Unrelenting Destiny

16. Damning

Luciana Faith Moore

Luciana had been sitting in her room reading. The house was quiet but soon the sounds of snarls and shouting drew her attention. She stood in the doorway of her room, peering out nervously. What's going on down there? As if to answer her question, she suddenly saw Embry and an unknown she-wolf charge up the stairs, making a beeline for Jasper and Orianna's room. She watched as they frantically pulled the room apart, creeping over to the doorway, "What's...going on?" Luci knew it was none of her business, but being by herself in that house for nearly 24 hours was driving her insane.

Embry looked up looking slightly disheveled, "We're...looking for something."

"I can see that." Luci's brow furrowed as she lightly bit down on her bottom lip. Before she could ask anything else, the she-wolf lifted a small bottle of medicine, declaring something about magic. They left as soon as they came, going back downstairs.

Luci followed them but stayed just outside of the basement, listening in as she attempted to piece together what was going on. She was able to distinguish Jasper's deep baritone and Orianna's pitch as she screamed. But she was unfamiliar with anyone else down there. The sounds of footsteps made her flee back up the stairs, watching as the basement emptied. Jasper and Embry stood at the pack house entrance, talking in low voices. Embry glanced towards the upstairs, undoubtedly telling Jasper that Luci had seen them. He soon left, leaving Jasper there.

The Alpha looked positively broken. He had only been apart from her for a day and a half but he looked like he hadn't slept in weeks. Closing the door, he slid down to sit on the floor, his palms digging into his eyes as he rubbed. Luci crept down the stairs, her feet quiet against the wooden floor as she was drawn closer to her mate. His coffee scent comforted her as she crouched down, resting on the front of her feet as she whispered, "Are you okay?"

Jasper remained quiet before looking up, their gazes connecting. He visibly relaxed at the sight of her, arms opening to bring her closer. She fell into his embrace, curling up between his legs as they sat on the floor together. She felt his warm breath in her hair as he murmured, "No...everything is completely screwed up."

But even as he said this, she felt peace as they melted into each other, her cheek on his chest as she gently rubbed one of his arms, "It's going to be okay, Jasper."

"Somehow you saying that makes me believe it." Jasper chuckled softly, looking down as their gazes met once more. He leaned down, their lips meeting in a soft touch. It was the sweetest kiss they had shared as of yet, not that feral devouring that they had craved since they met, but something deeper than destiny itself. Luci drew back, smiling gently, "Tell me what happened. We can figure it out together."

Getting to his feet, he helped Luci up, bringing her to her room. He didn't give his own room a single glance. Jasper sat in the large armchair she had been reading in, dragging her down to sit in his lap. He told her the entirety of his confrontation with Monica and Orianna. She gasped as he told her about the accusations against Orianna, not believing it herself.

"I don't know what I'm going to do." Jasper admitted, "Orianna never told me about this birth control she was taking. She never even mentioned that she hung out with a witch. It's hard to believe anything she says but it just doesn't feel like something she would do."

Luciana had no real opinion of Orianna. She had only met the woman a few days ago. But even she agreed that the kind woman who had bandaged, fed, and clothed her didn't sound like this diabolical mastermind. Taking Jasper's large hand in hers, she gently swept her thumb over his skin, thinking hard about the situation, "I don't want to come off as a jealous mate, Jasper. I personally do not think Orianna could do something so terrible as to plan her Luna's murder."