The Second Mate

TWENTY-THREE

After the revelation, came Gwen storming into the room. Her words were firm and determined as she refused Lizzy as her Luna. She was willing to leave the pack and even turn rogue. Her resoluteness was something Marke had wish to have because Gwen was right. The vampire's Luna is Marianne.

"She is wrong." Lizzy amended Gwen's words after her sister-in-law left the room.

"I am as connected to you as you are to the Blood Moon." Lizzy looked at both Marke and Duke.

"To all of you." She turned to everyone in the room.

"You are our Luna and our Moon." One of the Delta's announced. He stood from his chair and bowed to Lizzy. All of the Deltas followed suit with one reluctant to act, Zahra. She merely obliged after she was the only person left sitting on her chair. She did not, however, bow to Lizzy. The Beta watched in silence as the Deltas submitted to the one and only Luna they ever recognized, from her death to her revival.

After the meeting was adjourned, Marke left the room as the Deltas crowd around Lizzy.

"I will check on Gwen." Was the Beta's words to Remus before he abandoned his chair.

Marke patted Zeref's shoulder after he found the young werewolf outside the study. Zeref was still succumbing to Gwen's words, how undeniable it is to a great degree. The Beta left Zeref to wallow in his thoughts and continued to his destination. He opened the door to Gwen's bedroom after sensing that his lover was with the ginger head, comforting her.

Gwen brushed her tears away after seeing Marke enter her room. "I'm going to be okay. Don't worry, I won't leave. I owe Marianne too much to give up my life."

Denim responded with a weak smile and continued rubbing circles on Gwen's back.

"I'm really fine. I'll just sleep this off. You should go, Denim. Marke's here for you." The werewolf glanced at the Beta to prove her point.

Denim turned to Marke and sent him a brief smile before turning back to Gwen. "Okay, I'll leave you to rest."

Gwen closed her eyes as Denim planted a kiss on her forehead. She nodded her head and watched the vampire stand from her bed. Marke sent the werewolf a curt nod after Denim exited the room. Gwen responded with a forced smile before the Beta closed the door, leaving the red head to sleep.

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Aryan set down his cup after the witch turned the chair around and propped down, resting her arms on the top rail of the furniture.

"That's not how a lady sits down, Ash." Aryan remarked with displeasure.

Nefera rolled her eyes and stood up. She turned the chair to its proper placing and sat down with grace. She sent him a look that said 'Satisfied?'. The weretiger nodded his head and cut a parcel on the pie before savoring the apple delight.

"Did something happen? I was expecting you last night." Aryan asked.

Nefera grabbed the dessert the Delta was eating and reached out for his fork. Aryan handed her the utensil and proceeded drinking his coffee. Nefera took a bite from the pie and nodded with approval.

"My mom wanted me to testify on the fire that nearly burnt the Grand Coven. I had to stay at the Himalayas for questioning. They pardoned me with a notice to compensate the damages." Nefera looked at the menu before telling a waiter her order.

"Your mother? Chione." Aryan smiled at the thought of the Brethren witch.

"Gross! Don't even go there." Nefera handed back the half eaten pie to the weretiger as the waiter placed her coffee and tiramisu on the table.