Chapter 175
Blair
POV
"You might be Luna Queen but you're pregnant too Blair, you have to think of our pup," Braedon said in a half scream, half whisper.
I raised an eyebrow "I am thinking of our pup, but I'm also thinking about our people" I shot back as he turned around and began to head towards his study, my footsteps hurrying to keep up with him.
He stormed through the door and waited for me to join him, James sidling in from nowhere as well. James glanced at my fuming face and then at Braedon's stiff one and sighed, seating himself down on the armchair and viewing us both with a pleasant expression. "What have I missed?" James asked calmly.
"Blair wants to come too" Braedon growled, motioning towards me with angry gestures.
James coughed, stifling his laughter. "I can help, you're just being stubborn" I snapped.
Braedon glared and then looked at James. "He's under guard" James offered quickly before Braedon could ask "and I'm reasonably sure we can trust what he said. He seems to be quite remorseful about everything and very curious about Blair" he added, glancing at me apologetically. "I hope you didn't tell him anything" I muttered.
James shook his head "No, I told him that it would be up to you when you wanted to share anything and he accepted that. I get the feeling he genuinely wants to get to know his daughter" he said quietly. "It's a pity he didn't feel that way in all the years he had while I grew up" I snarled, and then shook my head, trying to refocus.
There was no use being angry right now. Braedon clenched his jaw. "If you come tomorrow, you don't take any chances, you don't risk your life and you listen to everything I say," he said heavily.
I nodded. He was acquiescing and I would be a fool to go against his decrees. He sighed and sat down, putting his head in his hands. "I think we should take Alpha Johnathon with us" he blurted out.
"Are you insane? He could double cross us, warn his wife, warn his pack" I said indignantly "you might want to trust this man" I turned to James "but no way in hell do I want to."
"Alpha Johnathon could warn his pack," Braedon said agreeably "but in this case, it would be advantageous. It could save lives Blair" he pointed out "Wouldn't you rather there be less bloodshed? Especially considering that the majority or perhaps all but a few of the pack members don't know anything about the trafficking for the breeding program? Innocent lives would be lost, that could have been prevented" he argued.
I deflated. He was right. It wasn't fair to go attacking blindly when the pack didn't know what was going on. Braedon was right. But still....it would be taking a huge risk to take Alpha Johnathon with us. It made me nervous. But was that because I didn't like the man? Or was I biased because of my hatred towards the man? I didn't know.
"We'll take precautions" Braedon assured me "he'll be restrained and we'll keep a close eye on him at all times. He won't be in wolf form and if he so much as tries to betray us, he'll be killed immediately."
I forced myself to relax. I couldn't mind-link anyone at the pack. Since I had become Luna Queen I had accepted Braedon's pack as my own and flung away my old pack as though it had shackled me. Even if I could mind-link members of my old pack, I doubted they would listen to me anyway. It's not as though any of them had listened to the old Blair.
Ah, but you have a wolf now and an Alpha aura. I think that you would find that they would be more than willing to listen to you.
Perhaps Dusk, but honestly, them listening to me out of fear isn't something I want. Besides, they trust Alpha Johnathon, they don't trust me. It would be quicker to take him than for me to try mind-linking them all.
It makes sense, but please stop putting yourself down. Your old pack didn't deserve you and when you go back, they will finally realize what they lost. You are a Luna Queen now, stronger than any of them will ever hope to be and more gracious and compassionate in nature than anyone I know.
Thank you Dusk, that means a lot to me.
I looked at the men. "I think that Alpha Johnathon should be the first to lead the way. Hear me out" I added as James and Braedon's mouths opened "If he can get patrol out of the way, that's part of the fight already won. Our main objective should be to free the women from the cottages and apprehend any men that are ahem" I coughed and tried to phrase it delicately "that are currently receiving services from them, before going after Luna Bianca and her daughter as well as Ashton."
Braedon was thoughtful "I think Blair is right," he told James "The cottages should be our first priority, not to mention the truck which will no doubt be transporting the women from the Lunar Sky Pack. Save them first."
I exhaled. "I promise I won't take chances, but, if Brynn makes a run for it, I can't promise I won't chase after her," I told Braedon honestly "Part of me wants her dead for how she's treated me over the years and another part of me doesn't want to kill her because we are sisters in retrospect."
He looked at me sympathetically, but I didn't need his sympathy. I looked away for a moment. "Blair, you're dealing with a lot," he said quietly "Are you sure that this is what you want to do?"
"I want to be there" my voice cracked slightly, indicating just how overwhelmed and stressed I was. My body trembled slightly and Braedon's eyes narrowed as he took in the state of me. "Blair," he said thickly "honey, what's going on?"
"I have to be there" I repeated, almost in a monotone, struggling not to lose my composure "I have to be there to look her in the eyes."
"Who?" Braedon was puzzled, but James was quickly connecting the dots, his own eyes shining brightly.
"Luna Bianca," James said evenly, turning to look at me, a sad smile on his face "That's who you want to confront isn't it? That's who you want to look in the eyes?" he asked me.