Luna On The Run!

Beta Eric’s POINT OF VIEW

There are three pairs of eyes glued to me.

I should have known that Kensley would find out about my activities after I left the pack on leave. The man is an excellent tracker and takes his job very seriously.

But I also knew that this day would come when I would have to tell Zane that Alexis is my mate. Only I had thought to wait until after her anniversary when our wolves had confirmed our suspicions.

“I was in Blue Blood to visit my potential mate and spend time with her,” I explain as I rise from my chair to meet Zane at equal eye level. “I wasn’t going to tell you about it until she turned eighteen and our wolves confirmed we were destined. And then I also hoped that the storm between Zane and Ariel had died down”.

Zane stares at me warily, his hands still at his sides. “And who is your future mate, Eric? Why do I feel like I know her already?” Irritated, he waves his hand; I know what that means. He is on the verge of a tantrum.

“Alexis. Your mate’s sister, the same woman who was here,” I sigh. He takes a threatening step toward me. “Were you chasing her behind my back anyway? And I asked you more than once if she was your mate, but you always denied it. And all the while we watched as she openly idolized you,” he bites at me.

“Zane, we are best friends. I would never make out with a woman you were interested in behind your back. I’m man enough for that,” I say harshly. I hate him questioning my integrity. I would never betray my Alpha and he damned well knows it.

“You asked me if your mate and I had a thing for each other. You asked me if I was in love with your mate and the answer is still no,” I tell him. “Alexis is not your mate. And I would never be in a relationship with her if she was”.

“Did you know then that they had switched identities when she was here? Did you know about their plans?” Kensley demands to know now.

“I have always tried to resist Alexis. The pull between us is strong, but she doesn’t have her wolf yet and Hunter is very attracted to her. It foreshadows the mating bond, but I want to wait until she turns eighteen next week. And hope that Zane and Ariel have settled their differences”.

Zane comes in and stands right in front of me.

“You didn’t say anything, you didn’t want to add to my misery. I know you would never betray me, Eric. We have known each other since the cradle, you are incapable of turning your back on me,” he explains quietly. “When this is all over, I promise you that you will be able to bring your mate home. We will both have our mates and live happily here in the pack”.

I couldn’t believe my ears. Tears well up in my eyes and my throat tightens. This man is a true friend, not many have one like him.

“Zane!” With a jerk, he pulls me against him and we embrace like never before.

“Thank you. I was willing to get down on my knees for you to have Alexis with me. She is amazing, what you have seen here is not her true nature. I hate that it ended this way, but I’m sure she regrets it already,” I stammer. “She didn’t know we were going to meet.”

“Beta, that’s not a good excuse. Cheating on an Alpha like that is punishable. I am sorry, mate or daughter of the Alpha King, she will have to serve her sentence before your mating ceremony can take place. No precedents.” Mase is adamant. And I know that Zane will not help out.

“Mase, you have your own mate now. You must know how I feel about the prospect of Alexis ending up in prison,” I plead. His eyes warn me and I decide not to push it any further. I am sure whoever the Luna is, she will be truly pitiful when she sees my Alexis. She is so young and fragile.

Kensley leaves the room to carry out Zane’s order. From today, all those who already have their wolves, male and female, will begin combat training. I must now make arrangements for the women, children and vulnerable members of the pack. The cellars must be restocked and the barracks for the elderly aired.

I go to the main hall and call the youngster in the pack link to report to me. Their parents have already received the Code Red signal and informed them of the state of the pack.

For the next few hours, I work with the young people to tidy up the basements and make sure the older people have no problems staying there. When I am finished, I go to my bedroom to rest and call Alexis. I take a hot bath and when I come back into the room, I sit down on the bed and take out my mobile phone.

My lover’s number rings but no one answers. I try again, but I have no luck. Tiredness sets in and I decide to try again later. I sink between the sheets for a well-deserved rest.

But it doesn’t come. As soon as I closed my eyes and fell asleep, I suddenly saw terrible images playing out before me. Alexis is standing on the battlefield, being attacked from behind by a wolf from Midnight Moon. One of her legs is bloodied. Luckily, Ariel jumps in and manages to kill the wolf. The body falls to the ground and turns into its human form.

To my horror, I see none other than Kensley lying there.

Goddess, did Kensley want to kill my mate when he knew she was mine? Surely he has heard that Zane has accepted her and is ready to welcome her into the pack. With a scream, I am jolted from my sleep.

Pain deep in my chest grows stronger by the second.

“Alexis,” I whisper brokenly. “No, not you. I don’t want to lose you.

With a jerk, I pull the covers off. My phone is on the bedside table and when I look at the time, I see it is almost midnight.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

And there are no missed calls. It’s too late to call her to ask if everything’s all right. That will have to wait until the morning.

So I decided to send her a text message. ‘Babe, are you OK?’

No reply.

“I’m worried. Call me as soon as you wake up”…