Chapter 41

He didn't know if it was the way she said it casually or the effect it had on him but Piere knew he felt dizzy the moment the words left Bella's mouth. Now, sitting on his bed, he had to reflect on his decisions so far, marrying a Luna had always been his dream. It was the only thing embedded in his mind ever since he was a child, his father had made sure of that.

He had believed it was just the title, but now, three months after Nellie was sent out, he knew better. Piere could not stop the feeling of resentment he felt for Bella, he could not contain the urge to choke her in her sleep.

By God! She had seduced him, used him. Destroyed whatever relationship he shared with Nellie and took what she wanted- the castle. There was no doubt Nellie was a far better ruler than Bella, it was evident in the difference in their way of handling things.

Bella was selfish and rude, at the time, Piere could swear the only thing that mattered to her was killing Nellie and ruling everyone her own way. She wanted to marry him, she had asked him to marry her. Few months ago, Piere would have jumped at that opportunity, but now, after discovering Bella's true intentions, he had to admit he had made a mistake.

He closed his eyes as if to shut out the image of her face, the pain of betrayal on Nellie's face the day she had caught him cheating with Bella. He had hurt her so much, he knew it now. He had made a grave mistake by allowing Bella to seduce him, she had promised him a better life, a better future for the pack and a spicy relationship but now? Bella merely treated him like another one of her subordinates, she only came to him when she needed him to satisfy his needs.

Nellie was never a witch, that much was obvious now. Whatever Bella had said and done then was just to spite her friend whom she envied, that too, was crystal clear now. The only bait that worked on Piere had been the promise of a spicy relationship with his wife, a life of equal rights where he was allowed to make the decisions as the man, but now he had to admit he had been greedy to wish for all that.

The saying that you can't miss what you never had never held a deeper meaning than now, he was going to leave. With his men, he was going to search for and protect Nellie. She was his betrothed, he was going to beg and do whatever it took to protect her, and together, they would come back and take back the Moon pack, from the evil queen.

With that thought in mind, Piere snuck out of the room, he was grateful that Bella had not come to him tonight, that would allow him enough time to plan whatever he needed to plan. Piere hurried out the hall and came to a halt in front of the small chambers that housed all his men. He had smartly made sure to bring them all in one place for purposes like this when he realized Bella's true colors.

He did not have the patience to knock in fear of attracting any attention, with a swift move, he was inside the chambers. All nine of his men were seated around a built fireplace.

"My Lord" Callum greeted the moment he sighted him.

"Shhh… Get your things ready, we will leave by dawn tomorrow"

"I'm afraid, Your Lordship, if Lady Bella catches us…"

"That is why we have to move smart Anum, no one will catch us. Lead your horses out into the fields in pretext of taking them out to graze and leave them there." Piere whispered.

"That sounds like a plan" Callus, the bravest of his men nodded.

"Some of you should return for the night while the others should stay with horses to make sure they don't go astray, I will come out with Callus and Mika under the pretext of checking on your all by midnight"

"That is if someone sees you?" Linus enquired.

"Exactly"

"In that case, all of us would have to wait of there with the horses"

"Correct. Saddle few food and personal belongings you might need during the journey to the horses, I'll meet you upfront"

"Are we expected to leave our families behind?" Callum spoke again, he seemed to be the one with the faintest heart amongst the men.

"We are doing this for them, Callum. We need a good Alpha and Bella is nothing close to that. If we fold our hands and sit in wait, they might all just die from bad rule"

"I agree to that" More than half the men chorused.

"Is there anyone that might want to leave now?"

Callus looked skeptical for a while but then he kept quiet when no one spoke.

"Good. Callus, you know what to do" Piere moved closer to Callus and whispered the last part. "Keep your eyes on everyone and make sure no one snitches, anyone that objects is saying good bye to life. Remember, Bella can not find out about this"

"Yes My Lord," Callus nodded.

"Good, I'll leave you all now"

As Piere left his men that night, he knew he had made up his mind, his life was now resting in his hands and he had to be careful not to spill or take any chances with it.

Nellie, I am coming for you. Hang in and forgive me.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

When Earl left Charlie that night, it was with mixed feelings of surprise and pity. Surprise that something could actually eat up Charlie that much, much more, a lady. Charlie had never been one to fancy commitments, marriage to him was a total waste of time in a long ride of bondage. If Ariel was right, then nature really had its way of getting at us.

Earl made the walk back to his chambers a very slow one, he was tired but he couldn't get past the fact that Nellie was angry- most likely at him. He didn't know why but a part of him wanted to rush back to the house to find out what was wrong. Another part, which was the sane one, actually dreaded whatever it was she had to say.

What if she decided to go back to her pack? Surely he couldn't stop her this time around, she was no longer his captive. That much was evident in the way he treated her now, it was almost like she had become a part of his life. If she ever decided she would leave, Earl could not stop her, he wouldn't. It was enough that he was keeping her in his bed for his selfish reason, now that word had spread that she graced his bed at nights, if anything, everyone would assume he had dishonored her. No man would be willing to take her on that grounds, but it was good she was not one of them,she could go back to get packed and settle down if she ever decided to.

The thought of that did not sit well with him, he did not like the thought of having her in another man's arms, on another man's bed. No, he had to keep her. Nellie was stubborn, but she was by far the most courageous and sensible woman he had ever come across, brave and determined, selfless.

Ina lacked all of those things, and yet he had loved her, blindly. He had sworn never to love again,and he wasn't going to, but he couldn't promise he would not remarry, he had to. That was the only logical thing to do, Ina was a selfish and jealous one, if she found out Earl had remarried, she would likely come out, for whatever reason. Either to beg or fight, he could not decide what he shall do with her just yet, but he promised he was going to make her pay.

Marriage. He had to look for somebody, somebody that would understand? Or maybe someone unsuspecting, or he could just arrange a loveless marriage. Nellie,she would do just fine, Earl tried to convince himself that Nellie would be the perfect option because Ina already knew her, but something screamed otherwise I'm his mind.

He ignored the thought and increased the pace at which he was walking. He had to marry Nellie, one way or the other.it just felt right, she would be the perfect person to make Ina jealous and if they eventually get stuck in the marriage for life, it wouldn't be that bad because Nellie was more than enough.

Earl smiled at the thought, there was so much to do, but he had to try. For now, getting an escort for Lord Rodhalm's ball was paramount, and later, getting the right partner would come next, it was funny how the only answer to all the questions in his head pointed to one direction- Nellie.

"You are still awake" She was the first thing he saw when he stepped into the room, sitting by the window and staring out into the night, her hair almost blending with the dark.

"Sadly, yes" She replied in a flat tone.

"Earl paused for a while not knowing what to say, is everything alright?"

"You tell me" She looked at him now, a fiery fire in her eyes.

"What is wrong, My Lady?"

She regarded him for a while before returning her gaze to the window, if only he had stayed out a little longer she would have been asleep by the time he returned.

"How long do you intend to keep me here?" She asked sharply.

"I don't understand…?"

"Oh yes, you do!" She stood up now, the force with which she did it had the chair falling down as soon as she was on her feet, "The Witcher came here… to keep the damned Rogues away. But that same day, you told me I still had to stay here, if I must be safe!"

"Whoever said…"

"Don't even try to lie, Earl. Why are you still keeping me? Under such tight security? Your guards follow me daily, everywhere! I train them to follow me! And you wouldn't even let me out of your sight for a bit, not even to sleep at night?" There was an unmistakable anger in her voice that could consume him if he provoked her further.

"Slow down now, you have not let me speak" Earl told himself to remain calm.

"Have I not? What is it you want to say? That you are keeping me safe? When I live like a prisoner right here, not one second away from your scrutiny! Is that how much reason I have given you not to trust me?"

"I am sorry… You are getting it wrong"

"You couldn't even tell me, I feel like a bird in a cage, you don't trust me with anything" Her voice was beginning to crack and he could not stand it.

Trust? That was one thing he had given her which he had never given to anybody. He had thought she liked it here, he had hoped she did. Maybe he was wrong, oh yes he was wrong. She would leave eventually, she would leave soon, he had hoped he was treating her right, oh! How wrong he was, she would leave soon, like every other person.

"Fine! I kept you, maybe I did a little too much with just my assumptions, but I am sorry. I won't keep you anymore against your will. You are free to go, Nellie. As free as a bird outside a cage, I'll arrange for a coach to take you tomorrow if you want. And you can have Sparky. I am sorry"

He walked past her to the bed, totally avoiding her gaze, if she wanted to leave then he would dare not keep her against her will. He… what was the word? He just wanted her safe.

Earl sat on the bed for a while hoping he would fall asleep, but his mind seemed to be against him as all his thoughts wandered in one direction, he didn't want that, she shouldn't live in his thoughts like that, she was going to leave, like they all did.

With three long strides, he strolled out of the room, the air in the room was suddenly too stuffy for him. He was going to leave tomorrow, come morning. For Lord Rodhalm's ball, and by the time he got back, she would be gone. It was better that way, with no good-byes, he had never gotten to tell anyone goodbye in his life, they all always left unexpectedly. He had been foolish enough to believe she would stay.

For goodness sake, Earl! She was your captive!

He found his legs leading him down to Astrid's Chambers, he would leave in the morning and it was only right he looked for a companion. Astrid would be the perfect match, without Nellie of course. There had to be a way without her, for everything, his plans of using her as a bait to get Ina would have to change too.

It was selfish on his part to believe he could use her, that was all he had thought of, fixing her in his plans without actually seeking permission. Nellie deserved better, he couldn't marry her just to spite Ina, she had had a fair share of love and betrayal and it was only fair he did not alter her course. With a final breath of pure exasperation, Earl knocked on Astrid's door, she responded after the second knock,

"My Lord, I am very honored to host you, do come in" She wore a short green vase and her dark blonde hair was left flowing down her shoulders in curly waves.

"Astrid, you are still awake" He said it in a very flat tone, almost like he hated that fact.

"Yes, My Lord. Do come in"

"No. I am fine standing here," There were times when that invitation made him feel things, and promised him things. But now, he felt nothing as he stared into Astrid's golden eyes.

"I knew you would come" A smile curved her lips.

"You don't say." Earl chuckled, maybe he could try again with Astrid?

Astrid covered the distance between them and covered his mouth with a kiss that made his insides churn, again, Earl stood there, hoping to get some consolation from the warmth of her body. He waited a few more seconds as her hands worked smoothly in his hair, down his back… Nothing. Even her kiss was repulsive, the usual spark he felt each time Nellie was just a few breaths away was missing. On impulse, he pushed Astrid away from him and held her at arm's length.

"I said something about this the last time, Astrid." His tone was as cold as ice.

"I am sorry, My Lord. I was just carried away, you enjoyed my touch before, what has changed?"

"A lot." He should have known, she would need more than just a warning to keep her away.

"Then why are you here?"

"There is a ball I must attend, Lord Rodhalm's. I need you to go with me, we leave tomorrow"

Her eyes lit up, "You want to go with me? As your… Lady?"

Earl sighed in exasperation, "We leave tomorrow, very early in the morning, prepare."

"I definitely will"

Earl retreated without another word, he didn't know if it was the right thing but he had done it.

"Good night, My Lord," Astrid called from behind. To that, he only nodded.

By the time he got to his chambers, the candles were out, the room still smelt very much like Nellie, she was long gone by now, it would be a long time before her scent fades. He did not bother lighting the candles, he just made straight for the bed and lay down, he made to grab a pillow but his hands stumbled on a familiar figure, the sweet scent of spices filled his nostrils like never before. On impulse, he inhaled deeply.

Lying beside him in a very peaceful sleep, was a familiar beautiful face. Nellie. She had not gone, she was still here, in his bed.