Lunar Temptations

Ch 30

"Of course not. We were just leaving," Esme said, elbowing Winnie. They both got up immediately. "Hey, I am sorry about that. I didn't mean to intrude," I explained.

"Oh, please. You don't have to apologize. Besides, we weren't exactly being quiet," she said sheepishly. I wanted to ask more, but through my peripheral vision, I saw my sisters gawking at us. After I introduced them to each other, they both left for home, and I lost my chance to get answers from Winnie. Meanwhile, there was something else that intrigued me now.

"If you don't mind me asking, what's wrong with her?" I motioned to the woman sitting alone at the table. She looked in a daze, and I wanted nothing more than to go ahead and help her. Her swollen eyes spoke volumes, and I wanted nothing more than to hear them out. Sometimes the world was cruel to some people, and there were only a few who could get them justice. Now I felt obligated to bring her that justice, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake that thought out of my head.

"It's complicated. You don't have to wear yourself out," she shrugged. "I really want to help." A crease formed on my forehead as I spoke. She didn't hesitate again and nodded at me, "Well, I can't say no to you, and soon you will be taking over anyway." She smiled at me, and I suddenly felt more responsible to help that woman than before. Nicole motioned me to follow her, and I did. The woman looked at me and wiped her tears off, not wanting me to see them.

"This is Paula," Nicole said, and the woman frowned at me. "Paula, this is Raya Dawson-" She had barely completed my name when the woman, Paula, scurried to her feet, aghast. "I am so sorry, my Luna, I had no idea it was you." Her hoarse voice came, and she went into a deep bow. The announcement of my engagement was made, though, and everyone knew my name, which explained her reaction. "Forgive me." Her voice started to break.

"It's fine, please sit down." I lightly rubbed her shoulder, and her face flushed. We all sat down, and I asked the waiter to cancel the previous order that I had made with Esme and Winnie. Instead, I ordered some drinks for us that would make Paula feel better.

"You can tell her everything." It took one reassurance from Nicole, and the poor woman started to tell me everything. "I am an omega, and I used to work as a cleaner in the Castillo Estate before the incident happened." She gulped and continued. "My daughter Macy, she's only 17. I brought her to work with me one day and-" her voice broke, and several tears rolled out of her eyes. A tug at my heart made me reach over the table and squeeze her hand.

"Take your time." I nodded at her. "My apologies, I don't want to waste your time." She shook her head. "But I believe you'll help me. The Moon Goddess has led me to you." She said, wrapping my hand in hers. I nodded reassuringly, "I promise, I'll help you, but you'll have to tell me first."

She cleared her throat and took a sip from the drink to calm herself down. What came next was something I hadn't expected.

"They raped Macy and tortured her. They left my girl to die." Paula's voice shook me. I couldn't comprehend anything further for a moment, and that was until she continued. "She's fighting a battle of life and death, and here I am begging for justice, my Luna." Her eyes held tears, but she wasn't crying anymore. A gasp escaped my lips, and I found myself at a loss for words. Suddenly, my problems seemed too small in front of Paula and Macy's. They might be omegas of the pack, but that didn't mean they deserved to be treated like this.

"Who did it?" I asked, my blue eyes turning yellow now. I felt my wolf begging to take over and bring the wrath upon whoever did this to that innocent girl. She wasn't even an adult yet, how could the world be so cruel to her? Raping and abusing an innocent 17-year-old to the extent that she was fighting to live.

"Nicole?" I turned to my left, where she sat with her head hanging low. "Alpha looked into it, and we are awaiting his commands." She sighed. "How long has it been since the incident?" I asked.

"A month now," she admitted sheepishly. "And the culprits are still at large," she whispered to me, as Paula continued to sniffle.

It took me a moment to take it all in. Zayden knew about it, and it has been a month, yet there was no justice served to her, on his watch. How was that even possible? I knew he was neither that irresponsible nor unjust to not look into the matter. Then, what was stopping him from finding the culprits and punishing them for their ruthless crimes? I couldn't imagine the agony she must be going through, watching her daughter injured from the horror inflicted on her.

"I tried to reassure her, but-" Nicole paused, her hand balling into fists. "I am a mother too, Raya. Those culprits need to be brought to justice."

Her words hit me hard, and even if I was a mother, I wouldn't be able to imagine the amount of pain Paula was in. Imagine waking up every day for a month, watching your daughter lie half-dead in a coma while you wait for the culprits to be brought to justice. The pain was immeasurable, and watching her cry in front of me, helplessly, made me want to hunt those assholes down and kill them in cold blood.

"Paula, look at me," I said and watched as her red eyes matched mine. "Macy's culprits will be brought to light and be punished for their sins." Taking her hand into mine, I spoke. "That's your Luna's promise to you."