Chapter 10 Blackfur

Ophelia

I sit in the cozy little room Prince Adrian left me, staring into the fire.

Unknowingly, I've put myself in the middle of two strong packs as a pawn. I was supposed to know and have expected this. In the week I've been here, Prince Adrian has been incredibly kind. taking me on a couple dinner dates, as well as tours of the palace and the village below.

He appeals to me. He appeals to my wolf. His profuse care makes us feel good, but I don't think I can trust him. Black Fur and the Royals have been adversaries for many years. It got worse after Gideon was born. What better method to deliver a merciless blow to Black Fur and Gideon than stealing their Luna?

But that's precisely what I desire.

After a tap on the door, a quiet voice says, "Luna? The Council awaits your arrival." The small maid has a pitying expression on her face.

With a quiet voice, I thank her and get up. My clothing rustles. The council mandates that thick skirts, velvet and lace garments, jewelry, and cosmetics be worn. Although I always thought it was absurd, I can imagine someone wearing it. My heart is as weighty as my clothes.

Walking through the palace, my legs feel unstable as I follow the Royal Omega till we get to a magnificent set of ebony wood double doors with bronze fittings inlaid in them. The surface is adorned with high-relief engravings depicting wolves engaged in combat. A row of humanoid wolves with hands clasped in their laps and sage looks on their faces sits far above the raging wolves. The Council.

I sense my wolf stirring as the hefty doors swing open. Still curled up in her den, as she has been for the past two years, she is nervous and lingers at the back of my thoughts.

My anxiety is somewhat relieved by anger. He's almost murdered her. The recently transformed wolf of a teenager is a sensitive animal. The one alpha wolf that was meant to nurture and protect her drove mine into her den, never allowing her to grow and mature.

There she is, in the position of a fetus. She stirs, sensing Gideon. As I stare at him in the flesh, one eye opens. With gorgeous dark blonde hair and warm brown eyes, this dog resembles a mad, mutant labrador. My wolf tucks her tail over her nose and shuts one eye. evading him. I hope I can follow suit. I feel a pull, a bond between us that stretches and flexes, pushing me to go to him. I know how to ignore that emotion. I pretended not to care about him for more than a year when I was in Black Fur. I'm in love with this wolf, yet I'm also in hatred for it.

Rather than hiding, I enter, attempting to appear confident but bashful and unsure. I practiced a few other looks, including this one. I must keep in mind and adhere to my narrative. Abuse, kidnapping, and amnesia-a life that has been forgotten and one that I am not ready to return to. I cannot afford to make a mistake and admit that I recall Black Fur or Gideon. I need my mate Bond gone in order to be fully free, even though it has been weakened by abuse.

I cast a fleeting glimpse over my eyelids toward Gideon. From across the room, he is staring at me with intense attention, his eyes black. He stands with his shoulders hunched and his hands at his sides, but his carefree demeanor belies his true intentions. His gaze is intense as he follows my movements to my seat across the room. I'm focusing on taking one step at a time and making progress. Steps one, two, three, and forty-nine to the witness box, where I shall take my place. The desire to turn around and get back to my room is something I have to battle.

"Good morning, Ophelia the Lady. The clerk next to my chair says, "We'll start in three minutes. A clerk is also lingering close to Gideon's box of belongings. Gideon's assigned wolf is clearly frightened; he is stuttering and twitching his hands and paws to avoid getting in the Trueborn's way. My clerk exudes confidence much more. I don't seem like a threat. How come he would fear me? I'm a small girl in a room full of wolves. The clerks truly spy on us, watching for any signs of uneasiness, hostility, or lying. Every day, they would submit a report on their observations to the council elders.

I sit with my hands clenched in my lap, watching the elder preside over the proceedings. I believe his name is Markos. Though he is not a member of the Royal Pack, I have seen him around the palace. Maybe MoonGlist or NetherPaw. He gives me a somber look in return and then gives Gideon a sniff, clearly not impressed by the two wolves occupying his attention.

"We're all set to go. Listen to the arguments. You shall start, Luna Ophelia," he says. His look stays the same, and his speech is coarse like sandpaper.

I inhale deeply and go to my feet. It was a bad omen when he nicknamed me Luna. I say softly, "Thank you, Elder Markos." "I am requesting the court to break my mate Bond." I bite my lip. I'm interrupted by a snarl. Gideon is swaying, his face fixed in a grimace and his eyes closed. "I do not remember my life with BlackFur," I say, taking a big gulp. I remember very little about my early years and nothing about my... mating." I pose the question as if it were a question. "I was... injured around six months ago, and as a result, I sustained... damage to both my body and my mind."

Elder Markos asks, "Why does this require a mate bond to be severed, Luna Ophelia?" as I stop.

I look at him gravely. "Elder, I am unable to have pups. I don't think I can be a Luna either. I am also unable to sense the mating link."

"Why?" he laughs.

I fight the impulse to yell at him. "I have lost my wolf," I murmur, attempting to hide a tear from the clerk's eyes as I glance down at my hands. Looks of sympathy mixed with gasps of terror have me straightening my back as remorse washes over me. I apologize to the wolf in my head. As usual, broken and scared, she does not move.

My head pops up at the sound of wood cracking. The handrail in front of Gideon is broken. His eyes are dazzling gold, and he is roiling with rage.

I close my eyes and whimper. I cry and shrink up inside myself out of fear. He's going to murder me, Goddess. The beast is aware of my deceit. Is she huddled in her den? Is that right?

"Enough. Enough!" Above the deluge of murmurs, Elder Markos bellows. He says to me, "Lady Ophelia, do you need a moment?" He has a softer voice.

I give a nod. My whole body is trembling.

"Nah! Allow me to view her. As I'm being led out of the tribunal, I hear Gideon yell.

Goddess. Did I just blow it, or did I win the first round?"

I have ten minutes to myself to gather my thoughts. I murmur the words to myself and remain motionless with my head bent. Abuse, amnesia, a lost wolf. I cry some more, because the council is undoubtedly watching me right now.

"Miss Ophelia? They are now prepared for you." A recognizable royal guard gives me a soft smile.

"Thank you..."

"Rich, Miss Ophelia."

"Well-off. Again, thank you," I say.

He gestures for me to lead with a nod. I return to the courtroom, and Gideon is not there.

Rich mumbles, "He was taken away to calm down," as I make my way back to my seat after climbing the 49 steps.

Elder Markos wants to know why my wolf went away. I relate to the exact specifics of her retreat and her insistence on staying in her lair. I then tell a fib. I describe to the court how she vanished and how, sometimes, I would think I felt her, but when I examined my head, all I could find was empty.

Elder Markos gives me a skeptical look that gradually turns into compassion. I don't need to search for sadness and suffering since they are already present. With every breath I take, I will defend my broken she-wolf, for she is my other half and she depends on me.

Gideon is escorted back inside, his wrists bound in manacles that jangle. Seeing those had me a little taken aback. His focused attention finds me right away and doesn't go away, not even when Elder Markos speaks to him. My own eyes are fixed on Elder Markos. I'm worried that if I give Gideon a straight look, I'll cry and admit it.

"Alpha Black, your mate has expressed her concerns regarding her ability to be Black Fur's Lu."

"Ophelia is mine," he growls.

Elder Markos's face flushed a little. Even the elderly can feel pride. I steal a quick look at Gideon. This unsettles him. A wolfless mate who did not know him and most definitely did not want him was something he was not prepared to deal with.

Elder Maria chastises him, saying, "Alpha Black, this is a serious proceeding." "Your companion is far from healthy, and we take this very seriously. Understand that this kind of circumstance is uncommon and that there is still a living woman to share her story with.

The sound of Elder Maria's viciousness even shocks me.

Gideon tries to relax himself, taking a big breath that rattles his shackles. "My partner is Ophelia. Truemate of mine. Whatever ails her, I shall cure her. I am her alpha and mate. It's my right.

Elder Maria snidely adds, "This council has the authority to decide what is best for Ophelia and Blackfur, if necessary."

Gideon yells, "It sure as hell is not." I saw the gold sparkle in his eyes. Gideon's eyes deepen with despair, and I wince. He mouths, "Mine," at me. I look away without responding.

Elder Markos interrupts, "Lady Ophelia, if you can, please explain how you know that you can no longer have pups." It seems to me that he is a stickler for etiquette, and they are not used to Gideon bellowing at the council. Not at all.

I inhaled deeply before informing them of the harm that wolfsbane had caused to my womb. They want to know how I became infertile after taking so much wolfsbane. I said that I'm not sure. Will I fall for such a lie? I cry at the thought.

Prince Adrian says, "I think that's enough for today," in a pleasant voice.

The room is ripped apart by the snarl. Gideon is prevented from attacking their prince by the attack of four royals.

I look at Gideon, waiting for him to reveal himself. There's nothing else-no fur, no dogs-just a yellow flash in his eyes. A guard is launched into the air. Gideon is becoming difficult to contain in the small space.

"Get him out of here!" Adrian loses it.

Gideon is dragged out of the room. I have a rumbling stomach. My mouth is bitter with guilt. By lying, I am betraying Black Fur and Gideon. I am a crazy person.

I must prevail. I must get my freedom.

Adrian extends his hand for me to grab. "Come on, Ophelia. We'll be back tomorrow."

I put my hand in his and bask in the warmth that he provides. My wolf is still there.