Mae POV
Once again, we are standing on the porch of the pack house, waiting for the men to come back from their rescue mission. I have an odd feeling in my stomach. I don't know what to expect when I see Tish. There is a small part of me that is excited to see her, but an even larger part that realizes this isn't the right place for her. For the first time in many years, I don't want to share my life with her.
Kieran pulls up and puts the car in park. I hold my breath as he gets out. Everything feels like it is moving in slow motion as he rounds the car. When I can finally see all of him, I let out the breath I was holding. He looks fine. There is not a scratch on him.
I cock my head to the side as I look around him to the other men. Bryce and Leo are also perfectly fine. I thought Raven said they were walking into a trap. Shouldn't there have been a struggle?
The last car door slams, and Tish comes running in my direction. She pushes past Kieran and wraps her arms around me before he can. A low growl rumbles in his chest, but he doesn't interfere.
Tish holds me close, but I don't hug her back. My arms hang uncomfortably at my sides. When she finally lets go of me, I take a moment to look her over. She also looks fine. Her clothes look brand new, and her hair is pulled back into a neat ponytail. My stomach feels uneasy.
I look over Tish's shoulder at Kieran, and he is seething, watching us together. Something happened on this rescue mission. Something that no one is talking about.
Raven steps forward and looks oddly at Tish. "So you are the human," she says as she eyes her suspiciously.
Tish scoffs loudly and looks Raven up and down. "And you are?"
I cringe at Tish's brazen attitude. Has she forgotten that we are guests here?
"Tish," I hiss at her. "This is the Luna Queen."
"Oh," Tish says, but she doesn't look sorry for her attitude.
Tish turns away from Raven and looks back at me. She grabs me by the hand and tries to drag me into the pack house, but I refuse to move. Tish tugs on my arm, but I pull it out of her grasp.
"I need to talk to you," she whispers next to my ear. "It is important."
"We do have lots to discuss," Raven interrupts us.
She turns and walks into the pack house, and everyone follows behind her. I am left standing on the porch with Tish. I gesture for her to follow the others into the house, but she shakes her head.
"I really have to talk to you," she whispers.
"We can talk inside," I tell her.
"You don't understand," she says through gritted teeth. "I am going to get you out of here."
My eyes widen in shock. "What did you do?"
"I did what is best for us," she exclaims a little too loudly.
"No," I snap at her. "You did what was best for you."
Raven appears back at the door with a scowl on her face. I don't know how much of the conversation she heard, but she looks really annoyed.
"We are waiting on you," Raven says harshly.
I bow my head and follow Raven into the house. I hear Tish complaining behind me, but she follows as well.
I expect Raven to lead us into the living room, but instead, she leads us into the conference room. The elders are here as well. My heart begins to beat loudly in my chest. I know the elders don't approve of me, and Tish could ruin this for me.
One of the elders stands up as I enter the room. He bares his neck to me, and I don't know how to respond. I look to Kieran for guidance but he is scowling at Tish. I plaster a smile on my face and nod in the elder's direction. He seems to be pleased with this, but he remains standing until I take my seat.
Tish takes the seat beside me and scoots her chair closer to me. She reaches over and grabs my hand, and squeezes it. Before I met Kieran, this action would have calmed me down, but now it just makes me feel uncomfortable.
I try to discretely pull my hand away from Tish, but she has a death grip on me. I reserve myself to the fact that she isn't going to let go.
Raven remains standing and looks around the table. Her eyes land on Tish and me, and she rolls her eyes. "Would you please explain how you were taken by rogues?" She asks Tish.
Tish looks offended. She glances at me, and I nod for her to tell them what happened.
"Am I in some sort of trouble?" Tish asks Raven.
"Of course not," Raven says in an even tone. "We just need to know what you told them."
Tish jumps to her feet and glares at Raven. "I am not one of your subjects. I don't have to explain anything to you."
"Tish," I snap at her. "Just explain what happened."
"No," Tish screams. "I have nothing to say."
Raven growls in frustration, and everyone in the room lowers their head.
"You will have an armed guard everywhere you go," Raven informs Tish. "You are not allowed to be alone with Mae at any point."
"So, I am a prisoner," Tish scoffs.
"If you were a prisoner, you would be in the cells," Raven informs her.
Tish turns to me with fake tears in her eyes. I can always tell when Tish is faking it. She has never been great at playing the victim.
"Mae," Tish pleads with me. "Are you going to let them do this to me?"
"Why won't you answer the questions?" I ask her boldly.
"Because it is no one's business," Tish shouts.
"Luna Queen," I address Raven formally. "I don't think Tish needs an armed guard."
Raven cocks her head and looks at me like I am a traitor. But Tish is smiling brightly beside me. She thinks she is getting her way.
"What do you suggest?" Raven asks me.
"I think she needs to be put in the cells. With the rest of the recusants," I respond with my head held high.
Tish gasps loudly. "You can't be serious."
"If I am to be the Luna of this pack, I have to put their needs before my own. If you won't explain the conditions of your capture, we can only assume that you are one of them," I say coldly.
Before I am done speaking, two guards walk through the conference room door and grab Tish by the arms. They pull her from her chair with ease and begin to lead her toward the door.
"Wait," I call out.
The two guards pause with Tish fighting against them. She is kicking and screaming. I approach them carefully and Tish stops fighting.
"Please," she begs. This time, her tears are genuine.
Reaching around her, I grab her phone out of her back pocket. I nod to the guards, and they drag her from the room.
My knees feel weak, and I am holding back tears. Kieran is at my side in my instant. He wraps his arms around me and holds me up.
"You did the right thing," he whispers. "You acted like a true Luna."