Chapter 5: Beneath the Moon

Alpha Zedex 

The chamber fell into a grave silence, with pack elders exchanging uneasy glances, puzzled by Max's accusation. My gaze locked onto Max, blazing with intensity.

Max didn't stop there; he turned to face the elders with slow and deliberate movement, the golden glow of the full moon casting its light on his determined face through the open window.

“Ask your Alpha why he travels to the human world once a year, for the past ten years” He challenged, his voice low and fearless. “What's his reason? Does he have any hidden agenda apart from finding the hunter’s hideout?” He smiled manically, scanning each elder's face.

Grandpa's eyes dropped to the floor, his eyelids fluttering.

Max's grin spread wide, mischief dancing in his eyes. He looked over the elders, studying each one intently, hoping to find a weakness.

I felt a lump in my throat as I gulped down nothing. My brows furrowed, confusion and anger warring within me. The room was filled with the smell of sweat and tension, adding to the elders' discomfort.

We were born on the same day, but I was born five minutes before him. This fact had always bothered Max and his late mother, Lola. As a lower-ranked Omega, my mother and I had faced difficulties from Lola, and Max had inherited that resentment.

“Max, know your place!” I growled, slamming my fist onto the table.

Max burst into laughter, moving towards me. “I may be second-in-command,” he taunted, “but at least I know my place.” He tilted his head. “Have you ever truly questioned your position, Alpha?” His gaze shifted to Grandpa. “Or have you simply followed tradition, blind to the truth?”

“Max, how dare you!” I snarled, standing up, but Grandpa intervened,

“Show some respect, Max!” Grandpa scolded, pointing at Max with his index finger angrily.

Elder Nira approached Max. “What truth are you referring to?” she asked calmly.

Max pushed her hand away, face contorted in disgust. She stumbled but quickly regained her footing, eyes widening in shock.

Max turned his gaze angrily towards Grandpa's, a flash of hurt evident in his eyes. It was clear he was upset about being scolded because of me again, but he quickly composed himself and glared at Grandpa with intense hatred.

"Your favorite grandson's secrets will come to light eventually. Then we'll see who deserves respect," he snorted, shooting me one final glare before storming off.

"Max, wait!" Elder Nira attempted to intervene, "We need to try to understand..."

"Everyone, leave!" I snapped, and without hesitation, they all exited the chamber, leaving Grandpa behind.

The smell of tension thickened; sweat and adrenaline hung in the air. As I met Grandpa’s gaze, he quickly looked away, his eyes blinking rapidly, while tightly gripping the walking stick he held.

Grandpa’s hesitation to speak worsened my curiosity, and I didn't press him. Instead, I needed fresh air to clear my head. I swiftly exited the chamber, as Max's words kept echoing in my head.

Max's hurtful words had become familiar over the years. But his words from today lingered. His accusations cut deep into my soul, leaving an unforgettable scar. I couldn't seem to shake off his last words.

‘Have you ever truly questioned your position, Alpha?’ His gaze shifted to Grandpa, ‘Or have you simply followed tradition, blind to the truth?’ His words raced through my mind once more, causing a flurry of questions to cloud my thoughts.

"What does he mean by that? Is Grandpa keeping something from me?" Lost in contemplation, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. I turned to find Grandpa standing there, gazing at me with love and admiration.

What secret was Grandpa keeping? I wanted to scream, but instead, my finger curled into a fist as I met his gaze.

"Don't pay attention to Max's words. He tends to speak nonsense when he's upset." He tapped my shoulder gently as he spoke, attempting to avoid making his avoided gaze obvious.

I sighed, my shoulder slumping. "What was the truth that Max mentioned?" I inquired, my eyes filled with curiosity, hoping that Grandpa would provide some clarity.

To my surprise, he warmly chuckled briefly. "Max didn't know anything. He was just trying to annoy you," he said, dashing my hopes. "Any updates on the preparations for the upcoming festival?" He quickly changed the discussion.

I gazed at him and nodded, choosing to overlook it once more. "Nothing new. Just the usual...but this time, fifteen humans will be sacrificed on the full moon," I replied, clasping my hands behind my back as the warm breeze caressed my skin.

"Full moon festivals are meant for bonding when mateless wolves receive their gifted mate from the Moon goddess. But… I thought you promised no human sacrifices..." he reminded me.

"It's not going to stop anytime soon! Not as long as my mother is still at their mercy...leaving me with only a ring to keep me company for the rest of my life!" I spat in anger, a tear falling from my eye as I raised my hand to show him the ring.

His brow furrowed in confusion. "Where is the ring?"

I gazed at my empty fingers, my eyes widening in horror as my heart sank into my stomach. The ring, my mother's last gift to me, was missing.

Sweats beaded on my forehead as memories of her laughter and smile flooded my mind, along with the promise she made when she gave me the ring.

‘This ring is your identity, your life, and the pack's fate depends on it. Always wear it and keep it safe.’ Her words echoed in my mind.

A sense of desperation overcame me. I clenched my fists, my eyes blinking rapidly as I whispered, “No... it can't be.” I frantically searched my pockets and the area around me, hoping to find the ring.

My thoughts turned to the woman I had a one-night stand with in my drunk state, wondering if she had taken it. “I must find that cunning woman who stole my ring... I will make her taste death! How dare she?!”

Grandpa’s eyes dropped, his shoulder slumping, as if hiding a secret. “Uhmm.. Don’t take Max’s words to…” As I pondered Grandpa's words, my mind wandered back to the ring.

*

(Human world.)

Camila

As I pushed closed my coffee shop door, “Phew!" My shoulder dropped in relief as I watched my customers leave my coffee shop for the day.

Meanwhile, even the bright light of my coffee shop couldn't shake the feeling of being watched and followed. It had been six months since I left my memories and old life behind, but the mysterious ring I had sold still weighed heavily on my mind.

I was afraid that the strange masked man would suddenly appear and demand his ring back. What explanation could I possibly give?

The money I got from selling the ring transformed my life. I decided to quit my job because Sia and I were not getting along. I left my old house and rented a small apartment for myself. I used some of the money to buy my medications and also opened a new coffee shop.

Just as I led a peaceful life, however, the fear of the unknown still unsettled me.

Suddenly, Kira, my employee who had been assisting me, rushed into my office, gasping for breath. She stood before me, her hand clutching her chest as she tried to calm her rapid breathing.

"Kira, what's wrong? Who's chasing you?" I inquired, furrowing my brow in concern.

"Ha…Have you not heard?" she gasped, struggling to speak.

"Heard what?" I pressed.

After regaining her composure, she stood upright and informed me, "Six women and four men were abducted yesterday night."

“What?” I shrieked, blinking rapidly.

“The city is no longer safe for anyone," she said hurriedly. "I'm heading home now, and you should too." Without waiting for my reply, she dashed out, leaving me standing there.

I pondered what Kira told me, wondering if this was connected to a similar incident that occurred three months ago involving two women and three young men who vanished without a trace, not even the police could intervene effectively.

My mind raced with fear; sweat beaded on my forehead. Just the idea of being kidnapped sent shivers down my spine.

Sia crossed my mind, and I worried. Hope She is safe. I anxiously thought.

I need to stop worrying about her and focus on getting home safely tonight.

Looking around nervously, I quickly packed up my belongings, locked up my shop, and clutched my handbag tightly as I stepped out into the night.

The darkness seemed to swallow my whole. My mind began to wander, replaying Kira's warning. I scanned the shadows, my heart pounding hard. Boils of sweat streamed down my chin when I didn't see any cab insight.

The cold breeze caressed my skin, causing my heart to sink, realizing I was all alone in the dark.

The sound of distant hum and cracking of leaves filled my ears.

‘What the hell was that?’ I thought, as my gaze wandered around in fear as I quickened my pace. However, I felt a rough arm wrapped around my neck, covering my nose with a piece of white tissue.

I struggled to break free, but the grip on my nose tightened, suffocating my scream. Dizziness set in, and I realized I had been drugged with chloroform.

As the chloroform took hold, my vision blurred. I stumbled, my knees buckling. The last thing I saw was a cold pair of sea-blue piercing eyes, watching me from the dark. Soon I fell into a deep slumber, and rough hands grabbed my arms, pulling me into an unforgiving embrace. Everything blurred together.