Chapter Seventy-two: Whispers

I head downstairs and pick up a piece of fruit for breakfast, deciding on an apple for today. I know the guys will still be training and I’m not due to head over to the grounds till eleven. So I decide to try and find Emma to see if she’s able to explain to me what happened with the guards.

As I walk out of the pack house, eating my apple, I try and think about where Emma could be. She was never really interested in joining training and I have no doubt that she’ll be somewhere cosy, probably drinking coffee.

I know I said to Lukas I’d wait for him to speak with her, but I want to ask her directly. I guess Lukas will be upset but I doubt a little bit of my own investigation will cause issues.

I decide to head to the Café, which I’ve not been to in a while. I think back to when I was last there and how awkward I felt just being in Valencia’s presence, along with the fact she is obviously very jealous that I’m Lukas’ mate.

I sigh and just get on with it. I put on a brave face and head there, trying not to overthink what lies in store for me.

It takes me around ten minutes to arrive, and I notice the place is busy with it being first thing in the morning.

I see a queue forming and thank my earlier thinking and yank the hood I’m wearing over my head, so I’m not recognised. I just hope no one notices my scent.
I join the back of the queue and listen as more and more join the bustling queue. I hear about a new pup being born at the hospital last night, a new trend of clothes being lined up, the weather. I smile as I hear a positive remark about the she-wolf training.

The line continues to move up and so far no one’s noticed I’m here. As I start to get my foot in the door, I notice in the back corner of the Café a small group of people. I try to stay out of sight as much as possible but the Café wasn’t exactly large. I look over to the table and spot Emma straight away, however I also see a few other familiar characters.

I see Valencia in her waitress uniform, which isn’t necessarily strange. But I see Hugo and a few of the older pack members. I frown, not able to connect why they’d be here together. I try and mute out the people around me and try to listen to what they’re saying without being too obvious and to remember to move up in the queue.

“I have a plan, but I am unsure how many will follow us. It seems she’s rooted in deep.” I hear Hugo whisper.

“I’m sure I can get inside as well. We just need to make sure we stay anonymous.” Emma responds quietly.

“He’s told me he can get us out in a pinch if need be.” Hugo responds and I eye a dark expression on his face.

I hear Valencia hush them before saying. “She’s here.”

I look at the back of the head of the person in front of me, pretending to be oblivious to their conversation. I see Valencia move in the corner of my eye and I see the others act as if they’re just there for a friendly coffee. I suspect they didn’t think I heard anything.

I eventually get to the front of the queue and I order a vanilla milkshake, seeing as how I dislike coffee. I wait for it to be blended and the barista hands it over to me with a smile. I thank him and turn round, acting surprised when I see Emma who has her eyes on me.

“Oh hi, Emma.” I say bluntly, ignoring the eyes I’m getting from the others around the table.

I ignore them and continue to watch her as she looks down to her coffee. “Do you have a few moments for a word?”

She looks at me and raises an eyebrow but nods her head. “Of course, Luna.” She stands and waves to the people at the table and I turn to lead her out the door.
“I didn’t know you liked to come here Luna.” She says with a hint of suspicion in her voice.

I shrug. “I don’t usually, but I was trying to look for you, I know you like coffee.” I say bluntly.

She smiles snarkily. “Oh, really? Is there something I can help you with?”

I decide I don’t want to beat around the bush so I just come out with it. “There was an incident, more specifically a fire that was started yesterday at Elijah’s cottage, when both Elijah and Loretta were inside. It seems the guards who were there were called away just before the fire started.”

She chuckles. “Oh dear, seems the guards weren’t doing their job right!”

I side eye her and continue. “Well, those guards have said that it was you that called them away from their post. Are you able to let me know what happened?”

She looks slightly offended. “I hope you’re not insinuating anything, Luna. Yes, I called them over as one of the older she-wolves had fallen over and I was unable to help her up myself. So they were the first people I had found and asked them for help. When we returned to where the lady had fallen, she was gone.” She shrugs and holds her hands up slightly. “I don’t know what else to say. I apologised to the guards and then I went home.”

“Do you know who the she-wolf was? What she looked like?” I ask, straight to the point.

I see her falter slightly with my question, as if I put her off guard. I feel her hesitation for a split second. She however manages to pick herself up. “Unfortunately I’m not sure who she was, I’ve not seen her around. She had a dark blue long coat, and short grey hair. I didn’t get too much more of a look on her as I had run to the guards by the time I could get a profile on her.”

I nod my head at her, not wanting to give away my thoughts through my expression. “Thanks Emma. I think Lukas said he wanted to have a chat but unsure when that will be. Thanks for your time.” I say again, trying to be more professional.

She gives me a taunt smile, nods her head, then heads back into the Café. I notice Hugo looking at me with a frown, before he notices and looks away.

I start to walk back towards the pack house to make sure I’m not late for training, however I can’t shake the feeling that they’re planning something more sinister after the few sentences they whispered when I was listening.

I think about the people that were around that table, and each of them probably have a motive to get rid of me. Emma and Valencia want Lukas, even if it is strange they want the same thing so work together for it. Hugo probably blames me for bringing Elijah here and taking Loretta away. The older wolves who were there probably don’t like the changes being made within the pack since I’ve joined.

I remember Hugo mentioned something about someone getting them out. What did that mean?

I replay the conversation I heard over and over in my head. I know I’m obviously missing some vital information but there’s definitely something fishy going on. I make a mental note to speak to Lukas about what I heard, hopefully before he speaks to Emma.

I see Nuria leaving the pack house and shout on her. “Nuria, over here!” I wave to her.

She smiles and jogs across to me. “Hey there Wolfie, how are you this morning?” She looks behind me and gives me a confused look. “You’re up early!”

I give her a sarcastic look. “I do wake up early from time to time you know!” We both laugh at my obvious lie.

“I went to confront Emma.” I tell her, and follow up with what I heard.

We walk towards the training grounds and Nuria finally talks after I told her what went down. “I don’t know Aliana, it does sound like trouble. But it could also all be coincidental. We can’t go pointing fingers until we have hard evidence.” She shakes her head. “But I just hope that my Father has no influence here. I doubt he’ll reach out to wolves, seeing as how they’re a creation of Selene and Erebus hates all of the original Gods, including anything they’ve created. But we can never be too sure.”

I sigh deeply, feeling myself digging a hole of doubt. I know this feeling I have is not something I should ignore, but Nuria is right. I can’t accuse anyone until I have facts.”

We arrive at the training grounds and see the crowd of she-wolves warning up on their own. Nuria and I usually own the morning session and Estelle and Nina the afternoon, however I can see an angry Lukas speaking to Estelle.

They both look towards us and I see Estelle give me an apologetic look. Lukas storms over to me, looking quite angry.

“You’re not hosting training today. You and I are going to have a chat.”

I mouth a ‘see you later’ to Nuria and Estelle and turn to follow an angry Lukas out of the training grounds.