Chapter 14
14 Chapter Devoted Mother And
Sister
Eileen’s POV
The remnants of burning herbs hung heavy in the Luna’s private chambers, weaving through the delicate scent of jasmine that drifted from the silk drapes. Flames danced against the ornate marble walls, throwing twisted shadows across the polished floor like reaching fingers. The fireplace whispered softly in the corner, though neither woman acknowledged its
presence.
“Well?” Eileen’s voice carried no emotion as Winona
entered the room.
Winona paused at the threshold, wringing her damp hands. Rain droplets still clung to her cloak from the storm outside. “The Alpha reported that Lord Hardy has forbidden anyone from approaching Faye p>
The air grew thick with unspoken tension.
Eileen’s expression remained unchanged. “Luna, I must
say…” Winona attempted once more, her voice wavering. “What I mean is p>
“Continue,” Eileen commanded, shifting her focus to Sally, who had positioned herself on the velvet settee beside the tall window. Her eyes bore the telltale redness of tears, her fingers clutching the
embroidered pillow in her lap as though it were her lifeline.
“I fear…” Winona’s words stumbled as she glanced between the two women. “I fear the Dread Lord may have already harmed Faye p>
Sally shot upright like a bolt of lightning. “How dare you!” she cried, her voice splintering with emotion. Her bottom lip quivered uncontrollably. “Say that again, I challenge you p>
“Lady Sally, please… compose yourself,” Winona stepped forward with raised palms, attempting to soothe. “I didn’t intend such meaning, I merely p>
“You merely what?” Sally snarled, rising from her seat.
Her hands formed tight fists at her sides, her entire frame shaking with fury. “Do you believe I would allow
harm to come to her? Do you think I wouldn’t sense if she were-if she were-” The words lodged in her throat, too horrific to voice. “How could you suggest such a thing? Faye is safe. She must be p>
“Then provide an explanation for his secrecy,” Winona countered sharply. “Explain why the guards refuse entry even to the Alpha. Why no physician has been permitted near her chambers? This behavior is far from ordinary, Lady Sally. Nothing about this situation is ordinary p>
Luna Eileen finally rotated her head in their direction. Her hand rested gracefully against the back of an ornate chair, her features indecipherable beneath the amber glow of firelight. “Depart,” she stated with icy composure. “Your words are distressing Sally p>
Winona’s eyes widened. “Of course, Luna,” she whispered, retreating from the chamber without resistance. The door sealed behind her with barely a sound.
Eileen allowed several heartbeats to pass. Then, as though a mask had been removed, her entire bearing transformed. The subtle stiffness in her posture
melted away.
“Cease this weeping and hydrate yourself,” she instructed without glancing at her daughter. “I refuse to witness you squander your tears in such a manner p>
“Mother…” Sally whined, dabbing at her cheek as she turned from the window. Had Winona remained present, she would have been astounded to witness the tears disappear instantly. Sally’s mouth curved into a subtle, almost playful grin-light, enchanting, and completely contradicting her previous anguish. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ.net
Eileen watched the display, unimpressed. Sally had always known how to perform for an audience, and it was a role she played flawlessly whenever needed.
“Stop ridiculing me,” Sally declared with an exaggerated sigh, seizing the nearest goblet and drinking deeply.
“I was unaware of your theatrical abilities,” Eileen responded flatly, moving away from the hearth toward the refreshment table.
“It wasn’t theater,” Sally replied, lowering the goblet. Her gaze fell downward. “I mean… I was the one who
maneuvered Faye into this position. I cannot deny feeling something. After pretending for such an extended period… perhaps I began convincing myself it was genuine p>
Sally released a weary breath. “Do you believe Winona speaks truthfully? That Faye might already be…
deceased p>
Eileen’s eyes contracted almost imperceptibly. “It holds no significance,” she declared. “This was always our intention. If the Dread Lord didn’t eliminate her, then the toxin or the servant would have completed the task.” Faye had received no combat instruction since failing to manifest her wolf in her youth. How could such a person survive against someone trained in assassination?
Sally offered no response. She merely acknowledged with a nod, her fingers constricting slightly around the goblet’s rim as she studied the floor.
“Once her death is announced,” Eileen continued, her voice hushed yet brimming with quiet triumph, “your father will possess justification to formally demand additional support from Lord Hardy. More battalions.
More warriors p>
She approached the table and selected a berry from the silver platter, rotating it slowly between her fingers as though calculating the worth of a human life. “I have observed Hardy’s army. These are not ordinary foot soldiers or expendable Omegas. No, these men possess Beta bloodlines and, occasionally, Alpha heritage. His officers alone could devastate an entire southern regiment. If they remained behind… if they became ours p>
She finally consumed the berry and smiled. “Can you envision the recognition that would attract from the Alpha King? Duskwood, suddenly strengthened by the
Dread Lord’s elite forces. We would become
invincible p>
Sally remained silent. Her lips compressed into a thin line as her thoughts wandered to Faye’s pure smile- the one she would offer even when being dismissed.
Sally nodded deliberately. Her mother spoke wisdom.
Faye had always been destined for this purpose, for sacrifice.
Just as she, Sally, had always been meant for royalty. “If she truly is dead… then why hasn’t Lord Hardy announced it p>
Eileen displayed no hesitation. “Perhaps he remains unaware. Or perhaps he simply lacks concern. Do you honestly believe a wolfless girl holds meaning for such a man?” she questioned, her voice dripping with contempt. “The Raven Deons are attacking our boundaries. He was dispatched here to destroy them, not mourn some expendable bride. Women like Faye don’t capture the attention of men like Hardy p>
Sally nodded once more. Her mother’s words carried brutality but held truth. Lord Hardy had never allowed a bride to survive. Why would Faye prove different?
This time, a gradual smile emerged across her features. “Then… we simply await the favorable news p>
“Await?” Eileen scoffed and pivoted sharply, reaching for her cloak. “Oh, my precious, innocent daughter. Do you truly believe we have achieved this much through patience?” She wrapped the cloak around her shoulders and looked back with a vicious smile spreading across her lips. “No, we travel to the
borders. We plead with Lord Hardy to permit us to see our dear, beloved Faye. And if he declines p>
She paused, her smile expanding further. “Then we demonstrate exactly how devoted a mother and sister
can be p>
Morh Lucia
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.