Page 19 of Losing My Siren Luna (Hidden Cove #1)

“ No, that sounded like she was reliving being physically harmed. She wasn’t holding her chest where the betrayal burns the worst. She was tearing at her skin, like she was trying to fight someone off.”

The thought of her fighting anyone off makes me sick and homicidal.

“Do you think it was her uncle?” I growled.

“ He kept assuring us she was pure, though. Then she swam off after she rejected us. When would he have hurt her like that?” Killian says, thinking about the possibility and probability that her uncle could have been the one to hurt her.

The weight of what kind of attack she must have endured sits heavy on my chest.

She panicked at a kiss, and then the way her body moved around as she was having her nightmare…..

“ Do you think she…..”

“Was raped?” Killian finished my thought, “ I think it is a strong possibility.”

A growl, so fierce and deep, vibrates my entire body and echoes down the empty halls.

Who would dare harm her? Who would harm my wife, the embodiment of grace and innocence, like that?

Did it happen when I was neglecting her?

Did it happen right under my nose, when I was so obsessed with avoiding her to resist giving into temptation?

Did someone else take advantage of my mistreatment of my wife and abuse her here?

If not, when else could it have happened?

“ It could still be something else. Some other trauma. We do not know how she died yet. She could be reliving her death. I did just happen yesterday, or the day before yesterday for her.”

He’s right. A traumatic death could have the same effect.

“ I wish we could just ask her,” I groaned.

The contract with her father prevents us from revealing our knowledge of anything from our first life, though. I can't ask her for specifics like that.

I wonder if her father knows?....

My thoughts about this matter and how to approach it will have to be put on hold for now. The training grounds are just ahead, and with the sun just beginning to light the sky, the elite warriors and all my commanders will be here soon to begin drills.

I pass an omega who works in the kitchen as she leaves the warrior’s barracks, clearly after spending the night with one of my men.

I stopped her to order tea and a light snack to be brought to Lira in her chambers.

I know she said she wasn’t hungry, but I also noticed how little she ate at our reception yesterday.

I spent most of the night holding her slim frame in my arms.

She needs to eat.

I want her to be healthy and happy. Happiness may take me a little bit to figure out, but I can start on getting her healthy now. I need to direct Niomi into ensuring Lira eats plentiful and filling meals, and snacks frequently in between when she can.

The embarrassed omega nods, hurrying off to the kitchen to carry out the task.

“Morning, Alpha,” Nilo calls as I enter the armory.

I stride towards the kettle hanging near the fire, needing coffee if I’m to stay awake this morning. I really didn’t get any real sleep last night.

“Yeah,” I mutter, pouring myself a cup and slurping down some of the gritty texture. Nilo made this. He makes shit coffee.

“So,” he grins like an idiot, “How was your night last night?”

I growl at him, baring my fangs as Killian pushes momentarily forward, pissed at his cheerful attitude, just like me.

“That good?” he snorts, “Cherum is going to have your ass, then, Alpha. He said if you mistreated his Luna again he would have you eating dirt for breakfast. He told us about the shit with Leona too. No wonder she was such a bitch last night. Cherum nearly banned her from the castle and stormed out of the bar after she wouldn’t stop going on about Elelira not being Luna.

She said the Luna was nothing more than a prissy western bitch who was more of a whore than her. ”

Killian pushes forward, growling deeply loud enough that the coffee shakes, spilling over my cup. “SHE SAID WHAT!?”

Nilo had his hands up defensively, shaking his head, “I told you! Cherum almost exiled her then and there. He put fear into her, that’s for sure. I don’t think she will say that stuff again, Alpha.”

“She better fucking not,” I snapped.

Nilo sighs, “You shouldn’t have let her continue to visit you freely here at the packhouse, Alpha. After saying that Elelira would never be Luna, and you would be divorcing her the moment you could, all the girls were under the impression that treating her cruelly is what you wanted.”

Killian snarls, but guilt fills me. I was horrible to Lira in our first life, that is for sure. Even before she got here, I was horrible to her just because she was Wayne’s niece. I said horrible things.

Maybe that’s why someone thought they could take advantage of her before…..

“I want the whole territory to know how I feel about my wife by the end of the day,” I tell my Beta.

“I want there to be no question that, despite what I said before, she is now the most important person in the world to me, and to this entire pack. She is Luna, and without her, this pack would weaken. An alpha needs their true Luna. A pack needs their true Luna.”

“I got it, I got it,” Nilo sighs, “I’ll get a team together and we will set out today. Don’t worry.”

“Good,” I snapped, slugging back the gritty coffee.

Nilo shifts on his feet, obvious that he has something he wants to say, but he is nervous about whatever it is.

“Speak. Quit shifting around like you are trying not to piss yourself,” I barked at him, making him jump slightly.

“I was just thinking….Why don’t you plan a festival for her or something, so the people can see you treating her like the Luna.

After the fuss you made about her not being your Luna, I think you need to show them that she is.

It would reassure the pack that you really have found your mate and that she will strengthen you and our pack. ”

“Hmm,” I scratched my stubble-covered chin, thinking about his suggestion.

I’m taking her to town today to visit the orphanage and hopefully show her a more likable image of me.

She’s seen nothing but the bad in me, and I’m sure she has heard countless rumors about my thirst for blood and women.

I want to prove that I’m no longer that man.

I thirst for nothing but her and her happiness.

Maybe a festival in her honor would help show her how important she is to me.

“Morning, Alpha. Beta,” Cherum and Meldec walk in, walking straight for the nasty coffee.

Meldec lifts the pot lid then grimaces, scowling towards Nilo. He hates Nilo’s coffee too. Cherum couldn’t care less, filling a cup with the sludge water and taking a big gulp, smacking his lips together afterward like it hit the spot.

“Men. Tell the warriors training is canceled for today, in honor of my wedding,” I announced.

“Really?” Cherum grins, “Did you get on my Luna’s good side last night? I guess we all knew you had no issues in the bedroom-”

I growled to cut off his crude words.

“You. Get presentable and make sure my wife gets a good breakfast. I want her to clear her plate. Tell Niomi to be sure she does that every meal from now on too.”

He nodded, pulling in his beard, “Aye, the lass is a bit on the light side. She could put on a few pounds.”

I growled again. “You touch my wife again, I will be feeding you dirt for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the foreseeable future.”

He huffs, “I know, you overprotective mutt.” I lift my brows, tilting my head at his insult. “I mean, yes, Alpha,” he adds, then busies himself with drinking his coffee.

“What are you going to do, Alpha?” Nilo asks.

“ We are going to plan out this festival to honor my wife. We need to get the basics planned out before you leave so you can spread the word.”