Chapter 89: Confession

There was a heavy scent of herbs in Reika's chambers. Daisy sat beside her bed watching her. Reika was pale, that fire which usually burned so bright in her eyes dulled by the exhaustion that wracked her body. She leveraged herself up on the pillows as her wolf stirred restlessly under her skin, seeming to pace back and forth irritably at her weakness. "Daisy," Reika started off, in a tone much softer than. "Yes, Luna?" Daisy said and leaned forward, pushing the bowl aside. Her bright eyes shone with interest and with concern to attest to her attention. She was reluctant; what she would say weighed upon her. So long it had been, this past life locked deep in her head, but with all that happened-the pregnancy, the threats from the Dawn family, Riftan's death-she had to tell the truth. "Ever believe in reincarnation?" Reika asked gravely. Daisy blinked, taken aback by the sudden question. "I guess I heard stories about it. Why do you ask? Reika's eyes went far away, and her hands tightened on the blanket draped over her. "Because I lived before." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Daisy's jaw fell as, in her mind's eye, she struggled to wrap her head around what Reika had just told her. "Wait, what? Lived before? You mean some sort of past life? Reika nodded, the paleness of her face not healthy. "Yes, I was betrayed. I was killed in my previous life by someone that I loved and actually thought I could trust." There was complete silence as though even the light wind outside hushed in respect. Daisy looked down at her Luna, wrapping herself into this revelation. "Wh-who did it?" "My brother, Riftan," Reika spoke with them now, the sting of that pain in her voice. "He ended my life in ways most brutal. I came back to finish business over one thing-to avenge that." Daisy's hand flew to her mouth; shock rounded her eyes. "Oh, my goddess … Reika, that's horrible. That's It was, Reika conceded, the muscles in her jaw clenching as memories once again rose to the forefront. "I trusted him, Daisy. I believed in him. But he used that trust to destroy me. When I woke up in this life, I swore I wouldn't let history repeat itself. I vowed I'd make him pay for what he did." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> For a little longer, Daisy said nothing, cowed by the weight of it that seemed to strike in the anguish Reika let out. Then she took Reika's hand, folding it tightly in her own. "I don't know what to say," Daisy said. "That. That is a lot of weight on shoulders. But you aren't you from your former life, right? Maybe it doesn't have to define you any more.". Reika stared at her, taken aback by the maturity of her words. "It's not about me, Daisy. It's about justice. Riftan took everything from me once. I couldn't let him do it again." "And you didn't," Daisy said, canting her head. "He's gone now. You stopped him. Isn't that enough? With a small sigh, her hand strayed to her stomach, the stirrings of life in her making her recall the new responsibilities she carried. "Perhaps it should be. But the Dawn family… it is the same evil Riftan was tangled up in, and if I don't try to stop them, it could destroy everything that matters, including this child. Daisy's face softened. "I know, Reika-you want to protect all, but in that process, don't forget to protect yourself either. You have gone through so much; you need a little peace. Therein, in fact, " >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Tears rose in Reika's eyes but refused to spill. So long, she had shut it within her-a secret place nobody knew. But now she let herself feel that weighted pain of it. "I didn't ask to come back," Reika whispered, now shuddering full-bodied. "I didn't ask for any of this. Sometimes I wonder if it would have been better if I'd stayed dead." "Don't say that," Daisy said no less fervently, the clutch on her hand a fraction stronger. "You've made a difference, Reika-you've saved so many, protected your pack through thick and thin, given each human hope. And now you would bring new life into the world. For me, that's something to fight for.". Reika watched her friend's face and let the shine in her eyes speak volumes about her appreciation. "Thanks, Daisy. For being here. For ever believing."   Daisy smiled past her tear-stained face. "That's what friends' are for?"   But in those few minutes with him, the tender feelings between them, had just been intruded by footsteps from outside into his personal space. Then Alpha Ileus himself entered the place, filling it with his commanding presence as he scanned Reika and Daisy with his sharp eyes, catching the residual tension at once. "What happened?" he asked, sounding interested. "Nothing," Reika hastened to say, wiping at her eyes. "Daisy and I were just… talking." Ileus arched a brow higher. "About?"   Daisy threw Reika a look, seeming to ask for permission. Reika shook her head a little, not quite ready yet to open herself up to Ileus about her life before the streets.   "Girl talk," Daisy breezed out, flashing Ileus a mischievous grin. "You wouldn't understand." Ileus narrowed his eyes but let the matter drop. He walked to Reika's bedside then, his face softening as he took her hand. "How do you feel?" he whispered. "Better," Reika lied, working a smile onto her lips. Ileus didn't quite seem to believe her, yet didn't push the matter. He leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead instead. "Sleep, love. The pack is safe, and nothing else of the world touches you yet." --- An Ongoing Threat After Ileus was gone, Reika gravely serious said to Daisy, "You aren't allowed to tell anyone just what I said. Just yet." Daisy nodded, serious. "I won't. But Reika, you really ought to think about telling Ileus someday. He deserves to know."   "I will," Reika promised, with no idea when. Then she had to concentrate upon her recovery, training her for whatever was to be. Lying here and closing her eyes to rest, the gnawing fear of the growing power of the Dawn family won, and she knew full well she wouldn't be able to avoid this battle for so long. The battles this time would be with her life at stake and with her child, mate, and future of her pack.