Emily’s POV
As soon as I was inside my house, I extended my claws and sniffed around. Mila and the pups’ scents were hours old. I attempted to mind-link Jax and Mila, but their links were closed.
Did someone get in and take all of them?
I stepped deeper into my home, checked the door separating us from Mila’s, and found it locked by my side.
My eyes narrowed. When I left, I was positive the door was still open.
After confirming that the kitchen was secure, I made my way to the dining area, where nothing seemed out of place.
My gaze caught the living room area, and I headed there, yet everything was grave still; not even a scent lingered in the air.
Did my eyes trick me earlier?
Was everything I saw a result of my fear of losing Lex?
Nevertheless, I could not get rid of the feeling that someone was still inside.
I cautiously made my way down the hall to check on Lex and then my room, but as I got closer, I noticed that the door to my office stood open.
Lex was aware that he was not permitted to play inside, and I made sure to shut the door when I wasn’t home.
I slowly stalked forward, peeked my head into the Lex room, saw it was secured, and moved forward. I did the same with my room.
“Do you think he is in your office?” Willow asked, ready to shift and take our intruder down.
“We will find out in a bit,” I said, my heart thumping in my chest.
I quietly opened the door, and my gaze roamed from one corner to the next-yet nothing.
Was I losing my mind?
“Hello, Luna,” A familiar voice spoke behind me, and I shrieked out of fright.
“Luke, what the f*ck?” I growled when I got to my senses. “Why the f*ck are you in my home?”
Luke sneakered at my expense and closed the door behind us.
“Please take a seat,” he commanded.
“Where are Mila and the pups?” I continued, throwing questions at him.
Luke kept quiet and moved toward the alcohol cabinet, poured himself and me a drink, and gestured for me to sit down at the meeting table.
“Luke,” I snarled. “Tell me!”
“Luna,” he said. “Please take a seat and calm down. We have things to discuss.”
“Tell me!” I demanded.
Luke let out a breath.
“Based on your schedule,” Luke remarked, glancing at his phone. “Today, Mila and the pup are visiting the city fair.”
“What?” I scowled.
How in the world is he aware of that?
“As a reminder, Mila sent you a meeting request about two weeks ago,” he said. “It ought to be on your phone, laptop, and calendar. Do you not review your schedules?”
I suddenly violated.
Was he stalking me?
Was this Alex’s idea?
“How are you aware of my schedule?” I asked angrily. “Are you spying on me?”
Luke rolled his eyes.
“No, Luna,” he said. It is my responsibility to be aware of Alpha and Luna’s schedules. How do you suppose I manage to keep everyone safe?”
“What brings you here?” I inquired, disregarding Luke’s query.
“Alpha Alex sent me,” he replied.
The sound of Alex’s name made my heart hurt, and I could feel tears welling up behind my closed eyes. I inhaled deeply and set my emotions aside.
“Why?” I asked.
Luke took out a rumpled envelope from his pocket.
“To give you this,” he uttered.
Unsure if I dared to open and read the letter, I cast a sidelong glance at the envelope Luke was holding.
Even thinking about Alex would bring me to tears, and in the four days since my return, Xavier has not even allowed me to have five minutes alone.
“I don’t want it,” I said stubbornly. “It will not change anything; it will just expose old wounds.”
I felt terrible after saying those few words, which left a bitter aftertaste.
My mind wandered to the morning I had left the Opal Pack.
We were standing on my parent’s porch when Angelica left.
Alex pulled me to his chest and wrapped his arms around me as soon as she was gone.
But Lex seemed content with that, looking up and grinning.
While holding me, Alex was trembling as if he were cold, and I could hear his heart racing in his chest over the torrential rain.
He pressed his nose against my nape and whispered, “I cannot lose you again.” His voice was sorrowful.
I shivered and gasped, my skin tingling where his skin touched mine.
“I promise to rectify this!” he exclaimed. I could hear the raw promise in those words.
I raised my head and looked directly into his storm-gray eyes. I will miss them. I will miss him.
“Keep the pack safe,” I said, cupping his cheek. “I will be alright.”
I put on a brave face, but deep down, I felt weak and broken.
My voice cracked, and I forced a hard swallow to get rid of the lump in my throat. Saying goodbye was more difficult this time than the last.
Alex lowered his head to my ear and tightened his grip around me.
“I am not accepting the rejection,” he whispered. “I refuse to accept it. You have my undying love.”
My lips found Alex’s, and I could not help but pour all my emotions and love into that kiss.
When Mila’s car pulled into the driveway, we pulled apart. I could feel tears streaming down my cheeks.
I kissed Alex on the cheek, picked up the bag, and took Lex’s hand.
I only dared to turn around and look back once I was safely inside the car.
Alex was gone.
He had shifted and run off.
Even the rain couldn’t muffle the most heartbreaking howl echoing in the pack. More pack members soon joined in on the howl, and the sounds stirred up even more feelings in me.
“Luna, I can sense your emotions are all over the place, but I can promise you that we are doing everything we can,” Luke said, interrupting my thought process as he pushed the envelope toward me. Alpha Alex would appreciate it if you took the letter and read it.”
This was extremely difficult. I can’t have my heart shattered into more pieces.
I looked down at the envelope.
Was I prepared to read Alex’s words?
He was only a phone call away, and we could still link if we were near enough. However, we were both aware of the difficulties of doing so.
Things could get ugly fast if someone finds out we are still marked.
My hand reached for my nape; Alex’s mark was still there, even though Willow had covered it up.
Alex was similarly assisted by Ghost.
“Luna. Alpha Alex misses you dearly,” Luke continued, pushing the envelope into my hand. Since you departed, he has changed. Read the letter.”
I was determined not to cry in front of Luke, and I did not have the strength or stomach to do it now.
Behaving as though it was going to burn my hands, I pushed the envelope toward the remaining paperwork on the table.
I unintentionally bumped the remaining paper off the table as a result of the action, and it fell to the floor.
“Sh*t!” I snarled and moved my legs to tidy up the mess.
Luke got up faster than I did and dove beneath the table.
I said, “Luke,” attempting to stop him. “Leave it; I will…”
My eyes fell on Luke as he knelt down and looked at a picture in his hands.
I scowled, not sure what to make of Luke’s response.
“What is this?” he asked.
I replied, “I am not sure what you are referring to.”
Luke stood up and laid the picture down on the table, his expression too intense to read.
I glanced down at the picture and saw that it was the one Xavier had given me.
“When was this taken?” Luke was adamant about knowing.
“I am not sure,” was my response. “It was given to me.”
“By whom?” Luke asked, his expression furious. “Who took the photo?”
What was Luke’s problem?
Was he hiding something?
“I received the photo directly from King Xavier,” I said. “It was taken in the Tango Hearts a few weeks ago.”
Luke flinched but recovered quickly.
I went on, “I do not know who the informant was.”
“Why was this taken?” he asked.
“Am I under some interrogation?” I snapped, jumping to my feet.
Luke took a seat, pressing his finger against the picture.
“Luna,” he said. “This might be the break we are looking for!”
****