EMPIRE

15. Afflictions

The dinner proceeds with a tense silence, hanging over our heads like a dark cloud. I keep my stare focused onto the plate before me, observing the range of meats and vegetables that occupy the round, glass platter. His presence is almost overbearing, my being is hyperaware of his heated gaze set on me.

"My Luna will be down shortly"

Those words have been circulating through my mind endlessly since they were spoken. I clear my throat involuntarily at the uncomfortable feeling his stare is eliciting and all heads at the table snap to face in my direction. My head raises, with a start I realise that they must be waiting for me to make a statement. My heart pounds in my chest anxiously and I look down, swiftly gripping my drink and raising it to my lips to deter any idea of a speech on my behalf.

Everyone turns to stare back into their plates, including Roman from what I can sense.

"Enough!" Moonstreak suddenly snaps, her fist coming down to pound against the wooden table. My body jolts in surprise and I turn to stare at the Luna-to-be, eyes wide and jaw ajar. Her glare was set on Roman, eyes piercing angrily into his with a fire that I'd never seen within her before. Power radiates off of her in waves and my chest tightens from both pure shock and pride at the assertiveness and bravery she was displaying. "Enough of this pretence."

The Alpha qualities are coming to shine from within her bloodstream and she looks absolutely terrifying. My father's head dips in acknowledgement of her speech and in submission of her authority. I feel a faint urge to do the same but I have no serious pull of submission that I used to have in bowing before authority.

"Moonstreak!" Alpha Aeyrgon exclaims, glancing warily at Dreycov who remains suspiciously silent. This was completely out of character for Aeyrgon's usually gentle daughter, I was unsure if she was physically capable of raising her voice up until this point. I glance at the Luna, curious to see her expression. Her eyes shimmer with amusement and pride while a small smile tugs at the corners of her lips.

"Father, this man has barged into our territory, embarrassed our women, brought panic to the pack and his soldiers harassed Accalia!" Her voice raises with every point that she makes, her finger raising to accusingly direct itself at Roman.

"Moonstreak what the hell are you doing? He'll kill you!" I snap, voice hoarse with fearful anticipation even through Mind-Link. Her furious gaze turns to me and her eyes narrow into sharp slits, a flash of colour signifying the presence of her Wolf.

"If he'll kill me for stating the truth then what will he do to you?" Moonstreak hisses, an eyebrow raising as if to dare someone to challenge her statement.

My mouth opens to retort but the screeching sound of a chair scraping against the ground startles me from executing my response.

All eyes turn to face the intimidating being making his anger painstakingly clear, the anticipation thick in the air. My gaze drifts to rest on his towering figure, my body tensing involuntarily as his eyes blazed with barely contained fury. He is an Alpha, arguably the most powerful of all and a to-be-Luna from a lesser pack questioning him creates an issue for his pride and appearance. Questioning his behaviour with his Mate and accusing him of bringing me harm would be enough to set the beast off and I find a trickle of fear for Moonstreak slither down my spine.

"You dare accuse me of hurting my Mate?" Roman's voice is a border-line growl and I hear myself exhaling sharply at the menacing inclination in his tone.

My eyebrows furrow as his words register and the phantom pain in my sides pulsate as a reminder of the harm he has already brought to me, although it was unintentional it was still the result of an act of anger. I'm not easily tossed around, I'm amongst the top Warriors around yet with just a squeeze of his fingers he was able to bruise my waist. A sense of bewilderment and an overwhelming flood of humility rushes through me as I realise that to him I may just be a porcelain doll. Easy to break.