Chapter 7: The Beta Might Kill Me

“Are you sure you don’t want dinner?” Wendy asked before I dismissed her for the night. It was suspiciously out-of-character of her to ask again, so when I stared straight at her, she went back to her mean self and crossed her arms. “Forget it,” she clipped. “If you’re starving tomorrow, don’t blame me.”

“Good night, Wendy.” If this was my last night here at Nox, I should at least say goodbye.

Wendy didn’t read too far into my words and strutted out the room with a huff, like usual. Only this time, she left after adjusting the clock on my coffee table to wake me up around six.

The wedding was an all-day affair. If I stayed, I would be prepped and paraded around the castle for hours, casting my authority on all the Guards and Warriors of Nox, praying for two hours to the Moon Goddess in her temple and then sent off to be married to Mordecai.

I slipped off the chaise and turned off my lights before heading to my closet. Before Wendy came to see me, I had sectioned the jewelry I wished to take and stashed them away in a backpack along with my green velvet dress.

Putting on the shoes, pants and shirt that I figured were the most discrete from the clothes the seamstress made, I sat down at my vanity and observed my hair. I had Wendy braid it earlier.

I didn’t think I was ever going to get used to having a maid. Wendy just did whatever I asked her, for the most part, and never with a smile on her face. She, however, was good at everything she did. Pretty and talented.

She would probably make a better Luna than I.

I closed my eyes and recounted the plan Phoebe told me earlier. I called for her after meeting the Elder, and we were able to devise a plan for me leaving.

Phoebe told me the best place to escape from was the rose garden right outside my window. I haven’t explored it yet, but she said it was easy to navigate and at the end was a gate for gardeners that was incredibly easy to unlock.

“I wish the Luna’s rose garden had better security,” Phoebe had said with a shake of her head. “But this will work in your favor. I recommend going close to midnight. That’s when shifts change.”

She didn’t have to tell me twice. I slung my bag over my shoulders and opened the balcony doors. Brisk air blew right into my face, reminding me it was winter in Nox, which mean longer nights than days. I walked out and peered about the balcony.

It was nice with two chairs and a little table, each a deep blue color. Walking out farther, I could see the rose garden’s edge right below. There were a few rose bushes that looked taller than me, and each were adorned with blue roses.

Then something in my mind clicked.

Something told me this was more dangerous than it looked. That something bad lurked out there. I backed away from the balcony, confused and cautious. A good shifter always trusted their senses, and mine were telling me not to go there.

But, if I didn’t go through with this, it would be impossible to get out of marrying Mordecai. If I married him, I would be forced to do Luna duties and my cover would be exposed. I don’t know about the real Melania, but I didn’t think I’ll be able to bargain my way out of trouble like she did.

To top it off, Mordecai hated me. I’ll look at him and feel the need to drop to my knees at how handsome he is. He’ll look at me and probably feel the need to resist tearing me to shreds. That familiar shiver ran through me again. How could I ever marry him?

I must leave no matter the risk...but this feeling. Even as I walked out on the balcony again, it didn’t go away. My wolf was on alert. I moved away from the balcony, slipped back inside and closed the doors. I should ignore this and leave. I must leave...

I’ll check it out first. If there’s something dangerous out there, I shouldn’t risk my life.

Scowling at my decision, I put a dark blue night robe over my clothes and slipped out my bedroom door as I tied the waist. I left my backpack in my room.

I still got lost for a few minutes but found my way to a door underneath my room that led to the rose garden. Seeing no Guards, as Phoebe said, I stepped outside and moved in the shadow of the castle.

The waxing moon was bright tonight. It casted a light that illuminated the wintery grounds. I reached my fingers out to the moon, letting it pass through them.

I was never an avid believer of the Moon Goddess, but I hoped she forgives me for all the treachery I pulled when I agreed to this deal.

As I got closer to the rose garden, the feeling came back with intensity. The bushes look inviting and smell like roses. They were thick and trimmed to act as a maze, so once you’re in, no one can see you.

But my brain was saying, “Danger! Go back! Stay away! Run!” My heart was starting to race, but that was all. No smell, no feeling on my skin, and my wolf was confused too. I didn’t know how or why my senses were so messed up, but—

“What are you doing out, Luna?”

A scream tore through my throat and died the second I came face-to-face with a curly redhead. He was just as tall as Mordecai and looked strong as well. He had a dashingly handsome charm to him and scar running up the left side of his jaw.

He smiled a kind smile. Brown eyes lit up in good fun. But my heart only hammered faster.

Where did he come from?

“I didn’t mean to scare you. Just wanted to know why you were out so late,” he said in a deep but warm voice.

“O-Oh,” I replied shakily and hugged my arms. “Th-That’s fine. I suppose. But who are you?” The curly redhead bowed immediately towards me.

“Robertson Boone. Beta of Nox.” My legs nearly gave out underneath me, and finally, recognition started to form in my brain. This was the same man I saw Mordecai with at the courtyard my first day here. He was also seated quite close during the engagement dinner.

“Oh, I’m so sorry for not recognizing you! Yes, Robertson. I’ll be sure to remember that.”

“Of course,” he said with that same smile. “But you never answered my question.”

A gust of wind blew against us at that moment, sending chilly air to bite at my hair and face. Robertson didn’t seem bothered by the cold, but the wind was causing the clouds to stir overhead. One cloud did make it across the moon, dipping us in a moment of blackness.

But a moment was all I needed to see Robertson’s brown eyes glow with warning.

“What are you doing out here?” he demanded again in a voice that held a false mirth. I involuntarily took a step back and felt my knees shake.

I never heard stories about the Beta of Nox, but if he can serve Mordecai, then he must be just as fearsome.

Despite my fears, I managed a weak smile before saying, “I wanted to see my rose garden closer.” It wasn’t a lie. I prayed he would accept that.

“Ah, yeah?” His eyes flickered over to the garden and back to me. “Were you going to walk through it?”

“P-Pardon?” My voice was coming out smaller than I intended.

“I asked if you were going to travel though the rose garden.” The way he said it made it seem like he knew exactly what I was intending to do. He knew and held a smile on his face but the threat of violence in his eyes.

My mind whirled for an answer before I rapidly shook my head in denial.

“Really?” he pressed, moving slightly closer.

“Do I look dressed like I would be walking through a rose garden?” I moved back and gestured to my robe and shoes. Robertson observed my outfit in full, allowing a small hint of a frown to grace his face, before smiling up at me again.

“Of course not. Welp, let me get you back to your room. You have a busy day tomorrow.” He gestured for me to walk ahead of him, and I reluctantly did so as we walked back to my room, leaving the rose garden behind.

About halfway through Robertson took the lead when he noticed I was getting lost again. Face red in humiliation, I trudged behind him. If this was the Beta, then maybe the rumors were true about Mordecai being a bloodthirsty Alpha. I’m not safe around him, his Beta or any of his members.

“Mordecai and I have been friends since we were pups,” Robertson said suddenly. I blinked at his confession but kept silent as he continued. “He’s my best friend as well as my Alpha. I’ve been with him through nearly all the events of his life.”

“Is that normal in Nox?” I asked after some hesitation. Robertson chuckled, but I couldn’t tell if it was real or not.

“Actually, no! It wasn’t normal, but we became such good friends one day and never let each other go. I truly love Mordecai.” I blinked, feeling something twist in my gut.

How nice.

We finally reached my door, but instead of opening it, Robertson stood in front of it. My knees began to shake again, but I didn’t dare say anything to him.

“I love Mordecai as my Alpha and dearest friend, which is why if anyone were to harm him, ridicule him, *betray* him...” He turned around and stepped away from my door, but his eyes, his deceivingly friendly eyes, were locked on me. He bent down close to my ear.

“They would have to deal with me first,” he whispered. A numbness filled me right then and there, but I somehow managed to nod and walk straight for my door. I opened it, and before I could shut it closed, I looked back.

Robertson was staring at me. Waiting.

“Goodnight, Beta Robertson. Thank you for all your work,” I whispered in a small voice before slamming the door shut and locking it.

Locking out both my freedom and a Beta who is ready to end me at a moment’s notice.