“Those dogs started it! They are constantly looking for war, oppressing the other packs! Why should we submit once more to their tyranny!”
“What tyranny? Damian has never oppressed anyone!”
“What do you know, child! You come here, on our territory, and have the nerve to talk to me about peace? Do you have any idea of the suffering we went through? You have no right to order us! You have no knowledge of this world and no right to order me to do anything! Make peace with the Black Moon? Never!”
His yelling glues me to the ground, and I have to listen to him all along. It’s like facing a wall. A wall built of hatred and anger that started long ago and has gotten stronger and thicker for an awfully long time. He called them the “Black Moon,” too, but that was when their father was the leader. Can he really not accept the difference now?
So many emotions are going through me right now that I can’t even decide how to react. I’m so confused and angry! And sad, too, because all of this seems so pointless! What do I do now? I try to think about his words, of how I can try to sort this out. A part of what he said is right. I have so little information! I am barely starting to learn about the Clans, but I wish I had been more aware of it earlier! All I know is what Bobo and Liam explained to me. Dealing with the Sapphire Moon Clan cannot possibly be as simple.
“What has their father done to you that you would hate the Blood Moon Clan so much? What kind of grudge would be enough for you to not care about war? Enough that you would leave other werewolves to die for it?”
He suddenly starts laughing. His laughter gives me the chills. It reminds me of how Alec broke down once Damian had captured him. Something insane that makes one feel uncomfortable. I could tell there is not a single trace of joy in that man’s loud laugh. So, I wait for him to stop, despite how bad I feel about this. This is not good.
Once he stops and looks at me, his eyes look empty, like some puppet. A scary, crazy puppet. “A war? Why would theyfear war? This man was death personified! A god of madness and violence, a demon! And the one he didn’t do with his hands, he caused himself! Peace? He destroyed it, any hope of peace, he tore to shreds!”
As he yelled, he stood up, his voice echoing loudly in the whole room. I won’t step back, but my whole body wants to run away. I want to run from here, from this man. Something about him is really unsettling and hard to look at.
“I do not care for any of his bastard sons! Those filthy mongrels should be exterminated and sent back to the gutter they belong to!”
“Enough!”
I couldn’t hold it in any longer. That man may insult the former Black Alpha, even insult me, but there is no way I’m letting him speak about Damian or his brothers that way! My wolf is growling furiously, exhorting him to submit.
“Don’t you dare speak about my mate that way! Not in front of me!”
His eyes suddenly spark a new light, and a sinister smile curls his lips. “Your mate, child? Could it be you actually are this mutt’s partner? Really?”
This is not good. I step back this time, subconsciously. The old man is getting closer, and I do not want this madman anywhere near me. I gasp, and Bobo is growling furiously while shielding me, all fangs and claws out. My bodyguard is ready to attack the old man any second. This is not what I came for!
“You said you are his mate, right? Black’s mate? His real mate?”
He keeps repeating his question, and I don’t answer. This man has lost it. His intentions are written all over his face as he keeps stepping closer very slowly. His legs are so weak, actually, that it looks like he could fall any minute. Isthis really the Sapphire Moon Alpha? An old man, driven by madness? So old and weak? This isn’t right.
Even if he clearly means to hurt me somehow, no matter what, I don’t even think he could. My wolf agrees. We can beat such an old wolf without a problem! But what can I do? He is not listening to me, and I won’t let him hurt Damian or me either. What should I do?
“Father!”
Suddenly, someone barges in the room. A young man runs in, exchanges a look with me, and walks up to the old man. He supports him but brings him back to his chair with an annoyed look. The old man tries to push him away and resist him, but he is clearly no match.
“Out of my way! Out of my way, William! This child is Black’s partner! I will—”
“You will do nothing, Father! Enough of this! Gloria!”
To my surprise, the woman we saw earlier runs into the room as soon as she is called. Was she right behind the door all along? She totally ignores us and runs to the old man. The young man that just called him father looks annoyed at her, too.
“Take him back to his room, make sure he stays there until I am back!” He says with an angry tone.
I realize the chair is actually a wheelchair when Gloria starts pushing him. As ordered, she takes the rambling old man out of the room with her, slamming the door behind them. With the three of us here, the situation has completely changed. Neither Bobo nor I have moved, but I have no idea how to react to the guy that just came in. He seems pissed when he turns to face us.
He is frowning, but I am more concerned about something else. This is the same feeling I have when Elena is around. That familiar, invisible sensation down to mystomach. He runs his fingers in his curly hair, taking it off his face.
“I am William Blue, the Alpha of this Clan. Who the hell are you?”
I keep detailing him, trying to grasp this feeling I get. My eyes wander to the portrait again, and back to this man. Those blue eyes, the same as mine, the same as this portrait. How come he has them, too?
“Nora Bluemoon.”
“Bluemoon? You...”
