The news of Gregory's death spread like wildfire throughout the pack, igniting a storm of whispers and speculations. No one knew the full details, but it was widely understood that the Alpha, Chris, had killed him in a fit of rage. This incident only increased Chris's already fearsome and ruthless image.
In the days that followed, an air of unease settled over the pack. Martin was troubled. His thoughts kept returning to Grace, and the fact that she hadn't met him since that fateful day only heightened his concern. He tried to contact her in every way he could think of, but all his efforts were in vain. She was avoiding him, and he couldn’t shake the worry gnawing at his gut.
Grace, on the other hand, was just as anxious. The events had left her shaken, and she was desperate to know if Martin was safe. She couldn't reach out to him directly, fearing the consequences, but she needed to know he was okay. Her worry grew, and it finally reached a point where she had to do something about it. Chris had not come to her again, and she spent all day in her room.
"Madam Luna, your dinner." Melissa came inside while pushing a tray.
Grace looked up; Melissa hated her; she knew that, and the feeling was mutual. Grace hesitated, unsure if she should trust Melissa with her concerns about Martin. But the worry gnawing at her heart was too much to bear alone, so she decided to take a chance and confide in her.
As Melissa set down the tray, Grace took a deep breath and finally spoke up. "Melissa, can I ask you something?" she began, trying to keep her voice steady.
Melissa looked up. "Yes. What do you need?"
Grace hesitated for a moment, then spoke quickly. "Do you know Martin?"
Melissa's eyes widened slightly at the name, clearly taken aback. "You mean Roselie's brother, Martin Murdoch?"
"He has blonde hair, right? And he's a beta?" Grace asked.
Melissa nodded, looking puzzled. "Yes, that's right. He's Rosalie's adopted brother."
Grace's heart skipped a beat. "Rosalie's adopted brother?" she repeated, the shock evident in her voice.
Melissa nodded again, her brow furrowing. "Yes. Didn't you know that?"
Grace's mind spun. She had been so worried about Martin, but now a new fear gripped her. Could he have been using her? Was this all a ploy to get revenge for Rosalie? The thought made her stomach churn.
"What about him ?" Melissa asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Nothing important; thank you, Melissa," she said quickly, her voice tight. "You can go now."
Melissa gave her a curious look but didn't press further. She turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.
As soon as she was alone, Grace's emotions overwhelmed her. She pushed the tray of food away, the clattering of dishes echoing in the room. She couldn't eat; she felt sick. The betrayal cut deep. Had Martin tricked her? Had he been plotting against her all along, using her vulnerability as a means to exact revenge for his sister?
She paced the room, her mind racing with anger and hurt. How could she have been so blind? How could she have let herself be so vulnerable? The thought of Martin's betrayal twisted in her heart, and she felt tears of frustration and sorrow welling up.
Grace sank onto the edge of her bed, her hands trembling. She had to confront Martin to find out the truth. But the fear of what Chris might do scared her; he would kill him as well as her if he found out about their affair.
*****************************************
Martin paced the edge of the pack's communal grounds, his mind swirling with worry. He had to find Grace to know she was safe. The thought of what Chris might do, or had already done, gnawed at him. His anxiety grew with each passing minute until he finally spotted Melissa carrying a basket of laundry.
“Melissa!” he called out, jogging over to her.
She turned, her expression bored and slightly annoyed. “What do you want, Martin?”
He ignored her tone and was too focused on his mission. “Have you seen Grace?”
Melissa rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I saw her. She was bitchy as usual.”
Martin’s heart pounded. “But... was she safe?”
Melissa stopped, her curiosity piqued. She tilted her head and gave him a scrutinising look. “Why do you care, Martin?”
He hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “It’s nothing, just... I heard some rumours about Chris being mad at her."
Melissa’s eyes narrowed. “You know, she was asking about you too. And now you’re asking about her. What’s going on between you two?”
Martin’s face tightened, and he took a deep breath. “It’s nothing. Really.”
Melissa raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Nothing, you say? It doesn’t seem like nothing to me.”
Martin rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the weight of her scrutiny. “I just need to know she’s okay. Please, Melissa.”
She sighed, seemingly relenting. “Fine. She’s been in her room all day. Chris hasn’t been around much either, so she’s probably safe.”
Martin nodded, relief washing over him. “Thank you, Melissa. I appreciate it.”
Melissa gave a nonchalant shrug. “Whatever. Just... be careful, Martin. This whole situation is a mess.”
He watched as she walked away, her words lingering in his mind. A mess indeed, he thought. He needed to see Grace, explain everything, and assure her that his feelings were genuine. But for now, knowing she was safe was enough to keep his anxiety at bay, if only for a little while.
With a heavy heart and a troubled mind, Martin turned and walked back towards his quarters, trying to come up with a plan to make things right.
Martin's heart raced as he finally spotted Grace in the garden, her figure wandering aimlessly among the blooming flowers. He called out to her, but she didn’t respond. He sprinted towards her, wrapping his arms around her the moment he reached her.
“Grace!” he exclaimed, holding her tightly. “Are you okay? Did Gregory try to hurt you? Is that why Chris killed him? I am sorry I wasn't there for you.”
Grace stiffened in his embrace before pushing him away with surprising force. “That’s none of your business, Martin,” she snapped, her eyes flashing with anger and hurt. “I know you were just using me for your revenge. I know you're Rosalie’s brother.”
Martin’s face contorted with confusion. “What? Everyone in the pack knows that! How could you be unaware? Grace, I wasn’t hiding anything. I swear, I really love you.”
She shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. “It doesn’t matter, Martin. You’ve lied to me and manipulated me. I can’t trust you.”
“Grace, please,” he begged, stepping closer, his voice desperate. “It’s not like that. I’ve always been honest with you. My feelings are real.”
"What feelings, Martin?" She said coldly,I was bored, so I just used you for my amusement. I never loved you, and I certainly don't now."
Martin went near her and caught her chin, forcing her to look in his eyes.
“Grace, don’t say that,” he pleaded, reaching out to her. “We can fix this. Just let me explain.”
“Don’t,” she said coldly, her voice trembling with emotion. “Don’t even take my name. I am your Luna.”
Martin swooped down and caught her lips with his. The warmth of his touch igniting a fire within her. Involuntarily, her lips reciprocated the kiss, her heart pounding in her chest. But the brain got control, reminding her of his betrayal. She tore away from him, her eyes filled with hurt and anger.
"Dont you dare touch me." Her voice was filled with a mixture of pain and anger as she slapped him across the face and walked away.
Martin stood there, his hand frozen in mid-air, as walked away, leaving him standing alone in the garden. He felt a deep, aching loss as he watched her retreating figure, knowing that, despite his love for her, the damage was done.