Alexander’s POV
Emily was left on her own after Beta John and his mate departed for the festival opening. A group of young she-wolves had surrounded Emily, and she looked annoyed while standing stranded in the center.
I went forward, curious to know what was happening.
“Don’t,” Ghost warned. “Emily can handle herself. Don’t intrude.”
“She is still my mate,” I argued. “And I need to protect her.”
“Protect her from what?” Ghost asked. “Herself?”
I huffed, rolling my eyes, annoyed at Ghost.
“No,” I said. “I do not like how those she-wolves are staring at her.”
“She’ll be fine,” Ghost yapped. “Now leave her alone!”
“But…”
“Alex,” Ghost growled, cutting me off. “Listen to me! Leave Emily alone. You have caused enough harm in a single day!”
“What’s going on?” Luke asked. He must have sensed how frustrated I was.
“Well…” I faltered.
“Don’t you dare!” Ghost gave me a warning growl.
“I see Sasha has gathered a group to witness her shift,” Luke remarked, and I quickly turned my attention back to the girls.
“It seems so,” I said, trying not to sound upset.
Luke searched my gaze, crossed his arms over his chest, and narrowed his eyes at me.
Although I made an effort to ignore him, I knew he could see right through me.
“I am surprised that Sasha wants to do this so openly,” Luke said, turning his attention back toward the girls.
“Do you think that is why the group is all standing around Emily?” I asked, looking at what she was doing.
The annoyance on her face had deepened, and she looked ready to snap.
“I heard Sasha telling Jessie earlier,” Luke said. “If I were her, I wouldn’t have wanted an audience.”
“Me neither,” I said.
The events that took place during Sasha’s first shift were not very pleasant to witness.
I had sympathy for her and felt bad for her. Nobody ought to endure such suffering.
“Should we go crash their little party?” Luke asked.
My attention snapped back to him, and a dark grin followed at the corners of his lips.
What the hell was he up to?
“And do what exactly?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Mm, I’m not sure,” he said, putting his index finger on his lip. “We’ll improvise when we get there.”
“Don’t!” Ghost huffed, annoyed, pacing up and down, ready to charge me.
“And why not?” I snarled.
In an eye blink, Ghost pounced forward and started to fight for control.
Luckily, I saw it coming. I pushed him back and blocked him off behind an invisible wall.
Ghost went at the invisible wall; he clawed and scratched, trying to break free.
The sound of his nails driving themselves into the wall made me wince, and I could still hear it in my head.
Eventually, I would release Ghost and lower the barrier if he persisted in his methods.
“Give it a rest!” I growled darkly. “Or else I’ll block you off for the rest of the month!”
Ghost froze and whimpered. He knew I would do that. I have done it before.
“Very well,” I said, turning my attention back to Luke and gesturing for him to take the lead.
Luke gave me his famous grin, and we started toward the group.
The she-wolves suddenly quieted down when they spotted us and turned their attention toward us.
Emily still looked a bit stressed, but her focus was on Sasha.
“Evening everyone,” Luke said politely. “Any reason why everyone is standing here and not joining the opening of the festivities?”
The she-wolves exchanged glances, but Jessie was the one to step forward.
She locked eyes with me and then smiled provocatively.
Jessie put her index finger down my chest and sweetly said, “Sasha says. She will be shifting tonight, my Alpha.”
I squinted at her, and she pulled her hand away with a bashful smile.
I turned to face Emily and saw the agony twisted in her face.
“And Emily, the misfit, thinks she could help her,” Jessie continued, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
Jessie’s comment amused the group of she-wolves, and they all laughed.
I lost my temper and became blinded with rage. Before I could stop myself, I let out a powerful roar that silenced the group of she-wolves.
Their eyes fell to the ground as they trembled with fear.
The only unaffected person was Emily, who was at my side in the blink of an eye, rubbing small circles on my arm and attempting to calm me down.
Breathless, I forced myself not to lunge forward, ripping the she-wolves in pieces with my claws.
How dare she call my mate a misfit!
Electric sparks burst onto my arm, and everywhere Emily touched, they left a fiery trail of sparks behind.
I looked down at her; she was stroking all the rage out of me.
I sighed. It felt like an angel touching me.
“I will not allow you to disrespect my Luna!” I barked at Jessie.
Jessie’s eyes leaped out of her head when she heard what I said.
“L-l-luna?” In terror, Jessie stammered. “How on earth is that possible? When did that occur? How is it possible for you, a powerful Alpha, to mate with something like that?”
“Enough!” Luke roared, becoming enraged, and silenced Jessie. “It would be best for you to leave before our Alpha loses control and punishes you.”
Jessie gave a nod, and then, without saying anything more, she spun around and vanished from my sight.
Taking a deep breath, I looked back at Luke. His eyes were fixed on the spot where Jessie had vanished.
“I will sort it out,” Luke mind linked. “What she just said is wrong and should be dealt with accordingly. I will make an example of her.”
I gave a nod of consent.
“This is your chance to depart if you would like,” Luke said, turning back to face the group.
Five more girls jumped at the chance to leave.
I released a breath I was unaware of holding and lowered my head to look at Emily. A smile followed on my lips. I loved the way she was holding my hands in hers and stroking them with her thumbs.
“I’m sorry.” was the only thing I could think of to say, and Emily raised her gaze to look at me.
She released my hands and cupped her hand over the side of my face.
“I am the one who needs to apologize,” she said. “I offended you earlier. It is just…”
I put my index finger on her lips to stop her from talking.
“Do not apologize,” I said, sensing my heart’s rage subside. “I am aware that you have a duty to finish the assignment. I will give you my full support on the matter. I am hoping to demonstrate my innocence in this way.”
“Thank you,” Emily said, her blue eyes glistening in the full moonlight.
“I guess that is settled then,” Luke said with satisfaction.
“I think it is,” I said, bending down to give Emily a gentle peck on her rosy lips.
“Luna,” Sasha called out, her voice hardly audible above a whisper, but I could hear the urgency in her tone.
Quietly, Emily turned her eyes to where the girl was standing.
Sasha’s gaze was fixed on the full moon. It was almost at its highest point.
“Shall we?” I asked.
Emily took my hand in hers, nodding, and we began our walk to a more private and serene spot.
Emily looked up at the sky as she came to a sudden stop.
“This should do,” she said, her voice a pitch higher than normal, and she turned to Sasha. “I hope you are ready.”
Sasha got closer and stripped herself of her clothes.
What Emily did next was remarkable!
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