Chapter 43: Chapter 43

~Ariana's POV~

It's been four days since I returned to the mansion, in these few days someone had finally succeeded in putting Claire in her place, that someone was Sky, Luca and her had left for the pack house the moment we arrived at the airport to get settled in, while Claire was over at the pride house being a nuisance, Sky was being introduced to the pack as Luca's mate, mother of his unborn child and soon to be bride.

Claire's reaction to this when she returned to the pack house was as we'd all expect, she attacked Sky, probably forgetting unlike me, Sky wasn't human, to cut the long story short, Grey says Claire was almost beaten to death by Sky, she had to be rushed to the pack hospital for emergency treatment, they succeeded in saving her life, however her wolf was still in critical condition and human and wolf could no longer communicate, worst case scenario was the connection between human and wolf would never be recovered, Claire was now what she had detested the most, an ordinary human.

Since then, she had been quiet, stuck in her own world, I hadn't actually seen her but notwithstanding, it was pitiful, as much as I wanted to feel bad for her, I couldn't bring myself to, I had enough personal issues on my table.

I had been completely occupied by school, I had resumed at my University's medical school much to the Vice Chancellor's delight, I had a lot of work to do to get incorporated to their system there.

I had been leaving home quite early and coming in late and extremely tired, I knew my mates weren't pleased with the situation, not liking to see me stressed out and they were probably sexually frustrated as well, we hadn't had much intimacy beyond good night kisses, cuddles at night, and good morning kisses..

I knew they wanted to take things further and complete the mating process, but didn't want to bring it up in my current state, what puzzled me was the fact that they both hadn't been intimate with each other either, I couldn't tell why, perhaps they felt it'd seem like an attempt to pressure me, they could be silly like that.

Notwithstanding they weren't the only ones sexually frustrated, for someone like me who had never really been sexually active, the feeling was strange, I had thought it was stress at first, but I now saw it for what it was and I intended to fix it, however before that I had something else I needed to handle first, a joint dinner between the pack and the pride had been scheduled for today, Jay and Lon's parents had pleaded for my attendance as it was actually being held in my honor, I hadn't been able to turn them down.

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I smirked at the attention my car attracted as I pulled into the parking lot, I had received my keys from Jay, a pleading look on his face, who was I to say no to this sleek ride, apart from missing my mates and my friends, I had also intensely missed this ride, I had only driven it once, on my birthday night and then things all went down the drain, now that I was back, I needed to bond with it again.

I rolled my eyes at the envious glares I received from others, mostly females as I stepped out my car, I didn't understand people, the amount of time and energy they exerted on being envious of others, would benefit them a lot if put into something else.

I grabbed my backpack and lab coat from the passengers seat and headed into the building.

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I pushed open the double doors that lead to the huge dinning hall, dinner had already begun. I had called earlier to inform that I'd be a bit late and insisted they begin without me.

The quiet discussions going on around the table all came to a halt as I walked in, everyone including my mates standing up to acknowledge my presence, I smiled softly at them, as my seat which was now located between the two at the head of the table was pulled back by Lon.

"Please, sit and eat, don't stand on ceremony." I said as I took my seat, everyone did the same and dinner continued on without much obstructions.

As we waited quietly for dessert, a lot of people came up to me, expressing their joy and gratitude for my return, I chatted with each for a bit, taking the time to get to know them even as my mates looked on quietly, joining in on the conversation some times.

The comfortable atmosphere was interrupted by an annoyed sigh from Lon and a growl from Jay, dissatisfied murmurs spread across the hall and my brows furrowed in confusion before I heard the entrance of someone, understanding dawned as I caught sight of a disheveled looking Claire walking into the hall, head down and eyes soulless.

I frowned as I took in her new state, my frown deepening as murmurs of slut came from different sides of the hall.

She walked to her usual seat but it was already occupied by one of her goons who glared hatefully at her, scoffing at her quiet request to leave her seat, at this point dessert was already served, and I looked around, noticing no one would stand up for her, I finally understood the meaning of what Mira and Leona had told me this morning.

Shifters are vicious and often times cold hearted and uncaring of how their actions affects others, your duty as a Luna and Leo Reginae is to not only be as strong, powerful and as vicious as your mates so as to be able to survive in a world like ours, your duty is also to find the balance between everything you are and forgiveness, your job in the supernatural world is sadly the most difficult as you must teach this barbaric people how to love rightly, the meaning of forgiveness and that everyone deserves a second chance and honestly, from accounts of everything you've done so far, you fit the job description perfectly... you'll make an excellent Luna and queen Ana, more than we could have ever hoped to be.

"If that is her place at the table then vacate that seat and move to yours." I said after awhile, loud enough for the quiet hall to hear my words, but still not too loud, I knew whatever my voice couldn't achieve, their improved hearing would make up for it.

Everyone apart from my mates turned to give me shocked looks, even as Jay placed a chocolate cake on my plate, I smiled gratefully and dug in.

"But...." the brunette occupying Claire's seat began and I sighed, lifting my eyes up to her for a moment.

"I wasn't asking." I informed her, before turning my attention back to my food, not even looking to check if my order had been followed, I knew it had.

Things were quiet for a few minutes again before the murmurs kicked up once more, obviously beginning from around the seating area of the brunette who had previously been one of Claire's goons, it was funny how people who clung to you so much in the past tended to always lead the attack on you after your downfall, it was pathetic. I wasn't surprised when a young man stood up.

"No offense intended Luna, if I may have your permission to speak?" he asked politely and I nodded, still eating.

"Claire is someone who has been against you since your arrival and has tried countless times to undue you, an enemy of yours is an enemy to us, may I know why you wish for her to dine with us?" he asked and I smiled at his polite words that centred around my best interests.

"Just because you lost me as a friend, or in this case have constantly been opposing me doesn't mean you gained me as an enemy, I still want to see you eat, although I'd prefer if it wasn't at my table but even so, I can ignore that at least once." I replied, the man who asked the question nodded in understanding and took his seat.

Unsurprisingly brunette glared at him, obviously dissatisfied with his approach as she nudged the guy on the other side of her and he stood up.

"I believe Claire should be banished from the pack, for her crimes against the Luna and offences against us all, it's not unknown how she goes around, opening her legs for anyone who cares to get between them when she was unmated and even when she found her mate she had the audacity to reject him and go after the Alpha, she is not worthy enough to be called one of us, I've slept with her, majority of the male wolves have slept with her, she's a cheap slut!" he exclaimed and I frowned as I heard Claire's quiet sobs, slamming my fork down forcefully, I stood and the hall quietened again, aware I was getting upset, I looked up at the man who spoke, distaste obvious on my features.

"You had sex with her? Keep it to your fucking self.

She's been with all your friends?

Keep it to your fucking self.

Y'all fucked the first day you talked?

Keep it to your fucking self.

Don't go around talking shit, acting like a 15 year old who sucked tits for the first time.

Real men don't talk much.

Grow up and keep your mouths shut!!."

I snapped angrily, glaring harshly at him, before pushing my chair back and making to leave the hall, Jay in tow, Lon probably staying back to address his foolish wolves, before I could step out, a shaky voice got to my ears.

"Why?...why defend me, I've been horrible to you." Claire asked and I halted, I was silent for a while before I responded without turning to face her.

"You wouldn't do the same if you were in my shoes right?

Well the first thing you should know about me Claire is that I'm not you....A lot more will make sense after that." I said emotionlessly, before placing my hand in Jay's awaiting hand and walking out the dinning hall.