Chapter 3

Renna’s POV

Too tired to worry, I turned to look up at the person standing by me and holding the umbrella.I had never seen him beforeHe was tall, attractive and had kind eyes. My stomach fluttered and I did my best to ignore his well-defined physique, a task at which I failed.

He flashed me a small smile “You’re too lovely to get sick in this rain.” He said and I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks.He extended his hand, offering to help me up from the wet bench and I couldn’t help but notice that he, too, was getting drenched in the pouring rain. Though I didn’t know him, he didn’t feel like trouble, or maybe I was too tired to notice trouble anymore, at least he didn’t have that unmistakable rogue scent. I accepted his hand, and he responded with a warm smile.

I felt a rush of excitement coursing through me as his hand closed around mine, sending delightful tingles up my skin. He pulled me up, and I found myself face-to-face with him. He was taller than me, with strong, broad shoulders and an exuding a powerful aura. He didn’t let go of my hand and positioned the umbrella above my head to shield me from the rain.

“Where do you live, Beautiful? I could drive you home.” he asked and I hesitated, Home? I didn’t have one of those anymore.

I gazed into his hazel eyes, studying his face, looking for any sign of malice, “Do you know me?”He responded with a wide smile, “Of course! You are the daughter of Alpha Orion. I suppose you don’t have a place to stay now, do you?” I lowered my head, and tears welled up in my eyes once more. The harsh reality of their absence was a mere echo to the haunting memory of their end, playing on a loop in my mind.

“Don’t cry. Let me take you to my house first, or you might catch a cold,” he said, immediately pulling me out of my distressing thoughts.He gestured toward his car parked down the road behind my own. I nodded and mustered a weak, pathetic little smile. I hadn’t expected a stranger to be so kind to me, but I needed the help after the events of the last few days. He opened the car door for me, keeping the umbrella over my head as I climbed in.

At that moment, with clarity that only came from a stranger’s kindness, I vowed to my parents and the Moon Goddess that I would track down all those responsible for their deaths and make them pay.

Xavier’s POV

Earlier that day

The elders of my pack had requested yet another meeting with me. I wasn’t looking forward to it because it was always the same thing they demanded of me. I had been the Alpha of the Midnight pack since I was 23 years old, and I had proven myself to be a good Alpha over the last five years. Sure, I had a reputation, but I got the job done. My businesses were thriving and the pack was growing.

I let out a sigh as I leaned back in my chair while Christopher droned on and on.

“Alpha, you’re 28 years old, and you don’t have a mate. The pack needs a Luna!” he insisted, and they all looked at me with concern. Years ago I had presented them  my mate. They had made their case, and rejected her as Luna, I had agreed for the good of my pack, but they continued to ask this of me. How did they expect me to choose any woman to be my Luna when the only woman I wanted was her? I clenched my fists and gave them all a cold glare.

“I had a mate, you refused  her because she didn’t have Alpha blood,” I said through gritted teeth, an image of her faceflashing in my mind.

Everyone fell into a hushed silence. The women in the room appeared somewhat sheepish, and no one dared to utter a word. I shot a stern glance at them, bewildered by how they could make such demands after what they had done.

“Well, given the pack’s requirement for a Luna with Alpha blood, I’ll take it upon myself to find one for you,” I remarked mockingly, which instantly piqued their interest. They exchanged glances and whispered among themselves, at this point, I was ready to select any Luna to silence them.

“It’s a good decision, Alpha, but I hope you won’t come to regret it. A Luna with Alpha blood would undoubtedly make our pack stronger,” he encouraged me, andsilence fell over the room.

“Don’t worry, Christopher. I won’t regret it; I’ve already found one,” I had seen her once before when she was much younger.I knew she would grow into a remarkable beauty like her mother and  I idly wondered what she looked like now.

This time, it was Simon who spoke, giving me a serious look. “Alpha, from which pack will you select a Luna? All the daughters of the Alphas from the surrounding packs who are over 18 have already found their mates,” he stated solemnly.

I arched an eyebrow,“There’s one left—the daughter of the Moon Stone Pack. I’ll bring her here soon,” I declared, then rose from my seat and made my way to the car, leaving the meeting room in stunned silence. It was time to secure myself a Luna.