"Yes! Yes of course Beta, anything you say." The big guard was reduced to a stuttering fool in front of Eric as he scrambles for the key that he keeps inside his uniform jacket.
"That's what I thought you would say," Eric says and pats the guard on his shoulder with a smile.
"We are sorry Beta, we didn't mean to disregard your words. Even though we know a new Luna has not been inaugurated yet, for the sake of argument, what should we have done when the she-wolf came to us with an official letter that had the Alpha's seal on it, addressing her as Luna and ordering us to do exactly as she commands?"
Eric nods in understanding
"I understand your point of view man. I'm not blaming you for carrying out your duties, just don't ever stand in my way when I'm about to carry out mine. I wouldn't like for us to have a problem, Mr warden guard."
"Yes, Beta! Apologies once again. He says and hurriedly unlocks and removes the silver chain from around my wrist and ankle.
The prison warder sure knows what is good for him and his subordinates. He obviously knows you don't ever argue with a Beta, especially when the Alpha is not around to say otherwise. The Beta is the second in command to the Alpha and he enforces the law whenever the Alpha is not present.
I rub around my wrist where the silver chain had burnt into my flesh as I follow Eric and Ella out of the dungeon I was kept in. By the time we arrive at another cell, I'm not aware of the fact that my injuries are completely healed until Ella marvels at it.
"Wow, Luna! You're completely healed! Your healing is just as fast as the Alpha, isn't that great!"
"Yes but please call me Ash..." I reply and laugh at how amazed she's looking at me in amazement.
"Ash!? Ha! I'm sorry I can't call you by your name, it's against the rules.
"Okay, but if you want us to have so much fun together as friends then it would be awkward if you're always calling me Luna. Don't you think so?" I say and she nods in agreement, not calling me by my name and also not addressing me as Luna
The new cell seems like a mansion compared with the dungeon I just came from. There is a tiny window that's high up in the ceiling. Even though I can't see through it, at least I'll be able to tell daytime from nighttime.
Instead of sleeping on the bare floor like in the dungeon, there are two beds that are made from bricks that have thin mattresses placed on them, for bed and instead of the filthy bucket that was placed in the dungeon for toilet use, this cell had an actual toilet and it is clean.
"Please sit" Eric indicates to the single plastic chair in the cell for me to sit on while he goes to sit on one of the brick beds, leaving Ella to take the other one
"First and foremost, Ash, I owe you an apology... I'm sorry. I'm so, so, sorry about your mom. Martha was a good woman and..." He pauses to sigh deeply before continuing...
"I'm sorry I didn't see this coming. I'm sorry I wasn't available to stop it and save her..."
"Yeah, thanks...'' I say, nodding my head when he pauses from talking. I feel a tear at the corner of my eye at the mention of Martha's name and I quickly dab it away with a finger.
"I'm sorry on behalf of Thor. Even though he wrote, signed, and put the Alpha's seal on the letter Miranda took to the Silver-moon Council police station. I'm pleading on his behalf that you shouldn't blame him for something he didn't know. Something he was not aware of when he was doing..."
I ball my hand into a fist as I listen to him apologize on behalf of Thor. I loved Martha and Thor in their own way, my mother and my mate...
I understand what Eric said as 'even though my mate signed my mother's death warrant, I shouldn't blame him because he didn't do it out of his free will.' But how do I continue to look at Thor without remembering what he unknowingly did to my mother? How?... I'm nodding in understanding to Eric as these thoughts run through my mind.
I don't know what to tell Eric. Even though I know Martha's death is not Thor's fault, deep down inside me, I put some of the blame on him... I ask myself: why did he have to allow himself to be used by Miranda to the extent of killing my mother and forgetting about me? I sound selfish even to my own ears but I can't help the way I'm feeling.
"Thank you for understanding," Eric smiles with gratitude. "Uhmm... I'm sorry that this is the best I can do considering this situation..." He indicates around the cell that will now be my new home.
"I can certainly take you out of this place, Ash. Just that the Alpha's seal is on the warrant to arrest you. Taking you away from here will mean a huge slap on Thor's reputation. As his Beta, I can't publicly go against him in such a way... Please bear with me until I find a way to free him from the sorcerer's bondage he's in. Please?"
I sigh
"Okay... I appreciate your concern and all your efforts, thanks."
"No. I should be the one thanking you for your understanding. Thank you once again."
"Yeah..." I reply with a smile
Ella brings out a small bag that we already concealed between the brick bed and the wall. She opens it to reveal toiletries, energy bars, and some other snacks. Also stacked in between the other bed are several bottles of water
"Don't use and eat anything serve in here. I'll bring food whenever I can come for a visit, which will be once in a day. If I can't come, that is why you have the snacks and energy bars to keep you going..." Ella says, looking pleadingly at me as if she's afraid I'll kick against their offer.
If only she knew I'd lived in far worse conditions in my preteen years when Celine would lock me inside the basement and starve me for days...
"Thank you. I really appreciate this." I say with a smile at her and she nods
"Keep the trash, I'll collect it whenever I come around. You'll have to be careful with all these, please. We don't want to give Miranda the opportunity to get an order to transfer you to another state because of bad behavior."
"Sure I understand,"
"I also brought you a change of clothes." She says, rummaging inside the bag to bring out a simple, wrinkled dress.
"Sorry for the sorry condition, it's in. It should do the work, all the same, right?"
"Yeah." I gladly reply, giving her a peck to appreciate her efforts.
"You cannot trust anyone except the two of us! The guards will leave you to yourself but be careful all the same. We don't know who's working for Miranda amongst them" Eric says
"Oh, I almost forgot. It's normal for the prison to deliver books to inmates. Yours would be well-detailed textbooks that would help prepare you for your exams, alright?..."
"Thank you, Eric, for everything," I say and walk toward him to give him a tight hug after which I move to Ella and hug her too. I'm really touched by how thoughtful they are to me.