Ethan P. O. V
I completely wrapped Lucy’s body up, not exposing a single thread. I thought being with her every day would be an amazing experience once I returned.
But it just doesn’t feel the same. The passion is off, and I can’t find the pleasure I had right before I met Claire, my destined mate.
It’s all so surprising-why is my mate the one I’ve been searching for instead? Someone meant to bring me more power and strength has bound me instead.
I have no doubt that Christopher Gale will track her down eventually.
Once I ensured Lucy was sound asleep, I hopped out of bed and jumped in the shower.
The scratches on my chest looked way better than they did a few hours ago, which was a good sign that they didn’t use poison this time. I needed to figure out what that old lady said about who kicked off this whole ‘hunting’ mess.
I threw on a black T-shirt before heading out. I initially planned to check in on Chen Lien in the study. Still, instead, I ran into Octa and Elvis, who were just hanging out in the hallway outside Lucy’s room.
“Hey, Alpha, are you alright after returning from there?” Octa suddenly chimed in when I fell silent.
Luckily, I didn’t have too many questions for her or the other elders. So, I led them to the study, where I spotted Chen Lien chilling with a bottle of vodka.
Chen Lien looked puzzled by the two elders being there, so she just sipped her drink and watched. That’s when Danny and another Gamma named Nolan showed up, too.
At first, I was pretty ticked off because they barged in without inviting me. But then I looked around and saw all the big shots from my Pack gathered there, and it hit me-maybe this is the perfect chance to fire off a bunch of questions about everything while I’m not in the Pack right now.
“What’s really going on here?” I asked as soon as I got them all to take a seat.
“Did you have a meeting with Andara, Alpha?” Octa was the first to chime in.
“Andara? Who’s that?”
Octa grinned at my question and pulled out an old, tattered note. He laid it on the table for me to check out.
I picked up the note and checked it out. It had a list of names I didn’t recognize; none of them were my warriors, whether alive or gone.
“Who are these people?” I asked, intrigued.
“They’re the Rogue Wolves from the forest out there, way past our Pack’s territory,” Elvis replied, his voice low.
Earlier during the attack, I noticed that old guy battling a Rogue. He got lucky and didn’t end up hurting too badly-just a few scratches on his hand, now wrapped up in bandages.
“Why did you hand this to me?” I tossed it back onto the table.
“Because one of them is Andara, the Elder of the Moon Fall Pack, a very powerful and large pack led by Christopher Gale.”
I shut my eyes, struggling to process what I just heard. An Elder? I glanced at the note again, and sure enough, Andara Spencer’s name was right there. The list also included some important people who had been kicked out of their previous Pack.
“So, you’ve always had a good relationship with this old lady, Octa?”
“Yes, I have, Alpha,” she replied, giving me a nod.
“How long has it been?”
It’s been a couple of years since I discovered it was her.
“So you were aware he was around before that?”
“Absolutely. Before Christopher Gale formed the Moon Fall Pack, they were a large group with a solid relationship with us and your late dad.”
“My dad?”
That’s surprising. I had no idea my father had a friendly connection with the Moon Fall Pack.
“Now that you have a good rapport with Lady Andara, what can you do to help me get my Luna back?”
“So, you’re finally admitting she’s your Luna?” Chen Lien broke the silence.
I shut my eyes and took a moment to breathe before I replied. “Yeah, she’s my Luna, the one the moon goddess destined for me. Plus, she’s my ticket to gaining power from Christopher Gale, and once I get that, I’ll reject her.”
“Rejecting your fated Luna could lead to death, so you really need to think this through, Alpha Ethan,” Chen Lien warned, sounding like she was predicting the future.
Honestly, I get that. But isn’t it better to keep feelings out of business?
“Who is their leader, Octa?”
Octa shook his head. “They don’t really have a leader. It’s more like a group of folks who offer advice. They’re on the same level as us elders, and one of them is Andara Spectra.”
“He mentioned that if he wants me to head over there and negotiate, do you get what I’m saying?”
“Count me in, Alpha,” Elvis jumped in, and Octa nodded along, with Chen Lien raising her hand.
“I’d like to join you. I think Claire would be glad to see me there,” he added.
My eyebrow twitched a bit. I was slightly offended by what he said. What’s that about? Does he really think Claire Halle has a thing for him?
If I tell her she can’t go, she might think I’m jealous or trying to control her. No way. He’s an important business partner, and I can’t afford to lose him, especially with all the connections he has in the black market and the massive stash of nicotine he’s got.
“Do whatever you want,” I replied casually.
“Should I bring the Warriors with us, Alpha?” Nolan finally asked what was on my mind.
It might be a good idea to bring more Warriors along, but then they might get the wrong idea and think I’m planning to attack. Conversely, can that lady promise that the Rogue Wolves won’t come after us if I go without my Warriors?
“Alpha, you need to consider your safety,” Nolan cautioned. “Sure, we know that lady Claire needs protection to stay safe while she’s with them, but we can’t be sure the Rogue Wolves won’t hurt her.”
Danny said, “We still need warriors to protect us from the worst, Alpha.”
I was weighing my options with those two. But when I looked at Octa, she just shook her head. I wasn’t on the same page as Nolan and Danny.
“So, what’s your take on Octa?” I decided to leave the choice to the elders, hoping this wouldn’t be the biggest mistake of my life.