Chapter 33

Zaraphine's POV

It's been just over 6 months being back at Lakota's packhouse. He still keeps me in the cells, but he does bring me food every day. I have lost a lot of weight since being here and I barely talk to my wolf anymore. Ever since Lakota told me I would be mated to him she stopped coming out. I lost hope of ever getting out of here. If Atticus wanted to save me, he would've done it already. Right?

Today was just like any other day Lakota came down a few hours ago and brought me a plate of food. Dinner consisted of two slices of turkey, mashed potatoes, and green beans with a glass of milk. He doesn't talk to me. He just brings the food down, pushes it under the cell door, and leaves. He only gives me enough food to keep me somewhat alive. I don't believe it is his idea to keep me down here but I can't be too sure anymore.

Lakota's POV

"Esther, why do we have to keep her in the cells? She's not going to leave. She believes that Atticus doesn't want her. She knows this is her only chance at staying alive." I question. "Lakota she does not want to be here. If we give her the chance to leave, she will. She may believe that her true mate does not want her but that doesn't mean that she is willing to stay here and mate with you. She knows who she is now, but she doesn't know the extent of it. She only knows what I have told her." She explains. "So what do we do now? Why are we waiting for the mating ceremony when everything is ready? You have Atticus and we have Zaraphine. We should've already mated and taken our spots as king and queen of the werewolves. What are you waiting for? With how worn down Zaraphine is she cant put up a fight, she is too weak to even stand on her own." I say angrily, storming out of the room.

I don't understand the point of all of this. Esther claims that I must mate with Zaraphine to take complete control of the Moon Goddess and the wolves, except she won't allow me to. 'Why are we even listening to her? We are the Alpha here, she must obey our command, not the other way around.' my wolf growls at me. 'I have to. I don't know why, but I have to.' I respond distastefully. 'This doesn't seem right Lakota. Something is off with Esther.' He tells me. 'Let's go for a run. It will help us think.'

I get back to my packhouse after an hour of running in my wolf form, trying to understand why Esther wants to wait for the ceremony and I couldn't come up with anything. Huffing I march up the stairs to my bedroom before throwing myself on the bed and drifting off to sleep.

"My child, what is upsetting you?" A beautiful woman speaks in front of me. "Who are you?" I question, raising an eyebrow. "Why I am Selene, Lakota," She says in a slight 'duh' tone. "Now would you like to talk about has you so angry and confused?" I look at her questionably before finally asking her "Don't you know already? You are supposed to be the almighty seer of the werewolves, are you not?" She coughs attempting to cover up a laugh and looks me dead in the eye, "Lakota, do you know how many werewolves I must look after? I can not watch everyone, every second of every day. So the answer to your question is no, I do not already know what has you so upset." She explains. 'Hmm, I guess that makes sense.' My wolf butts in. "I'm sorry, Selene. I am truly sorry for everything that has happened to your daughter due to me. I never wanted anything bad to happen to her. That was never my intention." I ramble.