Hi, I am aware of an issue with the chapter, having been one from another of my stories - I can only apologise, I am unsure how this happened, as I was having issues with my laptop that day, but I have tried to rectify it as soon as I realised it, and hopefully it should replace the previous chapter that was there in error, as soon as authorised by the editor. Thanks for your understanding, and thank you for reading! Beth x
Lunar River Pack had been what I considered a second home to me for many years, and it was never a place I had dreaded going to; but today, today it felt different. Today, anticipation hung heavy in the air, and a sense of dread sat uncomfortably within my stomach. We drove toward the gate of the pack, and my heart was in my chest. I think what bothered me the most was that I could not shake the feeling that this did not feel like it was going to go the way we wanted.Yet I clung to the hope we were not underestimating the Alpha here and were not about to lose many of our men in what should be a simple rescue mission. Or there could be so many pack members resenting Kai and his mate before they even begin as Alpha and Luna of Midnight Forest…A lingering weight sat over me that I could not rid myself of as we were notified that the leader of the Werewolf Council demanded a meeting with the Alpha, just as my phone buzzed.“Hello?”“Landon!” Joey called down the phone. “Shit is already g
The moment I found out that the pack was in lockdown, I knew we were screwed. He is on his way for me and there will be no way out. I wish I had simply run the moment he had left this morning. I may have stood a chance. But I had taken the advice of Landon in the hopes he knew the best thing to do…“Right, Landon has told us to stay calm, they are on their way.” Joey tells me. Or was it Kent? They both looked quite similar... either way, it was one of the cousins.“Are they close?” I asked, and he shrugged.“I assume they could be at the gates or close, as he did say, the Werewolf Council had requested to meet with the Alpha, so that may well distract him from wanting you... for the time being at least.” His voice betrayed the brave face he was trying to put on, as it trembled slightly. I know he is a warrior, but he is relatively young, and I think it would be more than understandable for him to be fearful of the man he called his Alpha. Especially with the rumors that apparently li
They were foolish if they believed for one moment I was going to sit around and wait for each of these cars to filter through this pack gate and be granted access by the guard on the gate, who in all honesty was unlikely to even allow us to enter their pack once his suspicions were raised. The head of the werewolf council had already spoken to him and demanded to meet with the Alpha. That in itself would be causing tremors of unease to spread through the pack.And hearing the call between Landon and his cousin, to be updated with the chaos that had already begun the moment that evil bastard had realized his soon-to-be-wife had left him, sent me tipping over the edge. I needed to be in there. I needed to get to Bella and be close to her, so I knew that, if nothing else, I could try to defend her. I knew that I might well stand no chance against the Alpha, but I had to at least try. She was the she-wolf the moon goddess had chosen for me. The one my wolf was crying out for ever
I saw the anger in the Alpha’s eyes as we turned around. I had said the wrong thing without even knowing he was there. Totally caught up in the rush to get to Bella I had spoken to Kai in the assumption that the Alpha would be on his way to the gate to meet with our arriving posse. Or, moreso the leader from the werewolf council that was demanding to see him. But, unfortunately, he was here instead. Glaring at us... demanding answers... had he worked out why we were here?My gaze met Kai’s and I saw the same nerves there. But that passed quickly. Kai shrugged. “Nobody you know.” He smiled. My whole body felt like it wanted to slump down in deafeat at the point. Nobody he knew? Was Kai intentionally trying to piss him off further? He knew who this guy was right? Not to mention, we were in his pack for fuck’s sake. I am pretty damn sure he knew every single person, and then some…The brow of the Alpha raised as he pouted a little angrily. Shit. I didn't like that look. He looked like h
The moment he had mentioned the small army we had waiting outside his pack gates I knew we had to be decisive. No more of this being polite shit. Landon and I were Alphas. Or soon to be. Admitedly younger and less experienced than the one standing in front of us demanding answers, but we shared Alpha blood all the same. And, I knew for a fact when we both stood up to be Alphas, we would be ten times the Alpha this man had ever been. We were capable of standing up for ourselves and we should not be bowing down to him. This man was the reason my fated mate was not by my side right now, and I was not going to let that go.I slackened my control over Nyko and in that instant he was surging forward. He wanted out to play... he wanted to make this man suffer for taking our mate. He wanted his revenge. And, I wanted him to shift. I knew that was likely the only way I was going to reach my mate now. This dick of a man was hardly going to escort me to her. If anything he would do all he could
I sat with my arms hugging my legs, my knees pulled to my chest, absoluotely terrifed as the banging on the door continued. Joey had looked at me, his fingers upon his lips. But I looked at him with concern. “Should you not answer.” I whispered. “They know you are home today.” I told him, my mind already overthinking how whoever may be at the door would be thinking if he did not answer them. After all, they knew he was in.His shoulders sagged, and he nodded. “Hide. Please.” He whispered, as he slipped up the stairs we had only moments ago come down. He sounded as nervous as I was feeling which told me he was overthinking this as much as me. Whoever this could be could be here to turn his house upside down in a bid to find me. In a bid to take me back to their Alpha so I could be his prisoner once again.I listened carefully as again that pounding on the door turned into what sounded like a kicking. Were they attempting to kick the door down? Any hopes I had of that being Kai and Lan
I watched as the Alpha was bundled into the back of one of the cars, albeit angily, but I stood to one side contemplating simply walking away. The need to go and find Bella becoming overwhelming. Nyko whimpering at the thought we did not know that she was okay. There were still warriors out there hunting her. Hunting for her at the ruthless Alpha’s orders. And, who knew what those orders may be.I edged away from the group, my Dad and my Uncles all stood talking next to one of the cars, no doubt discussing what was about to come, or praising how well their plan had come together. I just hoped their chatter would be enough to distract them long enough for me to make my escape... Suddenly there were footsteps to the left of me as I moved along the path heading toward the house I hoped was the one Landon had pointed out to me where I believed Bella to be.“And where do you think you are going?” Uncle Gabe’s voice held a teasing tone as he disturbed me, my shoulders sagging as I turned to
We reached the packhouse and it was sheer bedlam. A packhouse I was more than familiar with, but never in all my visits had I seen it in such chaos. The Alpha family descended upon the lounge in which we were seated, demanding answers, until they realized we had been escorted here with the Werewolf Council. I think at first glance they believed that River Ash and Midnight Forest had invaded their pack.The moment they heard what had happened, and the potential trouble they found themselves in, they were suddenly less argumentative, and more cooperative with the Council members. I hung back, knowing these people had been extremely welcoming to me in the past, and I did not want them to feel I had thrown that back in their face; yet I knew this issue needed dealing with appropriately and punishment should be given.But, I still found myself shocked as the Alpha was injected with wolfsbane to put his wolf out of action, especially when he had not even attempted to fight b
The formal part of the ceremony was over, and it had been great. I was now officially the Beta of my pack. Beta of Midnight Forest Pack. Damn, that sounded good... but, ceremony complete or not, my duties were evidently far from finished for the day. Uncle Knox had told Kai, Finn and I that it would be best for us to circulate as many of the attending guests would be wanting to meet the new leadership team, and that meant us all taking the time to chat and get to know the leaders of the other packs across the country. It was going to be a long, long day...I had already began over recent years, to begin to learn names of packs and their Alphas, Betas etc, but I did not realize just how draining having to make irrelevant conversation with somebody you don’t even know could be. Thankfully, my Dad was by my side, clearly a seasoned expert in this role, and I was taking his lead. But other than a short break to grab a beer earlier, I think I was beginning to falter. It was
The celebrations were just beginning. Our family and friend group beginning to dissipate from the area in which we had been seated, and the many guests who had arrived to attend the ceremony were making their way over in this direction, no doubt to speak to Uncle Knox, and of course, the man of the hour, the new Alpha of our pack, my cousin, Kai. I was so glad I was not him. So much pressure being in charge of a pack, though he was most definitely built for that. The mind and body for it, much like his Dad.I, however, was more like my own Dad. The mind and body of a warrior. A warrior who was now ready to party! I looked to my brother, Rocky, whose eyes were already wandering across the busy training field, likely looking for the next she-wolf he could work his charms upon, as chairs were being cleared to the edges into small groups to make way for a dancefloor area, in preparation for the celebration.“Beer?” I suggested and Rocky grinned.“O
With Camilla’s hand within mine we sat alongside my family and friends as the formalities for the ceremonies came to a close. Kai was now officially Alpha of Midnight Forest Pack. Leo our Beta, Finn our Gamma and Bella our Luna. Our leadership had changed but the pack would hold all the same wonderful values it always had, for Kai was the same sort of good man his father was. Our pack’s future was going to be strong with these guys in charge, and as I had looked across the faces of our family, I had seen so many proud faces.I felt proud of them all too. They deserved this. It had been a great ceremony, and the amount of planning that had gone into it all was evident. Now, the celebrations were to begin, and I could not wait to enjoy them too. Enjoy them with a certain someone by my side… a certain someone I had not expected to be there with me…The last few days had been a little chaotic to say the least, but settling down i
Seeing us all here together was kind of great. We rarely were all together anymore. Not like it used to be. Even Sergio and his new mate had made it here to join us for the big day. It was crazy. The people I called family. Extended family, admittedly, and a family that was extending further now many had met their fated mates, but they were all here for me today. For the pack. It meant the world.Bella rested her head upon my shoulder. “Are you okay, baby?” She whispered, her beutiful eyes looking up at me with curiosity. “You look deep in thought.”“Just thinking how lucky I am.” I told her with a smile.“Too right you are lucky. All these people here for us.” Dad said, from next to me, clearly having listened into the conversation. "It is going to be a good day, son." I smiled at him too.“I know, I was just thinking the same thing. How the group is growing too, we will need a bigge
Landon and I had driven over to my home pack, pulling into the spaces outside the packhouse alongside my brother’s car. “You know we could have all just driven together?” I suggested.“Didn’t want restricting to coming back when Kal or Dax were heading home.” Landon told me with a smile.“You know we are staying here tonight anyway?” I told him and he nodded.“Yes boss.” He teased. He loved implying I was in charge, and in truth, I kind of liked it when he did. Since our Alpha ceremony life had been a little hectic, with so many meetings to take place, and things to adjust to, but I think, finally they may be beginning to settle down.Life as Luna was likely nowhere near as demanding as that of the Alpha, but it was sure taking some adjusting to. Landon was doing everything he could to make sure he made it as easy as he possibly could. Even sweeter, was he had begun arranging fo
I walked into the lounge, and instantly my eyes found my mate, deep in thought as she gazed out of the window. I looked across at Bella, she was dressed in a beautiful simple black satin shift dress. Her long dark hair twisted back into a beautiful braid that swept around onto her shoulder, with a simple white flower within her hair. Her make-up was smoky, but basic so as not to take away from her natural beauty, and she looked truly stunning. I chewed my lower lip as I looked at her standing at the large window looking out over our pack.“You look amazing, sweet.” I told her, and she looked up at me with a tentative smile.“I feel sick.” She whispered.“Nervous?” I questioned, making my way toward her, knowing any moment our peace would be shattered by the arrival of my parents, potentially my grandparents too before we had to go and meet the remaining familiy and friends who we had planned to meet in the packhouse before mak
Our house was sheer chaos, so I could only imagine what the rest of pack must be. Today was the day that the last week had been leading up to. Mum had been involved in the organization of the Alpha Ceremony, with it being for her brother’s eldest son. These sort of events were very much a family effort. And family was hugely important within our pack. Grandma had been involved too, and I swear them, along with Aunt Lilah were like crazy women when trying to plan. It was, without a doubt better to avoid them, I could understand why Kai had said he was dodging them at every opportunity. I think if I were him I would have allowed them free reign to arrange it all, and then simply turn up on the day, that way you would save yourself so many headaches and so much stress...“Luca!” Mum shrieked from the bottom of the staircase. I rolled my eyes. “You best not still be in the bathroom.”“No, that would be Rocky, Mami.” I said with a s
I sat on the bed for a moment, staring at the closed door of the ensuite where Camilla had just run to. My heart racing, from the closeness we had been sharing only moments ago, and aching from the fact it felt like she was rejecting me in that need to flee. My wolf, Elda whimpered heavily within my mind. He had not been dealing well with this back and forth with Camilla of late.I had allowed myself to get closer than I perhaps should. There was something about her that had caught my attention the moment I greeted her at our pack gates. Something I don’t even know that I can describe. She was sweet. Vulnerable. But she chatted to me like she was simply happy to be here. Happy for the now. And that appealed to me. She treated me so kindly. Warmly. And that pulled me in. She was different to the other she-wolves I had met.The amount of times she had wandered up to the guard room with a fresh coffee for me, had warmed my heart. Or the sweet smile
I stretched upon my bed, trying hard to wake myself up, and was shocked to hear my wolf purring within my mind. That was not like her in the slightest. Only as I stretched my arm across the bed did I notice the space next to me felt oddly warm… that was not the way my bed normally felt...I sat up quickly, only to see I was still wearing the clothes in which I had been dressed in last night, other than the fact the shirt had been discarded, leaving the tank top as my only coverage on top. I heard movement in the ensuite, making my whole body freeze once more, and I realized with shock that I was not alone. Jorge had to still be here.The events of last night flooded back to me. He came in as I had suggested, and we sat talking for hours. About anything and everything. His family… his past… my family… my past… I don’t think there was a thing that man did not know about me now. And likely, there was little I did