Artemisia
"The moon had been stolen."
"Stolen?" How was that even possible?
I thought the moon was a stationary object which cannot be moved. Maybe my knowledge of geography was rusty. But, hearing this right now says otherwise.
And with the look on everyone's faces, it seemed like that was the case.
"Darling, you don't need to worry your pretty head about this." Laurent grinned.
"Shut up," I mumbled, then concentrated on what Mila was saying.
"The moon has been stolen and the goddess isn't answering us. We werewolves, we are on the receiving end since, without the moon, we are nothing. Our wolf form refused to come out and we are as powerless as mere humans."
"Worst is, the people who came to terrorize us some days ago will be back anytime soon." She said, sighing.
"Anytime soon?"
The room was silent as Sin strode in. I felt everyone's eyes on him as he got closer.
He shrugged, walking towards me. He ignored the eyes boring into him and concentrated on me alone.
"Hey," I mumbled, leaning into him as he sat. I flushed as what happened between us yesterday surfaced in my mind.
Although he didn't accept my offer for s*x, we were at least intimate. Still, we were not yet as we used to be, it was better than nothing.
He wasn't moping around anymore. Neither did he snap at me or get mad. He was now back to his senses.
But, he was still very far from me. As soon as I woke up, I didn't see him. He had left like he always does.
Despite him not fully accepting me as I wanted, I didn't mind. It wasn't like I wanted him to do so almost immediately.
I was sure with time, we would come back together with the way we were and stronger.
"Hey." Sin replied.
He gripped my hands and I saw his face tighten.
"What is wrong?"
"Nothing." He rasped. His hand went to tuck a hair that had fallen off from the pin I used in holding it in place. He nudged it beneath my ear.
"Okay," I mumbled, then Laurent tsked.
"That should not be done here." He snapped.
I stared at him and I saw the anger he was trying to conceal in his hooded hazel eyes.
Why was he mad? He was happy a few seconds ago when I came in.
He had spoken to me in the same sarcastic way I was used to. Now, it seemed like he was ready to punch someone in the face.
Someone or maybe Sin. I traced the line of his vision and I saw him scowling at Sin.
I wonder if something had happened between them because they weren't the best of friends. They weren't enemies either.
But the good thing about them both as they got each other back. No matter how many times they argued, they often defended the other when in trouble.
"You have no say in what I can do here." Sin snapped back.
"I f**king does."
"You f**king don't. I am the Alpha here." Sin grunted.
Too many F words in just a few sentences. Silence ensued and everyone in the meeting hall gazed at the brothers.
Surprises were mirrored on each face, likewise on mine. I hadn't seen them have an argument about what could be done in the hall or not.
Even though Laurent riled Sin most of the time, not to the extent of throwing angry words at each other in the presence of everyone.
"You want to take this down now?"
"Of course. I'd always want a challenge from you. I am glad you are offering and mind you, I am not holding back."
Both stood up and walked to the middle of the hall.
I stared in fright at what was about to unfold.
I know I could stop it. But then, Sin might be reluctant to back down and who knows, I might be on the receiving end.
I didn't want to face the same embarrassment as I had faced before. Even though he had apologized and said it was not intentional, I was cautious.
"Sin!" I called out as he cracked his knuckles.
Whether he heard his name or not, he didn't show it. Rather, he concentrated on Laurent who was before him.
"I think we need to calm down. The stolen moon is affecting every one of us." Diane spoke up.
Laurent and Sin swirled, glaring at her for interrupting whatever they had in mind to do.
"Listen to Diane. I'll' f**king needs to chill!" Ally spoke up for the first time.
I don't see her all the time in the meeting. She was always out doing one thing and another. Today she had stayed and I couldn't ignore her eyes on me.
She frightens me more than Adrina. I don't know why.
But, I feel we might not get along with each other.
"Shut up, Allison," Laurent mumbled.
"Stop f**king calling me that and never tells me to shut up." Ally rushed towards him and shouted into his face.
"That is your name, little Sis. Blame mom for naming you that way and not me."
"You know I can take you down." Ally said.
"Then, let's get started. Is this a two against one battle? Because I am so ready for this." Laurent smirked.
His eyes went to mine and he winked.
I noticed Sin clenched his hands into fists, growling.
They were about to have a sibling rumble before Queen Ada, their mother surfaced.
"Children." The trio swirled, then glanced at each other, glaring.
"What is all this hullabaloo about? You should be making plans and thinking of a way to survive whatever is going on and not be ready to pummel each other." She snapped. "What example did you lay down for your followers as an Alpha?"
She turned to Sin who groaned.
"Ask him, mother. I told you he isn't fit to be the Alpha." Laurent chimed in.
"I..." Sin began but was cut off by Ally.
"Your favourite son did it. He caused whatever is happening. Keep him in f**king check!"
"Language Allison and don't talk to your brother in that manner."
"I am Ally!"
"I called you Allison." Queen Ada replied.
"I told you so!" Laurent goaded.
"Idiot." Ally rolled her eyes, walking to her seat.
"How about you start apologizing, then start the meeting all over again?"
Ally, Laurent and Sin gazed at each other and maybe thought of who was going to apologize first.
For a few seconds, no one spoke. Sin cleared his throat, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry. I believe I have been acting strange these past few weeks. I am sorry. I'll try to keep my emotions in check and be on my best behaviour."
"Very well." Queen Ada said and Ally apologized for snapping at Laurent.
Then, Laurent shrugged, "I have nothing to apologize for. He wanted to fight with me."
"Doesn't matter who started it." Queen Ada said. "Apologize now."
Laurent glared at Sin, then at Ally who had a triumphant look on her face. She blew him a raspberry and mouthed 'apologize now.'
"Fine, I'm sorry." He grunted. "Don't expect me to apologize to that brat." He pointed at Ally.
"I wasn't expecting any." Ally retorted.
Queen Ada sighed. "I believe this meeting should start over again with no argument from both of you. Not even you Ally."
"Yes ma'am." Ally did a mock salute.
The meeting began over again and with the presence of Queen Ada. No argument ensued.