“No. They couldn’t help even if they tried, this is pack business now.” I trusted Riley, but the idea of him dealing with a dead body outside of the law I’d grown up respecting made me feel a little uneasy. There was a lot I had to learn about Lycan law.
“Luna, I think you should go get dressed.” Riley eyed the little clothing I had on. “You look exquisite in my shirt, and all I want to do is rip you out of it. I fear for the lives of my brothers if I were to do that, I couldn’t have them looking at what’s mine,” he whispered in my ear as his eyes glowed hungrily.
I swallowed hard. “You could follow me you know…” I teased.
“Any other time I would. Now, I must be the Alpha people depend upon.” He kissed me goodbye and sent me on my way.
My shoulders bristled at the thought of being dismissed. The dead waitress finally had the attention she’d desired.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The sun had burned the last of the clouds, and Nature’s Destiny glistened. The fresh grass gleamed happily, and my throat constricted from its beauty.
I found Riley sat on the patio furniture talking in depth with Nick and Shane. I didn’t want to interrupt, but I was just as curious to find out what had happened during the morning. I was dressed and determined to learn the truth.
“What do we know?” I asked as I settled into the chair beside Riley.
“Quite a bit actually. Shane did well,” said Riley. “But that doesn’t mean I liked what I heard. We’re walking the path of an unsteady wolf.”
“Blake is Lycan?” I asked. “Like us?”
“No. He’s a volatile rogue,” Riley spat.
“Someone needs to explain what I’ve missed because I’m struggling to understand here,” I said.
“Blake is a Werewolf, yes, but he’s gone rogue. Shane found a connection we hadn’t expected,” Nick answered.
“Which was?”
“Blake had been in line to become the Beta of the Birmingham pack.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“I spoke with the Alpha late last night. Blake has been forbidden as a member of the pack because he couldn’t control his wolf. They thought, and I quote, ‘He was becoming untrustworthy, and fighting with pack mates for the sake of medals. The boy wanted to exert his authority, and made the pups suffer with torturous games that profited only himself,’” said Shane.
“He was tormenting kids?” I tried to swallow the bile that was threatening to escape.
“Luna, not every wolf is in harmony with the human. It doesn’t happen often, but personalities can clash. What happens then is the monster takes over, and the beast controls what little instincts the human has left.”
“Why didn’t you warn me about this possibility Riley? I trusted you, but I could’ve easily become a monster!”
“Do you honestly think that if I thought you were a threat to yourself that I wouldn’t have done everything I could to make it right again? I could sense you, Luna. There’s not an evil bone in your body.”
“Why didn’t Blake’s Alpha help him then?” I countered.
“It’s complicated. Not everyone has good intentions embedded in their soul like you do.”
“But…”
“No buts, Luna. That’s just how it is. Blake was troubled, and instead of fighting for what was right, he gave in to the darkness. Now he’s leaving us dead bodies and attempting to run us off the road. My patience has worn out.”
I nodded. Riley was right, he’d had his chance.
“I do not take kindly to someone threatening the pack either,” he bristled.
My temperature rose from the pit of my stomach as I remembered the note that had been attached to the waitress. I was furious at the thought of my new family in danger, and the need to protect flooded my thoughts
Anger ignited and rage consumed me as my vision turned red. I snarled, and stood from the chair. A bubble of energy grew within me, and I felt restless with the need to move.
“Luna? What’s wrong?” Riley asked, moving towards me with his arms outstretched.
I growled at him, unable to control the instinct to fight. He backed up a little, but not before Nick and Shane advanced towards me.
I felt cornered though I had plenty of space around me. “It’s alright, Luna. We aren’t the enemy,” Nick soothed. It didn’t help, it only stirred the fire of my rage into an inferno.
I needed to attack and crouched ready to pounce. I had to damage those that endangered my friends, and my family. Riley.
Logic seeped through, and I ran. I ran as fast as I could to get away from hurting them. I couldn’t control the emotions that had my mind in turmoil. It was the only way I could keep them safe from me.
“Luna!” Riley howled, but I ignored him.
My vision blurred as trees and greenery passed me by in a scenic whirlwind. My stomach was turning from the constant movement and exhaustion, but I couldn’t stop. I’d lost complete control, and all I knew was that I was running, and fast.
Stay safe, baby. I’ll find you.
The interruption of Riley’s thoughts trickled into my mind, but the connection was lost just as soon as it appeared. Had I read his mind?
The energy flowing through my body began to ebb away, relieving me of the need to move. I slowed my pace, until eventually I could stop.
I was lost in the middle of densely populated woods, where the smell of fresh dirt and moss assaulted my nose. I rested against a tree to catch my breath before making sense of where I was.
I collapsed to the ground, no longer able to stay upright. The muddy ground felt damp and cool on my arse. My eyelids drooped as fatigue claimed my body, but I resisted the urge to sleep.
I gathered the little strength I had left and walked through the thick brush of the forest, attempting to find some landmark I recognised.
My mouth was dry, and my throat struggled to swallow the little saliva I had left. I’d walked through fields without a break, and the same green colour stared back at me. I was hot and thirsty, and desperately lost.
I tried to ignite the connection with Riley, but nothing happened, the silent echo of my thoughts encased me. I tried to call on my wolf, but even she was exhausted. What chance did I have?
I stumbled into the woods again, and tripped over branches that scattered across the floor. I didn’t have much energy left to pick my feet up. I was giving up, the woods held the shade the fields didn’t and the temptation to rest brought me down.
The clearing was ahead, and in a last effort to make sense of where I was I followed the path. I held my head high as a wave of relief flushed through me. I’d found the treehouse.
I sluggishly made my way towards the wooden haven. I was near when a black wolf burst through the trees. I sighed with relief at seeing Riley. He was the salvation I yearned for.
“I was so lost, Riley,” I croaked.
The wolf cocked his head to the side, sniffing the air as he inhaled.
“Riley?” My body ached with the pain of exhaustion, but my stomach cramped with the tell-tale signs of danger.
I took a step back and looked at the wolf some more. It was big like Riley, and as black as his coat too, but the eyes were different.
Those weren’t the emerald eyes I’d adored. They were as dark as onyx with the intelligence of a man long gone. He stalked towards me and I faltered. My wolf and I were too drained to do anything. I couldn’t shift. I couldn’t run. I was helpless.
“Luna!”
“Luuunnaaaaaa!” The distant sound of Riley and Lara’s voice carried in the air.
“Luna?” Faye?
I kept my sight on the black wolf, willing for Riley to hurry. He stepped closer, the distance between us closing and bared his canines at me. Saliva dripped from his muzzle as a growl escaped his mouth.
I straightened and defied his attempt at making a coward out of me. I searched for my wolf and together we growled.
“Luna!” Riley was near.
Co
nflict spread in the black wolf’s eyes, as he turned to look at the woods from where he’d come.
I’m here. I tried to send the thought to Riley, but it went without reply. Did it work?
“Luna!”
The black wolf turned, and vanished, disappearing into the woods.
“Riley!” I called and slid to the ground. The sound of running footsteps assaulted my ears and soon my pack mates entered the clearing.
“Thank god, Luna!” Riley scooped me off of the ground and cradled me in his arms. His body emanated with comfort and shelter and I struggled to keep my eyes open.
I was safe.
Chapter Twenty-Five
I tossed and turned in a bed that was too hot. I was suffocating from the torture of my dreams. Nightmares.
Onyx eyes stared me down, and vicious growling sounded from every corner I turned. I was trapped in the dark, alone and cold.
I couldn’t find my voice, and the wolf of death pounced on my body. His teeth sank into my flesh, tearing away at my skin and guzzling at the blood that gushed from my neck.
I wanted to vomit, but I was paralyzed. Death was knocking on my door…
The fresh air on the balcony was calling my name. I left Riley sound asleep on the bed and picked up his t-shirt. It smelled deliciously of him, like freshly chopped timber and grass. It was so him.
I slipped the black tee over my head and tiptoed to the balcony, gently opening the door as quietly as I could.
It was dark, but dawn was on its way. The grounds were peaceful while the pack slept. I held on to the railing and inhaled a deep breath, clearing away the horror that haunted me.
I had my suspicions about the wolf, but what plagued me was how it managed to get onto the grounds. The compound was supposed to be secure.
“Come back to bed, babe,” Riley called from the door.
“I can’t. If I close my eyes again…” I couldn’t finish the sentence, and instead I hugged Riley tight.
“What is it, Luna?”
“What colour wolf is Blake?” I asked.
“Black, I think. Why?” He caressed my hair.
“Because he was in the clearing with me yesterday.” I braced myself.
“What! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Maybe because I crashed out and I’ve only just woken up?” I tried to calm him down, to get him to see the logic of what I was saying but it wasn’t working. What could I do?
“Where?” he spat, his arms rigid against my body.
“By the treehouse. He left when you were calling after me.”
“Tell me everything. Now.”
I looked into his eyes, his face was angry but his eyes portrayed the betrayal he must have felt from me. I hadn’t done it on purpose.
“I was lost and when I finally found the treehouse I let my guard down. This black wolf came running at me and I assumed it was you. The only difference was his eyes. I was exhausted Riley, it was an easy mistake to make.”
“Did he hurt you? Touch you? Fuck Luna, why didn’t you tell me!” He let me go, and paced the balcony. It was becoming a ritual of his.
“I just told you. I was out cold. Remember? You carried me here, not the other way round.” I gave as good as I got. “When I realised it wasn’t you, he started growling at me and stalked towards me. That was it. The moment you were calling my name he was too busy planning his escape route. He clearly doesn’t want to see you as soon as he made out on that note,” I finished.
“He growled at you?”
“Yes. It was like he was trying to get me to bow down to him or something. It was weird,” I clarified.
“He probably wanted your submission. Did you give it to him?”
“Of course not! I growled back, my wolf was just as happy to show him whose home this really was.” I attempted a smile.
“Good. Shit, Luna, he was here. On my land.” He strode towards me, pulling me into a bear hug. “You can’t run off like that again. You had me worried sick, and now I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if I hadn’t turned up at that moment. What if I didn’t come at all?”
“I knew you would, you told me you’d find me,” I said, remembering his mind trickling into mine.
“You read my thoughts?”
“I heard something. Did you hear mine?” I asked.
“No.” He looked as disappointed as I felt. “What happened yesterday? Why did you run?”
“Because I was afraid of hurting you,” I admitted.
“What?” He was shocked.
“I was so angry at Blake that I couldn’t control my rage. I was pulsing with the need to protect everyone, but I couldn’t distinguish the real threat. I had this bubble of energy inside me Riley and I wanted to let it loose. I wanted to hurt something or someone bad. I wanted to kill.” I covered my mouth with my hand, shocked at the realisation of my own thoughts. I was evil.
“What’s happening to me, Riley? I’m becoming a monster,” I whimpered, afraid.
“Listen to me, Luna. You are not a monster. You’re a Werewolf with the need to protect. It’s a part of our DNA. We fight to protect, and sometimes we die protecting. Your instincts are natural, not evil. Your abilities are growing stronger each day, and half the time we don’t even know what abilities you’re going to have.”
“I know, Riley. I’m scared, what if I become something I wasn’t supposed to be. What if the darkness takes over me too? Like Blake.” That was my biggest fear.
“It won’t, Luna. I feel like we’re going in circles. I told you yesterday, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I raised my head to get a better look at him, and he kissed me gently. I tried to forget, but I couldn’t. Not until I could trust myself with controlling the crazy that was happening to me.
“What do we do about Blake?” I asked.
“I’ll deal with him, not you. But, we have a pack meeting today in the hall.”
“A proper pack meeting?”
He nodded, and I breathed in. “It’ll be fine Luna, besides you’ll be with my sisters.” Relief washed through me.
“When?”
“First thing before they head off to work. It’s time to let them know what’s happening. We all need to be aware of what may come.”
I looked out over the balcony again, and the temperature in the air rose minutely as the sun began to rise. It was peaceful, beautiful and tranquil, and an arsehole like Blake wasn’t going to change my perception of that. It was time he got what was coming to him.
*
As I sat in the hall it gave me the first real glimpse at seeing the size of Riley’s pack, at least in human form. Though it had only been a few days since I’d moved in, it was still strange that I hadn’t met many people. I didn’t know if it was because they were ignoring me, or if they were busy. I hoped it was the latter.
I recognised a few faces from the day the traps had captured Kyle, Will and Jake, but beyond that I had no idea who everyone else was.
“Good morning.” Riley’s voice boomed across the hall. It was massive just like he’d said, and it was full too. He stood behind a wooden podium which had a carving of a wolf engraved on the body. It was delicately, and precisely done, and Shane and Nick sat either side of him.
I was at a table with Faye, Lara and Roxy. It was near the front, and had the best observational spot of the room. I could see everyone.
“Thank you for attending on short notice. You’ve most likely heard some rumours, and I’d like to straighten them up today. I won’t keep you long.” Riley’s voice carried the full weight of his authority, it was sexy and domineering.
“First, let me introduce our newest pack member, Luna Alexander.” I stared in shock as Riley called out my surname, I was sure I hadn’t told him. I acknowledged the group with a faint smile and quickly appointed my attention back to Riley. I hated being singled out.
“I’d like to remind you all that the grounds are still being patrolled for traps. As many men as I have, I ca
nnot guarantee a perfectly safe zone. Please keep your young close and be aware of your surroundings. If something should happen, let us know immediately.”
I wriggled in my seat for a better position and listened carefully as Riley continued.
“Yesterday a body was found at the gates, as some of you know. The female was human, and happened to be the waitress at the restaurant I had dined in with Luna the previous evening. We believe it is in connection with some other misfortunes that have occurred lately.”
I was amazed to see the pack, as large as it was, listen to every word that Riley spoke. Not a one of them whispered, or interrupted and I was impressed with the respect and loyalty they had for him. It was humbling.
“Her name was Rachel Morgan, and if that means anything to you please speak up.” Riley waited, and the room remained silent. I took that as a good sign.
“Alright then. The pack has been threatened…”
The room erupted with rage, and the men stood in unison as a symphony of growls rang through the hall.
“Brothers stay seated, and let me continue.” They sat, and Riley nodded appreciatively. “We have a rogue on our hands. He tried to run us off the road, and he was the one that left Rachel. As you all know Luna is the first hybrid to join our pack, but there have been other unsuccessful attempts to change humans. Whether this was the rogue or not, I do not know, but it most certainly seems too coincidental for my liking.”
“What do you know about the rogue?” a blonde female asked.
“His name is Blake Stevens, and he was forbidden from the Birmingham pack. He’s highly dangerous, and I intend to deal with him,” Riley replied.
“What about Rachel? What was the connection?” another asked.
“Shane did some digging and found some history. Shane?”
“As with most rogues, Blake has quite the reputation with one night stands and hotel bills. However, it seems he kept this one around a little longer than usual. We suspect it was because she was providing some sort of information. What that was, we don’t know. It definitely explained the events of the night before last. She clearly tipped him off.” Shane sat and Riley took over.
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