THE ALPHA’S VENGEFUL LUNA

CHAPTER 17:

FREYA

Watching Darius being whipped mercilessly by Icarus brought a satisfactory smile to my face and his blood curdling screams were music to my ears.

As much as I took pleasure in his t*****e, I felt it was not enough. Darius deserved so much more, seeing as he was a potential threat to my stay, and I was determined for him to get it.

After Icarus had given him the whipping of his life, he was dismissed and suspended indefinitely from all council meetings.

That still was not enough in my opinion.

After the meeting was brought to a close, I walked up to Icarus. It was time to hatch my second plan.

“Today's meeting was quite... interesting.” I mentioned, leaning on the table next to him.

“Well, tell me about it.” Icarus sighed, shaking his head from side to side. “Darius really went overboard and I just had to teach him a lesson, you know.”

His weak smile faded into a frown. “I will not sit and watch any council member sow the seeds of disrespect within my council, or anywhere in my city.”

“That is really noble…” I said, playing with the sleeve of my dress. “Unfortunately, those have not been Darius' only crimes.”

Icarus' head snapped up so fast that I feared he would hurt it. “What?”

I began to fiddle with my fingers, casting fearful glances at Icarus and his frown deepened.

“You know something, Freya, so say it. What are you afraid of?”

“Darius…” I whimpered, shuffling my feet. Icarus pulled me closer to him, staring into my eyes full of determination.

“That mad man will not be able to hurt a strand of hair on your head, Freya. Not on my watch. So talk to me.”

I sighed, processing my well-crafted lie before answering. “Um...last night after you slept, I had a terrible nightmare so I woke up and could not sleep anymore. I decided to go for a walk to clear my head…and...and...”

“And?” Icarus impatiently asked, eager to hear everything. “Come on, Freya. Do not hold back anything.”

“I...I felt like I was being followed, and I was right. Darius soon came out of hiding. He accused me of hurting his daughter and stealing her place and...he hurt me…” I began to cry, wiping tears from my wet cheeks.

Icarus did not wait for me to complete my story before roaring out orders to his guards.

“Fetch me Darius immediately!”

Icarus huffed and puffed in anger like a fire breathing dragon and it felt good to have him defending me the way he did.

“How-how dare he lay his filthy hand on you? That animal!” Icarus banged the table so hard that I flinched in shock.

“But why did you not tell me sooner? How could you hide something so terrible from me?” Icarus queried.

“I was scared, Icarus.” I quivered, nibbling on my lower lips in feigned anxiety. “He threatened to hurt me if I mentioned anything regarding his attack to you. After he erred today, I figured it was the perfect time to expose his wrongs.”

“By the time I am done with Darius, he would not dare come an inch close to you or anything of yours, ever again. I can assure you of that.” Icarus promised, pulling me into his arms in an embrace.

The guards soon returned with Darius, who was looking perplexed and afraid at the same time.

“Darius…” Icarus called out as the guards shoved him forward. “I have no idea what has gotten into you to cause you to act so unruly. But you have crossed your boundaries by touching my Luna.”

Darius's expression was a mixture of confusion and fear as his eyes moved from mine to that of Icarus.

“Forgive me Sir, b-but...I do not understand.”

Darius stuttered.

“I do not like to repeat myself, Darius.” Icarus frowned. “You dare hurt Freya and go ahead to act dumb? What is wrong with you?”

“What?” Darius' eyes widened in horror before they narrowed on me.

“You!” Darius snarled. “This was all your plan, wasn't it?”

I shrunk further into Icarus's arms, shielding my face in fear. I had to make sure I acted out the role of the scared damsel in distress perfectly.

“Silence!” Icarus ordered. “She told me everything, Darius. You should be ashamed of laying your hands on a frail lady who posed no threat to you.”

“That is not true!” Darius cried out. “I did not hurt her! She was the one who was wandering deep in the woods. I only confronted her. ”

Icarus did not look convinced and it brought so much joy to my heart. “If I did, let her prove it and show the bruises.” Darius said, full of determination and ready to vindicate himself. He had no idea he was in for a surprise.

“She has nothing to prove.” Icarus fired back, tightening his hold on me.

“No, no it is okay…” I mumbled, releasing myself from Icarus's hold. I lifted up my sleeves and Darius's eyes widened at the welts and bruises decorating my forearms.

“What is the meaning of this, Freya?” Darius cried out. “I did not do that to you!”

“If not you, then who, Darius?” Icarus fired in anger. “First your maniac daughter pretends to have been attacked by Freya and now you? I am so angry right now I could strip you of all your ranks!”

My heart rejoiced at the sound of that.

Yes, Icarus! Strip him of his glory!

Darius soon fell to his knees, head bowed low. “Please, forgive me Icarus. I am a faulted man just like any other. Extend mercy towards me.”

Icarus walked towards Darius who was shaking on his knees. He pulled him up by his neck with a single hand and it was at that moment I saw how strong an Alpha really was.

Darius clawed at Icarus's fingers, his face turning an ugly red as he fought for air. “I trusted you, Darius, but you have taken my kindness for weakness.”

Icarus tightened his grip even further, his eyes glowing red as he tried to reign in his wolf. “You must pay for everything you have done Darius. That would teach you never to mess with me and mine again.”

He shoved the man to the ground so hard that he hit the ground with a thud.

Icarus waved his hand and two guards brought a box forward. Icarus popped it open and I gasped. They were filled with the deadliest t*****e devices I had ever set my eyes on.

“You are going to writhe in so much pain that your wolf would cry out to be free from your soul in order to escape this torture.” Icarus said, walking towards Darius who was sprawled on the floor.

I wanted to feel sorry for him, but I knew he deserved everything he was getting. His pleas and tears fell on deaf ears, and I watched with relish as Icarus dealt with him mercilessly.

-***-

I awoke the next morning with joy bubbling in my stomach. Not only have I earned Icarus’s trust, I had a complete list to prepare a potion that was deadly enough to harm Icarus.

I had to get to the town's herb market really early if I wanted to get all I needed before sundown, so I rushed to shower and prepare for shopping.

In no time, I was dressed and ready to go but as soon as I opened the door, there stood Icarus.

“Someone is all dressed up.” He said, his eyes taking every inch of my body, from my shoes to my face.

“Good morning to you, Sir Icarus.” I curtsied, a huge smile on my face. “I was just about to come to you to tell you that I was going to the market.”

Icarus stared at me with amusement.

“You are going to the market? For what?”

“Oh, I woke up with the memory of an old dish my mum used to make for me and I thought to prepare it for you today.” I replied, smiling sheepish.

I could swear that I saw Icarus blush, but it disappeared as quickly as it came so that could just be a trick of the eye.

“You seem really excited about it, so who am I to stop you?” Icarus chuckled, wrapping me in an embrace. “Thank you, Freya. I can't wait to taste your special meal.”

“I can't wait for you to eat it as well.” I hugged him back, with a knowing smile growing on my lips.

Convincing Icarus was going a lot easier than I imagined, and it was a good sign that my plans were finally going to work.

“Would you need Ava to come with you?” Icarus asked. “You know you have never been to our market before. It would be nice to have someone to show you around instead of trying to navigate on your own.”

“Oh, there will be no need for that. I would rather go on my own. It is an opportunity for me to explore the town as well.” I replied, hoping Icarus would not insist.

“Well, if you say so.” Icarus replied hesitantly. “Would you like Marcus to drive you over to the market? I would not want you stranded.” Icarus was so full of concern that it almost softened my heart towards him.

I chuckled. “Thank you for your concern, but I will be fine okay? I will be back before you know it. That is, if I am able to get all the necessary ingredients on time. I would obviously take longer if I do not.”

“I understand.” Icarus replied, walking me down to the door. “Have a great time shopping.”

“You bet.” I replied, clinging to the basket hanging from my elbow as I ventured into the unknown.