Chapter 8

Irene’s POV “What a day,” Cassis groaned as we walked back into my room. I slumped on the bed and she patted me back. “Thanks Irene, you outdid yourself today. You stood for me and didn’t let anyone intimidate you.” I yawned out of tiredness. “But, at one point I was shaking inside, Cas. I didn’t stay strong all through.” Cassie patted my back. “I don’t care, Irene. But you did so well, and you deserve your flowers, take it.” I smiled and took the imaginary bouquet she held for me. “Thanks, my love.’ We both giggled and then a knock sounded on the door. I sat up when the overwhelming scent of my father filled the room. “Come in, Dad.” He opened the door and entered. “I hope I am not interrupting girl’s time?” Dad asked, wearing a smile. I shook my head. “No, Dad.” Cassie got up and bowed to him respectfully. “Greetings, Alpha.” Dad shook his head. “There is no need my dear.” he faced me and gestured out of his room. “Irene, a moment with you alone.” Cassie flashed me a gaze, her eyes clouded with worry. She knew as well as I do, what my father was going to talk to me about. Dad left immediately, I faced Cassie. “It’s okay. I will be back soon.” Cassie blinked frantically as she nodded. “O– Okay,” she feigned a smile too. I sighed and walked after my father. I had been thinking of how I would talk to him about this, but it seemed as though he had taken the bull by the horn and asked me to come talk to him instead. I reached his office and sat behind his desk, while Uncle Leon stood beside him. He had a file in his hand that he was looking at. He closed it and dropped it on the desk the moment I came in. “Irene,” Uncle Leon called. “I’m sorry about what happened to you today. The Alpha told me and I think for now that you were not fully wolf, you should take a few bodyguards with you when you go out.” I sat on the chair in front of my Dad as I listened to Uncle Leon, but my gaze was fixed on Dad. With his calm expression, I could tell that he had made that decision with Uncle Leon. I gulped dryly. “So I got a bodyguard?” Uncle Leon nodded. “Or two. As many of them, just so you would feel safe and comfortable when you go out.” I smiled. “Then what about the other?” Dad lifted his gaze and he stared at me. Our eyes met. He asked. “Other?” I nodded and licked my lips. “Yes, the other lowranked wolves, the weak ones in the pack. Who would guard the Omegas to make sure they also feel safe. What about Cassie?” Dad cleared his throat and leaned back on his chair. “Well, something can be arranged for Cassie, she is like family.” “Nice. So the other pack members are not like family as I had thought, they were outcasts?” Dad went mute as he pressed his lips in a thin line and he drummed his finger on the table. Uncle Leon leaned against the table and I turned to him. “Look, Irene. You shouldn’t take it like that. You know you are our priority, right?” “Why was that unranked shewolf and her daughter allowed to bully the weak?” I asked him instead. Uncle Leon sighed. “They are not really bullying. You know Bella tries to bring stabili–” That was not true. Uncle Leon was trying to cover up and I wasn’t interested in it. I turned to Dad and I locked eyes with him. “Why are you letting the pack rot from within?” I demanded from Dad. Dad nodded slowly as he took a deep breath. “Yes, I agree, Irene.” he got up and walked to the window. “This was all my fault, when I lost your mother, I lost a part of me and I started to let things slide. Without Luna, and due to my negligence, the order of the pack had started to fall apart.” I nodded. “So what is your plan?” I asked him. He sniffed. “The pack needs a Luna and I am giving it one.” I gritted my teeth. “May I know who that is?” I hope it isn’t what I heard. Let it be a rumor, please goddess. “Bella will be the Luna of Moonshadow pack.” My heart skipped a bit. My jaw dropped as I stared at my father. I had known him as a man who always made the right choice, what happened to him? Bella? Of all people. I mean Bella was nothing fit for a Luna, she was only a Lunatic. “That can’t be. I would never allow that to happen, Dad,” I snapped. “Someone like Bella should never be Luna over this pack.” “There’s no better choice than Bella, Irene. Have you not seen how beautiful she is.” Beautiful? Since when did physical appearance count as a determiner for a good leader? “Bella is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, she is even more beautiful than your mother, imagine how well she would do as Luna.” I stared at him dumbstruck. More beautiful than my Mum? That was not true. But why would he say such a thing? I had never heard him talk about anyone in that manner before. I jolted to my feet and stormed to my father. “More beautiful than mother? Really?” I was fuming, but when I saw Dad’s eyes, I was shocked. I stepped closer to him and he didn’t seem to see him, he was dazed and looking into space. Why was he like this? He smiled, as he licked his lips. “Bella is perfect, her body is perfect–” “What are you saying? Uncle Leon–” I turned to him. Damn. he had the same look on his face. They looked dazed, unfocused, something was wrong with their eyes.