Heart of a rogue

* Chapter 14

Joshua's arrival with news from the Harding pack sent a ripple of anticipation through the room. My father, the Alpha of the Harding pack, had some information to share, but it came with a condition—we had to visit them to discuss it further.

Frustration bubbled up inside me like a simmering pot ready to boil over. With my jaw clenched, I listened to Joshua's report, my hands balling into fists at my sides. I couldn't keep the anger in any longer, so I lashed out, sweeping a lamp from the table with a forceful swipe of my arm. The crash of glass echoed through the room, shards scattering across the floor like twinkling stars. Alani shuddered a little, but she didn't make any comments.

Joshua remained unruffled, his expression calm and composed as he watched my outburst. Without missing a beat, he turned to me, his voice steady. "What would you like my reaction to be towards Alpha Harding, my Luna?"

I felt my chest heave with pent-up frustration as I met his gaze, my eyes flashing with intensity. "Tell him we'll visit," I replied through gritted teeth, my voice tinged with barely contained fury. "And tell him we expect answers."

With a curt nod, Joshua acknowledged my command before turning to leave, leaving me to wrestle with my emotions in the wake of his departure. As the echo of his footsteps faded into the distance, I took a deep breath, my anger simmering beneath the surface like a dormant volcano, ready to erupt at the slightest provocation.

Alani's voice cut through the tense atmosphere, her tone a mixture of curiosity and concern. "You're really going to visit them?" she asked, her gaze searching my face for any hint of hesitation.

I met her gaze head-on, my jaw set with determination. "I don't have a choice," I replied, my voice tinged with frustration. "We need to find out something to break that damn curse. If they have information, then we need it."

Alani nodded in understanding, though a flicker of apprehension danced in her eyes. "I get that," she admitted, her voice softening with empathy. "But Lucy, you know how risky it is to deal with your parents. They're not exactly known for playing fair."

A pang of guilt tugged at my heart as I remembered my last encounters with them, the wounds of betrayal still fresh in my mind. "I know," I murmured, my voice tinged with regret. "But we don't have many options left. We have to take the chance. I'd actually like to see my brother. I'm curious how he turned out."

There was a moment of silence as Alani absorbed my words, the tension between us palpable. Our relationship had been strained ever since my abrupt departure from my role as Luna, when I left Alani and the pack behind to turn rogue. Alani had felt it as a rejection, but she'd never voiced it out loud. I had heard it from Declan.

"You've changed, Lucy," Alani admitted quietly, her gaze softening with admiration. "I may not agree with everything you've done, but I admire your courage. And I can see the positive influence you've had on Declan. He's a better Alpha because of you."

A swell of emotion welled up inside me at Alani's words, a mixture of gratitude and humility washing over me. "Thank you, Alani," I replied sincerely, my voice catching with emotion. "I'm trying to make amends, to be the Luna your pack deserves."

"Our pack, silly," Alani added with a gentle smile, her eyes warm with understanding.

"Of course," I agreed, returning the smile. "Sometimes the whole pack thing is still hard on me. My years as a rogue had an influence, that, obviously. But my own pack wasn't a loving place either. I'd never felt my pack was there for me. They just turned their heads the other way."

Alani's expression softened with sympathy as she listened to my words, a pang of sadness tugging at her heart. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Lucy," she said softly. "But you're not alone anymore. We're here for you, all of us. I guess you're the Luna we needed, strong-minded, strong in general."