The Unwanted Luna

-POV

Ayame-

Well, that was eventful. The air in the room seemed to thicken after Malerie left. I quietly finished my breakfast and dared not to disturb anyone. An angry man means a bruised woman. "Ayame." I flinched and turned to Edon. "Sor - I mean, yes?" I asked, correcting myself breathlessly. I thought if I stayed quiet they wouldn't notice me. That always worked before.

"The laundry staff is done cleaning your clothes. They are in the spare room. I'll take you there so you can wash up. I had Elizabeth bring your soaps in there too, because you seemed to like them before." Edon answered. He was right. I loved them. I sighed in relief. He didn't seem angry at all. Then why did the room seem so tense? "Oh, okay that would be great. But...."

"But?" He asked, worriedly. Crap, there is that intensity again.

"B-but I kind of like your clothes." I mumbled and everyone sighed in relief. Were they stressed because of my responses? "If that's all, I'm sure Edon old boy could get you some more." Kyle added with a grin. "We were worried there for a little bit." "W-worried?" I asked, confused. Being blindsided by my environment seems to be a reoccurring problem lately.

"You went completely silent after the dragon left." Vince said, leaning back on the couch. "She makes Vilkas look like a puppy." So it was about my responses. Vilkas slapped Vince with the notebook he was writing in earlier. Vince raised his hands in defeat.

I waited for a moment, then I realized something I should have thought about before. I really have to have more confidence in their thoughts towards me. "You weren't angry at me, you were worried about me?" I asked.

"Of course, why would we be angry? That girl isn't worth my emotions." Conri asked. Wow, they really really don't like their sister.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I guess you are right. Thank you all for sticking up for me." I added.

"Well, duh! When your princes can't be around, have no fear! Your knights are here!" Kyle shouted. He even stood up to strike a pose.

I stared up at him and started laughing, like actually laughing. I don't think I have laughed this much since before my mother died. My life didn't just go down hill because of that monster. I also had a hard time in high school. No friends, my mother was ill, and the world seemed to be closing around me as I desperately tried to stay afloat. After meeting these guys, I feel like I can start breathing again. I feel like my world might be expanding.

Without warning, Conri and Edon had me in a bear hug. They were squeezing so tight I was shocked down to a chuckle. "Thank the Goddess." Conri whispered.

"Nope! Thank the Kyle!" Kyle shouted and started laughing again.

"Okay...I don't care who you thank, just please stop. The laughing hurts! Broken ribs, remember?" I said through the giggling fits that also made me wince in pain along with their unintentionally tight arms.

The guys flinched and, thankfully, eased up a bit. I rested my hands on their arms and looked up at Vilkas, furrowing his brow. I tilted my head and he looked right at me. "Surprising." He mumbled. So, I'm not the only one who isn't able to read the room.

I shook it off and enjoyed the better sixty percent of the triplets. I don't think I was supposed to hear his 'thinking out loud,' moment anyway. "You're fine. This is comfy." I added towards Conri and Edon.

"And that's our queue to leave." Vincent said, standing to his feet.

"Leave where?" I asked curiously. He gave me a knowing glance and I would say my face turned redder than a tomato. "Oh! Um...actually I should leave. I'll go get changed and clean up. It's already so late." I said, trying to stand up.

"It's my turn. I'll take her." Conri said, picking me up like a child and placing me on his forearm. He really liked to carry me like a small monkey. It was fun.

"Wait, you skipped me!" Edon called and Conri stopped at the door.

"You had her to yourself the whole morning." Conri corrected, triumphantly shutting Edon down.

Technically, he was right. We made it to my new room without further fuss from a grumbling Edon. Once he pushed open the door to the bathroom, he placed me on the counter and then went straight over to start the bath water. He turned around and gently removed my bandages and shoulder sling. "Thank you."

He smiled and tossed the bandages in the bin before placing the sling on the counter next to me. "Do you need help with your shirt?" He asked.

I shook my head quickly and he huffed. "No, I'm good."

"Edon got to help." Conri mumbled through a slight pout.

I smiled. "No, he was the perfect gentleman. He just washed my hair and put bubbles in the water so he couldn't...see me." I countered.

He looked at the bottles and poured the bubbles in the bath tub. What is with these guys wanting to see me naked? Their sister wasn't wrong, I really am garbage. A horrid thing that doesn't like to be put on display. They don't need to see all of me.......I just cannot watch their reactions when they do. "Alright then. I won't look either." He turned and closed his eyes, shoving his hands in his navy slacks pockets.

I turned around and re-tied my hair in a bun. I don't think I'll wash it twice in a row, but I appreciate the offer. I pulled off Edon's shirt and slipped out of his pants. I didn't have any undergarments and that was not the most comfortable thing, but I realized that made me exposed. I folded everything neatly and hopped down on my good leg. I slowly hobbled to the bath and before I could take another step he scooped me up and turned towards the tub. "Hey!" I struggled.

"I still can't see, so please don't move around too much." He said. I looked up at him, ready to call him a liar, but he still had his eyes closed when he gently placed me in the tub.

"O...okay. You can open your eyes now." I said.

He looked down and smiled triumphantly. "I'll wash your hair."

I shook my head. "Can you get my back please? I'll...I'll wash my hair tomorrow."

He huffed and nodded. He helped me wash up then reapplied the salve, not looking, I might add. I had to do the bandages though. He then left my fresh clothes, already folded, on the counter next to me and headed out. I sighed in relief and put on my black panties and teal tank top. I wasn't allowed to wear bras at Richard's. He said it would impede his accessibility, so I haven't worn one in at least a year. Now I'm used to it, but maybe, if given the chance, I'll buy some when we head to the shops.

I just have to figure out where the money is going to come from. I shivered at the memories and the realization that I was totally broke...well, outside of the small bills I had left from my adventure to the north, of course. I took a deep breath, trying not to stress myself out and pulled the sweater over my head, quickly placing my arms through the sleeves.

I stayed where I was on the floor, worried that he might barge in here if I moved from the spot he put me down at. "I'm ready!" I called.

He came into the room and smiled. Then he grabbed the sling and put it on for me and I was thankful for the relief in my shoulder. "Good. Anything else you need before we head out of the bathroom?" I pulled a couple of baby hairs out of my bun and turned to him. "Nope, I think I'm all set."

"Good then Vilkas, Edon, and I will take you to the shops." He said, scooping me up to sit on his forearm again.

"Oh, wait." I said, resting my arm around his neck.

"Yes princess?" I pointed to my sock-covered feet and he nodded.

"Oh right. I'm sure there is something you can wear." He said, pondering.

I shook my head. "I can wear my converse." That's what I came in here with and it worked just fine then. I don't want to inconvenience anyone and I'm sure there isn't anyone around here that has the same shoe size as me. A mere six and a half. I blame it on my height. "Even for wolves it is too cold for those flimsy things." He said sternly. "I'll be right back." He placed me back on the bed and I scooted away from the edge, while he disappeared somewhere. I didn't want to slip off again without him around to catch me. "So, the rumors are true then. I had to come see for myself." I looked up and saw the replica of Jessica Rabbit standing in front of me.

"Who...who are you?" I stuttered. The menacing glare she gave off made me start to shake. I didn't like her right off the bat and I knew she was coming here to be intimidating. Other than Elizabeth, I've only met Malerie and the brunette. Both were intimidating and cruel. I don't expect anything less from the females around here anymore. The question still rests though. What did I do to deserve such treatment?

"Ooo...trash can talk and stutter. When Malerie was talking to you, you pretended like you were a mute. You know she is the previous Alpha's daughter and the baby sister of the current Alphas. Her words weigh just as strongly as theirs do, slut. You need to respect her just as much as you open your legs for them." She accused, while I stayed silent. Just like with Richard, it doesn't matter if I talk to this woman or not, it isn't going to change the mission she had when she decided to come up here. I know she's just trying to get to me, so why do I believe her? She took a deep breath and walked into the room. She had long red hair and a gray pencil skirt reaching barely below her bum with a long sleeved black crop top and sheer tights with knee-high boots on. "Did I offend you? Do you think they are going to save you?" She scoffed and rolled her eyes as I continued to stay silent. I think this was annoying her more than anything I could say out loud. "Forget it. I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Conri's girlfriend. Let us be clear about that much before you go and get any ideas. He may play with you, but there is nothing you can give him that he hasn't already gotten from me. If you know what is good for you, you will disappear." She threatened before turning on her heels and walking off.

Well, there are three of them. I'm not surprised that at least one of their escapades would make it in and out of here undetected. I'm just concerned about how many of them I'll have to deal with. Shortly after she made her...introductions, Conri came in revealing a pair of snow boots. "I got them from Elizabeth's granddaughter. She's eleven, but she's about your height and I think shoe size."

I nodded and he quietly adjusted my socks before pushing on the pink boots. "Thanks. They are cute."

He nodded. "Yeah. Do they fit?"

I nodded happily. I can't believe he went through all this trouble. I feel like I should just be okay with them thinking I'm worth their time. Everyone else shouldn't be relevant. I just have to start there. That's a good way of thinking...of healing...right? "Perfect fit." I responded with a smile on my face. "Good, now one more question." He added, looking serious as his eyes scanned the room.

"Who else was in this room?" Edon finished Conri's statement when he appeared in the doorway with Vilkas and my heart plummeted as I remembered what she said. I still might be up in the air about everything and scared of my shadow, but I can't rely on them for everything.... I...I just can't. Also, if she is right about Malerie, I cannot afford to piss her off anymore than I already have by tattling on that woman. I...I don't know what to do.