chapter 42:Gabby’s POV

I shrieked as the freezing water met with my skin. I tried to flap my arms to keep myself afloat, good news is that my outfit wasn't too heavy, bad news is that I cannot swim! I couldn't even swim to save my life.

"Look at you." She tsked walking closer to the bank as I struggled to breath, I opened my mouth which only increased it's water intake, my nostrils were filled too and I could only see blue, "The acclaimed luna cannot even swim, how are you going to lead a pack?!" She gritted.

Fighting for my life and trying not to pay attention to her words wasn't the easiest thing to do, "Help! Help! Help!" I tried to yell but my words came out in gurgles as I sank lower into the pool. My arms had begun to get weaker from me splaying them around and I could feel my lungs getting constricted, my ears whoozed with liquid causing her taunting voice and laughter to sound like mumbled words. I swung my arms once more but to no avail, i couldn't swim! My breath had begun to seize and my eyes closed due to weakness, I heard commotion, followed with screams and then a splash. Arms that seemed feminine wrapped around my waist pushing me above the water saving me from the hands of death. I felt myself being dragged out of the pool and then I was laid on the cold tiles by it's side. I tried to keep my eyes open as those same hands pressed against my chest severally, I could still hear muffled voices as the pressure being applied to me caused me to jerk and water spurted out of my mouth and nose.

"How could you?!" The person hovering over me shouted , "You almost killed her!" I tried to sit up as I coughed and wheezed trying to catch a breath.

"What has gotten into you laya?!" wait laya? Was I hearing things? Am I dead or mad? I opened my eyes to see Laya and her mother engaging in a heated argument, "You saved that bitch!"

"Because she's my Luna!" Laya screamed at her.

"Are you okay?" She turned to look at me, worry was written over her features. I stared at the scene before me wide eyed, laya, the Beta that tried to kill me, assaulted me, threatened me, made me jealous over Aiden and literally called me all filthy names just asked me ifI was okay and apparently she saved me from her mother and is also attacking her for trying to drown me? Oh hell no! Must be a prank.

"You are to be Luna not her, you imbecile!" Her mother walked up to her and jerked her to face her,

"What has gotten into you? Are you mad?! You are to rule by Aiden!"

"She is to rule by Lycus not me!" She snapped at her, "I am tired of being the sorry and bitter person, I could report you to the Alpha for trying to kill his mate!"

"I am your mother!" She screeched at Laya, "You wouldn't!"

"Then stop being an ass to her and pay respect!" Laya barked at her before turning her attention towards me. She walked up to me and bowed, someone wake me up, I must be dreaming! "My luna." She proclaimed, "I apologize on behalf of my mother, please forgive her and also forgive

"Uh-hu." I stuttered like an idiot as I was to0 stunned to speak, "You have got to be kidding me. I said finally making a complete statement. She shook her head, stood up and stretched out her hand for me to take which I took after giving it a very suspicious look, "I truly am sorry for everything." She said after helping me to get up. "Laya, what the hell has gotten into you?" Her mother cried out but she ignored her and kept her gaze on me. I could read her eyes, they glazed with worry and regret. I do not trust ths bitch! Hera immnediately said but I cut her off wanting to give Laya the benefit of doubt. people could change, couldn't they?

"I knowI have shown nothing but hate and malice ever since you came here and it was wrong of me, I am sorry for everything. Even the other day when you saw me in Aiden's room, I went there to try to seduce him." I saw her cheeks tint in embarrassment, "I can see he truly loves you and nothing can come between you both, me trying to do that was wrong and now that I have a mate..

"You have a mate?" I asked smiling, "Who is he?"

"He's no one you fool! This is just a phase you shall pass Laya, you are to be with Aiden and Aiden alone!" Her mother gritted but she was completely ignored again.

""Yes, I do. He is one of the warriors." I smiled at her words showing her that I wished her the best while being elated that Aiden would be mine alone,

"I do hope vou can forgive me.'

"Yes, I forgive you." I said taking her hand in mine giving it a friendly caress, "And I hope you find happiness with your mate."

"Yes luna." She bowed before me again, an act which was still foreign and made me feel strange, "I pledge my Allegiance to you and I promise to serve you till my last breath."

"Thank you." I nodded.

"You witch!" Her mother shouted, "You have bewitched her too!" She charged at me toppling me back into the pool. Laya immediately jumped in and rescued me again, as she dragged me onto the banks, I heard more footsteps and voices. I could tell that it was Helena and Willow as they rushed towards us asking for what had happened, more footsteps were heard and I turned my head to see most of the pack had begun to arrive at the scene.

"Gabby." Andros called making his way to join me on the ground, he put his hands on me trying to check if I was alright as Laya glared at her mother, "Are you okay?"

"What happened?!" A growl came and everyone began to part creating a path for my mate, I heard and smelt him before I could see him. I raised my head to see him making his way through the path towards us, his hands were fisted by his side and his face spelt raw anger.

"Mine!" He growled snatching me away from Andros whom immediately backed away in fear with his head bowed, "Touch her one more time and lose those hands!" He snarled bringing my wet body close to him, "What made you this wet?" He asked as I shivered in his arms and I tried to think of an answer rather than perceive a dirty meaning to his words, what made you this wet? Everyone stared taking in the scene while mumbling in hushed tones, watching as Aiden pulled his cape and wrapped it around me, before enveloping me in his arms which gave me warmth,

"Well is anyone going to fucking speak up?!" He barked directing his gaze at Laya.

"She pushed her into the pool." Laya came forward and everyone gasped at her words.

"Who?" He gritted with flared nostrils and brows arched in anger, I instinctively reached out my thumb to soothe them, "Who the fuck dared to?"

"It's my mother Alpha."

"Tracy!" Aiden bellowed and in an instant the Beta's mother was before us shivering in fright, she quaked harder than me, "How dare you?! You almost killed my mate! She cannot swim!"

"I am sorry Alpha." She sobbed, fake tears, Please spare me."

He shook his head, set me aside and reached for his Sword with he unsheathed real fast, "No!" I cried placing my hands on his stopping him before the beheaded yet another person, "Don't do it please."

"She almost let me lost you again." He gazed at me, his dark orbs filled with anger and sadness, "I won't let her off the hook."

"I forgive her, please let her go." I pleaded with him while trying to lower the hand that held the sword, Don't do this please.

He lowered his hand with a growl and glared at Tracy, "You will be locked up in the cells for three days, no food nor drink." He pronounced, "That shall be your punishment and anyone who dares to give you any form of comfort shall have to face my Wrath, "

"Thank you." She mumbled at both of us, "Thank you Alpha, Thank you luna."

"I am sorry." I said to Laya feeling guilty that her mother was going to be locked up because of me.

"Don't be." She nodded, "It's my duty to make sure she serves her punishment as she had intended to end your life, my loyalty to the throne comes first before any other person.'

Aiden signalled at some guards to come take Tracy away before he gave instructions to Laya who followed them almost immediately The pack members had began to disperse and I kissed Kate goodnight before Kate carried me in his arms and teleported to his room claiming that I had had a long day and he wanted me to himself so he could take care of me.

"Are you sure you are okay?" He asked smoothing my face as I drew the covers over me, "Do you want more covers?"

"No." I said, "I am fine."

"What's wrong?" He inquired with raised brows seeing that my mood had changed, "Did I do anything?'

"Was killing that man and other people necessary?" I asked him bitterly as guilt washed through me again, "You can't go around killing people!"

"I can! And I will!" He gritted, "You can't expect me to do nothing when you are disrespected!"

"Coming from someone who locked me up in the cells once!" I said before I thought my words through. His face morphed into that of sadness and he stood up from the bed and moved to stand near the windows. I kept shut staring at him not knowing if I should apologise or just go to sleep. My gaze fixated on him, admiring his shirtless torso and every dent and leaness in his muscles, he was built like a sculpture that the sculptor had taken extra time to design the intricate details.

"I am sorry." We both said at the same time before bursting into quiet giggles. He left the window and joined me on the bed hurdling closer to me with his fingers now running through my hair.

"How do you feel?" He asked, "Concerning everything."

"I don't think I am ready to be luna." I said in a quiet voice, "I can't fight or swim. I don't know anything about ruling, I can't e.."

"Shhh." He placed his fingers on my lips silencing me as he stroked them, "Just breath and you will be fine "

"I hope I would be."

"I am going to help you, my mother will, willow will too. we will teach you everything you need to know but for now, go to sleep." He gave me a chaste kiss on the lips before laying on the bed with me. It wasn't long beforeI dozed off with his arm Wrapped around me and a smile on my face.