Chapter 16
16 Chapter 16 Let Them All Watch
Eileen’s POV@
“I warned you about this, didn’t I?” Alpha Rowan Stormhaven growled under his breath. “We can’t afford this right now!” His grip tightened around his wife’s arm as he tried to drag her away from the command tent. “We’re in the middle of p>
“All I want is to see my daughter,” Eileen snapped back.
The storm showed no mercy.
Rain hammered against the canvas overhead like bullets, creating a relentless percussion that drowned out whispered conversations. The ground beneath their feet had transformed into a treacherous swamp, thick mud that grabbed at every step and threatened to swallow anyone who dared to move. Water rushed through makeshift channels, carrying with it the metallic scent of blood and the acrid smell of smoke.
Lightning split the darkness above, illuminating the chaos below in stark, violent flashes. The wind howled through the trees, carrying promises of destruction.
But none of that deterred Luna Eileen.
She positioned herself directly outside the war tent, her cloak drenched and clinging to her curves like a second skin. Raindrops traced delicate paths down her pale cheeks, and her dark hair hung in wet tendrils that framed her face in perfect, calculated despair. Her hands shook as she pressed them against her chest, the picture of a broken mother.
Thunder rolled overhead, but she didn’t even flinch.
Sally stood close by, her own dress soaked through and transparent in places that would catch any soldier’s eye. She wrapped her arms around herself, trembling from more than just the cold. Every few seconds, she glanced toward the passing warriors, making sure their attention stayed fixed on the scene unfolding before them.
This was exactly what they’d planned.
Eileen sank to her knees in the filthy mud.
“Lord Hardy,” she cried out, her voice carrying across the camp like a battle horn. Every word was carefully crafted, perfectly pitched to sound heartbroken.
“Please, I’m begging you. Let a mother see her child p>
Her plea echoed through the rain.
Soldiers stopped in their tracks. Whispered conversations rippled outward like stones thrown into still water. The sight of the powerful Luna kneeling in the muck, voice cracking with apparent grief, was a performance worthy of the finest theaters. And Eileen knew exactly how effective it was. Follow current novᴇls on.net
She could feel every pair of eyes burning into her skin like brands. The weight of their attention pressed down on her shoulders, and she had to fight to keep the satisfied smile from her lips. Perfect. Let them all watch. Let them all believe her desperate act.
Behind her, Alpha Rowan’s jaw clenched so hard she could hear his teeth grinding.
“Eileen, stop this madness,” he hissed, his fingers digging into her shoulder hard enough to bruise. “We have actual problems to handle. Our border guards reported another breach less than an hour ago. This isn’t the time for your games p>
Eileen refused to acknowledge him. “These aren’t
games,” she said, her voice dripping with false
sweetness. “I’m a mother, Rowan. What did you expect me to do p>
“I told you this would happen p>
The tent flap burst open with a sharp crack, and a massive figure emerged from the shadows like a mountain given human form. Lieutenant Parker stepped into the storm, rain immediately soaking through his uniform, but his presence commanded instant respect.
“Back away,” Parker ordered, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade. His hand moved instinctively to rest on his weapon. “Lord Hardy is dealing with urgent
matters p>
Eileen remained on her knees, tilting her face up toward him with tears that could have been rain streaming down her cheeks. “Please,” she whispered, letting her voice break at exactly the right moment. “I just need to know my daughter is safe. I need to see her breathing p>
“You’re here to create chaos,” Parker shot back
without hesitation. “That’s all this performance is
about p>
His words sliced through the gathering crowd like a sword through silk.
Sally jerked as if she’d been slapped, her fingers curling into fists. “That’s not true,” she protested, her voice barely above a whisper.
Parker’s cold gaze shifted to her. “Isn’t it? Because from where I’m standing, my brothers and sisters are lying wounded in that tent. My Lord hasn’t closed his eyes for days. My comrades are still bleeding.” He took a deliberate step forward, mud squelching beneath his boots. “And here you are, putting on a show. Kneeling like a widow at a funeral when your daughter’s fate isn’t even confirmed p>
Eileen’s eyes flashed with something dangerous. “Then let me see her,” she challenged, rising slowly to her feet like a predator preparing to strike. “If she’s truly unharmed, if you have nothing to hide, why deny a mother her basic right p>
Parker didn’t back down an inch. “Because you gave up
that right the moment you allowed your daughter to marry into our pack,” he said with ice in his voice. “She belongs to us now. Stop spreading poison and undermining Lord Hardy’s authority, or I won’t be responsible for what happens next p>
“What exactly are you hiding?” Eileen snapped, her mask slipping just enough to show her true nature. “Is she too broken to be seen? Or maybe she’s already dead? Did Lord Hardy hurt my daughter on their wedding night p>
Sharp gasps rose from the soldiers within earshot. Eileen’s smile was internal but fierce. Yes. This was exactly what she’d been building toward. She wanted to use their own people to force Hardy’s hand.
Sally looked between them with wide, frightened eyes, then dropped her head as if she couldn’t bear to watch. “Mother,” she whispered, playing her part perfectly. “Please stop p>
Parker’s expression turned deadly. “What I want to know, Luna,” he said, his voice dropping to a
dangerous whisper, “is whether the Duskwood Pack is collaborating with our enemies. Because that would
explain everything p>
Eileen went rigid. “How dare you suggest p>
“I dare because I bled tonight,” Parker snarled, stepping close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. “Because my people bled. And you’re standing here, creating panic, planting doubt, suggesting that my Lord harmed your daughter? Are you trying to distract us from the real threat? Because if you are, that sounds like treason p>
For several heartbeats, the only sounds were the rain hammering against canvas and thunder rumbling in the distance like an angry god.
Eileen’s jaw twitched. She hadn’t expected Parker to be this sharp, this resistant to her manipulation. But
she wouldn’t retreat now. Not when she was so close.
“I don’t care about your politics,” she declared, lifting her chin defiantly. “I only want to see my daughter p>
“You want to be seen wanting to see her,” Parker countered immediately. “Don’t pretend this is about anything else p>
Before Eileen could respond, Alpha Rowan had reached his limit. “Enough,” he growled, grabbing both women by their arms with barely controlled fury. “We’re leaving. Now p>
Eileen tried to twist away, but his grip was iron. “And you,” he barked at Sally, his eyes promising consequences if she didn’t comply immediately.
Just as they turned to go, the tent flap rustled open once more. Physician Allen emerged, rain already beading on his shoulders, his expression unreadable as he studied each of them in turn.
“Lord Hardy will see you now,” he announced calmly,
his gaze sweeping over their small group. “Please. Follow me inside 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.