sitting room, dear,” Zelda whispered to me, waving a hand at the door to the side where I’d gotten ready for the masquerade. “The brownies will keep them occupied for a bit.”
“Brownies!” Chann crowed, hurrying to the pups to help keep their attention. “I only see one brownie, does that mean it’s all for me?” As the pups groaned and poked at him, I turned to Luna.
“Are you okay talking to me, Luna?” I asked her quietly. “Away from the others?” I didn’t want her afraid. She nodded and took my hand, letting me lead her to the sitting room. I left the door cracked, hoping it would help her feel safer. I settled onto one of the chairs, unsure what to do or say, but knowing I couldn’t leave it up to her. “How are you, Luna? Are you doing okay?” I winced. Stupid question.
She studied me, her golden eyes bright. “You saved me.”
I blinked at her, shifting in my seat. “Um, I guess so.” The walls of the sitting room felt like they were closing in on me, and I fought to draw in enough air.
“I loved my mama.” Her voice was serious as she played with the ends of her hair. “She made pretty braids in my hair and made me nice clothes.”
My heart squeezed tightly in my chest and I nodded, clearing my throat before I trusted myself to speak. I’d seen her run to her mom at the firelight festival. I’d even seen the costume she’d made her for the masquerade. “I know you did, Luna.” Even after clearing my throat, it sounded like I’d gargled with gravel.
“She didn’t really love me though.” Her words were soft, and I whipped my eyes back to her as she studied her hair, angling it so the color caught the light. “She didn’t believe in the moon blessed. I told her Selene whispered to me in the moonlight, about how the wolves needed to be nice to each other, about how things needed to change.” Her golden eyes glowed now with a ring of silver edging in from the outside, and a shiver worked across my spine. “She didn’t believe me. She said I was evil. I was bad. I made my papa go away.” Her lip quivered now and a tear spilled from her eyes as I scooped her onto my lap. “I wanted to stay with Zelda and Borris, but she wouldn’t let me. Sometimes she was nice and I loved her, but then she wasn’t nice. I didn’t want to hate her, but I did,” she sobbed into my shoulder. I rocked her side to side, pressing my lips into her hair.
“It’s not your fault, baby. It’s not. Moms are supposed to protect their pups, no matter what.” My wolf howled her agreement, pressing forward to offer her own comfort to the little pup in my lap, who was clutching onto me like I was her lifeline.
“I asked Selene to help me,” she whispered, holding me. “I wanted someone to come, and then you did. And you were so mad, and I thought you were going to hurt me too, and then you picked me up and I realized it was all going to be okay. But then she hurt you!” Her sobs shook her so badly I had trouble holding onto her.
“I’m sorry you had to see that, Luna.” I hugged her tightly. “It’s not a place for pups. I want to see if it’s something I can change.”
“When… when she died…” Luna gasped out, her sobs making her words ragged and nearly unintelligible. “I was happy because she couldn’t hurt me anymore. You’re the beta and you saved me.” Tears tracked down my cheeks, soaking into her hair as I rocked her.
“I’ll always protect you, Luna. I’m sorry you had to see it, but I will always protect you,” I vowed, squeezing her tightly.
“I know. Selene told me you would. You didn’t let the bad wolf take me either.” She shivered at the thought and I froze. I pulled back carefully, knowing she’d smell it if I let my emotions take control.
“The bad wolf?” I inquired, shifting our position on the couch so I could prop her up more before tucking her damp hair behind her ear. I began to braid it in small strands, hoping the soothing motion would help distract her.
“The one who gave her the ring that smelled funny,” she told me, wrinkling her nose and toying with the tiny