2. A Hearing or I Am The Luna Chapter 80 By Moonlight Muse
ZAIA.
“I want to speak to him,” I say firmly, looking at the men who stand outside the small prison facility where werewolves are kept until they await trial.
Most things are handled by local law enforcement unless it involves something very personal to werewolves. “We can’t allow that. I’m afraid our orders are from Mr. Aran King-”
“I am the Alpha, and I command you to step aside,” I say clearly, I’m not here to play. They instantly lower their heads, hesitating for a mere fraction of a second before their shoulders relax and they dip their heads lower. “It’s not a pretty place, Alpha.”
“I don’t care. Step aside.” I repeat, motioning for them to unlock the doors. I need to get my own imprints done so I can access all areas of the pack without anyone’s permission. I need to be on top of my game in all aspects.
Once the door beeps and it swings open, I step inside. It’s dimly lit, the cold metal walls only making the place look even more dreary. I instantly pick up on Sebastian’s scent and walk towards it. The rest of the cells are empty. I stop outside the only occupied cell and look through the barred entrance.
It’s so cold down here. Sebastian is sitting on the narrow bed, one leg raised, his arm resting on his knee, the other one stretched out on the bed. His closed eyes, now open and look into mine.
My heart squeezes seeing him down here, as he stands up, coming towards the bars. “Hey, cheer up.” He says quietly.
“How? When you are in here?” I ask, reaching through the bars. He reaches through the bars, his arms not getting far, and grips my face with both hands. “It won’t be for long… I promise you that. What happened?”
I grip his wrist, closing my eyes as I touch my forehead to the metal bars. It’s uncomfortable on both sides of my face.
“He’s the shooter Seb. He’s the one who attacked Valerie, and he’s poisoned Sia… he said he has an antidote to heal her.” I say quietly. He tenses, his heart thundering. “Sia is being poisoned?”
“Yes, from birth… he did something.” His eyes flash and I can see the rage inside of them. “So, you’re saying Gerard is behind all of it?”
“Part of it, yes… I don’t know, things weren’t meant to go like this. He said I needed to stay away from you and then he…” I don’t want him to get angry in here, but I need to tell him what happened.
“Then he what?” he asks. “He kissed me… and that’s when I pushed him,” I say hesitantly, looking up at him slowly. To my surprise, his eyes soften as if something suddenly made sense. “I knew it,” he murmurs, closing his eyes. “Fuck I’m glad.”
“Knew what?” “That he must have done something to piss you off.” He answers, making me smile slightly. I hate this distance between us. I want his arms around me.
He slowly caresses my face as if understanding how I feel. “They won’t be able to keep me here for long. Stay alert and do what you need to, alright?”
I nod slowly. “I’m going to get you out of here, I promise.” “I’m sure you will, my alpha queen.” I blush lightly, his sexy tone making my heart soar. “I have to go.” Your father has not permitted me to speak to you.”
“You’re the alpha. Whether he permits it or doesn’t, he can’t stop you.” “I know I am the Alpha, but I need him to cooperate a little.”
“Just watch your back. I may have given you the power of the ultimate rank in this place, but there are those who will willingly stab you in the back.”
I nod, “Anyway, did your parents say anything?” I ask. He clenches his jaw, looking down.” Yeah, it’s a mess but… Annette is my father’s fated… and…”
“And?” I urge. “I’m not Dad’s biological son, never knew blood was so important… but yeah, I was born via a sperm donor.” He says quietly.
I stare at him, trying to process those words. It’s affected him. He’s quiet, and it’s obvious he doesn’t want to talk about it.
“It doesn’t change who you are. You are Sebastian King, the Black Beast who is the strongest, smartest and sexiest Alpha and businessman I know. And… 1 can’t wait for you to get out of here so we can…”
“Fuck?” “Bastian! I mean, be together.” I shake my head. “Be together? Is that really you saying that? I guess it’s your fault for taking so long to take me back,” he says arrogantly, the Bastian I know showing through, and it brings a smile to my face.
“Well, I don’t play easy… You needed to beg.” I tease, turning and kissing his palm. He brushes his fingers over my lips.
“Well, I can get down on my knees and beg you and serve you as you wish,” he murmurs. My stomach does a flip and I know I’ll be taking him up on that offer someday soon.
“As long as I enjoy it, too.” He adds cockily. I love this man. Smiling, I look up at him. “Well, I’ll hold you to it. I need to go. Annalise should be here soon, and I did invite Annette. I don’t know if she will show up. Have you been given anything to eat?”
“Yes, but I won’t touch it. I don’t trust it,” he says quietly. I frown, I didn’t even think of that, and I nod slowly. “Understood. I’ll bring food myself. I’ll be careful too.”
“Please do, especially for the children,” he says quietly. “And take care of my angel. She’ll get that antidote, no matter what.”
“She will. We’ll figure something out.” I promise before I slowly tug away, not wanting this moment to end. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Giving him one final smile, I turn and force myself to walk away, leaving him in this place. The mother and daughter duo now look at each other before looking at me with utmost confusion. If my mood wasn’t so off, I’d find it a little amusing.
They clearly are confused as to why I am sitting at the head of the hall. It’s morning, yet I already feel ready for the day to be over. They have come all dolled up as if it’s a tea party, not a questioning..
“Take your seats,” I say, looking at Annette emotionlessly. I didn’t expect her to come with Annalise. Aran’s mate… they were well suited.
But the list of people I respect is shrinking day by day. There are a few higher officials of the pack in attendance but I had made sure Aran was not in attendance..
“Do you know why you are here, Mrs Annette Toussaint, Miss, Annalise Toussaint?” I ask. “We are here to talk to the Alpha. He called this meeting. He is the father of my child!” Annalise whines, stroking her bump.
I look at her sceptically as I sit back in the large chair. “Well, this time I hope that you really are pregnant and not simply causing trouble. As for Sebastian, he is currently not the Alpha of this pack.”
“What does that mean?” Annette frowns. “It means, Ms Zaia Toussaint, is our Alpha, Luna Annette.” One of the men at the table says. They both stare at me stunned and gobsmacked.
“You- you mean Luna standing in as Alpha?” Annette splutters, laughing despite the fact she looks like she’s about to be sick.
“No, Sebastian made me the Alpha, and there were many witnesses,” I explain, crossing my legs. “I don’t have all day. I have a pack to run, business to attend to and much more.”
“How can she be the Alpha of two packs! It’s not fair you have to tell Dad. to give me his pack!” Annalise whines, looking at her mother. Does she know she is not Hugh’s daughter? I doubt it or she wouldn’t be so arrogant….
“Let the meeting commence.” Someone says. I nod as silence falls in the room. There are seventeen of us in this room, as well as several guards posted at every corner of the hall and outside the doors. Yet it’s absolutely silent.
“I will begin with questioning Annalise Toussaint on her apparent kidnapping and captivity several years ago. Tell me, Annalise, with every single detail that you can remember exactly what
happened. From the day you were kidnapped, the time, how many people there were, the method, where you were taken. Everything.” I say clearly. Annette looks uneasy. I’m certain she was in on it, and had both probably fed Dad a story or two….
Annalise swallows, before she begins blabbering how terrified she was, how she was knocked unconscious, how she lost track of time and how she was locked in a dark place.
I listen to her, not questioning her on anything. Although several of the people present asked her questions occasionally, I am waiting for her to finish.
She’s a good actress, she’s in tears already, rocking in her chair and rubbing her belly. “Are you finished?” I ask.
“Y-yes…” she says as I motion one of the guards to pass her a tissue. Once silence falls across the room, I sit forward. “And in your time in confinement, they didn’t even allow you to talk to anyone?”
She shakes her head. I nod slowly. “You really are an awful mother, Annette, why did you never search for your daughter?” They both tense before Annette sits up straight.
“I thought she was just upset and needed time. Can you blame me? I never thought something like this would happen.” She says, stroking Annalise’s arm. “My child went through so much.”
“Hmm, indeed. So, you never tried to reach out to her or talk to her? For three years? Not hearing anything from her did not worry you?”
“I did! I left voice messages, hoping at some point she’ll answer or pick up or even reply to a text!” Annette says.
Bingo. I smile victoriously as Annalise looks at me suspiciously. “Yet not once were you able to talk to her…” I say calmly. Victory is mine.
Annette nods and Annalise pales as she turns to her mom, grabbing her wrist and trying to get her attention. Oh, she’s caught on…
“I see, three years without being able to meet or talk to your daughter must have been hard, and then knowing what she’s been through.” Annette nods vigorously before I pick up a file.
“Then explain to me these emails, photos, texts, and calls you two made to one another during her apparent kidnapping. I thought perhaps someone may have been replying for her. I mean to make it real, but then seeing all these proves it’s her, and did you forget about these? Luna Annette?” I say as I pass everyone a copy.
I got these thanks to Dad. He had gone through Annette’s computer and managed to find me the proof he needed. My aim is to free Dad from Annette too. “Those are fake!” Annalise screams.
“Oh? Then what of the phone calls? Thanks to you letting your mother know exactly where you were visiting, I was able to track down if you were staying in the area and you were. I’m so happy to hear you were not kidnapped. Also, I questioned Alpha Hugh, and he said he spoke to you on the phone a few times. Am I wrong?”
“That…” Annalise looks at her Mom helplessly, almost as if for guidance. “We know he favours you!” Annette accuses.
“Does he? If records stand for anything, only recently in the last few years have we amended our relationship. However, when I asked him, he didn’t even know that you had been kidnapped. Why would you keep such a thing from your own father? Please do enlighten me.”
“There’s… there’s no proof of that. I…” Annalise mumbles. “I have Dad’s confirmation right here on video, however, the logical question is why would you hide your kidnapping from a powerful man who could bring your imaginary kidnappers to justice? If it was true, I mean.”
“I-”
“Because it’s a lie! It was a lie to drive Sebastian and me apart, am I wrong?”
“No, it’s just-”
“You cooked up a story and spread false claims. Not only were you the cause of my divorce, but also the one who put false accusations on me, correct?!”
I don’t let her speak, her face paling, but there’s also anger. “You are a liar who deserves to rot in prison and as you are still part of this pack, I will have you arrest-”
“No! No, I won’t go to prison! I did what I had to! I had to say that!” she screams, her voice ringing in the room, and I sit back slowly. She broke as I predicted…
“By who?” I ask quietly as all colour drains from her face, realising what she has just done…
but it’s too late now.
