Wild at Heart

With Nick keeping Reggie occupied, I knew I could get away with having a meeting of my own with Octavia and Kendrick. I texted Octavia almost immediately after Nick left the room. She texted me back with a time and an address.

I pulled my jacket close to my chest as I walked down the street to my distinction. The cool fall air was tickling my skin and causing me to shiver. I had to go through town to get to this little cafe in the corner of the territory where no one could see us meeting. I tried to keep my eyes to the ground as I walked, but I couldn’t help but to look up at a couple having full on intercourse on the hood of a parked car. Who knew if it was even their car? Not my pack, not my problem; I tried to tell myself, but that didn’t stop my mind from wondering. Can I do as Nick asked and turn a blind eye on Octavia and her pack? Not my pack, not my problem, right? Then why did it feel so wrong? Why was I meeting Kendrick and Octavia in some shady cafe?

When I entered the lobby, I could instantly point of Kendrick’s large form sitting in a corner booth. Octavia sat next to him with an unexpected guest. Ophelia was almost identical to her twin; I could barely tell the two apart. But Octavia always had this hunger in her eyes for revenge, but now I know why. I slid into the booth beside Ophelia and sat on my hands to warm up my fingertips.

“Thank you for coming.” Ophelia’s voice was just as gentle as her eyes.

“I should be thanking you guys for meeting with me.” I responded.

“I was surprised.” Octavia admitted. “After what I asked of you, I wouldn’t have blamed you for ignoring us for the rest of your stay.”

“I’m not the type of person to let things go so easily.” Hell, it took me ten years to uncover the mystery behind my mother’s death, but I still found the answers I was looking for.”

“I know I asked something extremely difficult of you, but you have to understand we’ve hit a wall. We have no other option of safety for our pack.”

“Is it though?” I asked. “How safe would you be in my pack?”

“I have thought of every angle I could possibly come to terms with.” Kendrick finally spoke. “And this is the best option for all of us.”

“You can’t secretly poison him?” I asked. “Take over the pack when he’s gone?”

“I’m not Beta by choice.” Kendrick lowered his eyes to the coffee on the glass table in front of him. “I have no Alpha blood in me. I don’t wish to rule a pack. I wish to fight for one as a warrior.” Something told me he was practically running the pack now with how irresponsible Reginald is.

“Isn’t that better than this?” I asked. “Killing Reginald could start a war between my pack and what’s left of yours. How can I do that with the South being so unstable?”

“We have enough wolves who are willing to stand with us. To fight with us, to join your pack. We’re ready.” Octavia’s voice was pleading, but I knew this wasn’t something that could be done. Nick was right.

“And the rest of them?” I asked. “What would happen to the wolves who didn’t stand with you?” Silence echoed over the table. They came up with a plan, but it wasn’t fully functional. With Reginald out of the way, Octavia and Ophelia’s main problem was gone, but how many other problems would it create? At times like this I wish I wasn’t Luna. I could be home bartending, worrying if I had enough bourbon before the next truck came in to restock our inventory. “I wish I could say to you that I would rip out his throat for the evil he’s done, but it’s not that simple.”

“So, you won’t help us?” Ophelia asked. I turned to her and tried to lock my eyes on her chocolate ones.

“Not like this.”

“Then you’re just as against us as the rest of them.” She got out of the booth and stormed out, practically slamming the door behind her.

“I’m sorry.” Octavia whispered. “She’s under a lot of pressure. She works closely with the wolves being raped under my father’s rule and it’s taken quite a toll

on her.”

“I understand, and I wish I could help you, but I just don’t see how the North pack assassinating Reginald would help at this point.”

“We will find a way to make things better.” Kendrick said. “The East pack deserves better and we will make it so in time.” I offered a small smile in hopes that he was right. “I must be getting back before he notices I’ve been gone.” Kendrick tossed a twenty-dollar bill on the table before he bid us goodbye.

“I’m sorry, Octavia.” I turned to her, trying to let her know just how much I wanted to be able to help.

“I’m sorry I brought you into this.” She sighed. “I’ve been so desperate for a way out I didn’t think about the repercussions it could have on you and your pack.” She shook her head slowly. “I just got so jealous.” She chuckled. “Spending time in your pack and seeing how much you and Nick care about your wolves. I guess I just wished you were my Luna.” I felt a pull in my chest and something inside me wanted to embrace her warmly, but I held back.

“I appreciate that, Octavia, I really do, but what you’re asking of me—it just can’t be done.” I watched her take another sip of her coffee, her long fingers wrapping around the mug tightly.

“I understand.” She said with a nod. “My father is throwing a party for you and Nick at one of his clubs tonight.” She said as she set her coffee cup down. “I’m sure he’s going to go all out.” She turned to me with a small smile. “He always has strippers keep him company when he parties hard at the club. So, at least I know with you and Nick being here, Ophelia and I will be safe tonight.” There that pull in my chest was again. I had begun developing feelings for this wolf and she was breaking my heart with every sentence. I couldn’t help but curse Derek in the back of my mind. If he would have just let me go, he could be here to save Octavia. He could have challenged Reginald himself, and knowing the way he fought Nick in the ring for me, I knew something deep down told me he would win in a fight and take over the pack. “Where’s your head?” Octavia spoke after my thoughts left the two of us sitting in silence.

“Honestly?” She nodded. “Derek.”

“I miss the Hell out of that asshole.” She said with a chuckle. I couldn’t admit out loud that I missed him too. Ever since I saw his face in whatever land Octavia’s herbs sent me to, I couldn’t get him out of my head. Something about him always had a hold on me. “You want to go back.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement. She knew the tiny taste she gave me had me yearning silently for more.

“Does that herb you gave me usually have addicting qualities?” I asked.

“Not at all.” She said with a shrug. “It’s not the herbs that make you want to go back, it’s the soul that takes you there.”

“So, the fact that I want to go back has nothing to do with the herb itself, and everything to do with Derek?”

“Exactly.” The silence crept over us again and I didn’t know what to say. How could I admit to his ex-lover that I wanted to see him again, when she couldn’t even visit him once? “I have more.” She whispered. “All you have to do is ask.” Would that be considered stupid in Nick’s opinion? He told me not to do anything stupid, but his mind was on Reginald, not Derek. Nick supported me the first time I was going to take the herbs, so what would be different this time? But why did I feel so guilty about it? Like I was somehow cheating on Nick by going to visit Derek’s spirit? And who spoke the words to Octavia that had us playing for our coffee and rushing back to her room? Was it me, or was it the girl who longed to be around Derek? Oh, Moon Goddess, please help me understand this.