Chapter 102: Wanted
"What do you want?" Emira asked quietly as she looked at the bags of clothing, and then at the woman sitting opposite her...
She was still surprised by the other woman’s sudden kindness, but she did not need to think long about it. There were very few who helped others out of the goodness of their heart. Most people wanted something in return. And from what she could see of the future Luna of this pack, she was no different.
She knew she was right when the other woman tensed at her question.
But instead of answering her, the other woman parried, "What do you mean? You are a new member of the pack. As your Luna, it is my job to make you feel comfortable and welcome.
Emira gave a small smile at that, not even making a move to correct Ramona that she was not the Luna, yet.
Instead, she narrowed her eyes and explained, "Prince Kael embarrassed you when he made me kiss him in front of you You are the one chosen by the Fates to be with the three alphas. Someone like you would not normally let such an insult go unpunished. After all, you are meant to be the future mother of the Stormhold Pack. Yet instead of being angry, instead of trying to separate me from them, you are treating me kindly. Too kindly. Either you are too good to be true, or you have another reason, Luna."
Emira ended the words on a challenge and watched as the color drained from the woman’s face.
Ramona clenched her hands at her sides. "So you think I should punish you? Hit you? Scold you? Or challenge you to a duel when you cannot even change into a wolf?"
Her eyes darkened, and her voice dropped lower. "Do you even understand what would happen then? Kael and Zen would hate me. They would never forgive me if I raised my hand against you. I would lose everything. Only by being kind to you do I have a chance to win them fully. Do you understand that?"
Emira frowned. What kind of twisted logic was this? All she had to do was accept Prince Kael and she was sure Prince Zen would have no problem accepting her. "I don’t understand what you are trying to say."
Ramona leaned closer, and instead of explaining, she questioned, "Tell me something first. How far have you and Kael gone?"
The sudden question made Emira stiffen. So, there was indeed some jealousy there. She looked away. "They... accompanied and helped me during my hear but even then... we have not been together... that way..."
Ramona studied her for a long moment. Then she sighed as though she had been holding her breath. "Good. That is good to know."
Ramona’s fingers toyed with the edge of her sleeve, but her eyes did not leave Emira as she continued, "Do you know the legend of the triplets?"
Emira shook her head. "I know parts of it. Not much."
"It does not matter," Ramona said quickly. "What matters is this- I want you to serve Kael properly. But you must stay away from Zen and Lance. Do you understand me? Do not tempt them. Do not let them come close to you. Keep them at a distance. If you can do this, I will promise you something in return."
Emira tilted her head. This was getting bizarre by the minute. "Promise me what?"
"You will lack for nothing in the Stormhold Pack. You will be given safety, food, clothing. You will never be cast aside, and you will never be treated as less. That is my word to you. But only if you keep your place with Kael, and Kael alone."
Emira stilled. For a moment, she thought she had misheard. She looked at Ramona carefully, but the woman’s face was grave. There was no hint that this was some kind of a joke
"Are you serious?" Emira asked at last, her voice low. "You are asking me to stay with one of your alphas? To stay with Kael... as a mate?"
"Yes," Ramona said, almost desperately. "That is all I ask of you. I will see to it that you are never harmed. I will make sure you are treated as my sister. But you must give me this. Stay away from them and make Kael come closer to you. Give me this chance with them."
Emira stared at her, shocked. She had thought she understood the kind of person Ramona was, but this... this was beyond her imagination.
"You are supposed to be their mate," Emira whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief as she stared at the woman in front of her. "Chosen by the Fates. Bound to all three of them. How can you say such a thing? How can you even think to divide them? Do you even believe in the bond that was given to you? Are you really their true mate if you can ask me this?"
Ramona’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, she looked as if Emira’s words had struck her like a blow. She turned her face slightly, avoiding Emira’s look and muttered, "You do not understand what it means to be in my place."
Emira pushed her chair back and rose to her feet. "I am sorry. I cannot do this."
Ramona looked up sharply, but Emira did not give her a chance to interrupt. She went on, "You may see me as a rival, someone who might take what is meant to be yours, but you forget what I am. I am bound to them as a slave. That bond may not be practiced openly anymore, and they may treat me with respect now, but it still exists. It is in my blood, in my body, in the bond itself. If any one of them were to give me an order, I could not refuse, even if I wanted to. Do you understand what that means? You ask me to stay away from them, but I have no choice."