There was unspoken tension in the air as Selene, aided by Rocco's graceful descent, found herself the focal point of four distinct gazes. Each pair of eyes held different emotions that Selene was beginning to perceive.
The first, a pair of luminous grey eyes held shock and they belonged to an older woman with long ebony hair,
Luna Vilka.
She exuded beauty and grace that had nothing to do with her elegant clothing. Selene's own step mother, Ulva dressed more flamboyantly yet this woman that stood some feet away from her was even more gracious.
Next, Selene's gaze fell upon a younger woman, her dark, styled hair and practical trousers radiating an air of sharp annoyance.
Selene was amazed as she had never seen a female wear trousers.
Then – a young woman with brown curls and dark eyes, mirroring Selene's own petite frame, watched with unabashed curiosity. Finally, a pair of frightened, unsettled eyes, belonging to a woman with straight brown hair confined to a wheelchair, completed the unsettling tableau.
"What are they doing here?" Zephyr said as they approached the group.
He did not expect to find them close to his quarters.
"Take her to the prison. That's where she'll stay from now on." He ordered to Zeeb without sparing Selene even a glance.
Zeeb, silently and efficiently, led Selene in the opposte way, leaving her to grapple with the chilling indifference of Zephyr's command.
"Zephyr, Ralph." Raula welcomed with a radiant smile as Zephyr and Ralph got to where the women stood.
"Raula," Zephyr responded and as usual, his features softened when he spoke to her.
He turned to his sisters and mother. "A surprise to see you all here."
"Hello, everyone," Ralph offered, a warm smile briefly illuminating the gathering.
"Hel-Lo." Blaize said with a guilty smile.
"Welcome back from… wherever," Dorianna added, her smile directed at Ralph before turning to her brother. "Raula came for dinner, and to see you as well…"
Zephyr's gaze shifted to Raula, who offered a guilty smile. "I haven't seen you in some time, I decided to come and see how you're doing." she explained.
"I've been busy, but I'll make time. You'll have to excuse me for now," he replied, his tone polite but distant.
"Of course," Raula said trying to conceal the hurt in her tone .
"Is everything alright, Mother?" Zephyr asked, noticing Vilka's unsettling silence.
Vilka snapped out of her thought, shaken from her reverie and she offered a nervous laugh. "Yes, I'm just… distracted. If you'll excuse me." She turned and walked away, leaving the rest to look after her for a moment .
Then Zephyr turned to Ralph. "Please ensure Raula is escorted home safely."
"That's fine, I have my own security," Raula interjected with a smile.
Zephyr nodded, his attention already elsewhere. But Dorianna, ever bold, intervened. "Aren't you going to talk to us about the stranger we just saw?"
There was a very brief moment of silenve. A cold glare was Zephyr's only response as he turned and walked away, leaving the question hanging in the charged air.
Meanwhile, Vilka retreated to her private quarters with a sense of unease washing over her.
"Luna, is everything alright?" Alma asked with concern seeing as her Luna's face was pale.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just need a moment alone," Vilka replied, her voice strained.
She made her way to the uppermost chambers of the Royal Mansion with her mind consumed by the image of Selene.
Reaching her destination, she unlocked the door to a forgotten room, a sanctuary that was dedicated to her late husband's memory.
Her hands moved carefully and longingly over the furniture as she walked.
It had been months since she last came here, she only did when she missed her late husband in an uncontrollable manner. Taking a deep sigh, she strolled to the end of the room, her heart pounding as she hesitantly pushed aside the heavy velvet curtain. Dust motes danced in the single shaft of sunlight piercing the gloom of the forgotten chamber .
Etched into the very heart of the stone wall, a magnificent portrait emerged. The lines were not painted, but carved with an ancient, almost magical precision. The figure within was that of a woman, breathtakingly beautiful.
Her hair was a cascade of purest white and it flowed down her back in mesmerizing waves. Here bright blue eyes , where the color of the sea and they stared out with an ethereal serenity, as if gazing across centuries.
Vilka replayed the memory of the young woman she had just seen. Even though she had seen her from a short distance, those blue eyes dug deep in her memory.
"Oh Goddess!" The Luna whispered as the chilling realization dawned on her .
—————————————————————————-
In her carriage, Raula grappled with the unsettling events of the evening.
"Halt!" a voice commanded, distracting her and forcefully pulling her away from thoughts of Zephyr and the blue eyed stranger .
The door swung open, revealing a handsome man with short brown curls. "Hello, beautiful," Jareth greeted, entering the carriage.
"What are you doing here, Jareth?" Raula asked, her tone laced with impatience.
"Sweetheart, I'm here to see how you're taking the news," he said, placing a hand over his heart.
"What news?" Raula asked weakly.
"The news of my brother's mate."
Raula's face paled. "What are you talking about?"
Jareth leaned back, his expression smug. "Oh my… you don't know yet, huh? How rude. Zephyr has found his mate. He found her in the Silveren more than a week ago and she is not from this pack."
Raula rolled her eyes at him. "Don't be silly!"
"You really haven't heard of the strange woman in his bedroom?" He challenged.
"Jareth, I don't have time for your games," Raula warned, her anger rising.
"I won't ever play with you, Raula," he said, his eyes locking with hers. "I told you countless times he isn't worth it. You sacrificed yourself and rejected your mate for someone who killed his own father."
"He made the sacrifice for us all, Jareth! We are alive because of Zephyr!" Raula retorted. "You've always been jealous because he's the Alpha!"
Jareth laughed. "Here's a piece of advice, Raula. If you really want to be Luna, then you can come to me. My brother won't be Alpha for long. You hurt me, but I love you enough to forgive you."
He moved to leave, but Raula grabbed his arm. "You'll never be Alpha Jareth!"
Jareth smirked. "Zephyr has found his mate. And when everyone finds out whose daughter she is, he won't be Alpha anymore."
He exited the carriage, leaving Raula to grapple with his cryptic words. "Lies! All lies!" she repeated with her voice trembling .