Chapter 44

44. Ardara Moon Pack’s second daughter The sun gradually became hidden beneath the clouds, its brightness fading then eventually vanishing. Alpha Zander had placed the entire pack on lockdown and high alert since Alpha Xavier’s departure. Every nook and cranny had been examined. On the basis of searching for evidence, witnesses, and clues surrounding the mystery of the killings so that they could be solved.

In the late evening, the warriors had filed into the pack house meeting room, one by one to inform the Alpha of the findings of their investigations. All of the responsible parties had been given an assignment, and by the end of the day they were all quite nervous since they hadn’t been able to uncover any proof that would assist them in identifying the culprit.

The Alpha was emitting a fatal aura due to their failure at their assignments. Most of the warriors had dropped their heads in humiliation and dread. But some of the females had brought back some evidence and items that were worth the Alpha’s attention. Xavier had left to deal with the Vampire King, but the next murder could very well have occurred by the time he returned. That was not going to happen, according to the younger Alpha. In any case, he needed to find the perpetrator!

Kaiden and Tyler had remained in the meeting hall for several hours, staying close to their Alpha. Jennifer had been getting a lot of rest as the Doctor had suggested, therefore only the Gamma female had joined her mate at the meeting.

“Alpha, Vera has left,” Lena informed as soon as she received the mind-link from one of the female warriors.

“That’s great, but are you certain she did her job well? I don’t trust witches,” Zander countered, raising his eyebrows.

“Indeed, Alpha. Vera is one of the most powerful witches I’ve ever met. She revealed that a spell was performed in the pack’s south-east quadrant. Thanks to the spell, the deceased couple couldn’t mind-link us for aid which was why the pack hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary,” the Gamma female explained.

“Hmm, so she did what I requested, didn’t she?” He inquired, noting all the wolves in the room around him. The other pack members gathered in the meeting room exchanged interested yet puzzled looks since they had no idea what the Alpha had asked of the witch. Was it a top secret? But why?

“Yes, Alpha,” Lena responded with the two words without revealing any other information, leaving the others in a daze.

“Okay, great.”

“That’s all for today. I’m not happy with how the work is progressing with you guys, but the ladies came through with some information. The female Doctors and warriors were great today. I hope everyone does their best tomorrow as well. We are rapidly approaching the end of our time limit. There will be no more killings!” Zander declared.

“Yes, Alpha!” Everyone said the together they left one by one, leaving the hall empty with just the Alpha and ranked wolves there.

“Zander, are you sure this trick will work?” Kiaden asked quietly.

“Yes, it will work,” the Alpha let wore a devilish smirk.

“Am I missing something?” Tyler inquired, his gaze moved between Lena and everyone else. He had been preoccupied with other tasks, thus he had not been a part of the plan that they had made.

“The Alpha has set a trap for the criminal, be it a vampire, spy, or whatever they may be,” the Gamma female said proudly.

“How?”

“Did you not notice that we brought up Vera the witch?” Kiaden remarked as he turned to Tyler.

“Yeah, but what about her? I understand you were only attempting to frighten people. Witches are not permitted on our land. It’s a crime in this pack,” he remarked calmly as he took a seat.

“It was not a lie. Vera was really here,” Lena confirmed.

“What?” Tyler sprang out of his seat, giving his mate and friends a horrified expression. “What do you have planned, Zander?”

He yelled in a whisper as the Gamma walked closer to his Alpha.

“I want to capture the culprit and put a stop to the murders,” Zander answered, turning to face his friends.

“How?” Tyler murmured once more. If the elders found out about a witch being on pack land everyone would be in big trouble.

“I ordered Vera to use a stronger spell on our pack that I had wanted. Following this, any person who would perform magic would be revealed to us right away. But when I circulated the rumors, he would not dare to and there would be no further killings. I’m sure he wants to remain hidden from us, this way no one else in our pack dies. It’s not going to be easy to catch them since they are camouflaged in the shadows and know everything about us, so I’ve imprisoned him in the pack. Neither magic or murder will be possible for him,” the Alpha disclosed his evil plan while radiating his wicked aura.

With the advent of another murder, their reputation and position in the werewolf community would be called into question. There was no way he was going to allow that happen. Tyler was rendered speechless. The Alpha had disobeyed pack law, but it was for the safety of his people. He just nodded, but he was confused.

“But what about the elders? Vera’s arrival will be questioned because you spread rumors about her work throughout the pack.”

“Don’t be concerned about those old wolves. I know how to deal with them. By providing facts and explanations, I will have Grandpa on my side. That old man is rather flexible, he will understand,” Zander remarked, sitting back in his chair while they continued to discuss it.

The newest Luna of the pack was the only one standing in front of the meeting room’s window. Her blue eyes were locked on her mate, who had been working his ass off all day. She was concerned since he had skipped breakfast, lunch, and now had shown little interest in dinner.

Her sharp eyes had been watching every detail of his facial expressions that he varied with each word while she slowly brushed Meow’s fur. It used to frighten her, but now the young she-wolf found it hot. Wait! Hot? The Alpha, that pervert? Was the young Luna insane? Yes, perhaps...Ignoring him had become something akin to a sin to her over the past few days. The longer she looked at him, the more the hidden side of him became apparent, which was devilishly sexy to her.

Her gaze slid down to his strong and broad chest, without her even wanting it to. There were his strong arms that constantly encircled her in his warmth. Meow purred and glanced up at her mistress, who had abruptly stopped caressing her as she was now watching something that had her close to drooling. When she thought of the Alpha’s tool, Adira’s eyes traveled down farther while her mind began to play dirty. It had to be huge and deadly! But it still made her so heated and agitated that she began to visualize it as well.

She watched him walking on his long legs as well. The way he stood there with his hand in his pocket, he could resemble a ...

“A Greek god?” Zander asked.

“Huh?” Adira startled for a second before realizing her mate was standing in front of her.

“Oh my Goddess!!” She screamed, jumping in place. Meow was likewise scared and leapt onto the floor.

“How long have you been there?” The young she-wolf covered her mouth with her hand. Her heart was beating like crazy, she didn’t know when it would calm down.

“Since you started eye-fucking me,” Zander grinned, his firm arms wrapped around his mate’s slender waist. Adira couldn’t help but blush like a schoolgirl who had caught the eye of the school’s gorgeous bad boy. When he had noticed her and left the room, she had no idea. Had he detected her arousal? The possibilities were endless. They were mates! s**t! This was humiliating. He had left her speechless, she had no way to defend herself.

“Why are you here?” the Alpha questioned, caressing her delicate cheek. Pushing the young she-wolf was not a smart idea, so he decided to let it go.

“Umm, I was wondering whether Meow could spend the night in our room?” Adira asked. Due to the fact that Kiara was not present, she was once again responsible for the cat that had moments ago been in her arms. Yes, she had previously fed her and wanted to spend more time with her. It had been days since she had spent the night with their cat.

“What? A cat in the room at night? No!” Zander frowned, looking around as he moved away from Meow who was weaving around his legs.

“But why?” The young Luna pouted, earning a pinch on her nose from her Alpha.

“My issue isn’t with the cat. I like her. My issue is with you. If I can’t share a bed with you, no one can! First, learn to sleep next to me, then you’ll be permitted to allow Meow to join you in my bed,” he grinned, then squeezed her delicate cheek until he was satisfied.

“Hey!!” She swatted his hand away, almost like a cat, displaying her teeth in annoyance. What type of situation was it? He did that on purpose!

“Let’s go eat,” Zander laughed, pulling her towards the dining room.

“I don’t want to eat! I’ll sleep with my Meow in her room if you don’t let her into ours at night,” the young Luna replied obstinately, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Do what you want but do it after dinner. Let’s go,” He picked her up in his arms carrying her inside the dining room. He was hungry and didn’t want to argue any longer. For a few seconds, Adira flailed her arms and legs out to resist, but his hold was too strong, and everyone had witnessed their drama. Isha enjoyed her mate’s treatment and gentlessness, so Adira remained calm and obediently followed Zander into the dining room.

“Alpha and Luna,” as soon as they walked into the dining area, a group of women had been waiting for them.

“Welcome, everyone. Let’s eat,” Zander stated as he walked away from Adira to his seat. Lena had asked Luna to accompany her today.

“Why are there so many female warriors here today?” Adira was perplexed when she noticed her mate surrounded by all of them as they began to eat.

“The Alpha had invited them to supper to thank them for their hard work for the pack,” Lena said, observing the young Luna’s scowl. A few of the women had shown excessive interest in the Alpha. Touching his hand while scooping up food and rubbing their boobs along his arms while trying to laugh and joke.

“Are you alright?” Lena inquired, sensing her Luna’s displeasure.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” she responded, returning her eyes to her meal, but her gaze was drawn back to Zander, who was paying genuine attention to other she-wolves while they had lustful eyes on her mate.

“You’re not alright, Adira. This will continue as long as the Alpha is not mated and marked by you,” the Gamma female explained, placing food on her plate and smiling as Adira stared at her.

“It will keep happening? Why?” Adira asked in confusion.

“Alpha Zander is a gentleman. Yes, he will be honest and devoted to you, but you must also consider his needs as a man. I hope you’re aware that once a month, unmated wolves lose their minds to the s****| yearning of their rut. Nobody knows who a wolf will choose as his s****| partner if that occurs. I’m hoping you understand what I’m saying. You must safeguard your mate from other she-wolves,” Lena urged discreetly, with a smile.

Adira’s gaze was drawn to Zander, who was accepting a glass of juice from a female warrior. He was being overly generous with them. Panic and anxiety rose in her heart as she excused herself from dinner and went to her room.

A few seconds later, the Alpha’s eyes noticed his Luna’s empty seat. What happened to her? She hadn’t even finished her meal.

“Lena, please take care of our guests and send them home;” Zander said as he left for his room. When he arrived, he found the lights turned off. What was going on? He stripped and scanned the room with his wolf’s eyes, only to find his mate asleep on the bed.

On the bed? Zander blinked a few times before realizing Adira was sleeping on the bed rather than the sofa, as she usually did.

He crawled into bed and carefully crept under the blankets. Was he hallucinating? Was this right? Why had she abruptly changed her mind? Was it because he’d asked her to? She was definitely not the obedient type, she was rather stubborn.

Her back was turned towards him and she was motionless. Had she already fallen asleep?

“Adira, are you sleeping? Why didn’t you eat dinner? Are you alright?” He drew closer to her resting his hand on her shoulder.

Was she really asleep?

“I am okay,” Adira answered softly, but did not turn to face him.’

“Ah okay, but you don’t have to sleep in the same bed as me. At the time, I was teasing you. I’ll go to sleep on the sofa. You and Meow can sleep on the bed,” he proposed, removing the covers, but Adira grabbed his hand, stopping him.

“Don’t leave,” she whispered. In confusion, the Alpha looked between her hand and her back.

“Okay,” he said, lying just behind her like before. What was running through her mind? She had not let go of his hand but refused to look at him.

“Would you like to say something?” Zander inquired, sensing her volatile emotions for a variety of reasons. Hadn’t she been arguing with him a while ago? So what happened to her between then and dinner? That was when he noticed her carefully tugging the blankets down. When her naked back was exposed to his gaze, the Alpha’s emerald eyes shone with surprise.

“Let’s do it,” she murmured as she placed his hand on her naked waist. When the hot soft skin of her waist was under his palm, the Alpha’s eyes became hazed with lust as he licked his lips in desire.

“Are you sure?” He questioned, his green eyes eagerly darting all over her back as he drew the blankets down further.

“Y... yes...” Adira clutched the blanket firmly as he ran his finger along her spine, causing her to shudder.

“You mean it, right?” He inquired, slipping his palm to cradle her breast when he realized she had already undressed herself. She was nude beneath the sheets.

“You are free to do whatever you want. I am prepared,” she said, taking a deep breath.

“That’s great. Get ready for it,” he told her as he drew her closer to his firm chest. When she felt his naked chest and erect c**k rubbing against her ass, the young she-wolf trembled. They were really going to do that.

“Spread your legs,” he encouraged while he slipped his fingers between her thighs. When his hand forcefully separated them, Adira panicked.

“Why are you flinching away when you asked for this?’ He murmured, turning her face towards him and pressing her back on the mattress so that they could see each other.

“I... I am...” her blue eyes showed her fear when he climbed over her, tossing the blankets away.

“Let’s f**k,” Zander remarked, spreading her legs apart, which scared the young she wolf. She watched him stroke his c**k and aim it at her pussy.

“Wait... wait...”Adira shrieked in terror, then covered her mouth with her hand to stop herself. Her entire body was sweating profusely as her eyes welled up with tears. The Alpha’s green eyes showed a deadly stare as he pulled the blanket over her.

“Why did you push yourself when you weren’t ready?” He growled. He had suspected that she was pushing herself from the start, but he went through with her game. He was curious to see how far she would push herself, but when she saw him nude she had broken down. Her long-forgotten terror reappearing.

“Tell me,” he urged, drawing her closer to him as his rage-filled green eyes drew her in. The Alpha was heartbroken by his Luna’s game since he had assumed she wanted him as well, but it turned out otherwise.

“I... I thought... if we had s*x then I could satisfy your wolf,” she stammered as a fat tear escaped from her eyes.

“My wolf?” He c**** d his brow in confusion. Her guilty blue eyes were fixed on her lap before she continued.

“Mom once told me that a woman needs to be flexible at certain times in her life. We have to do our duty in bed. That’s what I’m attempting to do. I’m trying to forget my past and move on. By giving myself to you but it’s difficult. You are the only one in this relationship who is controlling yourself while bearing me as a burden. If we just have a year and a woman needs to be flexible, I want to devote myself to you before you go to another woman,” she brushed her tears away and looked up at him.

“Before I go to another woman?” Zander asked in confusion. Then he realized that his meeting and dinner with the other she-

wolves had triggered his mate in a terrible way. Adira removed the blanket again.

“I am ready now. I have made up my mind. I promise I won’t scream...”

“There is no way that I am going to another woman,” Zander hissed as he pressed his lips to hers. Adira closed her eyes, feeling his fingers weaving into her hair as he deepened the kiss. When he started kissing her down to her neck, her nails sank into his arms as she moaned in pleasure before he gripped her hair, forcing her to look into his eyes.

“If all I wanted was your body, I could have had it by hook or crook a long time ago. No one, not even you, could have stopped me,” his green eyes drilled deep into her blue ones, leaving her breathless.

“What I want from you is your love and your heart, Adira,” Zander whispered, his green eyes soft. As he drew her into his lap, as he forced her to wrap her arms around his neck, she felt his palm on her thighs. Adira’s heartbeat quickened as she noticed a crazy smile on his lips as he kissed the corner of her mouth, “When it comes to your love, I could wait for the rest of my life,” he vowed softly, capturing her lips once more. She clenched her fists, terrified of her own emotions. Not even realizing that her lips had started to respond, she was kissing him back. Zander smiled between their kisses. Their tongues played with each other softly until he stole all the fear from her heart and mind. Adira suddenly felt free and light as she lost herself in his arms. What was he up to with her?

“Was I truly deserving of his love?”

“Yes, you are,” Zander answered with a smile while breaking the kiss. Wait! Did she say it loudly? Adira searched his eyes for a couple of seconds before she hugged him.

She would die! She would die if her mate did not stop doing this to her, but then again she would die without him.

***

“I would have appreciated it if you had been able to stay a bit longer,” David said as he followed Xavier and Kiara to their car. He was disappointed as they had only spent an hour with the newlywed Alpha and Luna, but Xavier and Kiara had lunch with David and Karina to convey their happiness.

“Yes, please stay with us for at least a day, Luna Kiara,” Karina begged, her face eager. The Lunas had become best friends in less than an hour. The pregnant Luna received a helpless smile from the young she-wolf. Kiara wished that they could stay as well, but they couldn’t, since they couldn’t control the situation. They needed to leave.

“Thank you for your kindness and hospitality, Luna Karina. I’ll be returning soon to visit you and your pup,” Kiara promised with a loving grin to the other Luna. She remembered how often she had run her hand over her tummy. Yes, Karina’s pregnancy had been unexpected, but they adored their unborn pup.

“Then I’ll be waiting for news of your pup as well. I can see your bump. I believe you have some good news for us as well,” the Luna remarked, pointing to Kiara’s belly with a smile that made the young she-wolf blush.

“Oh... no, no...I am not pregnant,” Kiara said confidently, catching Xavier’s grimace from the corner of her eyes. s**t! What had his body language been about when she had mentioned them being pregnant? Had he been happy? Surprised? She couldn’t figure it out. Why was the rest of the world so bold about asking these things so openly?

“I’ve simply been eating and sleeping a lot more than usual lately, so I’ve gained a little weight,” the young she wolf admitted with an embarrassed laugh, bringing the situation to light.

“Oh, that is completely fine. Tomorrow, if not today, you’ll be giving Alpha Xavier good news soon,” Karina chuckled, catching Xavier’s gaze on his woman. Had this man not realized that if he kept staring at his own mate like a weirdo, people might misinterpret him? Finally, he averted his gaze, returning his attention to his friend.

“We promise we’ll come back to visit the both of you as soon as I deal with the Vampires issue,” the Alpha added, which his friend quickly agreed with. They had discussed it over lunch.

“It still seems unusual to me, Xavier. Breaking a treaty is basically an invitation to war. Vampire King Alfred is neither your foe nor your friend, but he does respect you. He is not the kind to attack like a wimp, like your pack is facing right now,” David pointed out.

“Yes, I am aware. That is what I need to figure out. The meeting is being held for that reason. If he is proven guilty, there will undoubtedly be a war,” Xavier revealed as he opened the door for Kiara.

“What about the Blue Moon Pack? I believe you and they have a co-treaty. The agreement you signed with Vampire King Alfred specified that the Blue Moon Pack would be included in the discussion of every problem and decision, yet I see that you’re attending this meeting without them. You lifted their ban yet you did not invite them to the meeting. Petra’s pack would be furious that you failed to notify them,” David observed the bitter look on Xavier’s face as he spoke. Kiara looked at her husband while sitting in the car the moment that Petra was mentioned.

“f**k the Blue Moon Pack! Yes, I have lifted the restriction, but I still do not want anything to do with them. And I sure as hell don’t want them involved in this sensitive matter. If they have a problem with that, they may contact me formally,” Xavier hissed, firmly slamming the door behind Kiara.

“Okay, goodbye then. Hopefully we will see each other again soon,” David said. Before Xavier drove away, both friends had given each other a big hug before he had gotten into the car. Now they were on their way to the Vampire’s enclave, which was going to be a long journey.

“They look beautiful together. Petra looked like a sin standing next to him, I swear. I never liked her. I never thought my friend would get a second chance mate. A second chance mate is so rare,” David commented, hugging his mate from behind as they watched Xavier’s car drive away.

“Yeah, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve met Luna Kiara somewhere,” Karina said. “Have you met her? Where?” Her Alpha inquired, observing her perplexed expression.

“I’m not certain. Maybe I’ve seen her someplace before, but I can’t remember where. But I’m sure I’ve seen her,” she remarked, still attempting to recall but coming up with nothing. , “Perhaps you’re mistaken. She is the Alpha of the Ardara Moon Pack’s second daughter, and I heard she rarely left the pack, so you had to have seen someone else. Let’s go back to our other guest,” David suggested as he led his mate back to the party.