Chapter 171
**Isla
Getting everything sorted at Ashbluff Castle was exhausting. I gained a new appreciation for the fact that Jamie had Bennett to do some of the heavy liftings. with Moonrose and the other packs. Dealing with a shattered, sca***red, and decimated pack was a nightmare to say the least.
Queries went out to nearby packs all week to take on some of the splintering Ashbluff Pack. Just as the castle was no longer much to speak of, neither was the pack. I did get a missive from Moonrose thanking An**ise for her assistance in battle. It came from Bennett.
That it came from Bennett made me even more afraid I’d lost my Jamie. I was too frightened of the answer to respond. Bennett had written that the Ashbluff warriors were being absorbed into the Moonrose Pack. There, my work was done. I often thought of Jamie and Margot, attaching to every query I sent a plea for anyone with knowledge of Margot’s whereabouts to get in touch with me immediately. But every response I had came with the knowledge that no one had seen her. No one.
By the time I had every last member of the Ashbluff Pack tucked away in a different pack, a week had passed. A whole week with no word about Jamie or Margot.
“Luna Ashbluff,” one of my guards said, nudging my elbow. “It is time we leave.” I stared at the last of the responses one last time, my eyes brimming with tears, then I st**d from my father’s desk. “There is no more Ashbluff,” I told him, the other guard and the one female servant I was taking back to Moonrose with me. “I am Luna Moonrose.”
The three of them bowed. “Yes, Luna Moonrose.”
We left together, all of us in human form. They knew I could not shift and did not comment on it. Only one of the guards shifted in order to better protect me. The other remained an escort at my side.
Three days, two inns, and a long road later, we came upon Moonrose territory. It took another day, and a night sleeping in the forest, to reach the castle grounds.
“Goddess, Luna Moonrose…” my maid gasped, her hand going over her mouth at the destruction.
I shared the sentiment but did my best not to react. My people were going to need me to be strong if I was to lead them through this. Seeing me blubbering on the battlefield might not instill a great sense of confidence.
The bodies-for I knew there must have been bodies-had been taken away, but it hadn’t rained. There were still bloodstains everywhere.
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I wondered if one of them was Jamie.
My stomach clenched, and a wave of dizziness washed over me.
“Lunal” my maid cried.
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My guards, now both in human form, caught me before I would have toppled
over.
“Let’s get you somewhere to sit, Luna,” one of my guards said kindly. “Trapper will
go see who’s home. We’ll just sit tight.”
I nodded and allowed them to get me seated on an uprooted stump.
Trapper made his way across the battlefield towards the main gate.
I dropped my head into my hands, taking several deep breaths.
“Luna, I’m sure if something had happened to the Lycan King, we’d have had news of it by now,” my other guard, Phillip, said, putting a hand on my shoulder.
Lavender, my maid, nodded. “Yes, Luna. It would have been in one of the missives.”
“I didn’t ask,” I replied softly.
“Whyever not?” Lavender asked, surprised.
“Because she didn’t want to know the answer if it wasn’t a good one,” Phillip said, his tone understanding.
I knew I’d chosen wisely with my entourage. “This is where I find out. There’s no putting it off anymore.”
“Well, I, for one, choose to believe he’s alive,” Lavender said with stubborn loyalty.
Phillip and I smiled at each other. Lavender was young, with some rather romantic ideas about the world. I hoped she’d never lose that shine.
Just then, there was a rustling behind us. Phillip turned quickly and shifted, baring his teeth at the newcomer.
It was Freya.
**Jamie
“A representative of Luna Ashbluff? Bring him in,” I said in a flat tone.
A guard who’d been given à spare set of clothes that did not fit him terribly well came walking into my study, giving a respectful bow as soon as he cleared the door. “Your Majesty. My name is Trapper. I’ve been sent here as a representative of Luna Ashbluff.”
“So, has Luna Ashbluff sent you to collect some sort of payment?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him. “And what happened to Alpha Ashbluff?”
“L-Luna Ashbluff killed him, Your Majesty,” Trapper gulped.
My laugh was hollow. Everything was absurd these days. “It couldn’t have
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happened to a nicer man. So, Anelise is in charge now, is she?”
“No. Your Majesty. Not…” Trapper said.
“Oh, that’s right. I heard she was splitting up the pack and sending the pack. members here and there.” I waved a hand. “She must want some sort of monetary payment, then.”
“No, Your Majesty. Luna Ashbluff has decided to come home to be your Luna…” Trapper began again.
I snorted so loud it made Bennett jump. Bennett himself had to cough because he was choking on a laugh. “I don’t think so. I will not be marrying Luna Ashbluff. I don’t care what she did or did not do to Isla.”
“Um… I’m not sure you understand, Your Majesty-” Trapper tried.
“No. I don’t think YOU understand. That family destroyed and killed the love of my life. No matter what aid she may have rendered during the war, Luna Ashbluff will just have to think of another reward for her help. I won’t marry her,” I snarled.
Trapper rubbed the back of his neck. “But… Your Majesty… you already are married to her.”
“On what planet am I married to An**ise Ashbluff?!” I scoffed.
Bennett shook his head. “Trapper, nice try, but I think you need to go.” He began guiding the guard out.
But the stubborn a*s didn’t leave. “Your Majesty, I am not here with A***ise Ashbluff!”
“What, they had a third daughter I didn’t know about who’s finally decided to do the right thing?” I sneered.
Trapper pushed Bennett back into the room.
Bennett did not appreciate this and snarled.
Trapper held his ground. “No. They had two daughters. Luna-to-Be Hera is dead.
I am here with Luna ISLA Ashbluff! And I am not LEAVING until you let her come home!”
My heart stopped. “What did you say?”
“I said I’m not leaving here until you let Luna Ashbluff come home!” Trapper repeated.
“Isla… Ashbluff?” I breathed.
Trapper frowned. “Oh, that’s right. There is no more Ashbluff Pack. We’re supposed to call her Luna Moonrose-“The rest ended with a grunt as I threw myself at the man, hugging him until his bones creaked.
“Isla is here?” I asked excitedly.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Trapper wheezed. “But it has been a long week and a long
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journey for her, as she cannot shift. When she saw the battlefield, she was
vercome. I think she may believe you are dead.”
“That makes two of us.” I finally released Trapper. “So, come on, take me to her.” “Yes, Your Majesty,” Trapper said.
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