Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Erik's POV

"Hey," I said while sitting beside Melissa.

She looked up at me and smiled. "I thought you'll avoid me like you always do," She said.

"I never avoided you," I said.

"You always do. If there is something you can't accept, you'll avoid me," She said, looking at her hands.

I sighed and looked at her sincerely. "It's just too early for me, perhaps waiting for a year?"

I asked to hope for a different decision. Melissa took my hand and held it tightly. "I will be fine here, and Rick will surely protect me with all he got. I am really happy here. The pack is respectful and always makes sure that I feel cozy. You don't have to worry now, I got Rick, and you got Clara. We are not alone now. You can finally let one of your burdens go, brother," She said, smiling sadly at me.

I couldn't stop my tears from falling. She isn't the kid, and I think this is the first time I have looked at her as an adult. I always saw her as before, the snotty little kid who always scolds me.

I squeezed her hand and smiled at her while crying. "I am going to be fine, Erik," Melissa said, ensuring I got what she was saying.

I nodded, sniffing. "I don't have a choice, do I?" I said, and Melissa laughed. "I will miss you and always will. Please tell me if there is some problem, even if it's a little, send me a message, and I'll come running here," I said.

"I will, brother, I will," Melissa said and hugged me. I hugged her back.

We looked funny and laughed at each other while wiping our tears. "You'll be a great Luna," I said, looking at her thoughtfully.

"Thank you, and by the way, how's mom?" Melissa asked.

"She is doing great, but we talked about that," I said. Her eyes grew big for a second, surprised that I talked about the incident in the past when I kept on avoiding the topic.

Melissa is right. If it's a serious personal matter, I would rather avoid it. Talking with Melissa and mom made me realize that I should be facing this kind of thing and that there are things that I can learn.

"Are you okay?" Melissa asked, worried is evident in her voice.

"Yes, I am," I said, looking at Melissa. We were staring at each other when I remembered she was also at my father's deathbed.

"Melissa, do you remember how my father died?" I asked.

"I know how your father died, but I haven't seen what happened since I was unconscious. He was already gone when I woke up. Why?" Melissa explained.

"Do you remember the hut where you stayed at that time? I kept looking at our territory but couldn't find it, and I was hoping to get some clues about who did that to our pack," I asked Melissa.

"In our territory? What are you talking about? The hut is in the-Aghhhhh!" Melissa was about to say something but suddenly screamed while holding her head.

"Melissa!" I exclaimed, standing up from my seat and coming closer to her.

"Arghhh!" Melissa shouted again.

"Alpha Rick! Clara! Everyone present! Call some doctors! TIA!!!! COME!!!" I shouted using all my strength and didn't stop myself from releasing my aura.

Suddenly multiple werewolves rushed to their Luna, including Alpha Rick. Clara ran to me, confused at what was happening. Tia also came rushing to the scene.

"Baby, talk to me about what is happening!" Alpha Rick shouted, scared at what was happening to his mate.

"STEP ASIDE!" Tia ordered. They all gave space for Tia and Alpha Rick to let go of Melissa.

Tia put her hand on top of Melissa's head, closed her eyes, and said, "evanescere," Tia whispered, and some black smoke came out at Melissa. After the smoke went out of her, she passed out, and Alpha Rick caught her before falling to the floor.

"I'll take it from here. Tend to your mate," I ordered Alpha Rick. He nodded and carried his mate bridal style. Everyone was waiting for an order, and I looked at every one of them.

"Scan the premises! Scan everything!" I shouted my order. Everyone said yes and rushed outside.

"Let's go to Alpha Rick's office," I said.

Ian, Lia, Clara, and Tia followed from behind. We entered the office and saw Alpha Rick sitting on the chair in front of his table. I walked straight to the chair and now faced all of them.

"What happened?" I asked Tia.

"Someone cast a spell on her, stopping her from saying something," Tia informed.

"Is she going to be alright now?" Alpha Rick asked with a trembling voice.

"Yes, she is. I removed the spell already, but she won't remember what happened and the thing that someone wants to hide. Don't worry, she will remember it. Time will tell when," Tia explained.

Alpha Rick sighed in relief. "What should we do?" Alpha Rick asked me.

"Since I am here, I will take control, and you focus on preparing your wedding and your mate. Also, ensure that the security will be flawless on your wedding day," I ordered.

"I will, and your majesty," Alpha Rick said while bowing to me. He was about to leave when I stopped him. He glanced back at me with a questioning look.

"Give me the list of the Alphas that will be attending," I ordered.

"The list Is on the first cabinet at the right side of the table, your majesty," Alpha Rick instructed.

I opened the cabinet and saw the list. "You may go," I said, and he left.

"Tia, help with the security, and you will observe all the visitors" She nodded and left the room.

"Ian, send a message to Vincent to inform him of what just happened and tell him to investigate Alpha Louis discreetly," I ordered.

Clara, sitting quietly on the sofa, walked towards me and hugged me. "Everything will be alright," She said. Clara must have been feeling my emotions since earlier.

I sniffed her scent, and it's always her sweet scent that makes me feel calm. "Yes, everything will be fine," I said, falling into her charms.

Clara's POV

I was in the room waiting for Erik to come. I remembered that I blocked all of the links connected to me and unblocked them.

When I unblocked all the links, I felt Erik's emotion, he was delighted, but it suddenly changed into intense fear. I got out of bed and rushed outside the room. When I left the room and rushed to where the kitchen was, I heard Erik shouting and Melissa screaming in pain. I gasped and panicked, so I ran with all of my strengths.

It was brutal to watch Erik watching her cousin Melissa who he treasured so much, scream in pain in front of him. I can feel his anger, fear, and pain. Tia mumbled a spell, and Melissa became okay.

After Erik ordered the others and left, I came toward Erik and hugged him tightly while he was sitting. I whispered a few words to him to comfort and calm him.

Erik and I visited Melissa before going to our room. We saw Lia sitting on a chair beside the bed when we entered. Melissa is now sleeping peacefully; we hope she will wake up soon.

Erik came close. Lia stood up from her seat and offered it to Erik. I smiled at Lia and followed Erik beside Melissa. Erik grabbed his hand of Melissa and clasped it. He closed his eyes while kissing his hand of Melissa like he was praying for her.

I touched Erik's shoulder, and he glanced up at me. "Let us go, she needs to rest, and you too," I said softly.

Erik sighed, nodded at me, and touched my hand on his shoulders. Erik stood up and faced Lia.

"Report to me if anything happens," Erik ordered.

"Yes, your majesty," Lia replied, bowing down to him.

We left and went to the room that Alpha, Rick, and Melissa had prepared for us. We took a bath and went to bed with a heavy feeling In our hearts.

•••••

It was late in the afternoon when Melissa woke up. As Tia said, she couldn't remember what she was about to tell Erik. She can only remember that they talked about Melissa's well-being.

"Don't try and think about it. The memory will come to you, don't force it," Tia advised.

Melissa, who was on the bed, nodded at Tia. Alpha Rick passed her some water and is now feeding her soup.

"How are you feeling?" Erik asked.

"Still feeling dizzy," Melissa said.

"You should rest, and I will prepare everything for your wedding," Lia said. Melissa nodded at her and smiled at her thankfully.

"Yes, you need to regain your strength for your wedding," I said.

"I will. Sorry about this," Melissa said.

"Shh, you have done nothing wrong," I said and hugged her.

"Call us when you need anything," Erik said, and Melissa waved her hand to us goodbye.

Melissa's POV

"I feel that I am forgetting something important," I said to Rick.

"Don't dwell on it too much. Tia has said that you don't have to force it," Rick said and touched my cheek.

I leaned in his touch and smiled at feeling his warmth. "Rest now, my love," He said and tucked me in on the bed.

I heard the door close and sat back again. I still think about what I have to say to Erik, but no one wants to tell me. My inner self is telling me that this needs to be said, that Erik needs to know about this.

What could it be? "Argh!" I exclaimed. My head starts aching again.

I should rest. I don't want to feel this pain in my wedding dress and worry about Rick.

•••••

Days passed, and I felt better. Tomorrow will be our wedding, and it will be held in the evening. The girls helped with the preparations, and the whole pack house was terrific. Everything is ready, and we are all at the entrance of the pack house to greet the guests, except for the royals and their subordinates. Since their position is higher than ours, we should be the ones greeting them instead of them.

I only wear a simple black dress that clings to every curve of my body. The Alphas, together with the Lunas, have come, and Alpha Louis, whom Erik is suspicious of, has arrived.

Alpha Louis, who recognized me, came toward me with a massive grin. "Alpha Louis, welcome!" I exclaimed.

"Oh my, what a wonderful lady you've become. Now you are also a Luna!" Alpha Louis exclaimed, feeling excited.

"Come, my neighbors! Let us greet our rulers," Rick invited. The Alphas and Lunas gasped, jealous that the royals attended our wedding.

We walked towards the hall where the simple throne that Tia made for them was. Rick and I showed the way to our rulers. We entered the hall and walked closer to our rulers.

Rick stopped not far away from the throne of the rulers and crouched down, bending one knee before Clara and Erik while I did a small curtsy.

"Your majesty and your highness," Alpha Rick and I greeted. After that, everyone at the back followed and bent their knee.

"Our King and Queen, we have come to greet you," They said in unison, adding it to our greeting.

"Welcome! How nice of you to come to witness my cousin's wedding," Erik said.

"All of you must be tired from the journey. We have prepared some food and beverages," Clara said.

Rick mind-linked someone, and then countless omegas are pushing a cart full of food. Tia flicked her fingers, and a long dining table and chairs appeared. The guests gasped, and I smirked, proud of Tia.

We all sat down with Erik and Clara in the center of the table. Ian is sitting at the side of Erik, followed by my mate Rick and the Alphas. On the side Clara, Tia sat at her side, followed by Lia and me.

The omegas served us a plate full of food and a glass of wine on our drinks. "The food is great. The ingredients that Alpha Rick and Luna Melissa prepared are fresh," Erik said, slicing his steak.

"Our hunters are just lucky to stumble upon a deer, your majesty," Rick said, feeling humble, even though I know he is proud and happy that Erik praised him.

"How is the relocation Alphas? Encountered some problems?" Erik asked. The Alphas put down their spoon and fork and then faced Erik.

Alpha Louis snickered.