Chapter 17

I could feel the soft rise and fall of her chest as she slept peacefully beside me. I took a look at the time on my watch. It was only 10 PM, I could make it home in time to ask my father more questions and make it back before the morning.

"Dad, I need to speak with you. I'm going to run back. Let the night patrol know it's only me running through the pack lands."

"I will be in my office. I've got a lot to finish up still. See you soon, son."

I closed off the mindlink as I snuck away from the bed and out of the room. Max stood there in the hallway with a glass of water.

"What the fuck man?"

"This isn't the time to talk. I have to head home quickly."

"No! You said I could go for it. You said you didn't mind. You just can't let me have anything, can you? Mr. Alpha has to have everything? Fuck you, man."

"That's not it, okay, Max? I will explain everything in the morning."

Max shook his head as he went back into his room, "Whatever. I'm done."

I felt bad, but I knew I didn't have much time. Max would have to wait till tomorrow for an explanation.

As soon as I stepped outside, I shifted and took off running towards the pack house. Our lands are so big that the lake house technically falls under pack lands but it's at the very end. It would take me an hour and a half to run there.

As I ran, I couldn't believe how perfect Sawyer was fitting in with everything. How she has come to terms with everything so quickly. She didn't even know about wolves, and yet, she's been accepting it instead of freaking out.

I suddenly smelt an unfamiliar scent. It wasn't rogue, but it didn't belong to our pack. I didn't stop to investigate as I was already on a mission of my own. Since it was close to town, maybe it was Sawyer's grandparents since they must still shift and exercise their wolves. We would have to be careful, and I would make note to mention it to my father. He would have to send patrols to ensure our safety.

After about an hour and a bit, I reached the outskirts of our pack town. I shifted back and walked home to the pack house. Before going to my dad's office, I went upstairs to grab some clothes.

"I'm making my way down. See you in a couple minutes," I warned him.

I strided towards the office and walked in to see my dad working away, buried in his paperwork.

"You have a busy night, don't you?"

"I sure do, son. Life as an Alpha is never dull. You will realize that soon."

"Yea, maybe in a few more years. I still have time to live it up."

"I don't know know about that. It may have to be sooner. This is something I have been hoping to speak with you for a while."

"Why? What's going on?"

"My health has been declining. It seems like I may have some memory issues happening. Nothing that needs an immediate switch yet, maybe in a years time. You need to pick up some extra training and make final decisions in regards to your Luna. Will it still be Shiloh? You know me and your mother approve."

"Me and Shy broke up this week. I was hoping to wait it out so I could find my fated mate."

"That might not happen, and you need security for the pack."

"Why didn't you tell me any of this sooner?"

"Oh, your mother didn't want to worry you. However, it's been later nights because I seem to always forget something. Beta Drew has been helping a lot more. Realizing I forgot something and either taking it upon himself or reminding me. It's time we thought about a new Alpha."

"I'm happy to step up in any way I can!"

"That's my boy! So what brought you in tonight?"

"I recently discovered some news of wolves who passed years ago. They went by the names Felix and Sash Moon. I was hoping to get more information on that."

"I don't want to hear those names in this office again."

"But dad!"

"No! You heard me, and it's final. There will be no talks of the Moon family."

"Why? What did they do?"

"That women disgraced and betrayed me and our pack. Trust me when I say that you're better off not knowing. You better get back to your friends."

"Sure," I hung my head low. I felt like I failed Sawyer. I walked out of the office and closed the door. That's when I bumped into Beta Drew.

"Sorry, Beta. I didn't see you there."

"That's alright. I heard you asking your father about the Moon family?" he lifted his brow.

"Yea. apparently, we don't talk about them?"

"Come with me."

I followed Beta Drew to his quarters, and we sat in his living room on opposite sides in his armchairs.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"So we can talk."

"You know about the Moons?"

"Yes. I was Alpha Felix Moons Beta before your father killed them, and we surrendered to his pack and loyalty."

"Felix Moon was an Alpha!?"

"Yes. Alpha Felix Moon was one of the best Alpha's there was. His mate, Luna Sasha Moon, was from your father's pack. They had a daughter. Not sure what ever happened to her. There have been a lot of stories and rumors about her whereabouts."

"Why did my father kill them? Is that why we have such a large pack?"

"Yes. Your father took over the Full Moon Pack once he killed Alpha Felix and Luna Sasha. They actually sacrificed their lives for us. Once we surrendered, your father and his old Beta argued. They didn't agree about what happened. So he cast them off and made them rogues, then took me as his Beta. He said I needed to prove my loyalty. If I did that, then the Full Moon Pack wolves would see that we could trust him. I don't think anyone had been too thrilled to surrender, but we needed to survive for our young, our future. We all believe that their heir, their daughter, would come back to save us all. It hasn't been all that bad. Your father and mother are reasonable people and treat us fairly."

"Why did he do it?"

"Luna Sasha was your father's chosen mate. They were happy and even had a son. They had never completed the mating bond, though. I believe Luna Sasha wanted to wait until their son was born as he came unexpectedly. They were very young. Then Alpha Felix came to visit the pack after becoming Alpha. He met Sasha, and it turned out they were fated mates. Sasha decided to uphold the sacredness of a fated mate and left your father. Alpha Felix and Luna Sasha wanted to bring the boy with them. Your father didn't allow that. He kept the boy and scared them away. Sashas family even left the pack, too. I'm not sure what happened to them, but they feared for their lives after what happened. Your father finally found his fated mate, your mother, but I think his mind was too far gone at that point. He was determined to take over and make them pay. He cast his son to the wild and eventually started the war between the packs. He was successful, obviously. However, there is an heir out there for the Full Moon Pack. She could come forward, but I would fear for her life."

"You think my father would kill her? What happened to my brother?"

"He has mentioned doing so for a long time. He wants no remnants of the Moon name left. As for your brother, he probably died. He was only 6 or 7. He couldn't have survived on his own."

"I have to go," I stood and started to walk away when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"You can't let your father know I told you. He would take this as a betrayal of his trust."

"I promise this stays between us. When I become Alpha in a year's time, I will make everything right."

I took off. I ran as fast as I could out of the pack house into the forest and shifted. I didn't care about my clothes. I just knew I had to get to Sawyer, protect her, and keep her safe. She was my mate, and I would never let my father harm her.

I ran and didn't quit until the lake house came into view, and I could sense her again. I walked inside and up the stairs. I didn't care who saw me in that moment. She was my mate, she was my future. I walked with confidence into her room, then laid next to her and cuddled her. No one would harm her.