Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Luna Aquamarine's POV I was as naked as a newborn and so was Alexander . Last night was something else . I remember this devil and Esmeralda wrapped in each other's arms . I felt betrayed , hurt , and angry . It reminded me of Clinton and my step - sister .. H Yet , I knew I had no right to be . After all , Alexander and I weren't in a real relationship . We were just bound by duty and obligation . I could still remember the way Esmeralda's eyes and mouth went wide when she saw me and how she instantly pushed herself away from Alexander . I remember gripping the scroll tightly and turning away from them . I didn't know where I was heading but I knew I needed to move . Shortly after , Alexander caught up to me and spun me around . I don't know what I was expecting . An apology or an explanation but what I saw was something much more worse . He was smirking . Like he didn't do something so … dirty . Flashback ** " Aquamarine , " he had called out . The corridor felt suffocating as I tried to put distance between us . " Don't ," I had snapped when I heard his footsteps quickening behind me . " Don't say a word ." But Alexander never listened to anyone - least of all me . His hand caught my elbow , spinning me around with such force that I nearly lost my balance . " You're upset , " he said , his golden - eyes having a little spark within them . " Upset ? " I laughed bitterly , pulling my arm from his grip . " I just caught you with your tongue down another woman's throat and you think I'm just upset ? " His smirk widened . " Jealousy suits you ." The words hit me like a physical blow . " I am not- " " Aren't you ? " He stepped closer , backing me against the stone wall . " Your scent changed the moment you saw us . Sweet little mate , all worked up over something that means absolutely nothing ." Nothing ? " It means nothing to you because nothing means anything to you ! What if people saw both of you and the words spread ? Or perhaps they already know and this isn't the first time ." The words tore from my throat , raw and painful . I'm just another obligation , another tool for you to- " Before I could respond , before I could even breathe , he swung me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing . The scroll fell from my hands , forgotten , as he carried me through the corridors " Put me down ! " I demanded , pounding my bists against his back , but he only chuckled " We have important business " He threw me onto the bed with a gentleness that contradicted his rough handling moments before , and then Well , the rest was history . 1/3 Chapter 19 ** Present ** The memory faded as consciousness fully returned to me . Alexander's arm was wrapped possessively around my waist . I could feel his steady breathing against my neck , still deep in sleep . But reality crashed back quickly enough . The scroll . The Threat . Rogiara . Katherine . Carefully , I began to peel myself off of Alexander's grip . His arm tightened reflexively , and he murmured something unintelligible against my hair . " Monster , " I whispered , gently prying his fingers loose . " I need to wash up , release me . " Somehow , miraculously , he released me without waking fully . I slipped from the bed , gathering a robe from the chair nearby , and quietly toward the bathroom . The hot water felt like salvation against my skin , washing away the confusion and conflicted emotions that clung to me like smoke . I needed to think clearly , needed to focus on what was important . The scroll . Goddess , I'd dropped it in the corridor last night . I could only hope no one had found it . After drying and dressing in clothes that had been laid out for me . A simple but elegant dress in deep blue that somehow fits perfectly . I slipped from the room . Servants rushed back and forth carrying flowers and what looked like ceremonial items . " Luna Aquamarine , " Juliet's voice rang . She walked up to me and bowed her head . " Good morning , Luna . " " Good morning , Juliet . " I greeted back . " Do you know where Katherine's room might be ? " " She's been given quarters in the west wing , close to the portal , but … " She glanced around nervously . " Perhaps it would be best to speak with the Primus about visiting arrangements ? " Fear . I could sense that from Juliet . Alexander had already started making a move on Katherine and she didn't know . A move for terrible reasons Before I could respond , I caught a glimpse of grey hair at the end of the corridor . Esmeralda . Our eyes met for a brief moment and I saw something I didn't expect . Shame . An Elder and a Primus ? Really ? She looked away quickly , disappearing around a corner . " Luna ? Is all well with you ? " " It's fine , " I said , though it wasn't . Nothing about this situation was fine . " I'll speak with Alexander later ." I was about to ask Juliet about the scroll when raised voices drifted from a nearby room . Alexander's voice , unmistakable even through the thick wooden door , -better not show up , he was saying , his tone sharp with warning . " The Naturellians wouldn't dare , came Levi's response . " Not after what happened in the Moonstone pack and our border " Naturellians ' I ve heard that term before , but something about it made my blood run cold . But what does it have to do with my old pack ? " What about the scroll ? ' Levi continued , and my heart nearly stopped . " Any luck yet ? And then what do we do with the other one ? * There was a pause , and when Alexander spoke again , his voice was lower , more dangerous 2/8 Chapter 19 " Katherine stays under guard until I decide what to do with her . As for the scroll … " Another pause . " Keep it secure . If it's what I think it is then the elders might need it for the ritual . " Ritual ? What ritual ? Juliet was watching me with concern . " Luna ? You look pale . " " I'm fine , " I lied , my mind racing . They had the scroll . He has Katherine in his grasp . And they were talking about some kind of ritual that apparently required both . " Perhaps you should rest before the ceremony preparations begin ? " Juliet suggested . Coronation ? " There will be fittings , meetings with the Elders , ceremonial blessings- " " How long ? " I interrupted . " How long until the coronation ? " " It's tomorrow . Everything must be perfect for your ascension . " That's too soon . Why celebrate when I have a lot on my head at the moment ? In such little time too . Six days . I had six days to figure out what Alexander was planning , to find Katherine , and to somehow get that scroll back . Few hours to decide if I was going to go through with becoming Luna of the Theriakon Pack or if I was going to run as far and as fast as I could . The problem was , I was beginning to suspect that Alexander would never let me leave alive if I tried to run . And from the way Levi had mentioned the Naturellians , I was starting to wonder if there was nowhere safe left to run to anyway . " Luna ? " Juliet's voice seemed to come from very far away . " Shall I escort you back to your chambers ? " I looked down the corridor toward where I'd seen Esmeralda disappear , then back toward the room where Alexander and Levi were still discussing my fate , like I was an othello piece to be moved around their board . " No , " I said finally , straightening my shoulders . " Show me to the west wing . I want to see Katherine . " Julier's eyes widened . " But Luna , the Primus said- " " I do not care , " I interrupted , surprised by the authority in my own voice . " I want to see my friend . Now ." As we walked toward the west wing , I caught another glimpse of Esmeralda watching me from the shadows . This time , when our eyes met , she didn't look away from me .