Mine to Protect Chapter 84: PAINTING ME BAD

*Hazel*

“Look, white wolves are blessed by the Moon Goddess to protect werewolves, not to lead them or to take power. That’s why she showed me that vision of the laboratory, to save those poor souls,” I explain, trying to sound as calm as possible, even if I am far from it.

“Of course you would say that, let everyone believe that you are working for the Moon Goddess, that everything you are doing is done in her name. The best incentive to make everyone take your side and follow you without questions.”

Jackson takes a step towards me, and my apparent calmness dissolves like smoke in thin air. On one end I feel like I am drowning, every word I say, every vision I show, gets distorted and manipulated against me, it’s like a labyrinth of words I can’t get out of; on the other end I feel furious, how can he paint me like that? Like a power-hungry bitch ready to do anything to get to the top.

The other members of the court take a step toward me too, and Derek shoves me behind him, growling loudly in warning. Lukas, Damon, Alice, Derrick and the other warrior appointed by Lukas for my protection (Dylan) all jump on stage and take a protective stance around me.

“You are in my territory, and I will not tolerate any disrespect or attack against my Luna,” Derek utters in a menacing tone, his eyes fixed on Jackson.

The tension in the room is so thick it can be cut with a knife, so many powerful auras concentrated in one room are making everyone feel uneasy and on edge.

The attending werewolves are watching the scene on stage with apprehension and shock, who would they side with if a fight were to start here?

After a few moments, Jackson laughs a little to relieve the tension.

“Now, now, no need to get all defensive. I was just pointing out the reason why Luna Hazel’s so-called proof cannot be taken into consideration for this case. The court has done ample research and has come to the conclusion that the facility destroyed was just a government owned hospital and research facility with the only purpose of researching the cure for life threatening diseases. The government already assured us that they will not take any measure against Luna Hazel, Alpha Derek or the Cresent Moon pack, for the destruction of their property, seeing how equal great losses have been registered on both sides. They requested that their stuff was to be set free, which we have already complied to, and they warmly invite Luna Hazel to fulfil her duty as a conscientious citizen, to willingly participate to their research, helping both werewolves and humans’ communities.”

I don’t say anything, not knowing what to say. If I refuse upfront, it will look like I am selfish, but if I agree, they will make sure I stay true to my words.

Silence reigns for a moment, until Jackson interrupts it, with a bemused smile on his face.

“I think Luna Hazel needs some time to think it through. Let’s not waste any more time then, the case is closed, we shall all go back to our lands and duties. Thank you everyone for attending and bearing witness to the resolution of this case.”

As soon as the words are out, everyone scatters from the room, not wanting to be caught in this tirade, while Jackson relaxes his stance a little, and smiles victoriously, while extending a hand for me to shake.

“It was a pleasure, Luna Hazel. I hope we’ll see each other again soon.”

This man has absolutely no shame. He has just berated me in front of everyone, and now wants to shake hands and stay friends?! Just drop dead and be done with it!

I consider burning his hand off, but I guess it won’t do me any good, so I settle for glaring at him from my half-concealed position behind Derek’s broad frame.

He drops his hand to his side, his smile growing wider.

“Ah, and I would suggest reconsidering your dressing code; it might be acceptable for your working venue, but definitely not for an Alpha meeting.”

His eyes scan the length of my body, evident lust present in his gaze, which just makes me want to puke. Derek’s shoulders tense up, but I hug him by his waist, not wanting him to get into a fight with the Court over a stupid comment like that.

When the other attendants and members of the court are finally out of sight, he turns around in my embrace and hugs me back tightly.

“Make sure all guests leave pack lands, especially Jackson and Anderson. If anyone decides to stay longer, they must state their purpose.”

Alice and Damon nod their heads and get to work.

“We will help track their movements,” Lukas says, leaving with his warriors, and leaving me and Derek alone in the empty vast room.

Derek abruptly moves back and takes my hand pulling me out of the room and up the stairs to our bedroom. He doesn’t say a word during the whole run there, his face unreadable; as soon as we get inside, he locks the door and shuts the curtains, plunging us into darkness.

I sit down on the edge of the bed, while Derek starts walking back and forth, his eyes unseeing, deeply lost in his thoughts.

The emotions coming from the bond are turbulent, fury, indignation, worry, fear, determination. I hope I won’t be on the receiving end of any of the bad ones, because honestly, I don’t think I have done anything wrong.

“Haven’t you?” Derek suddenly says, turning his glare on me, and stopping his incessant pacing.

“Haven’t I what?”

“Done anything wrong!” Derek explains.

“How do you know I was thinking that? Are you Alphas all able to read minds?”

“Your thoughts and emotions are so loud that sometimes it’s like I can hear them. And why would you say, «all Alphas»? Who else can read your mind?”

I decided it’s better if I don’t tell him that Lukas can kind of read my thoughts too, their relationship seems to be tense lately, and I worry that it is because of me. They have been friends for so long, I don’t want to break them apart for something that doesn’t even exist. Lukas and I are only friends, and nothing more.

“I was just generalizing, I assumed it was one of you Alphas’ super-were-powers, like commanding everyone and having a low fuse.”

He doesn’t seem completely convinced by my words, but he doesn’t pursue the topic. His expression is still stern, and I know the dreaded scolding is coming.

“You shouldn’t have jumped on that stage and showed your powers to everyone. I expressly told you to lay low, to keep your powers hidden, but NO! You had to go and jump in there, make things even worse than they already were. Why don’t you ever listen? Why do you always need to do something reckless?”

His words make the pressure accumulated this whole day spike up into a tornado of irritation and annoyance that I can’t control, so I jump up, ready to draw metaphorical blood with my razor-sharp words.

“He was feeding everyone bullshit, walking all over us! I had to try to make people see the truth. Sometimes you need to be reckless to get results; we can’t just keep hiding and stay on the defensive while they get away with shit!”

“And what result did you get? You showed them your powers and memories giving them great intel they can use against us; you offered them on a silver plate the words that they manipulated and used against you, to make you look like the epitome of the evil white wolf. And now everyone will expect that you give yourself up for that goddamn research, and they might even agree to have you brought in by force if they think it is beneficial to the lot. You don’t know how werewolves think Hazel, the pack, the whole, is far more important than the single individual; your denial of helping with the research is damaging your reputation more than you think.”

After his tirade, Derek flops on his knees in front of me, hiding his head in my lap, his anger is completely gone, replaced by exhaustion and desperation.