Chapter 4

Mia:

When I woke up, the sky was still dark but had a glow that meant dawn was near. I felt the empty space on the bed and I was a little relieved he was not there. I didn't think I could face him.

Memories of last night came flooding like a rushing tide. My face turned red in embarrassment.

I stood by the window, letting the morning breeze blow against my face, staring at the vast land the Red moon pack possessed.

It was still dark outside, almost everyone in the pack house was still asleep so I decided to take a walk.

I ended up in a peony field. I could not help but gasp at the view. I plucked out a flower and brought it close to my nose.

I was so lost in the moment that I didn't realize I had walked for so long and strayed a bit too far.

I walked through the lush field and it led me to a lake.

Beside it was a lone bench, and on it was a towel.

Someone must have forgotten it there.

I looked around, contemplating whether to swim or not.

Shivering from the cold, I decided against it.

I was about to sit when I heard a low, dangerous growl. My heart beat quickened. I turned to see a pair of golden eyes staring at me. It was a huge black wolf.

All the colour drained from my face and I froze, unable to move in the slightest.

My wolf was weak and could not take on a wolf so big. This place was desolate. There was no one present to help.

Was I about to die?

It barred its canines at me menacingly, walking towards me with slow, calculated steps.

Suddenly, another wolf with dark grey fur bolted out of nowhere, knocking down the black wolf.

They engaged in a tussle. The grey wolf bit deep into his skin.

It howled and struggled out of his hold, disappearing into the dark.

The wolf didn't chase but instead turned to me.

Its deep piercing eyes, boring into me.

It shifted back into its human form.

“Alpha Lukas?” I called out, almost in disbelief.

Did he just save me?

My face traveled down his body and I realized he was……naked.

My face became hot, trying my best to avoid looking at the monster between his legs.

His clothes must have torn when he shifted.

He grabbed the towel sitting on the bench and covered his lower half with it.

“What the fuck are you doing out here?!’

I flinched when he raised his voice.

“Answer the question”

“I just…”

The sound of hurried footsteps interrupted my words.

A man appeared from the bushes, panting.

“What happened? Why did you run…….Oh” he said, like he realized something.

“I'm Michael, the pack's Beta” he introduced, a huge smile on his face. I took the hand he stretched towards me.

“Glad you're here, take her to the pack house”

“Where are you going?”

“I need to catch that rogue bastard” he said through clenched teeth and transformed into his wolf, chasing after the rogue.

The cold bit into my skin and my body shook. Michael noticed, took off his jacket and covered me with it.

“It's not safe out here. Allow me to escort you back” he said, his voice, just as soothing as his face.

Unlike Alpha Lukas, Michael was sweet and generous.

I nodded and mouthed a thank you, letting him lead me back.

I recalled the event that just transpired and for a strange second, I felt a connection with that rogue.

It was fleeting but I was sure I felt something that could not be explained.

“Will he be alright?” I asked.

“Who? Alpha Lukas?”

I nodded.

“You might not know this but he's the best warrior in our pack. He can take down several men at once. You don't need to worry” he reassured, a cheeky smile on his face.

“I'm just asking. I'm not worried” I replied, my voice dropping down a notch.

We are at the crack of dawn. The maids in the pack house were already up and working.

My brows furrowed when I saw someone seated in the living room. She had on a lot of make up and looked like a femme fatale.

She stood up and walked towards us, her face twisted in worry.

“What are you doing here, Rina?”

“I've been trying to call Lukas for a while now. He's not picking”

Lukas? Were they close?

“He rushed out very early this morning. Is he okay?”

This morning? Lukas spent the night at her house? On their wedding night?

I could see Michael subtly telling her to keep quiet.

She finally looked at me, scanning me from head to toe.

“Who is she?”

“She's our Luna” Michael replied simply.

Her expression immediately turned hostile. “I see”

I took off Michaela's jacket and handed it to him, heading up to my room.

I could faintly hear them argue.

“You need to leave” I heard Micheal say, his voice, hard. Their voices faded with each step I took.

Lukas had a mistress? My heart broke into a million pieces. He didn't even stay with me on the night of our wedding. Was that how much he hated me?

I collapsed on the bed, my eyes on nothing in particular.

I heard whispering outside my room. I tried to ignore it at first but it didn't stop.

I walked close to the door and was about to pull it open when their conversation stopped me dead in my tracks.

“The Alpha caught a rogue this morning” she sighed. “Poor thing. I hear he's going to tried but everyone knows the ultimate punishment will be execution”

I pulled the door open, startling them.

“Where is he to be tried?”

The girls gave me directions and I rushed to the council room.

I opened the door and slipped in sitting among the audience. My eyes met Lukas’ briefly. I swallowed and looked away, focusing my attention on the rogue that stood in the middle of the room. He was tied in chains and still in his wolf form.

I tapped someone beside me and whispered. “Why didn't he transform?”

“He refused to. Despite several threats and beatings” she replied.

I could see blood on its black fur and on itsleg was a gashing wound.

I recalled what the girls said about execution and it pulled at my heartstrings.

As if he had felt my eyes on him, he turned to me.

I suddenly heard a gruff whisper in my head that wasn't Nora’s.

“Hello, Luna” I frowned. It was the black wolf. But how was that possible?

The moment a rogue is banished, the mind link that connects them to the pack is severed too so how did he do that?

Amidst my confusion, right in front of everyone, he changed into his human form.

My eyes widened.

It was Owen, my ex-boyfriend.