Page 28 of Losing My Siren Luna (Hidden Cove #1)

“Our contract has many clauses and stipulations not in your favor, Alpha. I would try not to mess up again, because not only will I feel it, I will now have eyes on you at all times.”

~

Elelira POV

This was my first time ever coming to town. In my first life, my uncle had taken me through it at nighttime, and I didn’t see anything. I was too scared of the unknown and the rumors I had heard of Alpha Lachlan, and too frightened of my uncle to try and peek out of the curtains of the carriage.

Now, I’m not scared of anything. I’m gaping and opening staring at all the shops and different venders on the street.

Its amazing here. Everything is so colorful and vibrant.

Everyone seemed so busy, rushing about, laughing, smiling, yelling, talking.

It’s almost overwhelming, but I’m too excited not to try and take it all in.

“You okay, Luna?” Percy asked me, smirking as I circled in place to watch a man carrying a huge tray of delicious smelling bread on his head.

I watch as he carries it over to a vender stall and sets the try on a table, and a plump woman comes and unloads the goods from him.

She takes a smaller loaf and breaks it in half, taking a bite of the steaming fluffy goodness inside, then hands the other half to the man, who takes a bite before giving her a kiss and heading back the way he came.

It's so normal and mundane, but also so lovely seeing a loving couple in their normal daily routines.

“I’m great,” I smiled at Percy.

I didn’t know what to expect with the rumors about the race issues in this pack, but I know I didn’t expect to see such a healthy, thriving town, especially after all the years this pack has been at war.

My uncle hasn’t faced a war since before my time of birth, but his pack seemed more of what you would expect of a war-ridden town than here. There was always this dark, ominous vibe in my uncle’s pack. Here, everyone seems happy.

There are no homeless, though when I asked, Cherum said there were, they just have centers the less fortunate can go to, so you don’t see them often.

The streets are clean. There are children running around laughing. This seems like a great place to live, even if their Alpha is a self-righteous jerk.

“I thought with all the wars that the town would look unkept and the people would seem less lively. This place is wonderful,” I told them.

Yasmin giggled at me. “You know, Luna, you seemed far older than me before, but now you're acting adorable; like an 18-year-old for once.”

“Aye, lass,” Cherum chuckles, “it’s a welcome sight.”

My cheeks heat in embarrassment. I must look childish right now. I can't help myself. I feel like a child as I stare in wonder at my new surroundings.

“I’m glad you like it here,” Cherum continues warmly, guiding me down the streets with a protective hand on my shoulder, like he was ready at any moment to pull me out of harm's way.

“Alpha works hard at trying to protect the people so they don't suffer because of the wars. The ports stayed open because of our excellent navy, so the citizens could continue life as normal. Trade never stopped. Our people never faced poverty to aid the warfront. Alpha was able to use the natural resources from our lands to trade for provisions from other territories.”

“Hmm,” is all I say in response. I do not wish to hear about Lachlan right now, but it's nice to know he’s not a complete jerk to everyone; just when it concerns me.

“Luna?” Yasmin came up beside me, “Are you sure you do not just wish to wait for me? The other women, the ones who also listened to Leona and crashed your wedding reception yesterday, I don’t want to sound like a gossiping hen, but they were speaking ill of you last night and I’m worried they may try to offend you further. ”

Cherum nods, “Aye, I heard them, but to me, it sounded as if Leona was doing all the tarnishing, and others were just agreeing to go along with her.”

I raised my eyebrow as I looked up at Cherum. “You personally heard her saying these things?”

“Aye,” Cherum nods, then after a few seconds, he realizes what I was really asking him, making me smirk as he suddenly turns red all over and looks down at me worriedly. “Not, um….I mean. It wasn’t like that, Luna. I was only drinking with the boys after-”

“Relax,” I laugh, “I’m just teasing you.” I like it when his face turns as red as his hair. He frightened me in my first life, but when he gets shy or embarrassed, all that past fear is forgotten.

Yasmin giggles, but then sighs, “Luna, I really think you should wait for me. At least out front. I can send Lady Vera to speak with you if you still wish, but I don’t think it wise for you to go inside. Not with Leona there.”

I grimace, remembering my encounter with her yesterday, and the way she kept pressing her large breasts up against Lachlan right in front of me.

Val growls in my head at the memory. That Leona woman really doesn’t like me, it seems, and she sounds like a vindictive person.

She may make things harder for Yasmin to leave if I go inside with her.

“Okay,” I smiled at Yasmin, “But please have Percy or Maurice come in with you to help keep you from another bad encounter with the woman.”

“I don't mind, miss,” Percy grins, “I can carry your things too.”

Yasmin’s eyes fluttered, then scanned the ground as we walked, a blush making her freckles stand out on her cheeks. “Thank you.”

Percy’s eyes softened, watching her face, and I suddenly felt like I was invading on a moment between the two of them.

Cherum and Maurice exchange a knowing look, and I know I’m not the only one who picked up on the vibe emanating from Yasmin and Percy.

“ Good. If she likes the warrior, she won’t like our mate,” Val muttered.

“We don’t even like our mate,” I tell my Lycan.

She whimpers slightly, “ I liked my mate. It's your mate who is the ass.”

“He’s your mate too,” I reminded her. I like Killian too, but I can't tolerate Lachlan and his harsh attitude to be with Killian. It doesn't work like that. “ We can’t have one of them without the other.”

“I know,” she grumbles. “ I still don’t want to see her on him like the one with the flabby chest.”

I snorted in my head at her reference to Leona, “ I thought you liked Yasmin?”

“I do like her, but that doesn’t mean I want her around our unmarked mate who has a taste for women of the night.”

Yeah. As much as I like Yasmin, if she were to end up in Lachlan’s bed again it would be hard to continue our new friendship.

“We’re here,” Yasmin tells me, taking me out of the conversation in my head with my Lycan.

The brothel is not what I expected. It looks like a regular shop on the outside, just with blacked out windows. The front does not have a sign, but you can tell it is a bar or saloon by the music drifting out of the swinging front door.

“Ready?” Yasmin looks up at Percy, who smiles down at her and nods. He places a hand on the small of her back and starts to lead her towards the door. She stops right outside them and turns to me.

“You still want to meet Lady Vera?” she asked me.

I shrugged, “If it’s any trouble, it can wait for another time.

” I really just wanted to see the woman that Yasmin seemed to look up to, especially after hearing the story about how Yasmin came to be a woman of the night.

She sounded impressive, but I’m not here to put anyone out.

I’m sure an unexpected visit from the new, unwanted wife of the alpha isn’t desirable. “I’m sure I will meet her eventually.”

“Okay,” Yasmin smiles, “We will be right back.