Chapter 17
1146words
Aiden, though shocked is inwardly happy that Moon could do something as huge as slap him and not regret it. Seeing it as a sign of strength and strong will, he is about to commend her on her boldness when he notices her face morph into an emotion he could already identify.
Moon, taking his wide eyes and his tongue repeatedly poking out through the part of his cheeks where he was slapped to mean anger, began to tremble, the image from earlier in his room resurfacing in her head.
'Are you hurt?" Moon's original self was back, pushing against the thin surface to save herself from another traumatic moment.
Seeing him keep staring at her, his initial shocked expression now morphing into a slight frown, his hand still going to rub on that part of his cheeks occasionally, Moon's heart went out of control.
A part of her wanted to keep a distance from him or, at best, run away from her room that instant. Another part of her wants to go closer to him and express every one of her emotions as gently as she can.
'I – I didn't mean to do that but…"
'Ha! You haven't changed like I thought, have you?" He asked with a high level of nonchalance.
'What do you mean?" It is Moon's turn to get confused.
'Get back to bed," Aiden instructed, his annoyance getting worse as the clock ticked.
'With this soft side of you, I don't think you can flee manipulation let alone one from Alpha Liam." He said, standing straight this time and staring squarely at her, his lips pursed.
If he was considering something in his mind, Moon wasn't sure but he never let his eyes go beyond roaming around her face.
'I have told you that…"
'I'd rather you spare me that." He raised his hand to stop her from going further.
Emphasizing every single word, he said, 'Henceforth, you will not leave the pack house for any reason. What was it I just said?"
Looking at him like he was a clown, Moon's green eyes showed frustration in them. How was she supposed to repeat what it was he just said?
'You are not to be seen anywhere close to the gate, not even a few inches close. I will make sure of that."
'Aiden…"
'Hold your horses, I still have things to say." He stopped her with a raise of his hand and her mouth hung open but produced no words.
Following his body which just started moving, Moon was sure he was contemplating saying the next batch of words.
'Not adhering to this will cause you a lot." He declared, and Moon's eyes closed in irritation, knowing the next thing that was coming.
'You will face getting exposed." He ended and turned towards the door.
'We are mated!" Moon blurted out.
Aiden paused in his steps, unsure if he heard her well. Slowly, he turned as if he was delicate enough to break if he turned too fast.
'We are mated, Liam and I." Moon, who lost her courage, managed to say.
Looking everywhere but at her with serious concentration, Aiden gave a humph before turning towards the door, opening it with much more force than required, and closing it without caring about the loud bang it made.
Seeing him finally out of her room, Moon felt her knees give way and she collapsed on the floor, trembling hard as hot tears dropped from her eyes.
'I am so sorry Liam." She muttered staring at the empty wall of her room.
He meant everything he said and she knew she would be at risk if she defiled his order, but she was willing to take the risk. Her only prayer to the moon goddess was that Liam would understand her reason for standing him up.
Sitting that way, she imagined a life without the mess she found herself in, a life without her harsh family and pack members. She imagined being away from them all without the fear of being tagged a rouge wolf and the fear of being killed by the unknown danger lurking outside the protection of the pack.
Still, in her imagination, Moon finally gave into the soft caress of sleep, sleeping her way into dawn.
Waking up the next day and going about her daily activities, Moon felt the uncomfortable stare of the wolf guards following her about.
Standing still most of the time to catch the number of eyes on her, Moon looked around, and a few of the guards looked away after she caught their eyes; the daring still stared on, daring her to react.
When she finally gave up communicating her discomfort, most snickered, going back to their previous activity.
'Hey!" Moon called out when someone hit her from behind, causing her to stumble but catching herself before she fell.
'Hey? Are you blind or something?" Lilian yelled at the astounded Moon, attracting a little attention.
'Eerhh…you…"
'What!? You stained my dress too?" Lilian said wide-eyed while giving a dramatic gasp as she showed Moon and any other person who cared to look at the dirty part of her dress, which was extremely large enough to be caused by getting hit by Moon.
'I didn't do that!" Moon rebuffed knowing what comes after things like this.
She had no money or value attached to her name to buy a new dress for Lilian.
'Did I do it then?" Lilian asked, eyeing Moon.
'My broom isn't dirty enough to cause such stain to your dress, besides you…"
'I what?" Lilian asked, taking a step closer to her.
Swallowing the growing lump in her throat, Moon felt her eyes burn from the unfair treatment. She looked at the mocking faces of the few persons watching her getting bullied, she had planned to subject herself to the mercy of Lilian when her eyes caught that of Aiden.
He was with his group of friends, watching her intensely like her embarrassment and hurt were their motivation for pleasure and happiness. A burly one among them whispered something while his eyes were on her and they all hid their laughter, Aiden included.
Seeing Aiden not give any hint of recognition or save her the hurt of seeing him mock her to her face, Moon, determined, looked the waiting Lilian in her face.
'I didn't barge into you, all I did was walk and you hit me from behind," Moon said, her index finger poking Lilian's left arm, to everyone's surprise, including Lilian.
'You think so?" Lilian asked with a creepy smile, and Moon felt goosebumps line her skin.
‘What is Diana and her friends up to?' Moon thought remembering being caught by Diana in Aiden's room.
