Chapter 92: More Treachery
She sat in her room, her mind flying with all the running thoughts inside. She had not told him all, not as of now. How could she? The family of the Dawn had been an immediate friend of hers back when it all fell to the betrayals' brim that cut her so deep inside. Her wolf whined within her, fidgety with the tugging inside.
A knock came, pulling her from those spiraling thoughts. "Luna, may I enter?" was a voice she knew from the other side.
"In," Reika called out, relieved by the diversion.
Daisies entered then, concern etched in her features. "You haven't eaten since this morning. Are you alright? The pack needs you strong."
"I'm all right, " Reika lied, her body showing anything but that was the truth from her tiredness all over her being.
She was keen-eyed with all and everything, never leaving behind even minute shaking of Reika's hands. "Cant' fool me, Luna, 'cause if that's the note we're gonna handle, then you are not alone.".
Reika smiled wistfully. Daisy always said such things that shut walls just about anywhere when those fell in. "It isn't just the note, Daisy. It's everything. The Dawn family is teasing our patience, and they aren't aware with what limit that will be stretching before it shows fissures."
Much later, later than usual, Ileus came to their chambers. His face was softer than the norm though his eyes sparkled with his concern. "You have been quiet since our return."
Reika laid aside the book she wasn't truly reading. "I'm just tired."
Ileus didn't sound quite convinced. He sat beside her and shifted a strand of hair aside from her face. "You're not just tired, Reika. You have been carrying too much on your shoulders. You don't have to do this by yourself."
"I know," she whispered, refusing to meet his gaze. "It is just sometimes it feels that way."
He took her hand, his touch grounding her. 'We're a team. Whatever the Dawn family is planning, we'll face it together. Promise me you'll trust me enough to share what's on your mind."
Reika hesitated, but the sincerity in Ileus's voice broke through her defenses. 'I promise."
The next morning, Reika woke to nausea, Stumbling into the bathroom, she vomited violently.
"Reika?" Ileus called from the bedroom. His voice was tinged with concern; he came to the door, his eyes wide at her pale face. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
She shook her head weakly. 'I don't know. It just hit me suddenly."
Ileus scooped her up effortlessly, his wolf instincts taking over. 'We're calling the pack doctor. No arguments."
Within minutes, Daisy and the doctor arrived, their faces etched with concern.
'She's been under a lot of stress lately," Daisy explained. 'Could it be exhaustion?"
The doctor examined Reika with caution. Frowning, brows furrowing, she asked, "Luna, have you noticed any other symptoms? Dizziness, fatigue, nausea?"
Reika nodded. "All of the above."
The doctor stopped for a second and then looked illuminated. "Luna… you need to take care of this child, you're stressing yourself too much."
Where news had rendered Ileus speechless due to the mix of overwhelming joy and worries, Daisy waited behind as others were gone.
"You're pregnant!" whispered the excited Daisy. The smile faltered at the look on Reika's face. "You're not happy?"
Reika heaved a heavy sigh, falling against the bed in defeat. "It's not that I am not happy, Daisy-it's just.this changes everything. And there is so much that you don't know."
Daisy cocked her head. "What do you mean?
Reika said nothing for a while longer, until she finally did make a decision. Daisy had been her confidante, her protector. If there was any who had any right to know the truth, it would be her.
"I have been here before," Reika began, low and barely over a whisper. "In another life. Before this one."
Daisy's eyes went wide. "You mean. you've reincarnated?
Reika nodded. "People I trusted in killed me. My brother, Riftan, was at the center of it. He did not kill me directly, but it was because of his actions that it all occurred. That's why I came back-to set things right and protect those I care about."
Daisy did not say anything for a very long time. Then she said, "That explains much. Your instincts, your strength, the way you lead… it is as if you have done this before."
A faint smile crossed Reika's lips. "I have. Yet, this life is a little different. I have Ileus, and now… I will be a mother."
Daisy's face softened. "That's good, Reika. You do deserve this life's happiness.
"But I cannot forget the past," Reika said, relentless. "The family of Dawn relates to my past life. They betrayed me then; now they seek to destroy us. I won't let them succeed.
That night, while Reika had been trying to sleep, the door opened as Ileus entered with Kael. Something in their eyes told her they were concerned.
"What is it?" she asked sitting up.
Kael finally filled the silence. "We intercepted a message from the Dawn family. Something big they're planning, but as of yet we've not been able to decipher anything."
Reika's face screwed into a frown. "Where did this message appear?"
"Near the southern border," Kael replied. "It came courtesy of a rogue. He escaped before we could question him."
Reika's wolf stirred restlessly. Again, they are just testing us, wanting us to make the first move.
Ileus nodded. "But we won't. Not till we know what exactly they plan."
Reika's head was spinning. The Dawn family was playing with fire, and somehow, she had this nagging feeling that she was the main course.
Night began settling in the packhouse. Reika sat at her window, staring out into the moon-drenched forest. A soft knock came to her door.
"Enter," she called out.
Kael came in. His face was grim. "Luna, I think there is something you need to see."
He handed her a parchment-the ink smudged but legible. The words ran a shiver down her spine:
"The child will not be born. We will see to that."
Lunga keeled over, her wolf growling low and ominously. "They know," she whispered, the note crumpled in her fist.
Kael nodded. "It isn't just us that the Dawn family has targeted, Luna; they have targeted your future."
Reika's eyes went hard into the darkness, hard as steel, the will within not any softer. "Let them come," she replied unrelenting, firm as stone. "I will not let them take mine."
And then night, in turn, brewed its concoction of contrived plot. No longer did she fight for herself, but for her child, for her pack, the future that had been promised her to keep safe.