn't have even known I existed. Ms Marin was old fashioned. So that meant that in her books, I didn't deserve to be luna.
Headmaster Forbes nodded at me. "Luna - Crystal, how are you? Did you get hurt in the altercation?" He asked.
At least he wasn't acting like I was suddenly the queen.
I shook my head. "I'm fine." My voice croaked. They were the first words I had let out since everything had happened really. I didn't realise that I had quite actually been stunned into silence. Not to mention, I had been in my wolf form for almost all of it.
"I need to secure the Luna." Bridget spoke. "Headmaster Forbes, Vice Headmistress Marin. Put the school on lockdown as soon as we leave. Make sure all your students are accounted for. Soldiers will be dispatched here in a few minutes."
The two nodded.
It was weird seeing Bridget give these two people - who were in charge of me at school - orders. Especially since she was much younger, around Tristan's age.
"Do you have any idea who the rogue was?" Ms Marin asked. "The nerve! Coming into Silvercrest pack territory and trying to kill the Alpha's little brother? We'll tear him limb from limb when we find him."
Ms Marin pounded her wrinkled fist into her palm.
If you thought her age made her weak, you were dead wrong.
"Um, Deloris, let's focus on keeping the school safe, your days in the war are over." Principal Forbes told her, sounding uneasy.
I thought I saw Bridget crack a smile.
"I led soldiers into territories other full grown werewolves were afraid to tread and now I've been reduced to this. We're getting weak." She murmured. I thought I saw her eyes dart to me.
As I said Ms Marin is pretty old fashioned and I had no doubt in my mind that even if she was acting cool, she'd probably be one of the first to protest the halfling Luna.
"Let's go, Deloris." Headmaster Forbes turned her around by the shoulders, leading her away. "Be safe." He spoke, his eyes fixed on both Bridget and I.
"Where's my sister?" Bridget asked, calling Principal Forbes back.
Ms Marin went off yelling at a student who had wandered into the halls.
For a minute, I thought I heard the slightest bit of emotion in her usually straight, business like voice.
"Courtney and the rest of the Candidates are helping us secure the younger kids." Principal Forbes spoke.
I sometimes forgot that the Candidates of the AAP got a higher status automatically even in schools. They basically weren't students anymore. When things like this happened, they were supposed to step up and help.
Bridget nodded in approval but I could see the worry in her eyes. I knew that look all too well.
Principal Forbes took a step closer to her. "Don't worry, your sister can take care of herself. She's almost as outstanding as you were when you went here."
Bridget muttered a 'thank you,' before quickly turning. She grabbed my arm and begun to lead me outside.
So she did have emotions after all.
I'm sure she'd rather be with her sister right now and making sure she was okay than be babysitting me.
She led me to the staff car park where an SUV was parked and opened the door for me.
I was surprised to see May in the front seat with a man I actually recognised in the passenger seat. Raphael? Was it? The soldier who had been in the woods with Tristan last night.
They were both dressed in the full defence uniforms. So was Bridget, actually.
May nodded at me with a serious expression on her face.
"Luna."
Raphael looked at me and did the same.
I wanted to yell at them but quite frankly, I had no energy. I was still covered in Joshua's blood and now that the adrenaline had worn off, I was slightly shaking from what had just happened.
I just wanted to be in my mother's arms... well I guess in Aunt Sarah' s arms.
Bridget, Raphael and May were all having a conversation in code but it was kind of obvious what they were talking about.
The security breach... the attack... the alpha's little brother... raising security... security and defence meeting... Captain Park...
I thought they would take me home or at least I hoped that's where we were going. But when I saw the routes they were taking, I knew that wasn't the case.
"Where are we going?" I asked Bridget.
If possible, this situation seemed to make her detest me more.
"We need to secure you at the Alpha's manor." She responded before going back to engage in conversation with the other two.
I sunk back in my seat knowing I wasn't getting anything else out of her except maybe a slap.
I had a lot more questions though. Who was that rogue wolf? Had it been sent to assassinate Joshua or was he just a random victim?
And most importantly. Why didn't it hurt me?
The same name kept popping up in my head; Roman.
Was that wolf part of the pack he was spying for? Had it been given instructions not to hurt me?
Did he even care that much?
The vehicle came to a stop outside two black and large double gates.
"Let the alpha know that the luna has landed." May spoke.
Bridget nodded and her eyes flashed green for a minute or so.
That's how they communicated I guess. We had learnt the basics of opening your mind to other wolves in your pack in the Fundamentals of Shifting class. But it was a rare occurrence especially in my generation. People didn't want their business broadcasted to the entire pack.
But there were exceptions like some married couples and people who were close enough and trusted each other.
I guess the alpha had to have constant communication with his Beta so it made sense that he had access to Bridget's mind and her to his.
I don't know why it made me feel some type of way. She knew his thoughts better than anyone. All his deepest secrets and desires, everything he thought about me.... his greatest fears and loves, she knew his mind and that scared me because it also meant she knew him in this intimate way that no one else could compare to.
I had never been inside the Alpha's manor.
But I could tell that it was majestic even just from the times I passed by it.
It was pretty much in the south centre of the town. The land was a bit isolated but it was on a hill, so you could see it clearly from a distance even though all you were doing was going through town.
I mean it made sense that the alpha got the largest and best land. And I was pretty much impressed with the whole layout.
It was so beautiful and green with just enough trees for it to not be a full on forest.
As we drove in, I was in awe at the beautiful land, a well kept expanse on uneven land dominated the front lawn.
You wouldn't even be able to detect the house at first glance because it was hidden behind two tall large trees. And considering we were on lower ground.
But when we drove around the driveway and finally got to the top, the front of the house came into view. I looked up at the cream coloured mansion.
"Come on." Bridget spoke.
I didn't realise she had already gotten out of the car. She was standing with the door open for me.
Oh.
I quickly scrambled out.
The Raphael man and May were there as well, still talking in their flurry of code as they led us towards the house.
I wasn't really paying attention, I was still thinking about all that had happened. The adrenaline that had filled me in the moment Joshua had gotten attacked had long since faded away and now I was just tired, scared and angry.
Tired at the events.
Scared of the attack and what it could mean.
And so, so mad at Tristan.
"We need to question the Luna."
Now those words caught my attention.
It was the Raphael guy.
We had stopped at the two large wooden doors that marked the entrance.
May gave him a warning look.
"Not now, Raph." She spoke in a slightly hushed voice.
The man ignored her completely and turned to me, taking a step closer in the process.
I turned to look at Bridget but she was also just staring at him as if wondering how far he would go with this.
He gave me a stern look.
"Did you see the wolf that attacked you, Luna?" He asked.
"Yes." I hesitated a bit as I responded.
He was looking at me so judgmentally. Like he had already made up his mind that I was guilty.
The image of the wolf was pretty much stuck in my mind. "It was black with some grey - but mostly black. And it had these dark brown eyes."
I shuddered just thinking back to how it had clawed Joshua.
So easily...
Sometimes I forgot how fragile human flesh was.
"Did you pick up it's scent?" Bridget asked from behind me.
"It smelt... it smelt a bit like any other Silvercrest wolf." I answered.
I saw Bridget share a look with May and Raphael.
"What is it?" I asked, turning to look at all three of them.
"Halfling." Raphael spoke.
I froze.
Wait what?
Halfling wasn't a dirty word but the way him and some other people said it made it out to be.
Was he allowed to talk to me like that?
I mean, I wasn't up for this Luna title but if I was, was he allowed to say such things?
"Don't look at me like that, you know I'm right." Raphael spoke more firmly.
"Raph -" Bridget's voice was warning.
"I don't mean to hurt the luna's feelings."
Judging by his tone, he most definitely did.
"But we saw this in the war. You two might not have fought but Tristan and I did. Halflings are good tools. They don't have a scent but they can adapt scents. That's why she smells like a Silvercrest because she's always around us. Not to mention, his paws must have been laced with wolfsbane. Normal wolves burn at the touch but halflings can withstand wolfsbane to a certain extent."
"So what are you trying to say? That we have traitors in our midst?" Bridget asked.
"It would make sense, where else would the rogue get our scent?"
"But who -"
"You weren't hurt, were you, Luna?" Raphael continued. "I smell Joshua's blood but none of hers."
I already sensed an accusation in his voice.
"It didn't come after me." I admitted. "It was focused on Joshua."
"And why is that?"
"How am I supposed to know?" I muttered.
Joshua's accusations in the woods came back to mind.
Telling them about the argument we had definitely wouldn't help my case. It would just make me took more guilty.
"Raph, save the questions for the defense wing." Bridget snapped.
I turned to look at her in gratitude but she just looked away from me.
I know she hated me but she didn't actually believe I had something to do with this attack, did she?
I looked at May. What about her?
Did she think I was guilty?
"Nana Francesca is here." Bridget suddenly spoke, stopping the conversation entirely.
We all turned to see a black SUV approaching us.
"Oh no." May cringed, looking at me in fear.
Wait? What was going on?
Bridget, May and Raphael all stood at attention as the car stopped in front of us.
Was I supposed to stand at attention as well? What in the world?
Two women, dressed like the three soldiers I was with got out of the front and one opened the back door.
A lady in a black dress with a floral blue scarf and dark shades covering her eyes got out.
She swiped off the sunglasses and narrowed her eyes in our direction.
Oh. Lady Melrose.
Tristan's grandmother.
I had never met her but it was well known in the pack that she was the senior most Melrose still living and not to mention, she had been married to the alpha, Tristan's grandfather.
"Bridget." Her voice was sharp but surprisingly calm.
I thought I saw Bridget flinch. "Yes, ma'am?"
"Why is the Silvercrest Luna covered in blood?" She spoke as she slowly walked up the steps to us.
The two women followed. They were obviously soldiers as well with their synchronised and orderly steps.
My first thought was 'she knows about Tristan and I?'
Then my mind reminded me, everyone knows.
"There was an attack, ma'am. Josh -"
She held a hand up, stopping Bridget. "I am not asking about Joshua. Joshua is in the hospital. The Luna is here still covered in his blood, standing outside her new home, looking like a stray. What kind of welcome is this?" She asked in outrage.
Bridget flinched again. "Na - ma'am, we just got here."
"We just got here." Nana Francesca mimicked her voice.
She walked up the last step and reached us, she took my arm and started leading me into the house.
"I told Tristan that putting such young people in his counsel was a bad idea. You know nothing about etiquette!" She turned to look at May. "Didn't they teach you anything in that fancy expensive apprenticeship class? God knows you must have learnt something at that expensive college paid for by pack funds."
May gulped. "Um, Lady -"
"How in the world are you going to marry my godson? How will you keep your children?"
Godson? Marry? May is engaged?
Lady Francesca turned to look at me.
Her face was so strikingly beautiful and she didn't look as old as I bet she was.
She had Tristan's eyes too. A light, clear green that reminded me of lemon leaves.
She was about to say something but another spoke instead.
"Lady Melrose, we need to question the Luna and -" Raphael started.
The old lady turned suddenly, dropping my arm in the process.
"Son," she whipped her scarf back, "I have never heard such nonsensical language in my life! You want to question the Luna as if she were a criminal?"
Raphael blushed deeply, he scratched the back of his head. "No, ma'am, it's not that, it's just that she was a witness and -"
"Are you still talking, son? Don't make me tell your mother about this! Oh Gloria will be livid."
Raphael took a step back.
"No ma'am." He responded quickly.
Okay, I'm pretty sure I like this woman.
I looked at Raphael in shock. What? No more accusations, tough guy?
"I thought so." She spoke. "Now run along! There's a rogue on the loose who attacked my grandson for goodness sake. Find him and bring me his head."
The way all three scrambled would have been comical if I wasn't so frightened as well.
I liked that Lady Melrose had stood up for me but I didn't know how I felt about remaining alone with her. She would surely condemn me next.
As if she read my mind, her nose wrinkled as she eyed me from head to toe.
"Oh you're filthy, you definitely need a shower."
I really hope she was just talking about Joshua's blood.
She turned to the two women behind her. "Ladies, you're dismissed. Go have a drink or relax by the pool or something."
The women shared a nervous look.
"Um, Lady Melrose, there's been a security breach, we have to protect you."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine, wander around on patrol if you must. But I'm yet to meet an idiot who is willing to attack me in my own home. Let's go dear." Lady Melrose spoke as she led the way.
I followed hesitantly. As I looked around I noticed how meticulously clean and beautiful the inside was.
Beautiful in an organised, expensive way if you know what I mean.
Most of the things in the mansion were polished and put in such a way that you would think it was staged. It looked like a cross between the interior of a palace and a museum.
It wasn't very modern looking really and I'm sure that was the point.
The Alpha's manor was supposed to be the base of operations for the pack. Old traditions and teachings had to be respected.
"I suppose you've never been here. So let me be the first to say, welcome to the Melrose manor." Lady Melrose spoke. "It was built in 1884 and has been in the family for years, only ever taken over once by a rival pack and - oh why am I even bothering with history lessons. You children of these days hardly ever care about anything."
I wanted to tell her that I actually quite enjoyed History but I honestly still wasn't able to talk.
I was looking around, marvelling at everything.
So this is where the Melroses lived? Like everyday?
Lady Melrose walked down hallways, passed closed doors and others open. I got a peek of a room with an Ivory piano by the window.
We met two maids on the way who were carrying trays. They immediately stopped and bowed.
"Lady Melrose, Luna." They greeted.
"Ladies." Lady Melrose spoke. "Please send Anita to Tristan's room this instant."
She told them. "Yes ma'am," they quickly responded before rushing away.
Lady Melrose kept walking. "Oh I do hope they catch the scoundrel who tried to kill poor Joshua. These breaches are so stressful, they get in the way of everything. I can't even go out to get my hair done without Tristan sending troops to escort me. Bless his soul but my grandchildren can be so annoying sometimes. I mean what has all that training taught Joshua? How to get attacked?"
I was shocked that she would say such things in light of the situation. Joshua was probably fighting for his life as we spoke.
She walked into a room, flinging open a door.
I was immediately overwhelmed by Tristan's scent.
It was a large room with a king sized bed in the middle, covered by a black satin duvet and black and white pillows.
The drapes were drawn and they were a dark red.
There were two plush, red velvet seats that stood out looking the French window.
A small wooden table sat in between the chairs with papers and a journal.
In my opinion, the room was unnecessarily large for the few things in it.
"Oh dear, he has been so messy." Lady Melrose wrinkled her nose.
Other than the misplaced paperwork and a pair of shoes sitting out of place, I really didn't see this 'mess' she spoke of.
The door suddenly opened and an elderly lady walked in, she looked about fifty years old. She wore a simple black dress with a grey cardigan on top of it. She had horn rimmed glasses and her hair, which had silver streaks in it was tied in a bun above her head.
"Anita." Lady Melrose spoke. "I do hope you're well."
"Yes, my lady." The woman responded. She gave me a curious look. "This wouldn't be -"
"Oh yes! Tristan finally became a man and claimed his lady."
The 'Anita' lady rolled her eyes. "How much do I owe you?"
"How about a shopping trip next weekend?" Lady Melrose smirked.
The woman sighed. "Sure."
I looked between the two of them.
Wait a minute!
"You two knew?" I croaked out.
How many people had known my secret for goodness sake?
"So she does have a tongue." Lady Melrose told me in amusement. "I was staring to think you were one of the quiet ones. Oh how I hate those."
"Francesca! Have you been your usual blunt self from the beginning? You know you could pretend once in a while when you meet new people. You'll have the girl running for the hills before Tristan even completes the mating ritual." Anita scolded her.
Lady Melrose rolled her eyes and walked over to the drapes, drawing them back.
"I'm too old to pretend. God knows me. No one else's opinions matter really."
The lady looked at me and sighed. "I apologise for our lady but you may as well get used to her already. We did know about you and Tristan but he didn't tell us. He doesn't even know that we knew."
"But how did you know?" I asked.
"We weren't born yesterday!" Lady Melrose spoke, dragging her finger along the window sill, checking for dust.
I suppose she didn't find anything.
She turned to me.
"You'd be a fool not to notice when a man is smitten."
She gave me this speculative look. "So, why did you reject my grandson? Is he not handsome enough?" She asked.
I felt too abashed for words. I could feel the blood rushing to me cheeks. "N-no I - um,"
"Oh Francesca, stop it. It's not your business. We need to get you cleaned up dear. Look at the way you're dressed!" Anita spoke. "I'll run you a bath and find some decent clothing." She spoke before walking off into the bathroom.
Lady Melrose remained studying me.
"Speak if you have something to say." She told me. "You might never get the chance again. I think you've noticed that not many people here approve of you."
You think?
I wanted to ask.
It was all so crazy, I was in the Melrose manor and apparently the 'Luna' of the Silvercrest pack, all by force too.
I didn't know what to say. It was too much to wrap my head around.
The only person I wanted to talk to right now was Tristan so that I could make him fix this.
"Trust me, dear." I heard Lady Melrose speak. She walked towards me. "I'm your best ally here. I understand way more than you know."
How?
How could she possibly relate to my entire situation in any way?
"What do you mean?" I asked.
She smiled. "Oh, darling, I was once you. An outcast who caught the Alpha's eye. I was a refugee of one of the wars and brought to the Silvercrest pack. Oh they hated me." She was smiling when she said this. "But the joke was on them, wasn't it? I became their queen."
She laughed.
She looked at me with a smile. "Let me tell you something, child, if the pack treasures their alpha - which they do - it won't matter whether they like you or not. All that will ever matter is his love for you."
She made it sound so easy but this wasn't a conventional love story.