*ROSA*
Sitting alone in the large dining room, I munched on my egg slowly. I had no appetite for food, and Indila had to force me down here to have breakfast, ignoring the fact that I would be all alone.
According to Indila, Damon has his meals in his room or study and nowhere else.
Thinking of the devil himself, the fork in my hand trembled, memories of last night's revelation had me shivering.
My wedding ceremony was in four days and preparations had already begun. Damon had simply broken the news and excused himself, not waiting to hear my objection to it. Now my only option was escaping, and I needed to get it in motion as soon as possible.
"Oof!" I sigh pushing the half-empty plate away.
My mind wandered to Belle, if I could grasp her attention then I would get every piece of information there was.
An idea clicked in my head, I got up from my chair and took the platter of food, heading to the pack house kitchen.
Indila had toured me to the kitchen while forcing me down for breakfast. It was quite large and spacious filled with worldwide ingredients. Inside the kitchen was a well-stocked pantry for herbs, some I had not come across even with my fine knowledge of herbs.
As if on cue, I arrived at the kitchen and Bella stepped out, she saw me and bowed immediately. Her green eyes flashed in shock as she grabbed the silver platter from my hands.
"Good morning Luna Rosa, why did you bother?" Bella queried, staring at me like I had just dirt my hands.
"Oh Bella it was nothing, I wanted to do it myself." Bella shook her head in disagreement.
"No Luna Rosa, you did not have to, you could have left the platter and the other maids would have fetched it. Not to worry, I have it now, you can go upstairs and rest." Bella said and made to leave but I stopped her.
"Urm…How's Belle?" She glanced a confused look at me but answered anyway.
"Belle is fine, Luna Rosa. I hope there is no problem."
"No. Not at all, I was just asking after her…" Bella nodded, she went back to the kitchen and returned empty-handed. Now I was sure we could talk better.
"Wait!" I stopped her and pulled her with me, ignoring the confused expression on her face. I led her to a more secluded corner.
"Luna Rosa, are you alright, by the grace of the moon Goddess, Indila said you were healed."
"Yes I am healed Bella, but I am about to get the largest wound of eternity , and that might never heal. Listen I will head straight to the point, I want you to invite Belle to the pack house today, by sundown. Is that possible?"
Bella backed up shaking her head," Luna Rosa please, I cannot bring Belle to the pack house after what transpired. I am too afraid."
"Bella this is nothing to be scared of, I promise I mean no harm to Belle, I want to see her and…and assure her that she has nothing to worry about."
"Is that it, Luna Rosa." Bella stared at me, disbelief in her eyes. She bit her lips, looking away.
I had no intention of hurting her with my words, but I did and felt remorseful.
"I am sorry Bella, did I say something wrong?" I held her shoulder, she raised her head to look at me sniffing.
"Belle is troubled everywhere she goes, Luna Rosa, her inability to control the things that come out of her mouth has placed me and my mother in so much trouble that we eventually got used to it. We both tried our best to help her, but it proved futile."
"Belle's situation isn't some old bad habit she couldn't let go of, it was an ailment, and believe me I have tried everything I can to save her but…."Bella wiped her tears and sighed forcing a smile on her innocent face.
"Bella I…"
"Forgive me Luna Rosa, any of that didn't matter. I know you need Belle to learn more about the pack, but I am scared that my sister would be affected by all of these, and I cannot allow that to happen."
"Bella please." I clasped my hands, silently pleading for her to rethink.
"Are You Not Scared For Yourself…" Bella snapped.
" Alpha Damon almost took your life a few days ago, because of my sister."
I shook my head but she stopped me. "You cannot deny it, Luna Rosa, everyone knows you had a confrontation, and that led to your accident. I felt so guilty hearing your plight from the other maids. I am sorry Luna Rosa but I cannot watch you go through something like that again."
My shoulders fell at Bella's words, recalling the pitiful stares from anyone I came across made me realize they had figured out what happened.
I suddenly felt ashamed and uncomfortable being outside my room. "I am so sorry for bothering you, please get back to work." I forced a smile and left for my room.
Bolting the door behind me, I sat on my bed, memories of that horrible night flooded my brain. The heart wrenching pain of those broken pieces stabbing my skin and diving into my flesh ,shook me to the bones. My pain-filled screams and Damon's unbothered expression.
This is the life I was subjected to, one filled with pain and misery, with Bella's disagreement,Faith was my last hope. Tears broke free and flowed down my face.
A gentle knock on my door had me riding my face off any tear trail. " Who is it ?" I asked.
"It's Bella."
Bella? I got up from my bed and raced to the door, I opened it and Bella was standing there avoiding my eyes.
"Come in." I paved way for her and closed the door when she settled in.
"Luna Rosa, please forgive me for my rude behavior, I had no right to speak to you with such disrespect."
"It's okay Bella, I am fine. No offense taken, is that why you came here?"
I sat on my bed closely watching her contemplate her choice of words. She eventually sighed and began.
"The consequences of daring Alpha Damon are quite brutal, Luna Rosa, please rethink your decision and spare yourself."
I heaved a sigh of disappointment, she wasn't here to help me, but rather to fill me in on the knowledge of Damon's wrath.
"I know Bella, thanks."
"No, you don't, the past Lunas…they…"
"Couldn't bear Damon a child and he let them go right, I am quite familiar with the story."
Thinking of how lucky the Lunas were to return home brought a little hope to my soul. "What if I don't bear Damon a child, I am sure it won't take up to a few months. He would let me go and we will never cross paths again."
"How…How do you intend to do that Luna Rosa." Bella seemed to be in a panic at my suggested idea, but it sounded good to me.
"I am very familiar with herbs Bella, I can numb my womb for a while and if I fail to bear Damon a child, I get to leave this place."
"No! No Luna Rosa, you cannot do that please, you have to bear Alpha Damon a child at all cost." Bella trembled.
"Why?" I asked eyeing her suspicious behavior.
"Be…Because it is expected of you to bear the Alpha's heir as Luna. Yes, that's why."
Bella seemed to be in a state of panic, she was hiding something but was finding it hard to hold on. Why she was so afraid I couldn't tell but I got curious. If I pushed further she would tell me.
"Bella, are you forgetting that I don't care about the Alpha and his wishes, I want to leave this place and lead a peaceful life away from that cursed man. I don't mind going with the idea of playing barren, I am sure I will get the freedom I so desire."
"No Luna Rosa, I beg you please don't, this is no way to go about your quest for freedom, I am sure you have always wished to be a mother. What a great opportunity to exact your dreams, right?" Bella replied rather more desperately than I had ever seen.
"Yeah I wish to be a mother but not now, when I come of age I will, and I won't be bearing the child of that monster. It would be of the man I love. Don't you think?"
"Luna Rosa please…"
"It's okay Bella, I am ready to make that sacrifice for my future."
"But you won't have a future if you fail Alpha Damon," Bella said frustrated by my optimistic replies.
"What do you mean?"
"I…I…urm!"
"What do you mean Bella!" I asked in a firm tone and she broke down.
My brows creased, watching her weep for unknown reasons. I got up and took her hands in mine. " What are you hiding Bella? Please tell me."
"They weren't set free Luna Rosa… They were killed by Alpha Damon.his past Lunas they…THEY DIED."