Chapter Seventy-Five
Ichange Cash's nappy and then fit him into a blue onesie.
I pick him up and cradle him to my chest, cooing and telling him how much I love him.
There's a knock at the door downstairs but I let Axe get it.
I sit down on the recliner in our room and stare down at my baby.
I could literally sit here for hours just staring at him.
His beautiful eyes staring back at me warm my heart.
It's still crazy to think I made this being.
The emotions that come with having a baby are astounding.
“Elora.” Axe walks into the room.
“Yeah?”
“Can you put Cash in the cot? We need to talk.”
I make sure Cash is comfortable when I put him in the cot.
“What's wrong?” I ask.
“The guy I put in charge of the prison came to see me. He said that Ember is requesting to see you,” Axe says.
“Really?” My eyes widen. “Why?”
“He doesn't know. Apparently she just said she wants to see you.”
“Oh.” I frown. “That's strange.”
“Do you want to see her?”
“I'm curious. I guess I'll stop by the prison tomorrow.”
“Elora, I don't like you going to the prison.” Axe frowns.
“Axe, I'm not going to get in the cell with her. I'll stand outside with the guards and see what she wants.”
“Fine.”
“Do you want to come?” I offer to make him feel better.
“No, she only requested you. She said she'll only talk to you.”
***
I walk into the prison and see another man behind the desk Jayceon used to sit at. I wonder if Jayceon still helps out with the prison. His mate probably isn't letting him now that she's pregnant.
“Hi, Luna Elora.” The man stands and comes over to me.
“Hi...”
“Levi.” He reaches for my hand and shakes it.
“I'm here to see Ember.”
“Yes, right on time, follow me.”
We go through the metal door and get to the room with multiple doors where the guards hang out.
We go to a door that I haven't been through before.
We walk in and it's like a police interview room.
The only thing in here is a desk with two chairs.
Ember is sitting in one, wearing silver handcuffs.
She looks different to how I remember, no makeup, dishevelled hair, pale skin, dark bags under her eyes.
I go and sit down in front of her while Levi stands by my side.
“You wanted to see me,” I claim.
“Yes.” She lets out a big breath. “I'm sorry, Elora, for everything. I was a bitch to you but I wasn't the only one. Everyone used to make comments. I was the biggest bitch and took it too far but... look I'm sorry.”
She's apologising? That's one thing I never thought I'd get from her.
“Why are you apologising now?” I question.
“I'm going mad, Elora. Please, I'll do anything if you let me be with Mitchell. I can sense him every day. I can't control my wolf anymore. We mind link all the time but I can't see him. He's my mate. I can't take this anymore,” she says helplessly.
“Why should I help you? Give me a reason, Ember,” I demand.
“Because I'm sorry. I'm willing to do anything if you let Mitchell and I out.
I'll do the dirty work in the pack that needs to be done.
I won't leave the pack area, not even to go into town. Instead of two years of being on good behaviour when I get out, it can be good behaviour for life if you let me out now. I need to be with my mate.”
“Look.” I sigh. “It's really not up to me. Your trial was decided by Axe.”
“But you're the luna now,” she pushes.
“That doesn't mean anything. Axe still rules all.”
“But you're equal to him now. Can't you tell him? Please,” she begs.
Wow. Ember just called me equal to an alpha.
Prison has changed her. She's probably just apologising because she can't bear being away from Mitchell any longer.
It still feels good to hear her say she's sorry.
Should I help her? She's only served a quarter of her sentence, though.
I always thought prison was punishment but some people believe it's rehabilitation.
If Ember has realised what she did was wrong and apologised for it, doesn't she deserve a chance for parole?
“I can talk to him about it but I'm not going above his head just to do something for you. It will be his decision at the end of the day.”
“Okay.” She sinks back into her seat.
I stand and Levi opens the door for me.
“Hold on, I'll take you to the front in a second,” Levi says. “One of you take Ember back to her cell.” He talks to the guards so I just zone out, looking around the room.
“I'm turning the aircon up,” one of the guards says.
It's kind of weird that there's a chill room after the cells. The metal door that leads further into the prison opens and a guard walks through. As the door is open, a breeze floods through, carrying a scent that makes me freeze. Citrus.
“Come on, we can go now,” Levi says.
But I'm frozen to the spot. It can't be. He's dead, right? Axe told me he's dead. But... I've only smelt the citrus scent on one person.