chapter 4

Jasper 

“Is this the best you can do?” I snarled, voice tearing through the training ground. 

The warrior in the ring staggered, breathing heavily, sweating as he tried balancing on his legs. Another fool was lying down on the ground, dead or alive, – I don't care. 

“Pathetic," I spat, moving closer. “Do you think an enemy will wait for you to breathe before they rip out your throat?” 

“I….I'm sorry, Alpha,” he coughed, trembling. 

“Sorry won't save you” my fist crushed his ribs again, the crack of bone splitting under my fist, sending him stumbling. “Get up and try harder or you’ll join the rest of the useless bodies on the ground.”

“Alpha,”

Becca’s voice cut through my rage, but I didn't answer. I can’t. Not when this was the only thing keeping me from breaking down. She wanted me to stop training the warriors because she's tired of me killing them in disguise of training them. But I can’t stop because I haven’t gotten my fill. Just like I’ve not been able to rest for the past seven days since my Luna was kidnapped. Nothing I did could quench the emptiness I feel. 

I had only gone for the international alpha submit in Australia for two days because the Alpha king insisted I go, only to come back and meet her absence. 

The earth has burned under my fury since then. I raided different packs, witch huts, rogue hideouts with my warriors, killing wolves and anyone who dares to stop me from looking for my Luna. Yet the trial ran cold all the time. 

Splitting my warriors into two, I sent Sylas, my beta to the North and Zarek, my gamma to the west – with orders to kill any Alpha who dares to stop them and bring their Luna, so they can feel my pain. 

But still…I return to my empty chamber every night, filled with her sweet lavender scent, haunting me like a memory I can’t let go. The silence mocked me, reminding me of what I failed to protect. My pride was bruised like a wound that will never heal. 

“My sister will never forgive you if she finds out you destroyed your pack because of her.” Becca shouted, crying.

Her words struck something and my eyes darkened. A growl ripped from my throat, shaking the earth under us and warriors quickly dropped to their knees from the sheer force of the snarl. The beast in me surged, ready to attack, but I shifted, bolting to the pack house, straight to the cage made of iron bars, laced with electricity that I made for myself for times like this I can’t control my wolf. Currents of electricity passed through me, splitting my skin. My body welcomed the pain again, until Ragnar calmed down.

Only Letana has been able to calm my wolf, but now, she's gone and I'm back here in the cage after months of not being here. 

“It's true.” Ragnar growled, “She won’t forgive us if we destroy our pack before she comes back.”

He’s right, still the anger clawed at me. It had only been six months since I found Letana, my mate, after ruling for eight years without finding my mate. And she's everything I wanted in a woman. Smart. Intelligent, and fierce, yet I couldn't get enough of how soft and kind she is. 

My phone rang as I staggered back to my chambers and Syla's voice rang out. 

“We are heading to the North, Alpha. Do you still want us to cross to the south? The alpha king will not forgive us if we violate the peace treaty again, especially with Redmoon…..”

“To hell with Redmoon and what anyone thinks.” I growled “Where was the alpha king when my Luna was kidnapped. And since when do you begin to question me?”  

“I’m sorry, Alpha.” he stammered.

“I’ll meet you in the North," I announced. Ending the call, I called Zarek, telling him what to do in the west. The West pack are weak and smaller packs so they can't do much, but I had to send him to be sure they are involved in this shit 

“I’m going North," I told Becca, whose eyes had been following me like a shadow. 

“Do you think you can still find Letana?” She asked, tears dripping down her eyes.

“I'll bring Letana back.” I assured her and bolted out. I shifted into my black fur and my body tore into the night, determined not to return until I find her my mate. 

“Alpha!” Sylas' voice suddenly reached me through the mindlink, telling me I’m close. “W…we found Luna, but…” 

I didn't hear the rest before blocking him and increased my pace. My wing tore through the night and before long, I descended.

Sylas crouched beside a limp figure in the dirt poison trap, unable to touch her, knowing she’s mine. 

She was broken. Her skin was torn, blood streaking from her arms because of the poison trap I set in the borders to stop rogues, not knowing I was digging my own grave. 

“Our mate is hurt, help her,,” Ragnar howled, but I couldn't move. My heart was bleeding. 

Her sweet lavender scent was gone, and her blue eyes flickered weakly, reaching out for my help. 

Closing the distance, I carry her and locked eyes with her as if daring her to die on me. “No, Letana, stay with me.” I muttered painfully. 

My warriors watched in silence, horror written on their faces as I mid-shifted and ran back to Moonveil. 

Dr Eldric’s eyes widened as I stormed into the hospital, her body limp in my arm.

“Alpha…the poison….I don't think Luna can survive. We used the last antidote last month.” 

My anger flared and in a flash, my hand was on his throat, lifting him off the ground, his legs kicking wildly. "Your entire family dies if anything happens to my Luna, your Luna.” 

He wheeled, clawing at my grip. “Y…yes, Alpha.” 

I dropped him, disgust curling my lip and I watched as he barked out orders, everywhere busy.

I stood back, chest heaving as I watched her broken body. 

Something was wrong. I can tell. She wasn't supposed to react like this to the poison, wasn't even supposed to fall into the trap since she knows how we planted the poison, talk less of killing her scent. 

Why did the poison affect her this way? And why do I feel distant to her even though she's here? Why the fuck is my heart racing faster than usual. 

‘It doesn’t matter now.’ Ragnar purred. ‘All that matters is that we saved her and she's never going to leave our side again.’

“Yes,” we saved her and I'll never leave her side or let her go away from me because she's mine.

Hours later, she was stable and transferred to a private room, but I noticed everything changed the moment I entered the room….