I Am The Luna (Moonlight Muse) novel Chapter 8

ZAIA.

I wasn’t able to focus on anything properly after that and asked Mrs Watson if it was alright to leave early as I am not feeling too good.

Taking my leave I hurry home, desperate to tell Mom what has happened. Reaching the small two-storey home that we are renting, I unlock the door and step inside, greeted by the dark hallway.

“Mom?” I call out as I close the door quietly behind me and place my handbag down. She isn’t working today, so where is she? “Mom!”

“Zaia?”

I look up the stairs to see Mom standing there with a duster in hand, her hair tied back so as not to get in her face. I hurry up the steps, making them groan under my weight, the old wood has seen a lot of wear.

“Careful Zaia!” Mom exclaims as I reach the top and look at her, my hand still on the bannister.

“Mom, we have an issue,” I say, brushing my hair back and walking past her and into the larger of the two bedrooms.

This one is mine. As Mom said, I will need the space once the babies are here.

It’s pleasant. With the sun shining through the ornate windows, the pattern in the netting casts shadows on the ceiling. The floral patchwork bedding adds a homely touch to the wooden bed.

I plop down onto it, gripping the sides as I take a deep breath.

“Sebastian is coming for the New Year’s Eve ball, Mom,” I say, frowning.

Mom’s confusion vanishes, replaced by shock and then worry. She places the duster down, shaking her head.

“No, there has to be a mistake, Zaia, he would never come here, not only…” She trails off, quickly going over to the window and closing it before she turns to me. “We need to be careful.”

“There is no mistake. He’s coming,” I whisper, trying to keep my voice down. “Mom, Alpha Atticus got a call when I was there, and he told me himself.”

Mom frowns. “Zaia, I already told you I don’t like you hanging out unnecessarily with him. Remember, this man is known to be dangerous.”

I tilt my head, sighing. “Mom, we have only heard that from our old packs, there’s always more than one side of a story and we have to remember it’s Atticus who has given us a home. Besides, I try not to be free with him, but neither can I be hostile or rude.” I remind her firmly.

I had spent years running a pack and even before then, I knew of the balance that you need to keep things professional yet polite.

“I understand that, but he is still a dangerous man,” Mom warns me, sitting on the bed and heaving a deep sigh.

“I know… and he invited me to attend the function, too.”

“Absolutely not,” Mom replies worriedly.

I tilt my head at her and give her a pointed look. “Yes, I know Mom… and I know I need to avoid Sebastian at all costs. He actually found out about the pregnancy…”

I quickly fill Mom in, and her face is pale as she stares at me. I’m now pacing the room restlessly. Repeating it all is making me even more anxious.

“Oh no, Zaia, this is making me uneasy. You need to message Valerie to call you immediately. We need to know more.”

“Mm… I feel a little uneasy too, remember when we considered leaving the country? We were being watched. What if Sebastian is trying to find me?” I bite my thumb as I ponder over this.

“Don’t say that. Let’s speak positively.”

I tilt my head, “I am only stating the possibilities, Mom,” I say, sighing.

“I know, with your pregnancy and your health you are in a vulnerable state, and with the rejection only making you weaker, I hate to say this, but it has helped that Atticus can’t sense that you are the daughter of an Alpha, due to your weakened state,” she replies.

I frown. I don’t think it’s the rejection alone. I have seen my results and even sent them to Valerie. She’s surprised that my health hasn’t improved despite it being a while now.

There’s something wrong with me and although I haven’t told Mom, my health is deteriorating further.

I rub my stomach, as long as my babies are ok…

“Ring Valerie, ask her what is happening over there. Why is Sebastian wanting to come? We need to know. Moving isn’t an option right now either,” Mom replies worriedly.

“Yes Mom, I’ll do that. Now please don’t worry too much. We’ll handle it,” I reply. I sit down on the bed beside her and hug her tightly.

I am sorry Mom, because of me you are under so much stress.

I move back, messaging Valerie to call me when she can, knowing she keeps this phone switched off.

“Get some rest, Zaia, but we do need to find a way for you to refuse Atticus’s invitation to the ball. A solid, reasonable reason that he can’t get offended.”

I nod in agreement. “Yes, I’ll think of something. We have over a week until then.”

Mom leaves the room and I lie down on my bed, one hand tucked under my face, the other resting on my belly as I stare out of the window.

When will things get easier?

My phone soon rings, and I quickly answer it.

“Hello,” I answer, sitting up. Mom hurries back into the room and sits on the edge of the bed.

“Hey, you asked me to call?” Valerie asks quietly.

“Yes, I just heard that Sebastian wants to come to the Whispering Mountain New Year’s Eve Ball. He never does. Why is he risking his safety to do so now?” I ask her.

“Are you sure? Because I don’t think he will,” she sounds doubtful.

“No, he’s planning to, the alpha here said so himself. There has to be a reason he’s suddenly decided to.”

“I’m not sure, Zaia… but I’ll ask Jai,” she offers, making me tense.