Chapter 3

Filled with fury, I didn't wait to see his reaction, I ran, as fast as my legs could carry me. I didn't stop when the men outside raised their guns at me, or when Alpha Moretti held up a hand to stop them. 

I collapsed on the grass under the full moon, grieving everything. My parents, my pack, my wolf, my mate’s rejection and the life I would have had as Luna.

Hatred burned through me as silent sobs racked my body, just before a searing pain tore from my head down to my toes.

My mind reeled with panic. Was this an aftereffect of the rejection? Was this what every wolf who got rejected felt? Was the alpha feeling the same pain as I was? Before I could ask myself more questions, a piercing pain shot through my back. 

 I let out a loud scream, then darkness followed.

 ——

Rain pattered against my skin... jolting me awake

Something was odd.. It never rained out of season but that wasn’t the worse. The real jolt came when I looked down and realized my clothes were gone.

I was butt naked on the grass.

I held a hand to my mouth. Did someone take advantage of my state?

 I peeked between my thighs to see nothing. Surely, if anyone had touched me, the pain would be enough evidence to show. 

 I didn't have any more time to think as I found my black hoodie sprawled some steps away from where I lay and I quickly put it on, shivering even more after getting drenched.

 Thankfully, it was large enough to fall down my small frame up until my mid thigh. 

I stayed in the shadows, found familiar roads and slipped into the house through the back door. 

On my way to my room, I saw Grannie Alba curled up on the couch. The lines on her face appeared deeper than they were the last time I saw her. Sadness filled me as I realized she probably went mad with worry after I hadn't return home last night. 

 I wondered what I would say, if she tried questioning me.

The truth? 

 ***Alessandro's POV***

After she disappeared, I called off the night’s meeting. My head wasn’t clear, and I couldn’t let my men see me like this.

 When I was alone, I dropped my head in my hand.

 How was this possible? She couldn’t have been a day over eighteen. 

There had to be a mistake

 “The moon goddess doesn't make mistakes,” Raka, my wolf, hissed at me.

 He was right to be angry. We’d met and rejected our mate in the span of five minutes, and worse, he couldn’t even feel her wolf.

 “Remember the prophecy was cle-”

 “To hell with that ridiculous prophecy,” Raka snapped. “Go get our mate back. We're too old for this.”

 “Exactly! We are.” I shot back. “And she's too weak, Raka. She wouldn't survive Moretti Brun,” I said plainly.

That shut him up.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Alessia asked, coming into view. 

I was so engrossed in my thoughts I didn't realised she walked in.  Normally, I would have heard her steps before she got to the door. Curse this.

 “It's just….that girl was…” 

 “Your mate,” she finished. “And you rejected her.”

 Alessia Romano was one of the few members of my clan; Umbra Nera and my pack, Moretti Brun, that had proven her loyalty to me which earned her the position as a Capo and a friend.

 I gave a stiff nod in response.

 “Whatever your reasons were, I'm sure they were valid,” she said.

 “Have our meeting rescheduled for tomorrow, at a different location.”

 “I don't know who that girl could be talking to,” I said stiffly.

 Alessia gave me a stern look and left.

 I convinced myself that I did the right thing by rejecting Elara. The prophecy was clear and she was not in any way a part of it.

I was only protecting my pack.

Three weeks had passed since the rejection, and I still had my hands full.

A sharp knock broke my focus, no one disturbed me at this hour. Moments later, Silas’ voice pushed through the mind link.

“What?” I asked, granting him access.

 “I'm sorry but it's urgent. I wouldn't disturb you if it weren't, especially knowing that you just got back.” 

 I sighed, severing the mind link. 

 “Come in!” I called out, and he stepped into my office.

 I was almost taken aback by how disheveled he looked. “Is everything okay? Maria?” I asked.

 “Maria is fine… but the pack isn’t”

 “Sit,” I gestured to the chair in front of me. 

 “Alpha,” he hesitated. “I think the land has been cursed.”

 I almost laughed. “That’s impossible.  We have one of the most powerful seers alive.” My tone was smug, unapologetically so. 

 I’d clawed this pack into power from nothing. I had every right to be confident.

But Silas didn’t flinch. Didn’t argue. He just shook his head and let out a long breath. 

“This is real, Sandro. Something’s happening.”

 I leaned back in my chair. “Alright. I’m listening.”

 “It started over two weeks ago,” he said slowly. “The  night it rained heavily,”

 “Right.”

 “After that day, our crops began to die. Even the already harvested food began to rot.”

 I thought about his words for a moment. “Okay, it could just be that the rain disrupted the planting season. It never rains in February,”

 Silas frowned. 

“We all thought the same, until the soldiers at the borders reported that the greenery outside the territory looked lusher than ever. The plants were budding and fruiting, and flowers were blooming.”

 “That’s not all,” he continued. 

“A few of the soldiers went around to inspect other areas before bringing in this report. As we speak, every one of them is terribly ill, two of them died this morning.”

That made me sit up. 

“My soldiers? Ill? That’s impossible. Moretti Brun members do not fall ill, much less die from… from illness.”

Leaving no room for a reply. He continued. “A pregnant she-wolf lost her pup today, and another is currently in the clinic while Dr. Enzo’s fighting to keep them both alive. Sandro, we can’t afford to sit quietly.”

“The council has gotten the news. You may be summoned any time,” he finished, sinking into his chair.

 Before I could respond, my cousin Sofia burst in through the doors, slamming them shut.

 “Sandro!” she called sharply.

 I gave her a warning look, but she ignored it.

“You found your mate and rejected her?” she screeched. “I can’t believe you, Sandro. After all these years?”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Silas perk up in his chair. But I ignored him.

 “How did you hear about that? Who have you been talking to?”

 She ignored my questions and shook her head furiously.

 Just then, my delta, Dante, entered the office. 

“The council... they’re here.”