Chapter 61
I took a deep breath, Daniel’s eyes were still boring into mine, and I realised he was waiting for me to decide what to do with his mother. I got off the couch with wobbly legs, I felt drained of energy and a little freaked out by what I had done. I walked straight past Daniel and Maria and into the kitchen, Ben was standing by the stove obviously upset and frustrated. Miranda and Richard were standing on either side of the now battered-looking table, screaming at each other. I cleared my throat to let them know I was there, watching them both cautiously.
“I understand I was slapped?” I asked in my calmest voice, the memories were coming back in flashes, but I couldn’t assemble all of the pieces yet.
“Yes, and as Daniel’s mate, you have the right to demand the person who struck you have any number of punishments inflicted on them, including being whipped!” Richard replied to me, but his eyes were glued to his wife, who was clearly furious with him, but also afraid of what could happen to her and hurt that her husband was advocating for such a harsh punishment. I refused to speak, waiting for her to explain her actions towards me, it took several tense minutes before she could even drag her eyes away from Richard.
“I wasn’t trying to hurt you, you were panicking, and when my mother would get hysterical like that my father would slap her. It wasn’t because he didn’t care, in fact, he and I did what we had to out of... well for him it was love. For me, it was a necessity and I do respect you, you’ve proven you have a backbone, and you care about my son.” She let out an exasperated breath. “I really was trying to help.” She said lowly. I considered everything I had heard for a second.
“Alright, then your punishment will be a genuine and heartfelt apology. This one-time, next time you decided to try and hurt me; I will not be so generous.” I warned that power beginning to build again inside me.
“Charlie, your eyes!” Ben exclaimed sounding scared and concerned.
“What?” I asked, my hand raising to my face, without thought.
“They glowed purple for a moment. Did you feel angry then? Or upset or something?” Ben asked as I looked around the room, every eye on me.
“Well, it’s not like I’m grateful for being slapped, and I will not put up with it again, I mean it. But I understand how growing up witnessing that kind of thing you could have acted on instinct and done what you were used to seeing.” I took a deep breath. “I don’t want us to become adversarial, but I won’t lie down for you to walk all over me either, so, I would like an apology. As for the eyes, yes, I’m angry, and upset and confused and I don’t understand what’s happening to me. I just want to get through this tribunal and get some answers. You’re the only person I know who has been through one, so I would like your help, but I won’t sacrifice my self-respect for it. So, you can apologise or leave, but if this tribunal goes bad, it’s not just me who will suffer. Daniel will suffer too, so it’s up to you Miranda, can you apologise and mean it? Or not?” I asked her, I genuinely wanted to move past it.
“I’m truly, genuinely, sorry I hit you. I really was just trying to help; I hope you believe me.” I felt like I understood Miranda better at that moment. Growing up, watching her father physically assault her mother for her perceived weakness, and having such great responsibility forced on you from such a young age must have been a lot of pressure. It’s no wonder she grew hard and cold as a result. I nodded my acceptance of her apology and decided to move on from it.
“Alright, there’s still a lot to discuss and we have a tribunal to prepare for, I suggest we leave the men to finalise whatever they need to and Maria, you and I will go upstairs so you can teach me everything I need to know before my appointment.” I declared, my mind focusing on what I could control instead of panicking over what I couldn’t. I turned around, leaving the kitchen almost walking into Daniel who had come up behind me without me noticing.
“Are you sure you’re okay with her not being punished?” He asked me, looking into my eyes, checking that they were still mine.
“If you don’t believe that apology wasn’t torture for your mother, you don’t know her.” I laughed, kissing him softly. “Besides, it wouldn’t do the pack or you any good to find out their new Luna was attacked and is now whipping the former Luna, would it?” I asked though I already knew the answer.
“I don’t care about the pack! I will leave right now if that’s what you want. I only care about what’s best for you!” Daniel cried, illicitly gasps and murmurs from his family.
“Daniel, I know you love her but being Alpha means the pack always has to come first!” Richard admonished his son.
“I can't rule without my mate, so she will always come first! Above all else, always and forever.” He whispered to me, kissing my fingers gently, and holding me against his chest. No one said anything, to that, what could they say? What could I say? I kissed him again, a little more forcefully, in the hope it said what my voice couldn’t, that I felt the same way, that he was the most important thing in my life, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything without him anymore.
“We don’t have much time and there’s still so much to do. I need to go get ready for my tribunal. Will you be able to be there with me?” I asked him I hoped that with him by my side my unknown powers wouldn’t burst out of me again and attack the elders.
“No, he won’t be allowed to accompany you, but you can choose advocates to have by your side. Daniel could exert his power over the elders which is why the Alpha is never allowed inside the tribunals. Richard and I will be there as the Gamma couple and you could have Ben and Maria beside you for support, but they won’t be allowed to speak.” Miranda answered my question quietly, I nodded again, afraid my voice would fail me, I gave Daniel a small smile and headed for the stairs. I heard Daniel growl, lowly and menacingly as Miranda passed him following behind me. I reached the bedroom with silent tears flowing down my cheeks, but I refused to allow even a whimper to escape me as I sat on the bed. Miranda and Maria followed silently into the room, Maria immediately ran and handed me some tissues, I smiled my thanks to her.
“I was wrong about you. What you did today, putting the pack first, putting Daniel first, that couldn’t have been easy. You really are worthy to be Luna of this pack, and I will do my best to help you in any way I can.” Miranda said as she stood in front of me, her head down and neck bared, I knew it was a sign of acceptance from her and the real apology I didn’t think I would ever hear from her.
“Thank you, Miranda, I appreciate your faith in me. Now, what do I need to know to get through this tribunal?” I needed to be put to work, I needed something to focus on or I would go mad with worry.
“The most important thing is to remain calm; they can ask you anything, your values, beliefs, sex life, it’s all on the table. Some of the elders won’t be happy you’re human at least in part, they will want to know about your parents and won’t be happy you have no idea who your father is or what species for that matter. There will also be those who won’t like that you weren’t a virgin when you met Daniel, but those rules are for Lycans, which you are not, so when those questions come up, just be diplomatic. Something like had you known you had a fated mate, you would have waited for him. Do not bring up Daniel’s dalliances, it’s sexist and stupid, but it’s a tradition that a Luna only mates with her Alpha.” Miranda stated, taking off the jacket of her exquisite Chanel suit.
“Would it be helpful that Daniel is the only man I’ve had sex with?” I asked blushing furiously at having to divulge my sexual history to what could be my future mother-in-law.
“What do you mean?” Maria asked confused.
“I’ve only had sex with women before I met Daniel. I’ve had boyfriends before, but I never had sex with them, just other stuff.” I said unable to look either of them in the eye.
“Oh!” They both exclaimed, making my blush worse. I suddenly remembered what Daniel said about wolf hearing and cringed. We hadn’t had that discussion, Daniel and I, but he undoubtedly just heard everything I had said. I waited for him to burst through the door, unsure of his reaction.
“I don’t think they can hear us; they’re preoccupied with plans for rooting out the elders in collusion with Pratt.” Maria reassured me, she obviously noticed me staring at the door.
“How do you know?” I asked her, still blushing immensely.
“We would’ve heard a reaction by now if that was the case.” Maria smiled warmly.
“That could be helpful though, that you were untouched as it were by a man, you have no idea how backwards some of these traditions are,” Miranda said with a scowl. “Alright, let’s pick a dress. We want something that says regal and demure, but also powerful and worthy.” She explained as she began pulling clothes out of the bags and making two separate piles.
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