“This is absurd.”
“What’s absurd is that I didn’t do this earlier,” I said roughly, stepping threateningly close to her. “You could have said anything you wanted about me, and I would have taken it because you are my mate’s mother. The moment you decided to bring my family into this is the moment you decided, your petty retribution was more important than your relationship with your son or your pack. So, leave. You’re lucky I don’t kick you out of this pack. If you ever so much as disrespect the dirt on my shoe, I will banish you faster than you can imagine.”
Her face turned slightly red, the frustration and realization flooding into her. She looked to Rush frantically, wanting his help, but he stood tall. He never wavered. I could feel his sadness through our bond, and I wanted to comfort him, but I needed to stand my ground. He understood that this was more important than his mother’s comfort.
Cordelia stumbled out of the kitchen, and I assumed she returned to her room to pack her things. Isla walked towards me, setting her hand on my arm softly. I fought the urge to push her off, my blood still pumping rapidly, rage still settling inside me.
“You really are a Luna,” Isla breathed wondrously.
“Sloane,” Rush said from behind me. I turned away from Isla and waited for his reaction. “I’m proud of you.”
“You are?” I asked hesitantly, flinching away from him.
“This is your home, your pack; you did what you needed to to protect it. That’s all I could ever wish for in a Luna. I know this isn’t the pack you were born into or grew up in, but this is yours now.” Rush smiled devilishly. “Plus, watching you get angry and stand up to my mother was really sexy.”
“Okay,” Isla shouted, disgusted, her face twisting in discomfort. “I’m going to go look at those gardens you were telling me about, meet me when you two are done with whatever you’re doing.”
I leaned into Rush’s warm chest, his arms wrapped low around my waist, chin touching the top of my head.
“When your sister leaves…” His thumb traced my spine, his rough skin against mine slightly tickling me.
“When she leaves, we can finish what we started the other day in the hallway,” I told him, biting my lip. He groaned and leaned me back against the counter. I titled away from his chest, and he kissed me, both hands grabbed the sides of my face.
I nearly laughed at his eagerness.
“I’ve got to go meet Isla; we’ll finish this later.” His head flew back in angst, and he groaned, letting go of my face.
“Be quick,” he ordered, pointing at me sternly as I jogged out of the back door.
“Promise!” I shouted.
Isla's Lament
Isla was walking around the gardens when I found her, touching the petals of all the flowers. I panted as I stopped running, not really tired, but out of breath.
“This is incredible,” she told me, squatting down to look at the stones the pack’s children had painted.
“It is,” I agreed, bending down next to her, and then decided to sit on one of the large rocks.
“Rush is a good guy,” she declared. My eyebrows raised at her words. “He really loves you. I can tell from the way he talks about you.”
“Well, the feeling is mutual, for the most part.” She squealed and tackled me, pushing me down into the soft grass. “I’m still working on trusting him, but he’s been perfect for the past few weeks.”
“Your children will be beautiful,” she gushed. I snorted and hugged her. “I’m serious! Those cheekbones and those eyes, it should be illegal. I hope my mate is as handsome as him.”
“He is pretty handsome, isn’t he?” I thought, grinning proudly. She hit my arm. “Your mate will be gorgeous too, look at you, Isla.”
“I sure hope.” She laid down, resting her head on her arms that were crossed in front of her.
We remained in the gardens for a few hours. We carried on our conversations as usual, and I showed her all the different flower species Jahida taught me. Isla watched me, impressed with my knowledge of plants.
“I’m really happy for you, Sloane.” Her hand reached out and grabbed mine. Her joking mood was gone, and she was speaking to me truthfully. “You’re really making a home for yourself here, and I’m really proud of you. Mom and Dad are, too, even if they don’t say it.”
I hugged her tightly to me, a few droplets of water collecting in my eyes. I shook them off and laughed. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She kissed my cheek and ruffled my hair. “But I’m also hungry, I haven’t eaten in hours. Lead me back to the kitchen!”
I nodded gladly and began walking, watching as Isla bent down to grab her jacket from the ground. My body turned and started on the path to the house, wondering what Melrose had prepared for lunch.
I didn’t hear Isla’s footsteps behind me, and I stopped, listening for whatever surprise attack she was planning. An airy ‘shwoop’ came from behind me, and I swiveled quickly, arms out, ready to grab Isla before she jumped on me.
She wasn’t directly behind me. Instead, she was several meters back, standing with her jacket falling out of her left hand, the right reaching up helplessly to the arrow protruding from her throat.
The world stopped happening as I watched her, unable to do anything to help her. I ran towards her, screaming her name frantically. I felt my mind link open in desperation, and I knew Rush would be here soon.
Isla staggered back, tumbling to the side, knees first, then her torso, and then her head painfully hit the ground. She spluttered, a gush of blood bubbling out of the wound in her jugular
