Unknown POV
He picked up another scroll that laid beside the books and papers stacked on the desk he sat behind and read through another report from some warriors on an errand to an ally pack up north. He scowled at the contents written in it, still ignoring the presence of the three men who stood before him on the other side of the table. Having read enough of the scroll’s contents, he tossed it aside and turned his scowl to the men who waited silently. He regarded each of them without a word, knowing his silence would only make them grow nervous and fearful. That was his intent after all. He finally decided to break his silence when the youngest of the three began to tremble. “You said you had important information for me regarding Blackmoon”, he said, biting back his smirk at their fear. “Yes, Alpha”, the older, more muscular one said immediately. “Then tell me”, he urged. The three exchanged looks before the trembling youngster took a step forward. “A-a-alpha I h-heard t-t-t-th…” he stuttered pathetically. “Calm yourself, Pup”, the Alpha said, not hiding the humour in his voice and smirking in obvious enjoyment. “I do not bite unless necessary”. He added then turned to the biggest of the three who had spoken earlier. “I am sure you are aware of whatever he wants to tell me. So tell me in his stead”, he ordered. “Yes, Alpha”, he answered immediately, taking a step forward as the other took a shaky step back. “We were at the Blackmoon pack’s East border when he heard that their Alpha has found his mate”, he reported and his Alpha leaned forward. “We also heard that she would be moved to the West border cabin for a ceremony that would take place two days from now”. His Alpha leaned back in his wooden chair thoughtfully. He was silent for a few moments before he asked. “Is that all you found out?” “We also heard that she might be pregnant but we can’t be sure”, he said. “Interesting”, the Alpha commented, then after a second said to them. “You may leave”. They immediately did as they were ordered after a bow. “Lucas, get in here”, he mind linked his Beta and a few minutes later, the door to his office opened and his blonde, hazel-eyed Beta walked in. “What do you think?”he immediately asked him, knowing he was already informed. His Beta pulled out a chair and sat, his comfortable posture betraying his ease with his Alpha. “I have questions”, he said casually as he picked up a tiny dagger from the table and twirled it in his hand. “As do I”, his Alpha agreed. “For one, why would he send his mate to the West border when he is aware of our attacks?”he shared. “My thoughts precisely”, his Beta said. “Also, his mate is supposedly pregnant and he would risk an attack on his unborn pup?” “The whole thing is too suspicious”, he agreed. “Yet it is too good an opportunity for you to pass up and I am sure you will not”. His Beta said and replaced the dagger on the table before leaning back to watch his friend. “What would you have me do?”he asked. A thoughtful silence dominated the room as the Alpha weighed his options. But it was as his friend had said. It was too good an opportunity to pass on. “Bring her to me”, he gave his order. His Beta slowly rose to his feet, displaying a sluggishness that he knew was a mask to fool others. There was no one quicker or more agile than his Beta, save himself. “Yes, Alpha”. He bowed his head and was out the door the next second. The only proof of his presence being the absence of the tiny dagger he had earlier pretended to return. The Alpha chuckled as he mind linked him, knowing he hadn’t gone too far to hear him. “So predictable”.Jasmine’s POV It was a surprise to everyone at breakfast the next morning to see Luke seated to Regan’s left, and the two thoroughly engaged in conversation. I am sure Luke’s mate was surprised as well because we shared a glance of astonishment before turning back to watch our mates interact. It was as though Luke had never left. The only difference was, when before it would be very obvious that they were both mind linking the other, it had now become that they would openly speak to each other. I secretly believed they did that so that Lena could see. If she saw and was affected by it, she hid it well, keeping a blank and almoubored expression on her face and only interacting with the ladies and her mate throughout the meal. It was the bored expression that let me know that she was indeed affected. Lena was never bored. If she was, she created something to entertain herself and others. On the other had, the two friends who had obviously resolved whatever issues the
Regan’s POV It had been three days since Luke came home and I could still feel the awkwardness between us. Lena had still not relented in her mission to pretend he did not exist and for the most part, I felt sorry for him. Lady Zara was getting along famously with the ladies, who went out of their way to include her in every activity they performed. They had even taken her to their favorite place at the stream and it was clear to see that Lady Zara was thoroughly enjoying her stay in our pack. For my part, I was mostly confused. I did not know whether to have Luke perform duties around the pack, just as I normally would. But it was not the same. I did not even know if o could still refer to him as my Beta. We had not had a single meaningful conversation since his return. On one hand, his mate was the last relative of the deceased Alpha of Redclaw pack, which meant that he could take up the leadership of the pack as its Alpha if he chose to remain there with her. O
Jasmine’s POV If I had expected Lena to have forgiven Luke once she sore him, I and everyone else who had had similar thoughts were proved wrong. I had been surprised to look around and find her absent, only to return to the house to see that she had never left in the first place. I had known that Lena’s feelings had been hurt by Luke’s refusal to respond to the several letters she had sent him while he had been away. However, I had assumed that all would be forgiven once he returned home. I had assumed wrong. She had avoided seeing him all day and had remained in the privacy of her room until it was time for Supper. Then, she had emerged in all her cold beauty and proceeded to sit as far away from Luke at the dinner table in the pack house. Despite her avoidance of Luke and her ignoring of his existence, her cold treatment was never given to Luke’s mate, who she had pulled into a hug and gushed over how beautiful she was the moment Nana had introduced her. She had g
Regan’s POV It had been more than ten days since my warriors and I returned from our successful journey. I had received several letters from the Alpha and Luna of Nighthowl pack. Alpha Regan kept me informed on his progress with the Council of Elders while his Luna wrote to ask about my well being as well as that of my mate and our unborn pup. She also wrote to inform me that she had written to her distant nephew, the Alpha of Moonrock pack, and encouraged me to write to him, assuring me of his acceptance to hear of my request. After receiving that particular letter, I wasted no time in writing to the Alpha of Moonrock pack, convincing Alpha Gaiu to do the same on our behalf. He readily agreed, if for nothing else but for his mate sake, I suspected. However, despite writing and receiving letters, I had yet to receive a letter from the one person I had not realized I had wished to hear from the most. Luke. I had written and destroyed several letters I had meant to send
Jasmine’s POV Regan’s return brought a new light to my days. Once they had been welcomed and fed, each warrior returned to their respective homes. With his arm around my waist, my mate led us back to our home after our evening meal with the rest of the pack to welcome our warriors back. Mira had done an absolutely marvelous job at cooking up the most sumptuous meal for our supper. Everyone had eaten their feel and the mood was very merry. However, throughout the meal, Isla remained quiet as usual, only lightly conversing with Lena or other wise quietly watching and smiling to some antics the warriors did. Most of them were somewhat drunk and were obnoxiously loud. One thing that was clear to anyone with eyes was how much and how often most of the warriors who had returned -most of which were unmated - tried to gain Isla’s attention. At first, they had simply stared at her or passed her admiring glances. But once they started to drink, they grew bolder with trying to g
Regan’s POV Not long after we had taken our morning meal, after we had put Alpha Zolan to rest under the full moon the night before, my warriors and I were ready to continually our journey home. Lady Zara came to bid us farewell, expressing her gratitude for our presence and assistance. And though she did not say it, I could see her gratitude for me allowing Luke remain with her. I waved away her thanks, taking her hand and bowing over it before bidding her farewell. Then I turned to Luke. Our goodbye was a very casual affair as we both knew each other well enough to know that we did not want to get affectionate or create a scene. So we limited our goodbye to a nod and a brief handshake and patting of shoulders. As I turned around and began to walk away to join our warriors who were already gathered and waiting with our horses and supplies for our return home, I caught sight of Emry break away from the group and run past me to Luke. I did not turn around to watch what