Blind & Broken

Chapter Fourteen

I swing open my door only for it to hit something, and that something to make a noise.

"Oomph!"

"Oh my Goddess, I am so sorry!" I exclaim, not even knowing who I hit.

I feel the door open a little wider. "Don't worry about it, Honey. I didn't think you were in there!" I listen closely to her voice, but I can't determine it's owner yet. "Would you like to walk with me?" I hesitate a second, but in the end agree and walk forward, closing my door behind me.

We walk at a slow pace — thankfully — side by side through the hallways. It's quiet for a moment before I become brave and start the conversation.

"Was there something you wanted to talk to me about?" I ask tentatively, still not being able to decipher who I'm talking to.

"Actually, yes. You disappeared last night rather quickly after dinner. Care to join me in my office?"

"Your office?" I squeak, looking her direction.

She giggles, which takes me off guard after her formal tone. "Don't worry, I just like to get to know my guests."

"What about Brynlee?" I hedge and she laughs again.

"I practically watched her grow up!" Suddenly I have a very strong feeling I'm talking to Her Majesty. Instinctively, I duck my head. She closes the door behind us as we walk into a room.

After a long moment of me standing there, probably looking so foolish, she says, "you may sit down, you know."

I fidget with my fingers, because it seems she hasn't figured out my . . . problem, and I don't know where the chairs are.

"Is something wrong?" Her voice is kind, just confused.

I sigh, giving in. "I can't-I can't see. You're M-majesty." Her silence after my confession is heavy, and my anxiety only grows stronger. I can physically hear my heart pounding way too fast.

"Relax, child, come sit down." I feel a gentle touch on the arm and she guides me to a couch, at least I think it's a couch when I sit down. Her touch disappears and then I hear her voice from a few feet across from me.

"A wolf who can't see." She ponders aloud. "How interesting." I stay silent, not knowing if she's necessarily talking to me. Finally I can feel her gaze hit me. "I'm guessing you're a runt as well?" I nod. "Well the Goddess sure gave you the rough end of the deal!" She tries to joke; I force a smile.

"Okay, okay that wasn't funny, was it? I just want you to feel comfortable around me." She sighs, "so many wolves get so afraid to talk to me and, honestly, that's the biggest thing I dislike about being Luna."

I pipe up, "you're not just Luna, Your Majesty. You are Luna of every pack in the country. Maybe the world even!"

I hear the smile in her voice, "you don't need to be so formal. My name is Kallie."

I smile, and I'm able to relax my shoulders a little. "What did you want to know about me? There's a specific reason you brought me in here, right?"

"Ah, you're observant. That's good! And yes; just with Brynlee mentioning you're a runaway brought some questions to my mind last night." She pauses. "If you're truly uncomfortable with any, please tell me and you don't have to answer them. I have just never heard of a Pack being so terrible to a wolf they would actually run from their home."