AVA
The run back to Blood Moon was faster this time, we managed it in only four hours. But that will be
because part way back, I felt Theo being tortured. There’s nothing like the feeling of your mate being
tortured to help you somehow run even faster.
We set up my twelve warriors in one of the guest houses, one nicely close to the pack house in case
we needed the backup quickly. I’d agreed with Callum, who was essentially my head of the Queen’s
Guard, that I’d have two warriors tailing me at all times, not including him.
I could deal with that.
With everything that was going on, being tailed by two warriors is hardly a concern. I was planning
on insisting each of my mates had a tail too once my Queen’s Guard was fully in place. They wouldn’t
like it either, but they’d have to learn to deal with it.
Until they didn’t, I’d keep knocking them on their asses in training.
Of course, we hadn’t told Jacob and Alex yet that I’d brought twelve Lycan warriors back with us
from our adventures, so they were in for a shock there… especially since there were two on guard
outside my office door, and the remaining ten were set up in one of the guest houses.
When the two of them did arrive at my office, I could have laughed at their faces. I really wished I
had a camera set up… Lycan warriors have a certain presence about them that can be very
intimidating, especially if you weren’t expecting it. And they clearly weren’t expecting it.
“Queen Avelina, good to see you,” Jacob’s voice was… overly formal as he came through the door.
I gave him a polite nod, and smiled widely at Alex, before mindlinking Callum. “I don’t like
something here, something is… off with Jacob. Don’t tell Noah yet because I don’t know what it is,
but something feels wrong. And dangerous.”
“Roger that, Ava,” Callum replied.
“Have you heard anything from Theo, by any chance, Jacob?”
He shook his head. His mouth was tilted down like he was sad… but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“I really don’t like this. I want another two guards up here.” My mental voice to Callum stunk of
suspicion.
“Inside or outside?”
“Inside.”
“Alex, how are you doing?” I asked him, my voice calm, friendly. I was really trying not to let on that
I was suspicious about Jacob.
“I’m good, thank you, Ava,” he smiled back.
“You will address her as Queen Avelina, Alexander,” Jacob growled, spinning to face him. His eyes
flashed with his wolf, but the colour was wrong. Lloyd’s eyes were blue. These eyes were red.
“Callum, restrain him,” I growled through the link. “This isn’t Jacob.”
He nodded, before linking the members of the Queen’s Guard. Jacob was restrained in no time at all,
but neither Noah or Alex were particularly happy about that.
“Jacob Hughes, Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack,” I started speaking, my voice low. “Your wolf is
Lloyd, he is a dark brown wolf with bright blue eyes.”
I paused, tilting my head to look at him, my eyes squinting. “Your wolf’s eyes are red. You are not
Jacob.”
“Yes I am!” he growled.
“Okay sure, sure…” my voice was still low. “The Jacob we all know wouldn’t wish his missing son
would have just run away from us all. The Jacob we know would know Theo well enough to know
that the note was obviously forged.” I glared at him. “Of course, all of that could be faked, or you
could just be that bad at paying attention to your children. But one thing that can’t be faked, is a
wolf’s natural scent.”
Fake Jacob’s face fell. I’d got him.
“Noah, Alex, do you know what the real Jacob’s scent is?”
“Fresh pine and bourbon,” Noah whispered.
“And what does this wolf smell like?”
“Nettles and mud,” Alex replied.
I tilted my head at the imposter. “Who are you, really? You can tell me the easy way, or the hard way.
Your choice.”
Fake-Jacob just smirked, refusing to speak.
“Fine, hard way it is.” I stood, walking around my desk so I was sitting next to the very well
restrained Fake-Jacob.
“I assume, Fake-Jacob, that you know who I am?” I threw my aura behind the question, making sure
he had to answer.
“Queen Avelina,” he growled.
“Who am I to you?”
“My boss’ mate,” his voice was strained, he was really fighting my command. At hearing that, Noah,
Callum and Oscar all growled. Fake-Jacob just smirked in response.
“Who is your boss?”
“The Rogue King.”
“That was easy, wasn’t it? Now, Fake-Jacob, what is your name?”
“Julian…” he groaned, fighting the command. “Julian Stanley.”
What is it with the bloody Stanley family?
“Well, Julian Stanley. Why are you running with rogues?”
“Shunned,” his voice was getting increasingly pained under the weight of my aura.
“Who is Matthew Stanley to you?”
“Older brother,” he growled.
“Are you aware that Matthew Stanley is attempting to come for me too?”
“No! You belong to the Rogue King! My brother is a traitor!”
I sighed, rubbing my face.
“Where is the real Jacob Hughes?”
“I don’t know.”
“Who took him?”
“The Rogue King.”
Well then, it looks like we’re going on a rogue hunt to get our Alpha back, and hunting a power-
hungry asshole to get one of my mates back. How even are we in this situation?!
“Callum, get him down to the dungeons.”
“Of course, my Queen.”
“And get someone to find a witch, we need to strip off whatever enchantment our friend here is
using.”
Callum nodded, turning to leave the room, motioning for the two warriors holding Fake-Jacob to
follow him.