"Van." Says Leo pacing in front of the bed. "The same man that supposedly had Amelia."

Winston nods but every so often he would get distracted and look around the room a little bit, Ara stood beside him her arms crossed and jaw clenched. She was livid since the moment that she called us here and I could tell she was ready to hunt Van down herself and then skin him and leave it for all to see.

Erik stands in a corner of the room not saying anything and just observing along with Orion.

Leo growls. "Then we'll have to retrieve him, he has the crime of capturing and harming one of the royal palace's trusted servants as well as harming the future Luna of this land." His jaw clenches when he says that.

I touch his arm and he relaxes slightly putting his hand over mine.

I turn to Winston. "Is there anything you remember? anyone you remember Van making deals with? I do remember how he loved to make a deal, especially if you had some use to you..."

Winston nods. "I heard him talk to someone a couple of times, I never saw who it was. But the voice definitely belonged to a male and it seemed that the other guy was looking for someone."

"Anything else?"

He shakes his head. "No, sorry..." But then his eyes light up, "But, there was this kid I met. Jay was his name, he mentioned that he was looking for you Amelia."

"Really? He wasn't one of Van's, he starts them early."

"Not judging by the way he was helping me fight them off when we got separated... I hope he got away alright..." he says making a fist around his covers.

"Is that so, then we'll try and locate the boy... and I'm assuming you didn't find your friend."

"No, and I'm sorry that I came back with virtually nothing."

"No, you're fine. It's better to have you back with us alive with the information you currently have, than having you dead and not knowing what happened to you." I tell him.

"Amelia is right. Erik how fast can you have a team out to look for him?"

He steps out of the corner that he's been in. "Within the hour, your highness."

"Great, prepare them and retrieve Van." Says Leo.

"Sir." Says Erik. "Orion, let's move."

"Wait." I say, both of them stop to look at me.

"What is it Milla?" asks Orion.

"We have the upper hand on Van as of now, by the wound he inflicted on Winston he did not expect him to make it back here alive. We have the element of surprise for now so I think that it's safe to say we can wait a night and let us all get rest before going after him." I sigh. "We're all tired and I don't think that I would be best right now to go after him right now..." I look at Erik. "Do you agree, Alpha?"

He stares back at me his blue eyes un-normally flat as he gazes at me, he looked beyond tired. There was something about him... almost as if he was dead.

That concerned me.

It could lead to reckless actions.

"If that is what you wish, Luna then I have no choice but to agree." without another word, he turns and exits from the room.

"What's wrong with him?" asks Winston, confusion strewn across his face.

"I don't know," I murmur.

"I'll have to agree with Amelia, everyone get some rest and we can bring up this issue in the morning." States Leo. "I'll go bring this to my father," he kisses me on my cheek, "I'll see you in the room later." he whispers.

I smile and nod.

"Ara, you too. And this time it's an order." I pointedly tell her.

"But-"   

"No, Bella. You should go, I want you to. As much as I hate to say it I don't want to see your beautiful little face for at least eight hours." Winston says from his post on the bed.

She slightly pouts. "Are you sure? I-"

"Go." he says, "Do your duty and escort our future queen back to her quarters. I'll still be here in the morning. It's not like I can go anywhere like this, I'm very disoriented still. Besides the nursing staff here will take tremendous care of me."

She looks like she's about to object again.

He points towards the door and growls a little.

She turns towards me. "Come on, Milla. Let's go."

I look back at Winston and he simply winks at me.

I shake my head at him and leave the room.

I catch up to Ara in the hallway as she looks a little disgruntled, some one begins approaching us in the hall way. A form I recognize.

Elder Leopard.

"Elder..." I say bowing my head slightly.

"Ah, just who I was looking for. I need to speak with you privately." he says with the usual scowl on his face.

"Ara, you're relieved for the night, thank you for escorting me."

Her eyes flicker to mine. "You're sure you'll be alright, with the guy who tried to throw you into prison."      

"I'm sure... now go, get some rest."

She bows. "I'll be taking my leave, Elder, Luna."

He nods slightly acknowledging her before she disappears down the hall.

I begin walking with the elder beside me. "What's going on I know you didn't try to find me, just to escort me to my chambers."

He chuckles. "Perceptive as always."

"Have to be." I say.

"But no, you're right I didn't just come to escort you to your chambers." He sighs. "I hear that the boy you've been looking for has made a great recovery... I hear that he is a human that has been graced by the goddess." he chuckles. "quite a lucky human."

My eyes shift over to him. "Yes, quite. But Winston can be trusted and I'm sure that he can handle his second life, he won't abuse his new abilities. As for what he knows he has already notified the Prince and he's working on a plan to bring in the person responsible for this."

"That's good to hear... It's impressive that you've taken to becoming the future Luna of this pack so quickly. You did well last night in the face of the flurry of activity."

I stop in front of the entrance to Leo's chambers. "Well elder if this is all that you have to say, I'm going to turn in for the night."

"Very, well have a good night... I'm proud of you. Remember that I am watching you."

I look back at him with my hand on the door. "Of course, I'm glad I could finally please you Grandfather." I smile. "Goodnight." I enter my chambers after he walks away closing the doors behind me, and walking towards the open balcony the night air gently caressing my face.

I sigh.

All eyes on me now...                 

Suddenly I feel a warmth come around me and a slight nuzzle into my shoulder.

"What's wrong, love..." he presses a slight kiss to my neck. "Your anxiety level is raised."

"It's nothing, it's just been a long day... I'm tired." I tell him.

He runs his hands down the length of my arms, but I couldn't relax. "I got a bath started for you... spend as long as you need and then come to bed... I miss you."

I turn around in his arms and kiss his cheek, I feel his wolf growl in pleasure as he holds on to me tighter, his head again nuzzling my neck with a gentle ferocity.

He sighs. "Get in the bath before I change my mind about letting you go in alone."

"Right..." I say backing away from him and then entering the bath room. Candles had been set around giving the room a soft glow and the water was covered in flower petals. The water smelled of lavender. I strip out of the bloody dress and then climb into the moderately warm bath.

Now that I was alone I was able to partially think about what had been bothering me. Not only was I focusing on the eyes on me, but also the ones that weren't, Erik's in particular. I haven't been able to read him for the past couple of days and there was no telling what he would do.
I needed to find out before the look I saw in his eyes becomes the truth.

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Hello, beautiful people! Happy Saturday. I hope your week went well! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below, don't forget to share as well! until the next time! ^_^/

-Flowereader230