Luna Scarlett POV
The cell is cramped. Fred is sitting on the floor, allowing me to have the tiny cot. If he only knew what I have done he may not be so kind.
The sound of high heels clicking against the cement floor gets louder as Fernando's daughter approaches my cell. When she comes into view, I sigh. She is the picture of perfection. Her dark hair is pulled back neatly, and her clothes are very understated and classy. She was born to be a Luna.
Phoebe stops in front of my cell, and I eagerly approach the bars. I flash her a smile, and she returns one in kind, but Fred doesn't approach her with the same kindness. He is growling at her from the corner of the cell.
Her brown eyes flicker in his direction, but she does not acknowledge him any more than that. Clasping her hands in front of her, she clears her throat.
"I thought you would like to know that your son was declared Alpha of the South Pack tonight," she tells us.
Fred stops growling and gets to his feet. "Why only one of my sons?"
Phoebe is picking at the edges of her fingernails. She is already disinterested with this conversation.
"Only one of your sons has been in charge of the pack since your disappearance," she informs us.
I try to mask my panic by wrapping my arms around my chest. My body is trembling.
"Which son?" I try to sound casual.
Phoebe hums to herself. "Kaden, I think."
"Where is Kai?" Fred demands to know.
"How am I supposed to know?" She snaps back.
"Don't play stupid with me, Little Girl," Fred snarls. "I know your father has spies in my pack. Tell me where my son is."
Phoebe's eyes glitter with excitement. "What will you give me in return for the information I have?"
"Nothing," he spits at her.
Fred walks back to the corner and slides down the wall. I cannot believe what I am seeing. Fred is acting as if he doesn't care for Kai at all. I am willing to give up everything to know what is happening to our sons.
Phoebe turns to walk away, but I can't let her go. "Wait!"
She stops in her tracks and turns slowly. An evil grin is on her lips. She has me exactly where she wants me, and she knows it. A mother would do anything for her children, even the unthinkable.
"I will give you whatever information you want," I plead with her. "I have to know Kai is okay."
Phoebe wrinkles her eyebrows together and puts a concerned look on her face. "Are you concerned for Kai because you did something to hurt him?"
My mouth goes dry, and my tongue feels thick in my mouth. How could she know what I have done?
"What is she talking about?" Fred hisses at me.
"I just wanted what was best for our boys," I begin. "You know I would never intentionally hurt him."
"Is this about Tish?" Fred groans. "Why couldn't you just let them be happy?"
"She could never make them happy!" I shout at him. "She is not one of US."
"You are not the same woman I committed myself to thirty years ago," he says.
His words cut me deeply. They almost feel like a rejection. I fight back the tears threatening to spill from my eyes. I refuse to look weak in front of Phoebe.
"Tell me my son is okay," I say to Phoebe.
"I really wish I could," she sighs. "But Belladonna is such a dangerous drug."
Fred growls from behind me, and he is across the cell faster than I can think. His hand is around my neck, and he slams my body against the silver bars. Even through my clothes, the silver burns my skin.
My fingernails claw at his hand, trying to break free. I have always bested him before, but now I realize he was just letting me win. Fear runs down my spine; he is going to kill me.
"Please," I manage to choke out. "I am your mate."
His hardened eyes soften for a second, and I think he will let me go. But I am wrong. His fingers tighten around my neck, and my airway is cut off. Black dots begin to fill my vision, and I know he is going to kill me.
Just as I attempt to take my last breath, I hear the cell door swing open. Fred is pulled off me, and I crumble to the ground.
My hands are around my head as I gasp for air. Slowly, the world comes back into focus, and I look around the cell. Fred is gone. I let out a sigh of relief, but it is short-lived.
Phoebe is standing over me with her hand outstretched. I stare at it for a moment, unsure what I am supposed to do.
"This is no place for a Luna," she says softly.
Against my better judgment, I take Phoebe's hand, and she helps me to my feet. I expect her to let go, but she leads me out of the cell.
As we pass by the other cells, I can hear my pack members hissing through the bars, calling me a traitor. I am ashamed and keep my eyes glued to the ground in front of me.
Phoebe pushes open the main door and leads me outside. The night air is starting to cool, and fall is approaching. She gives me a moment to breathe in the fresh air before she leads me to a large house.
"Welcome to the Pinnacle Pack," she says when she opens the door.
I step inside, and everything is immaculate. This rogue pack house is nicer than anything the South Pack has. Fernando is waiting just inside. He looks tired, but he has a smile on his face.
"Luna Scarlett," he says. "How nice of you to join us."
They are treating me as if I am a distinguished guest, even though I have just spent several days in their cells. I do not understand what is going on, and it must be written all over my face.
"The poor dear is confused," Fernando sighs. "Did you explain things to her?"
"Not yet," Phoebe frowns. "Her mate attacked her."
"Fred," I whisper. "Where is Fred?"
"My Dear Scarlett," Fernando sighs. "You have always been too good for this world. You hold concern for your mate even though you were attacked."
I know their kindness is fake. They are only trying to get what they want from me and then they will toss me to the side. I try to remember that as I follow them through the beautiful pack house.
Fernando leads me into the dining room, where the table is set for two. I look behind me, and Phoebe has disappeared. Fernando pulls out a chair for me, and I silently sit down.
"Fred never knew what a gem he had," he says, taking the seat across from me.
His words aren't true. Fred treated me like a Queen until today. "Cut the shit, Fernando," I laugh. "What do you want from me?"
"So much," Fernando says with a darkened gaze. "We both want the same thing and together we can achieve it. We just need to dispose of that pesky human and the Luna Queen."
I lift my glass of wine to my lips. "Keep talking."