The next day was more relaxing than most. Opaline got to spend some more time with her brother as well as other time with the rest of the pack. Klyn and I mainly rested since we had to travel and Opaline would be riding. I was okay with that. I was okay with her riding my back since I always knew where she was and felt her warm body hold onto me. I wasn't sure if she'd be able to sleep on my back, but we will see. I at least knew she had enough trust in me to carry her to our destination, even if she wants to run.
Klyn occasionally went and checked up on his Luna, then reported back to me on her actions. Sometimes, she'd see him and smile, pausing whatever it was she was doing to watch him for a moment, then when he started to leave, she'd resume. Once, it was around lunch time, she told Klyn to tell me to join her. I did so, earning an embrace and a kiss from my little mate. When we sat down to eat, she kept close, pulling her chair nearer mine until they were touching. I hadn't minded and kissed her temple, whispering how obvious she was being. This made her blush furiously, her eyes glued to her plate of salad.
Later that afternoon, I went down to see the golden-haired woman again. She was a little more compliant today and listened to the plan I had set. Her only sign of listening was a short nod of her head while looking down at her child who was asleep. I explained how Opaline was going to become Luna tomorrow evening and how she'd do everything in her power to protect the woman and the child. I also said that there was a room in my house she could sleep in until things settled down and she could find a place of her own on my land. Her eyes softened a little when I finished, and she told me she was ready to go when the time was right. So, I left her, going to get ready myself.
That evening, Opaline barely touched her food and just leaned against me, her eyes closed and her breathing even. Klyn chuckled when he saw just how out of it she was, and offered to hold her while I shift. I let him, and turned into my black wolf before he laid her on my back, wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my middle. I felt her shift her weight until she murmured something unintelligible and tightening her embrace to fall back asleep. When Klyn was ready, I led him to the edge of the forest and waited a minute, looking back at the house. My friend was a little confused as to why we were waiting, but I told him we had two extra people coming along, hopefully.
After a few minutes, I saw something move from the corner of my eye and turned to see another pair of eyes watching us warily. Slowly, I went up to her and gave a soft whine. Her ears picked up and her tail wagged softly before following me. Klyn stared at the golden wolf and the little bundle in its jaws before I took off into the night, making him have to catch up. At first, I was worried the woman wouldn't be able to keep up the speed, but she did fine, even with the wriggling bundle.
We reached my home by dawn and had no troubles other than the she-wolf being hesitant entering another territory that wasn't my own or Opaline's family's. She didn't want to be found, and I understood that and reassured her that no one would find her yet. She was safe with me and Klyn and we'd only be passing through.
She looked around my territory with ears pricked forward and eyes glancing around, almost like Opaline when she first came. Klyn was the first to shift, lifting off my mate so I could do so myself. I grabbed a pair of Opal's clothes and brought them out to the woman, kneeling down and handing her the cloths. She glanced down at her baby and I held out both arms, gesturing to her that I'd hold it while she got dressed. After another moment of hesitation, she complied and gently rested the baby in my arms before taking the bundle of clothes and darting into the house to dress.
Behind me, Klyn came out of the house and stood, watching me. "Who is she exactly?"
"You know who she is. There's no point in explaining it."
"Whose child is that?"
I stood and turned, rocking the baby softly while I looked up at him. "Her mate's that he never got to meet."
Klyn's eyes narrowed before the woman came back out and came up to me, smiling softly as she took the baby. "Thank you, Alpha."
I shrugged and told her to follow me to her room, which was close to mine in case anything should happen. I didn't have a crib, so I hoped the bed would be good enough for now, at least until I could find one. The woman didn't seem to mind though as she went over to the bed and sat down, ignoring me while she started taking care of the baby's needs. I went to my room, dressed for bed, then climbed in beside Opaline, pulling her close and closing my eyes before falling asleep.
I awoke to someone jumping on the bed and throwing themselves on top of me. I grunted as their elbow or knee caught my stomach, before feeling lips on mine. My arms found their way around their waist and I opened my eyes to see Opal smiling down at me. "I can't believe you brought her here!" she hissed with delight.
"I had to," I say. "I wasn't going to leave her and the child in the cold cellars when there's room here."
She straddled my waist and looked down at me. "When did you meet her and why?"
"I met her the day before yesterday after you ran off to see the children and before your meeting with your father. I know I didn't listen to you, but I have my own instincts I listen to and they told me to go see her."
"Why?"
"She's someone important," I say simply.
Opaline tilted her head to the side. "She is?" I nod. "She told me you offered her shelter and protection for the both of them."
"I did. I also explained that you were becoming Luna and you'd fight for them, no matter what." She smiled again and kissed my lips. When she pulled back, I chuckle. "Are you ready for tonight?"
Her nod was enthusiastic. "I'm so excited!" My heart did a flip at her words and I was the one who kissed her this time.
After I got dressed, I went down to the kitchen to find the two women sitting at the table talking softly with one another, a few giggles escaping from their mouths. The woman saw me first and her tension alerted Opaline who spun around to see me. She whispered something in the woman's ear and walked up to me. I leaned back against the counter and smirked at my mate. "Having fun?"
She shrugged and embraced me. "She's the second true friend I've ever really had."
"Who was the first?"
She sighed, her arms tightening. "Loup." I stared at her silently, wondering how close her and the boy was. "We grew up together and he moved south. He still hasn't found his mate yet and wanted me to be it, but then you came along and…" her voice trailed off dreamily.
"Did you share the same affections?"
"When I was a child," she whispered. "We dated when I was fourteen and that ended when I was sixteen and he moved away, becoming someone new." Her arms went about my neck and she looked up at me. "But I never did anything with him, not like you. I didn't like certain things when I was with him, and with you it's different."
"How?" I ask softly.
Opaline shrugged. "I never let anyone hold and carry me, even when I was healing from the attack three years ago, I'd walk or push myself in a wheelchair before letting anyone, including my father, carry me." This somewhat surprised me, but then again, my mate did like to do things herself. "I never sat on anyone's lap before, and no one has ever been able to calm me down before, except Jacques."
I thought about this for a moment before noticing the woman staring at us longing in her eyes. "And this young lady you saved from rogues is your second friend?" I asked softly.
She nods. "We used to talk about everything back in my other pack. She understood what it felt like to be alone and she was always a great listener."
The woman has tears in her eyes before she looks away and quickly swipes them away. Opaline pulls back and grabs a bowl and some cereal. I watch as she sets them on the table near the woman then come back to the refrigerator. When she turns, she looks at me and at the drawer right behind me, then bites her lip in deep thought. I smirk. "What's wrong, Opal?"
Thinking I hadn't noticed anything, she said, "Please move. I need a spoon for her so she can eat."
I stood up straighter, but didn't move. She reached for the drawer, but I moved so my backside was in her way. She frowned and I crossed my arms. "You may go ahead and get one, baby. I'm not stopping you."
I saw her blush color her cheeks and something flash in her eyes before she shrugged and came towards me. What I was not expecting was for her to set the milk down, place both her palms on my arm and push me sideways with a strength I didn't know she possessed. Smiling to herself, she found a spoon and walked away, while I stared wide-eyed wondering what just happened.
A knock on the door prevented me from thinking long about it, and I went to answer it, finding Michael and Darion there. "What is it?" I ask.
"Jayene requested your presence as soon as possible," Michael said nervously.
"Everything is ready for the Luna Ceremony," Darion announced. "All the Alphas should be here by the middle of this afternoon."
"Good, keep Aryn away from this house as much as possible."
Darion nodded and left. Michael shifted on his feet and I furrowed my brows at him. "What is wrong, Michael?"
"There is a problem with the patrol, Alpha." He looked around and gestured to go to my office. I ushered him in, told Opaline where I was going, then followed my man to the room and shut the door. He said, "Two men are dead."
My eyes snap to his. "Who?"
"Kurt and Dreven."
I curse under my breath because there were some of my top men. "Who attacked?"
"I'm not sure, Alpha. All we know for sure is that the attacker left a note for you," Michael said shakily and pulled out a folded piece of worn paper from his jacket pocket.
I took the paper and unfolded it.
Alpha Lykaon,
I have been to many places around the world, seen many things, and met many people. Ironically, the last place I ended up before approaching your pack borders was Greece. I met some wonderful people there of whom I am friends with, but there were two in particular that caught my eye.
I have become quite close with your parents of recently. They're a cute couple and I would have never thought that the strongest Alpha in your area was so kind to anyone as to give them some of his hard-earned money. But, what the hell, right? Man are fickle creatures, not to mention wolves.
I'm getting lost in my reasoning for killing your men. So, here it is.
You have a special someone I would love to meet. Black hair, beautiful blue eyes, sound familiar? I want to see her and you alone tonight at sundown. If you do not heed my request, then your parents will both be as dead as those two oafs.
I will meet at your west border near the little stream that will separate us. Sundown. Don't be late.
"When were they attacked?" I asked through gritted teeth.
"Early this morning," Michael answered. "It wasn't clean either."
I glared down at the paper in my hands. My parents were hurt and in someone's capture, and they would be killed if I did not show up with Opaline alone. The problem was, not only would they be killed, but Opal would miss the ceremony. My rage built and Michael seemed nervous because I never had been so angry before, not even when they kicked me out of the emergency room after Opaline's hand.
"Lykaon?" my mate said softly through the bond.
I instantly relaxed and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. "What is it, baby?"
"There was a knock on the door and then my friend ran upstairs to her room, saying she needed to hide. I opened the door and saw an Alpha there, saying he needs to talk to you and it was urgent."
"What's his name?"
A pause. "Zy?" Another pause. "He's from our east border, I guess."
"Show him to my office, please." I look at Michael and sigh. "We'll talk later. Where is Klyn?"
"Watching the southern border."
I nod and hear a knock. "Go help him." Michael nods and leaves, opening the door to Alpha Zy and Opaline.
"Luna," he says, bowing his head. "Alpha." He walks around them and disappears down the hall.
"Zy, long time no see," I say as way of greeting.
"Same to you, Lykaon."
I look over at Opaline, "Opaline, Zy has been an ally and friend of this pack for a very long time. You can trust him."
Opaline looks at the tall, dark man. Zy was a sight to behold. His dark hair and black skin made him intimidating more than most alphas, but his light brown eyes were soft and had wrinkles from smiling. He had a mate, but no heirs, so he's been taking as long as he can being an alpha to protect his pack, since he is one of the wisest people around. He was strong to say the least, but his strength came from strategy, not violence. If he was going to take out an enemy, he'd always stay a step ahead of them and be ready, making the sad opponent wish they had thought thrice before daring him.
My mate looked back at me with a small smile. "He's acceptable." Zy chuckled and walked in, sitting down on a chair. "Am I needed, or can I go clean up from breakfast?"
"You may go, Opal." I smile as she closes the door and listen to her walk down the stairs. Turning my attention to the alpha, my smile fades. "You don't usually come here for emergencies, Zy. Something must be wrong if you are coming to me for help."
He nods. "Indeed. That emergency would be Vuk."
I stiffen. "Vuk? What is he doing near you?"
"Scrounging," he growls. "I've put as many men on patrol as I can without leaving the rest of my pack defenseless, but somehow he manages to get in and hurt someone."
"What do you mean?"
His eyes turn dark. "If he's not going for children, he's going for a female who's already mated. He hasn't taken any female who's single, and no men. In fact, he's only taking female children and adults. No male. And the mate or father to each of these girls are some of my good best men. I don't know what to do and I'm not sure if Aryn is in on it."
"Has your mate been targeted?"
"Gwenna is scared, but has not been targeted yet. I fear it's only a matter of time, though." He shakes his head. "I need help. My beta has stayed to watch over the pack while we are here, but he has his own family to worry about, two daughters who love to play outside and spend evenings running with their mother in the forest. That can't happen now, and one has already tried sneaking out, putting herself in danger."
I run a hand down my face and sigh. "You and Gwenna may take the bedroom near the stairs. I'm afraid there's not really anywhere else that's safer while you stay here." I look down, seeing the note Michael gave me earlier. "How do you know it's Vuk?"
"I know his scent and he is the only other black wolf around this area. I haven't seen a rogue as black as you two." Although Zy was black, his wolf was a dark gray color, making him different from Vuk and myself.
"Is there any warning of an attack? Screams? Breaking glass or something?"
He shakes his head. "There is nothing. The males wake up to find them dead with the only sign of blood being from the nose and ears."
I furrow my brows. "That's a little weird."
Zy nods. "Gwenna suspects a poison that can only be taken in by the nose or through the skin, but how can that be when their mate is literally right there?"
Before I can answer, the door opens. I look up to see Opaline running in to hide behind me along with the woman who hides behind my couch, clutching the baby close to her chest. Both Zy and I are glancing from the girls to each other until I turn to my mate and kneel beside her. "What is wrong?"
Her eyes are wide with fear and her body is shaking uncontrollably. "It's him!" she hisses and crawls under my desk to sit in a ball with tears flowing down her cheeks.