The Dead Luna
Chapter 19- Warrior

Chapter 19: 19- Warrior

Aurora:

I was sitting by the lake behind the pack hospital when I felt someone sitting beside me. Without looking, I knew who it might be.

"See. What I brought for you," Jai showed me a mask that had colorful patterns painted on it. That’s what he had been doing all this time.

Searching and designing different masks that could cover the lower half of my face properly. I rarely went out, and if I did, it never happened without a mask.

Not only Maria, but everyone in the pack was scared of me. Jai was the only one who stayed in that room and consoled me.

The ointment he had applied to my face before bandaging, was given to him by a witch, and she had guaranteed a hundred percent result.

But nothing worked.

There was no way for me except to accept my fate and stay in this pack. Humans would never accept me.

I had stopped talking and communicating with every person around me. Poor Jai mostly carried out one-sided conversations, and I never responded to him.

Even tears were harmful for me. Its salt could make the irritation worse. My cheeks had turned into a cracked shell – Like a barren land that never got water on it.

There were tiny holes, and anybody could see the inner parts of my mouth quite easily.

For kids, I was a monster, and now I was sure I would be bullied by everyone around me. This time, nobody would take the stand.

Even Jai would soon leave me and join them. Just what Mateo did.

My eyes raised to look at Jai when he snapped his fingers, "Back to Earth, sweetheart."

I didn’t respond.

Why is he here? He should go back and serve his patients. What will he get by being nice to me?

"I know what you are thinking, but..." he held my elbow, "You need to gather yourself, Phoenix."

I didn’t answer him. After that day, Beta Brian and Alpha Blake never tried to talk to me or approach me.

I had no idea if they would allow me to stay here or not.

"Is she talking?" I went still when I heard Alpha Blake’s voice behind me. I didn’t want to face him. Even with this mask.

That little child was his niece, and I understood if he or his family would choose to hate me.

"Phoenix, get up and face me," I closed my eyes and then rose to my feet. The authority in his voice was evident, "What role did you have in your pack?"

The question took me by surprise, though it was expected. Obviously, they needed to assign me a role here.

I couldn’t tell them that I was the daughter of a beta or an Alpha. Later, they could learn the truth from someone else.

It was better to stay low-key key and only one answer made sense.

"I was an Omega..." I shrugged, "Almost a slave."

He was looking into my eyes, maybe to weigh the truth. I was confidently maintaining eye contact.

He was about to turn away after that subtle nod when I at last spoke again, "Alpha."

He stopped and ...

Jai was also caught off guard.

"I ... I want to be a warrior," I blurted before I could stop myself. Even Jai seemed surprised.

"Warrior?" Alpha Blake’s brows crinkled in surprise, "How come... Do you even know a thing about fighting?"

"I can learn," I joined my palms, "I won’t disappoint you, Alpha. Please..." tears welled up in my eyes, "I’ll work hard, I promise."

He seemed confused and passed a puzzled look to Jai, who might be equally confused, but didn’t remark.

Alpha Blake at last nodded and then gestured for Jai to follow him, "I’ll let you know, Phoenix," I stayed there, looking at the two men walking away.

But I had made up my mind.

If I were to stay here, then it would be on my conditions.

***

"Here. See what I have got for you," I was watching TV in the same hospital room when I heard Jai’s voice.

"You should have knocked," I quickly reached out for my mask to cover my face. It was slowly becoming a part of my personality.

With a covered face, People at least felt comfortable around me. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would be hiding my face like this.

"And you should never try to hide your face from me," he plopped beside me on the bed. Sometimes I didn’t understand why he was showing so much sincerity to me.

Everything had a price.

Including love and loyalty.

"Won’t you ask what I’ve got for you?" he asked me in irritation when I didn’t show him any excitement.

"You will tell me anyway!" I didn’t even try to peel my eyes off the TV screen.

An iron mask appeared before my eyes. I scrunched my nose and at last glared at him, "What?"

"It’s an iron mask," he informed me with a smile.

"I know what it is. What’s the purpose of showing this to me?" I rolled my eyes and pushed his hand away.

"It’s a warrior’s mask, silly," he informed me with that crooked grin.

"Really. Wow!" I started switching the channels nonchalantly.

"Won’t you ask me why I brought this here?" I gave him a side glance and then narrowed my eyes.

He got closer to me and whispered in my ear, "Alpha Blake has accepted your request," I thought my heartbeat could stop beating any minute. I at last turned my head and gave him my full attention.

He nodded at me, and for some reason, he was misty-eyed. "You are now an under-training warrior of our pack. Your training starts tomorrow. Are you ready to fight, ma’am?"

I gave him a tight-lipped smile and took the mask from his hands. He got it designed in such a way that it could easily cover my high cheekbones.

I was having difficulty wearing it due to my trembling hands, but this time he didn’t help me. After I fixed it on my face, I turned to him, "How do I look?"

He smiled and squeezed my hand in excitement, "You’ll make one hell of a se*xy warrior, Phoenix."

With that, he kissed my forehead, and we both laughed and cried while hugging each other.