Lunar Eclipse

19 - Culprits

When I open my eyes, the scent of sweet grass lingers in the air. It's almost completely dark, the only light source a flickering candle next to the stone bowl that's used for smudging. Squinting against the darkness, I try to make out the contours of the room. I have no clue where I am or whether I'm alone or not.

The latter is answered when a whisper breaks through the stillness. "What are we going to do, Bay? It's only a few more weeks to the summer solstice. I don't want to mate with Marco."

Even if I didn't recognize Savannah's voice, it doesn't take much to figure out that she's talking to her true mate. Bay has been in recovery since the fire that destroyed the lower settlement, so they must have stuck me into the healer's cabin with him.

"I don't know what to tell you, Savannah. You don't really have a choice." Desperation colors Bay's words. These two are suffering. Big time.

Savannah sobs. "I'm not sure if I can."

I clear my throat a couple of times to alert them that I'm awake. The curtain around my cot is pulled back. Savannah's fearful eyes turn flat out panicky when she recognizes me. "Oh my god, Raelyn. We didn't know you were here."

What medication is Bay on that he missed them bringing me in? "Don't worry. I won't say anything."

Her face relaxes a little, though she's unable to hide that she isn't fully convinced. As future Luna, she knows I'm required to report what I heard to the Alpha.

Bay's frame appears behind her. When the dim light grazes his face, I flinch back. His hair has been shaved off and deep scars cover the left side of his face all the way from the top of his head to the bottom of his neck. A slow smile unfurls from the corners of his lips before he hisses in pain.

I want to help them—badly—though all warning bells in my head go off, demanding that I mind my own business. Then my guilt prevails. It had been my idea to go into the burning house and at least his physical injuries are attributable to me. "If needs be, you two can make it on your own."

Savannah frowns. "Not sure what you mean?"

"You and Bay. If you truly want to be together, you'll be able to make it on your own."

Bay squints at me and slides his arm around Savannah's shoulders. "Are you suggesting we'd run away?"

I should've kept my mouth shut. "I'm not suggesting anything. All I know is that we might have war soon. If Kendrick Raynes and his pack take over our territory, plenty of families will flee and try to find a new home away from the pack. The threat of enslavement will see to that. Now, this might not be the right thing for you, but rogues that hunt together have by far a better chance of survival. Just an option to keep in mind if things truly turn for the worst."

Savannah looks torn. "I don't know if I could leave my family."

Ultimately, it's a decision only she can make. "Just keep in mind that it's hard to be with another wolf when your true mate is around." Dante and I are the prime example of that. If Lara hadn't been part of the pack, we might've had a chance, but even now, after her death, Dante's memories of her will drive a constant wedge between us.

Bay squeezes Savannah's shoulder. "You should go. If someone finds you here, there'll be trouble."

She gets on her tiptoes and brushes a kiss on his lips. "I'll try to come by tomorrow." The smile she offers me is thin. "Good night, Raelyn."

"Night, Savannah."

Bay's gaze stays on her until the door closes behind her. Then he turns to me. "Do you really think it could work?"