Chapter 185
Her announcement was more than enough to shut me up temporarily. I saw Kaene breathe a sigh of relief at my side. We’d lost so many people yesterday, and after what this woman had said about the Rhecla earlier, he must have been worried sick about his beta joining the list of dead people.
“Where is he?” Kaene asked, his relief evident in his voice.
“Inside the healing haven. Keia will take you to him.” She said, referring to the maid whose head remained bowed behind her.
Kaene nodded at the girl who immediately led the way back inside, where Negan was.
“What is your name?” I suddenly asked the woman before following the group.
“I am Iona.” She responded.
“Iona, we are not done with this conversation about our wolves.” I said, and disappeared inside, not giving her the chance to respond or react.
I caught up with the group just as they were about to step inside the healing haven, and we went in together.
Negan lay silent on a hard slab with several candles lit around his head. I suppose the candles had healing purposes, but they still looked creepy as hell.
“Negan.” Kaene called out.
Negan turned his head in our direction and cracked a smile. His eyes were glassy, and sweat dripped off his forehead. Who could blame him? His head was literally cascaded in fire.
I returned his smile, and felt another wake of relief course through me. Other than Miranda, Negan was the closest thing I’d ever had to a friend, and I couldn’t imagine what losing him would be like.
“Hello, Alpha.” He said in a weak voice. “Looks like you all made it to the Ancients in one piece after all p>
Kaene smiled in response to. “Looks like it p>
The others bowed slightly in acknowledgement, and since he couldn’t bow back in his current position, he simply nodded, and thanked them for their care.
“Lycan Davos carried you through the journey here.” Kaene suddenly said, causing both men to look at each other wearily.
Everyone knew there was no love lost between them. It had in fact been a surprise when the Lycan hadn’t protested being the one to carry him, but then again, the Alpha had ordered him to do so. He hadn’t had a choice.
“Thank you, Lycan.” Negan said finally, to which the other man nodded in response.
Finally, he turned his gaze towards me. “Luna, are you well p>
Funny that he would be asking me that question when it was him who was in the Ancient’s equivalent of a hospital bed.
“Yes, Beta Negan. Thank you. I’m glad you’re out of danger now p>
For a moment, I expected him to make a comment about addressing each other by our titles, but he didn’t. Perhaps, because there were other people here.
Elder Gita was the first to make her way out of the room, before Lycan, Sir Alan and Sir Elijah followed.
I stared briefly at the Lycan’s retreating back. I still hadn’t forgotten the comment he made about me in the forest yesterday, but now wasn’t the time to revisit the topic.
Just as I was about to leave the room too, I heard Kaene address Negan.
“That reminds me, Negan. Yesterday, during the hunter attack, you were… different p>
“Different how, Alpha p>
“I don’t know. You made some very vicious kills and you seemed to be enjoying it. Don’t get me wrong. Those bastards deserve nothing less, but I’ve known you for such a long time, and it just seemed a little out of character for you p>
Immediately, Negan had a violent coughing fit. I felt the urge to go to his side and help, but Kaene beat me to it. He helped him sit up and gently patted his back.
I waited for the coughing to subside because even I wanted to hear his response. I’d also noticed the glee on his face when he tore up those hunters, and like Kaene said, it was very much unlike Negan.
Anyway, he finally breathed easy, and raised weary eyes to Kaene.
“What can I say, Kaene? I saw the way those humans were tearing down our people and I was livid. What gives them the right to do so? We’re different, but does that give the right to eradicate our kind?
I let the rage in me take over, and I do not regret it. Those hunters needed to be shown that they are not above us. We lost a lot of lives in that attack, you know. No amount of pain inflicted on them can make up for that p>
I agreed. After all, I had lost someone important in the attack. If I could, even I would have torn my father’s killer in pieces. Of course, Negan had only reacted from a place of righteous anger.
He loved the members of the pack, and he reacted as such. Oh, what a man he was!
Kaene also nodded in grave agreement. “You’re right, Negan. Nothing can make up for the havoc that was wrecked yesterday. You acted reasonably p>
Negan nodded grimly at this. “I’m glad you understand. So what now? When do we meet with the Ancients p>
“In three days. We have to undergo a cleansing bath and some other bullocks. Also, during that time, we will be disconnected from our wolves p>
“What?” Negan asked with surprise etched on his face.
“Same reaction we all had.” I said from where I stood.
“Did they say why p>
“Yea,” I responded, “Something about trying to make sure that our supernatural powers are kept at bay in case of rebellion.” I responded, and he nodded.
“Very well, then, Negan. We’ll leave you to regain your strength.” Kaene said finally.
With that, we left Negan the healing haven, and headed to our respective rooms.
The next day, a maid knocked on my door to let me know that it was time for the cleansing bath.
One good thing about this place was that the maids at least were respectful. They had no way of knowing that some months ago, I was just like them.
All they knew was that I was Luna of this pack, and they treated me as such.