195 Confrontation … L to What will I do with the ring ? he said quietly .


    Youre the only woman I want wearing that ring You have a new woman .


    I dont want it anymore .


    Turning away , I grabbed my bag from the floor and started toward the door .


    Just s I reached for the handle , Nathans voice stopped me .


    You cant leave .


    I whirled back to face him , my fury boiling over .


    And why the hell not ? His expression had hardened , it was almost difficult to know what he Ive Was thinking ! cancelled your permit to leave Blue Ridge and return to the human world .


    I froze instantly .


    My hands fell to my sides , trembling .


    You … what ? You cant do that ! I can , he responded , his voice was devoid of emotion .


    And I have .


    I am the Alpha , remember ? And this is my decision .


    For a moment , I stared at the boy that I had prayed for everything to get a husband like him .


    At the man who had stared at me tenderly but his eyes had zed with rage when he learnt of all the things Ramsey had done to me .


    When did he change ? Why would he choose to betray me ? You … you cant control me like this , I said with a shaky voice .


    His eyes softened briefly but his resolve remained unbroken as he moved to the door , pausing with his hand on the handle .


    Think about my offer , L .


    Really think about it .


    Its the only way .


    With that , he turned and walked out , leaving me standing in stunned silence .


    My legs gave out beneath me and I sank to the floor , with tears streaming down my face .


    My chest heaved as I sobbed .


    I didnt even know which of the things that had happened to me that I was crying for .


    Was it because of how the wedding turned out to be or my real identity being exposed ? There were just so many things to cry about .


    The sobs came for thirty minutes .


    It was violent , uncontrolled , racking my entire body .


    But as my sobs quietened to hups , a new resolve began to grow in my heart .


    No , I whispered to myself .


    Crying wont solve this .


    Tears wont fix anything .


    Tears wont help me now , they never had .


    I pushed myself to my feet , wiping my face roughly with the back of my hand .


    I grabbed my fallen bags .


    I couldnt stay here , not another moment .


    I left Nathas house and decided to check into a hotel in town .


    The room was simple and quiet but it was the perfect ce I wanted to be .


    Some hourster , I was in a taxi going to Golden Gates Pack .


    My heart was pounding as we neared the rate Not only wae I already feeling awkward .


    I didnt know how to confront Nannu 195 Confrontation Honestly , I didnt feel as bad as I know I should or maybe the passage of hours had diminished the anger I felt .


    Bute to think of it , I wasnt as angry as .


    I just wanted to know why she had kept it away from me .


    So , it was answers I needed , rity and a path forward .


    After we passed the gates , the taxi drove me straight to the Moon temple .


    After I was dropped off , I stood in front of the gates of the temple , wondering if this was a good idea and if I was ready for this .


    I didnt even know what to say or how to start the conversation .


    I stared at the gates of the temple as memories of Nannys stories about this ce flooded my mind .


    She didnt say specifically and abo was a Moon Temple but she had told me so much about the ce she grew up in her best friend .


    She had been clear enough back then and I would have insisted on knowing what she actually meant .


    When she talked about their waking and sleeping bells .


    Why hadnt I figured it out ? I still stood at the gate , quietly .


    L ! a voice called out from behind making me jump .


    I spun around to see Nannys best friend , Terra standing a few feet away from me .


    She had a smile on her face and kind eyes .


    Priestess Terra .


    I breathed in relief .


    Its Wise Woman but you can just call me Terra .


    What are you doing here ? Did youe to check up on Nanny ? Isnt today supposed to be your wedding day ? Why are you here ? Even I didnt know that .


    I dont know , I admitted .


    I just … I needed to find answers .


    I want to see Nanny .


    Sure of course .


    Come with me , she said gently .


    Together , she pushed open the gate and I followed suit .


    It was a different world inside the temple altogether .


    I spotted a group of children a little shy of three years old , practising fighting and a lot of people in different age groups practising .


    I hurried behind Terra , catching up with her long strides .


    Why are there children here ? it was none of my business , I didnt even know how the question came to my mind .


    Sigma children are brought in as infants .


    Some are a little after a year old or a few months old , depending on how strong the child is .


    This is our calling Do the children ever know who their parents are ? I asked .


    Nope , and theres absolutely no way for you to contact them .


    The essence of serving the Moon Goddess to give your service a hundred per cent .


    There aretterly no in betwens here .


    So , were all orphans here : I nodded , trying to picture nanny as a child bawling and crying when she was brought here .


    We continued the rest of the walking in silence until we stopped in front of one building that was at the end .


    Terra rapped on the door twice .


    At the third time , the door opened and Nanny emerged .


    10:26 195 Confrontation ….


    She went pale as soon as she saw me .


    L ? What are you doing here ? she asked .


    Is everything okay ? Im sorry I couldnte to the wedding … Is it true ? I interrupted her .


    True ? she eyes me with confusion .


    What are you talking about ? she demanded .


    Are you my mother ?