Betrayal under the wolf’s moon

I exhaled and muttered inaudibly… “They are both death traps anyways.” I lowered my head-guilt tripped. I knew I had won because she had nothing else to say to me.

I stood quietly, still weighing my options. I tightened my eyelids and clenched my fist. I didn’t care about me anymore, “I’m going save him!” I said.

“Save who?” A baritone voice ransacked my thoughts and I instantly popped my eyes open.

“Luca?” I called out, excitement bursting through my nerves the moment I laid my eyes on him, he stood there so casually by the threshold.

“Is that how much you were worried about me?” he said.

I ignored his sly comment and ran towards him engulfing him in a tight hug. I stayed that way without saying a word. “I was scared that something had happened to you.” I muttered, giving him a gentle squeeze.

“If this is the kind of treatment I will be getting then I promise to always get in trouble for your sake all the time.” He jested and I pushed him away playfully, detaching from him.

We laughed over it and then he turned towards Della.

“Mother.” He said to her, recognizing her presence in the room. She lifted up her head and looked up at him with a daunting smile.

“Tell me about those wolves.” She said.

Suddenly, Luca’s eyebrows furrowed. His memories went back to the fierce battle he had between those wolves .. “They were odd.” He started.

“As we wrestled, I could tell something was different about them. There were no ordinary wolves—they were too strong even for me but I held my ground.” He said, worry lines drew on his face.

“Had they escaped?” she probed further.

“Yes.” He replied and went mute.

She exhaled deeply. “That means trouble is looming ahead of us. They will surely come back for revenge.” She spoke and fear gripped me from my head to my toes, my skin hair stood from end to end.

What does that mean? Are we in danger? 

“Those could have been Alexa’s men and she wields a dark force. An evil energy which swerves the wolves to serve her purpose.” She explained.

My heart pounded frantically in my chest, now we’ve been discovered!

No, it is I that has been discovered and now nobody here is safe again because of me.

“I guess I should take my leave.” I said bowing curtly.

“Why?” Luca turned to me immediately, “Where are you going?” 

“Its my fault the wolves got my scent and discovered me and then you had to fight to protect me but now, everyone is in danger because of me and that is something I cannot live with.” I stated, lowering my head in shame.

“If I go away from here then… if they come and cannot find me, they would leave the town in peace.” I said. Sounding wise in my own thinking.

But really, this sounds really lame.

“No!” Della interrupted. “Its too late for that. All we have to do now is prepare for battle. And we’d need your help with that.” 

I raised my head and stared at her with both defiance and bewilderment. “If Luca, as brave and mighty as he is, couldn't fight off two wolves successfully, who am I to stand a chance against their full army or battalion? We aren’t strong enough.” I disagreed.

“Still! We have a fighting chance.” Luca cut in. “Its better to die as brave warriors than as cowards.” A fierce spark of determination and anger flickered in his eyes and I could tell he was more than ready to face them head on but I was scared, not for myself but for the people who lived here and had found solace here. It was no longer safe for them.

I gulped. 

They weren’t ready for this …but no one is listening to me.

*ALPHA THANE’S PACK*

 ROYAL COURT

Alexa laid her head comfortably on Thane’s laps as she occasionally took a sip from her glass of freshly brewed grape wine.

Thane brushed his hands over her red silky hair as he admired the frail fair figure before him.

They stayed quietly in their court except for the occasional exchange of loving stares and glances. A guard announced the arrival of some soldiers who requested to see the Alpha and his Luna. Especially his Luna.

“We are busy, tell them to go away.” Alexa whispered to Thane.

“I and my Luna are having a good time. Tell the soldiers to report later.” Thane’s deep voice thundered across the yard.

The guard hesitated before adding, “They say it’s about the librarian you seek.”

Alexa immediately got on her edges the moment she heard the guard say that. “Let them in!” she ordered.

The court’s heavy metallic door roared to life as it’s nuts and screws rumpled through the yard to give way to the soldiers who have come bearing an important news into the court room.

The men walked into the court in military regard and knelt before the Alpha and his Luna.

“My Alpha. My Luna.” They curtsied with one knee on the ground.

Thane nodded indicating they could carry on.

“We came across Mirabelle’s scent by the woods just before the outskirts of a small remote village. She had assumed her wolf state and as we were about capturing her, a male wolf attacked us. His strength and ability surpassed anyone or anything we’ve encountered. He was very strong and had protected her fiercely. We had to come give you the news. We believe she’s hiding in the small village.”

“Incompetent fools!” Alexa lashed throwing her glass of wine to the ground. Her maids immediately gathered around her to clean it up. “How can you be defeated by one wolf?” 

“We apologize Luna.” They bowed their heads on the ground to avoid persecution. “What would you have us do?”

Thane had been sitting quietly, a sting of jealousy daunted his mind but he concealed it successfully.

“So she has quickly picked a new mate in a such a short while. How is it so that she has forgotten about me so soon?” He wondered within himself and found no answers.