Crimson Moon
Chapter 18

I jumped up and realized that I was in a new strange location. I scanned my surroundings, the walls were white and it smelled like the doctor’s office. I was laying on a bed that had white sheets to them. Actually, I think the entire room was white. The only items that were a different color, which was silver, were the trays. I concluded that I was in some kind of infirmary. I heard a door opened and I turned my head to face the sound. Tiberius walked in and came straight over to me, as far as I could see nobody else was in the room. His eyes looked like they were a little sunken in. Blue and black bags found their way under his eyes. He was fully dressed in jeans and a white shirt. I had to admit, it did look good on him. Suddenly self-conscious I looked down to see if I were in any clothes. A patient gown covered my body.

“Sexy,” I thought to myself and rolled my eyes.

Out of nowhere right behind my eye started to throb causing a significant amount of pain. I put my hand to cover the eye that it was hiding behind.

“Are you ok?” Tiberius asked me once he sat on my bed.

I simply shook my head at him.

“Here, drink this.” Tiberius said giving me a glass of water that I didn’t even know he had.”

I began to take a sip.

“I’m sorry for what we had to do to you today. We couldn’t let you go out there. Not yet.” He said.

I exhaled in defeat. “I know, thank you. I’m sorry for what I said about dying. I don’t really want to die, just losing my mom is something that I thought I would never have to go through, you know? I already lost my dad who I didn’t even know, now my mother.”

I was going to say more but my throat wouldn’t let me. I had to try to fight the tears that wanted to escape my eyes.

“Don’t cry, Calla.” I thought to myself. “You told yourself you weren’t going to do that anymore.” And by God, I was going to try pretty dang hard to keep that the truth.

“Shh Calla. I know, you don’t have to say anything.” He pressed my head against his broad chest.

I instinctively smelled the air, soaking as much as his scent that I could. Just lying in his arms could calm me down in ways that I will never fully understand. I knew that I really shouldn’t be allowing him to do this right now, but I wasn’t in the mood to fight it. For right now, I was going to enjoy the moment and not complain.

“If you’re up to it you can come to the meeting at 8:00 tonight, but don’t feel like you need to.

I slowly pulled away, leaving the comfort of his chest.

“What time is it now?” I asked him.

He smiled at me and said 7:30.

My jaw dropped, “how long have I been out?” I asked him taken by surprise.

“Eh, a few hours. He said shrugging his shoulders. So what do you think? Do you want to go?”

“Sure,” I said while crawling out of my bed. Tiberius grabbed my hand to help me to my feet. “Thank you,” I said to him kindly.

“You’re welcome.” He said accepting my gratitude. “I must warn you, Calla. The meeting will be about your mother and Adolph.” He said.

I shook my head and said, “then I will most definitely need to be there.”

Tiberius said nothing but shook his head.

I went to my room to change and agreed with Tiberius that I would meet him at the meeting.

When I entered the house it was just as how I left it, nothing changed. Except in my heart, I knew everything changed. My sister was missing and my mother was gone forever, never to return to this earth. I couldn’t help myself, I had to go see my mother’s room. Out of habit, I knocked on the door.

“Seriously Calla.” I thought to myself and exhaled loudly.

I entered the room and sat upon her comfy bed. I put my head in the palms of my hands to think.

“I love you, mom. I will forever miss you.” I caught myself saying to the quiet room.

I climbed off the bed, my feet hitting the floor and making a loud thump sound. I went over to her closet and looked at all her clothing, trying to replace something that reminded me of her. I couldn’t replace anything, but went to her dresser instead. I noticed a heart-shaped necklace that she seemed to always wear when we were children. I picked it up and put it around my neck. I kissed the heart and let it settle around my own heart. “Goodbye mother,” I said and left the room to get ready for the meeting.

I settled for leather pants and a black t-shirt. I tied my hair up in a pony-tail to keep it out of my face. My hair rested upon my right shoulder. I didn’t care if the king and queen were going to be there. They would just have to live with the outfit that I chose. Plus, I had to meet up with Adolph at midnight and there was no way that I was showing up in a dress. I wasn’t going to let him mock me for anything more than what he already can. I made it over to the room where the meeting was being held. I lifted my arm to knock but hesitated. Do I knock or do I just walk in? I had no clue. Fortunately, there were two guards standing next to the door.

“Do I knock or walk-in?” I asked them.

They said nothing.

“Hello?” I asked wondering if they heard me or not. “Umm alright then,” I said to myself and turned around.

I settled for knocking on the door. Someone came up to the huge door and opened it. Tiberius’s face was furrowed in question. Once he saw me he laughed.

“You don’t have to knock Calla; you can just come in.”

“Hey, I had no idea. Plus, I tried to ask those two but apparently, they don’t like me.” I said to Tiberius while pointing at the two guards.

Tiberius laughed even harder. “They won’t talk to you, they are supposed to just stand there and guard the door.”

“Why can’t they talk to me?” I questioned confused.

“Oh Calla, just come in.” I shrugged my shoulders and went inside saying thank you to Tiberius who held the door open for me. I quickly peeked my head back out the door to say a quick thank you to the two guards as well. Tiberius accepted my gratitude once more and gave out another quick laugh. The guards on the other hand said nothing once again.

The entire pack including the king and queen were seated at the long table. Once I reached the table, I showed my respect to the king and queen.

“Good evening sir Devlon, your majesty Amelia,” I said bowing to each of them separately.

“Show off.” I heard Reed mutter from the other side of the table.

I just ignored him and shook both the king and queen’s hands.

“That was very nice of you my dear,” Amelia said to me.

I flashed her a smile and said “thank you, your majesty.”

“Please just call me Amelia.” She said to me showing me a huge smile that lit up her perfectly white teeth.

“Amelia,” I said once again bowing to her. “It is an honor to be in your presence.”

“As of yours dear.” She said to me.

This time Devlon spoke up. “You will make a fantastic princess and queen one day.” I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

“Excuse me, sir, I think I miss heard you. What did you say?” I asked him again.

“That you will make a fantastic princess and queen one day.”

“I’m sorry sir, I’m no princess nor queen.”

He laughed and tapped my hand that he was holding. “Not yet my dear, not yet.” I was puzzled at what he was talking about. “Please sit and join us.” I inclined my head to him.

“It would be my pleasure.” I went to the only available seat. It was right next to Tiberius who got out of his own seat to push my chair out for me. I thanked him as I sat down. He went back to his own seat and sat down waiting for the meeting to start.

Devlon sat up from his chair and said, “before we start this meeting I must say something to Calla. I extremely apologize for what happened with your sister and with your mother. Something like that should never happen while under our roof. It brings me a great shame that you have had to deal with this problem.”

I nodded my head but said, “No Devlon, it is I who must apologize. I am sorry for all this drama that I have bestowed upon your life. Without me here you wouldn’t have to even deal with these issues. I am greatly sorry.” I said to him with all honesty.

“Don’t be sorry Calla. We are extremely honored to have you with us. Whatever problems you face, we will face it with you.”

“Thank you, sir,” I said inclining my head to him. He did the same to me.

“Now that we have that covered, we have to discuss what we are going to do about the issue. What did Adolph say about the issue with Calla’s sister and what did he say about her time? I need details if we are going to plan a battle.” I furrowed my eyebrows. I never knew that they were planning to fight Adolph over this. I actually felt pretty honored that they would be doing this for me.

Tiberius stood up from the table to explain to his father everything that had happened making sure not to leave out any details. He told him that they had until midnight or else my sister would become attacked. He didn’t mention himself, but I am sure that was on purpose.

Reed stood up from the table as soon as Tiberius was done talking. “He left out the part that he also was threatened, not just Calla’s sister.”

“Really? Why would he do that?” The king asked Reed.

My face flushed a deep red color and I slowly sat back in my seat. All eyes darted towards me. I didn’t say anything so Reed began to talk.

“Umm, I believe he called Tiberius her boy toy.” Reed put his hands up in quotes to specify the whole boy toy thing. My face got even redder which I didn’t know was possible.

“Ahh, I see.” The king said and sat down.

“I’m sorry for that.” The queen said as she whispered in my ear. She was sitting directly to my right which made it easy for her to talk to me without the rest of them hearing. I nodded my head and whispered, “it’s alright,” back at her.

“Okay Tiberius, I don’t want you to go to the fight tonight."

“Why?” Tiberius questioned his father. “I’m not staying away just because of some stupid threat he made against me. I’m not afraid of him. I already beat him in a fight once before. Don’t you remember?” Tiberius questioned his father.

“Yes, I remember, but I don’t want you to do it again. Especially if he already has plans to attack you.”

Tiberius rolled his eyes. “I can handle my own,” Tiberius said annoyed.

“Tiberius if you get hurt you’re not the only one who will be affected by this, the whole pack will be.” Devlon prompted.

“The pack will be fine and I’ll be fine,” Tiberius said sitting down in his seat apparently done with the conversation.

“I’m going.” He said flatly.

The king exhaled and said, “I don’t see the point in even commanding you to stay. I already know you won’t listen. So be it then, but if you get hurt you immediately get back here and quit fighting.” Tiberius rolled his eyes but said nothing in return.

“Calla, what are you going to do while the fight is happening?” The king asked me.

I gave him a puzzled look.

“What do you mean?” I asked him.

“You can’t go to the fight, it’s too risky. We need you to stay here.”

I scoffed at what he said. “With all due respect Devlon, I’m not simply going to just sit here while you guys are battling for me. It’s my sister and my mother who were targeted. I’m going to be there and get revenge for them. I’m getting my sister back if it’s the last thing I do.”

The king looked taken aback. “Are you sure Calla? Usually, we don’t want our females out there especially during something so dangerous. Your life will be at stake. I mean Adolph will be out there probably trying to single you out. You will be his prize.”

“I’m not a normal girl Devlon, and yes I am positive. I want to fight.” I said simply to him.

“Oh Calla, I am quite aware that you are far from a normal girl.” He said smiling at me. “Alright, if you wish to fight you may.”

Tiberius jumped from his chair startling me. The chair he was in previously fell to the ground behind him making a very loud thud noise that seemed to radiate off the thick walls.

“There is no way Calla should be allowed to fight.” My jaw dropped and I looked over at him in dismay.

“What? Why?” I asked him shocked by what he just said. I shook my head in utter disbelief.

“Father, she isn’t ready to fight Adolph. She isn’t strong enough for that.”

I shook my head. “I can fend for myself, Tiberius. Thanks for the confidence in me.” I said harshly to him.

Apparently, he didn’t even care about what I just said.

“Father, her future is too important to be wasted away like this.”

“Seriously Tiberius stop. Nobody knows my future so maybe I am supposed to fight in this battle. Maybe it is my future.”

“No,” Tiberius said flatly. “We do know your future, you have a prophesy written about you.”

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. “You have no idea if that so-called prophecy is about me, plus I don’t even believe in prophecies. There is no way you are stopping me from fighting in this battle.”

“I can’t, but the king can.”

“Tiberius,” Reed started but was given a death glare from Tiberius so he stopped talking and whined.

“Hmm,” the king said. “Well if Tiberius thinks that you’re not ready then maybe you shouldn’t go out there. I’m sorry Calla.”

My heart froze at what he just said to me. I needed this, this wasn’t just something that I wanted. I needed to see Adolph pay for what he did to me and my family.

I was at a loss for words but thankfully, to my surprise, the queen spoke up. “I think Calla should go. You men have no understanding of what this woman is capable of. She is far stronger than what you give her credit for. Just look at her coat. Her fur is white and you all know what that means. She is a true alpha and no alpha should be sidelined from a fight just because you think she isn’t strong enough. I would put all my faith in her that she could beat some of these guys in a fight. Maybe even you Devlon.” She said looking him in the eyes. “Plus Tiberius,” she said looking over towards him, “we both know the real reason you're saying this. It isn’t because she isn’t strong enough. You know quite well that she is.” Without clarifying what she meant, she dropped it at that.

“Thank you,” I said to her.

“You’re welcome, Calla. I was just saying what is true.” I nodded my head to her in sincere gratitude.

I refused to even look at Tiberius. I was so angry with him that even the sight of him would throw me off the edge. Just his scent made me shake with anger.

The room had an eerie silence as the king was contemplating what he was going to do. The only sound came from the chandelier moving back in forth in a steady rhythm. It was so quiet that I could hear everyone’s breathing. Even their heartbeat if I truly focused upon it.

“I have come to a decision.” The king said leaning over the table. “Calla will be able to fight.” I smiled at what he said. “But.” He started which immediately wiped the smile from my face. “You are not to get into a fight with Adolph. You are to avoid him at all times. Do you understand?” The king questioned me.

I wasn’t happy that I couldn’t be the one to fight Adolph but I was smart enough not to argue. I would rather take something over nothing.

“Yes sir, thank you,” I said to him.

Tiberius stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him causing me to flinch.

“Will he be ok?” I asked concerned for Tiberius.

“He just needs a few minutes to calm down. He will be ok. I’m sure you understand why he is acting this way.” The queen whispered in my ear.

I gave her a puzzled look and slowly shook my head no. I honestly had no idea what he was getting into.

“He loves you, Calla. He doesn’t want to see you get hurt. You are his weakness. I’m sure you would feel the same way if the roles were reversed.”

Somewhere deep down I knew she was right even though I wanted to deny it. I wasn’t right for Tiberius, he needed someone like Adelina. Someone who would be the perfect queen and not question him on anything. Not jump into battle and have to fear about her safety. I looked the queen deeply in her eyes not able to say a thing. She gently stroked my arm and sat up from the table.

“Excuse me guys and lady,” She said dipping her head to me.

“So it’s settled then,” the king said. “I will send a few extra soldiers to accompany you guys. I would send more but I think you guys can cover it yourselves. Plus, we don’t want too many people going due to the issue that we are already facing.” He sat back down in his chair. “I am quite tired and I’m going to go rest for a bit.” The king walked over to her and said, “let me accompany you, my lady.” With that, they both walked out of the room.

“I assume that means the meeting is over?” I questioned the group.

“Yep,” Caleb said as he too walked out of the room.

I stood up and exited the room, off to replace where Tiberius ran off too.