We get Kora back to the doctor's private room; the same room I was kept in while I recovered. It feels like a life time ago when I woke up in this place. On the way back, Roddrick had mind-linked Alpha Nate with an update on where we are with our part of the plan. Unfortunately, their team didn't have the greatest news: when they got to Salem's location, he had been long gone by then. Madalyn is under the impression that Salem has something to hide. Apparently, no witch gets to be as powerful as Salem is and actively choose to stay in hiding.
Roddrick informs me that they're all headed back to regroup. I keep my expression as neutral as I can. I don't want to make it obvious that I'm excited to see Nate again.
I look at Kora sleeping peacefully in the bed that I was once in. This time without the mess of that unknown black substance that was once in me. It bothers me that we can't figure out what it is. Hopefully we'll have all the answers we need once Kora wakes up.
I hear Roddrick shuffle beside me before he sits down in a chair next to me. He's in pretty bad shape after realizing who his mate is.
"You want to talk about it?" I ask carefully.
He sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. He's been doing that a lot since we brought Kora back.
"There are things you don't know, Luna. Things about my past. The Fates are probably having a good laugh about this whole situation," he says miserably.
"And what situation would that be?" I ask with curiosity.
"I just can't be mated to a witch. It's impossible. There must be some sort of mistake," he says to himself, ignoring my question entirely.
I don't respond to him because there's nothing for me to say. The room stays quiet for a few more seconds before Roddrick says, "don't tell the others about this. I don't need anyone knowing who my mate is."
"Why not?"
"For the same reason the Alpha hasn't claimed you in front of the pack yet," he mutters. But this only makes me quizzical.
"What do you mean by that?" I say through clenched teeth.
"Calm down, Luna," he says sensing the bitterness in my tone, "it's just too dangerous right now. If people find out our pack has a Luna, it makes us a target."
"Elaborate."
Roddrick sighs before he begins to explain the situation among the werewolves, "there are rogues who pride themselves on breaking packs. And the way they do it is by kidnapping and torturing the Luna's. By doing this, it sends a message to the pack that no one is safe. So if you think that the only issue we have is trying to break this treaty, think again, Luna. We're in the midst of war amongst our own."
"I get that, but what does my possible kidnapping have to do with you not wanting people to know about Kora?" I press for more information.
"Because of history," he grits out.
"Which is?" I question further.
"Why do you want to know so badly?" He says with frustration.
"Because, if you haven't gathered, Kora is my best friend and I want to know what she's getting herself into. Is my best friend going to get hurt, Roddrick?"
He slumps into the chair, losing all of his fight, before he says, "it's complicated."
"Well, un-complicate it. We've got time."
"Okay, but it means I'll have to tell you the history of this as well," he says as he pulls out the gun from its holster.
Roddrick keeps his eyes on Kora as he explains his family's history: Jesa Claymore, a witch, fell in love with his great grandfather, Myron Ashwood. She gave him the gun as a gift of her unwavering love. It would have been a love story if it didn't end so tragically. As both of them fell deeper in love, the more obsessed she became with him. She thought they were soulmates, but what she didn't know was that he just hadn't found his as yet. She kept pushing to be marked and he refused by coming up with lie after lie. Soon he found his mate and dumped the witch. But it was too late. The witch was too far gone in her obsession of him. She had made up her mind that if she couldn't have him, he'd have to suffer by knowing that he was responsible for his mate's death. One night she decided to put her plan into action and visit their cabin. She wanted him to watch as she killed his mate. But what the witch didn't account for was that he would use the gun on her. The gift that she had given him out of love and loyalty was the same weapon used against her. As he watched her bleed out, she had cast a curse on the gun - for every bullet shot from the gun, the Ashwood pulling the trigger dies a little each time. Only an Ashwood is able to touch the gun. If anyone else tries to fire the gun, they die a painful death. Each Ashwood gets a maximum of six shots before they die. It's what happened to Roddrick's father. He used his last bullet to save Roddrick from a rogue wolf when he was ten years old. Another thing about this gun is that no one can reload it.
"It's because of a witch that my family lives with this curse," he says bitterly.
"Kora isn't like that, Roddrick. She'll help you look for a way to break the curse. Just give her a chance."
"Like my great grandfather did?" He scoffs.
"That was different and you know it. Kora is your mate. Why would she ever try to hurt you?"
"Because she's a damn witch, Luna," he says before he stands up and storms off out of the room.
It's at that moment that Kora opens her eyes. There's so much pain reflecting in them. It's clear to me that she heard everything the Gamma had to say.
"Well, I guess I know where he stands," she says weakly. I lean forward to wipe the stray tear running down her face.
"Give him some time, Kor. He's hurting right now," I say softly.
She laughs at this, "and you think I'm not? I've waited for my soulmate for my entire life, Ri."
"I know, Kor. I know."
"Maybe he's right," she sniffs, "maybe The Fates have made a mistake after all."
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