Chapter 22
1161 Words
Zinnia's POV
"Go hide in your room for me, dulce."
He had such a worried look in his eyes when he said it.
I had no idea what was going on, but when Lorenzo interrupted the ceremony, I knew that whatever made him react that way was serious. I also had no idea what dulce meant either, but I did like the way the word looked rolling off his tongue.
I rush up to my room and not too long after, I hear chaos outside. I look out my window and see people downstairs scattering. Most of the males rush toward the outskirts of the packlands. Some stay behind and usher the women, children and the elderly into the castle.
I remember that we do have a shelter in the basement. I could help make sure that everyone gets in safely. I'm gonna be a Luna, right, so this is good practice. I go back over to my door to leave, but when I open it, I am shocked to see a man standing there.
"Hello, Luna Zinnia. I am so happy to meet you. My name is Dariel. I am Lorenzo's Gamma."
"Yes, I saw you standing with him downstairs."
"Great, well he asked me to take you to our pack."
"Excuse me?"
"We're under attack. Alpha Lorenzo feels that you are not safe here. He wants you to leave for his pack. Now."
"Really. Um... can you hold on for a second?"
I close and lock my door. I run back over to the window and see exactly what he was talking about. These gross looking, slimy bat-like creatures fly about the sky. There honestly doesn't seem to be a whole bunch of them, but they are grotesque. One gets picked off every few seconds, but there is no way in hell I am rushing out of here with those things flying around. Plus, I am still a part of the New Moon Pack and I will not abandon. I have to get all my stuff together and say goodbye to my friends.
Dariel knocks on the door.
"Um, Luna Zinnia. Its time for us to go. The car is just outside."
"I'm not leaving." I shout.
Silence.
"Luna Zinnia, I've been asked to transport you to the East Moontrail Pack and that's what I'm going to do. I would appreciate your cooperation."
"Well, you not gonna get it. I'm staying here."
The man sighs in exasperation.
"Luna, I don't want to have to bring you by force. This would be a lot easier if you would cooperate."
By force, huh? I don't think so.
I open my window and pick my weapon of choice, then take cover.
"I'm coming in, Luna."
I hear the popping sound of my doorknob breaking. I can't believe it is being broken again. I hear him come into my room and look around, moving my things. After a while, he finally makes his way into my bathroom. When he opens the shower curtain, I drop my air conditioner onto his head. I jump over him as he crashes to the floor and run as fast as I can to the King's floor. I find a utility closet to hide in.
I can't believe I have to hide so Lorenzo doesn't abduct me. I'd like to drop an air conditioner on his head.
"Found her!"
I don't know how long I had been in there when Kaipo opens up the closet door. I follow him to his office. He takes a walk over to the couch and plops down.
"What are you looking so mad for?" he queries.
"That jerk tried to abduct me! He already knew I wasn't ready to leave and with whatever happened, he tried to force me to leave. I'm not gonna leave until I'm ready to. I'm gonna kick his ass."
"You're a handful. Do you know that?" he says with a big exhale. "Wait, you assaulted Dariel? We should have had you out there fighting." he laughs.
"Fighting? What exactly happened out there? Were those Ihowtons?"
"We were attacked by El and some of his allies. Apparently, Ihowtons can follow orders now. Your mate led the charge against them. We won. He is responsible for the capture of Alpha El." he says casually. "Oh, and Roman found his mate at my ceremony today, so that is awesome."
What? El is here? Why on Earth would he attack? Was he trying to get to me? Was KJ with them? Is he okay? Oh goddess, I hope he's okay. Shawn is gonna be so upset. My mate captured his father?
Just as the thoughts are coming to me, Lorenzo runs into the room.
"Zinnia! When I couldn't find you, I thought you were taken. I can't believe you attacked Dariel! You have got to be the most badly behaved girl I have ever met!" he scolds.
He wears nothing but a pair of basketball shorts. His whole body is bloodied and bruised and flesh from his torso is just hanging off. I gasp and cover my mouth. I feel my heart break at the sight. Even though he's yelling at me, I run and give him a hug, burying my face in his chest.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was this serious." I almost lost my mate today.
He lifts his hand to cradle my cheek and that's when I finally notice those calming tingles, the sparks I've been hearing about my whole life. They are more amazing and powerful than I could ever have imagined. I think he feels it too because after touching me, his body sinks into me.
"Well, this is all very moving. Hey, you guys should take a shower together, so you can stop trailing enemy blood all over the place." the King says, dryly.
Lorenzo laughs, his chest rumbles against me. "I'm not gonna lie, I forgot you were here, but I'll be-"
That's actually not a bad idea.
"Can we use your bathroom?"
The King pauses and slowly nods in half disbelief, so I grab Lorenzo by his wrist and rush him out the door. He follows behind me, not saying a word. I lead him across the floor to the King's large, private bathroom. I have only ever used it to change Carlani's diaper, but it is so luxurious that it's unforgettable.
I sit him on a bench, turn on the tub and rush to a nearby closet to get him clothes, a towel and a washcloth. I rush and get soaps and lotion from my room downstairs. I feel so bad. I didn't know he was in danger. God, I'm so stupid. He almost died and I was being childish. He had always made sure I was taken care of ever since he found out about me and I have been so mean.
"Let me clean you up."
He doesn't say anything, but looks at me with wide eyes.
- Writer
