Chapter 102: Chapter 102

Mood Swings

Miatta

“You bathed the Lycan Prince?” Ramona exclaimed, her eyes large in wonder. I grimaced, attempting a shy smile while Addy burst into laughter.

“Well, he didn't give me a choice!” I retorted, wanting to defend myself. They were on garden duty but I sat with Addy, reminiscing the past events of the week. They were on garden duty but I was in a shade, discussing with Addy from there. Ramona chopped unevenly at the flowers, reminding me of the first time I had done the job. Lucas had come to my aid but then, he had been Luke to me. Subconsciously, a smile grew on my lips, my protest forgotten.

“Someone is thinking of someone special,” Addy teased, using her shears skillfully like they were an extension of her arms. She was just so capable at everything, the shifter version of perfection. She juggled her brows at me, not losing sight of the shrub she was trimming. When I nodded in Ramona's direction, she twisted her neck at her understudy and gasped in horror.

“Ramona, you are murdering that plant! Put those shears away and do the dumping of the waste leaves instead. Goddess!” Her victim shrank, disappointed in herself and went away to the shed to drop the shears that had turned plant tormentors in her hands. She returned after some time with a broom and wet lashes, evidence that she had taken Addy’s rebuke to heart. Addy sighed in exasperation, throwing up her hands willy-nilly.

“Do I have to baby everyone? Sometimes, Ramona needs a firm hand or she'll never do anything right. Anyways, I will discuss that further with her later. So tell me, Miatta, is it serious between you and the Prince?”

Her sudden transition from mild anger to intense curiosity was unsettling, not to speak of the directness of her question. For the first time since I saw her that morning, I wondered if I could trust her with my plans. She seemed to have developed some kind of mood swing and I was just noticing it. Her light shone so brightly that one would not notice her faults unless one looked closely. She didn't know that I and Lucas were mates and I kind of wanted it to remain that way. Ryker was already in the know and one more person involved was taking a risk. Besides, she was a suspect as well because she wasn't Lucas’ biggest fan. However, if she had been the one to hand Lucas the water, he would have recognized her and said so. It didn't still mean she couldn't have sent someone to do her dirty work. She was quite influential and her word was primarily gospel amongst the slave community.

Since when do you think evil about friends? my wolf scolded, rolling her eyes at me.

Since I found out that nobody can be trusted, my mind battled, backing up my suspicion.

My silence must have seemed ominous because when I peeped at Addy, her attention was fixed on me, her shears no longer in action. “Miatta, is something wrong? If you would rather not tell me, it's fine. In fact, don't; it's none of my business anyways. I was just being terribly nosy. I'm sorry.”

A wave of guilt hit me and I swam in its depths. This was Addy, who had challenged Yvette on my behalf and I couldn't even confide in her. I nodded in understanding and thought of my other problem at hand.

“Don't worry about that. I have come concerning a different issue altogether.”

At once, she let her pair of shears lie flat on the rough, stony ground. She sat down beside me, wearing a very serious mien. “Go on.”

“I . . I have found a secret route. . that leads out of Red Bone Pack. I realized that the palace is at the end of the Pack, on the outskirts of the forest and that the fence has to end somewhere, right? So I made a little probing here and there and I think I have found a way out. I can return to my family.”

I didn't see the excitement I was feeling in her expression so I bottled up my pending happiness and waited for her to speak. She pressed her lips together and thumbed off beads of sweat from her forehead. I could almost hear the engine of my mind, churning and giving off a lot of imaginary smoke.

“I must say that you have discovered something praiseworthy. Not everyone is as farsighted as you are, Miatta. So, what next? Do you plan to leave soon?”

“That's why I'm here, Addy. I need your advice. I'm so confused. I want to leave, to see my family again but on the other hand, I don't want to. Something is holding me back to this land of bondage and I can't shake it off.”

“No one has easily succeeded in shaking off the shackles of true love, Miatta, especially one put together by the Goddess herself.”

Astounded by her comment, I lifted my eyes to hers swiftly and she smiled knowingly. Even if she had guessed, my whiplash reaction to her gentle words had given me away. She knew! But how?

“Don't be surprised, Miatta. You wear your heart on your sleeve, a trait I have constantly advised you against. Anyone wise enough could have guessed that your relationship with the prince entails more than you think you portray. The Moon Goddess has made you and him one and I am happy for you. Now how do you plan to enjoy your freedom when you are miles away from your mate?”

Here I was, thinking I could fool Addy by saying less when all I was thinking was boldly written on my face. My love for Lucas was all-consuming and like the perceptive being that she was, she had picked up on the scent. I wrung my hands helplessly, her question an additional burden to me.

“I don't know. I don't think I can even survive without him but I'm willing to try. I'm not happy here, Addy and you know it. In my pack, I am a princess and a warrior but here, I am a slave and. . .”

“. . .the future Alpha’s mate,” Addy cut in, allaying my fears a little. She cupped my dented chin and pushed strays of hair away from my face, as gently as a mother would. Ramona was done with her work and stood a few feet aside, hesitant to join us. Addy waved her over and meekly, she came to her, her head bowed in shame.

“I'm sorry for yelling earlier, Ramona. You know how much I love flowers and you were hacking at those gardenias without a conscience. Tomorrow, I will teach you how to use them properly, alright?”

She nodded and sniffed, holding back pent-up tears. She dragged her wrist across her eyes and it came away wet. Addy invited her in for a brief hug and instructed her to return their tools to the shed. We watched her trot away, the others in her group finishing up as well. The corner of Addy's lips swept up, curving on a maternal smile.

“If you finally decide to leave, Miatta, please take Ramona with you. She is not fit for a burdensome life such as this. Please give me your word,” Addy suddenly requested.