Emma sat in the hospital room, her eyes closed, lost in thoughts about the vivid dream of her parents. She pondered whether it was a genuine memory or just a dream, and who the mysterious man her mother spoke of might be. These questions swirled through her mind, leaving her feeling both restless and contemplative.
Suddenly, a face flashed in her mind, bringing a subtle smile to her lips. When she opened her eyes, she was taken aback and bewildered by the warmth coursing through her. It was as if a long-lost connection had been rekindled, leaving her heart aching for something she couldn't quite grasp.
Her thoughts then turned to the day the Alpha had embraced her, a memory shrouded in mystery. She couldn't fathom why he had hugged her. The last time she saw him, his eyes bore an intensity of anger, as though she had committed a grave offense, though she knew not what. It left a gnawing ache in her chest, a desire for answers that seemed just out of reach.
As she contemplated, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her. Instinctively, she raised her hand to her forehead, seeking stability. Just then, the door swung open, revealing a concerned doctor. His voice held a touch of worry as he addressed her, stumbling slightly over her name, "Is everything alright, Lu... Emma?"
Emma looked at him, a puzzled expression gracing her features. Since waking up, there had been a marked shift in how everyone treated her. Now, they regarded her with respect, a stark contrast to her earlier days in the cell, when she was met only with disdain and hostility. The abrupt change puzzled her, leaving her yearning for answers, her heart pounding in her chest.
Lucas summoned Caleb, his second-in-command. When Caleb entered his office, Lucas was deeply engrossed in thought. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Caleb stood up straight, ready to receive his Alpha's instructions.
"Tell me, Alpha," Caleb said, his attention keen.
"I want to know more about Emma. I have a feeling she's not revealing everything. Find out what you can and inform me as soon as possible. And remember, you can't share anything about this with anyone except Andrew and me," Lucas commanded, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of concern, his eyes reflecting the storm of emotions within.
"Yes, Alpha," Caleb affirmed, before promptly leaving the office, a sense of purpose burning in his chest. After Caleb left, Lucas sank into contemplation. Soon after, Andrew entered the office, his expression one of puzzlement. "Luke, are you doubting Emma?"
"I'm not," Lucas replied, concern etched on his face. "How is she?"
Andrew's gaze softened, mirroring the weight of understanding. "She's recovering swiftly and will be discharged tomorrow," he reported, a tender smile touching his lips. "You should visit her, Luke."
"I can't. You know how she reacted to me," Lucas confessed, his voice tinged with a mixture of sorrow and regret. It pained him that he couldn't easily reach out to her, to offer comfort and assurance. He couldn't shake the memory of the fear in her eyes, as if he were a harbinger of pain.
Andrew leaned in, his eyes holding a depth of empathy. "She's been through something, Luke. It's going to take time. Just be patient, show her the Alpha you are." His words were laced with a gentle encouragement, a plea for Lucas to let Emma see the kindness and protectiveness that resided within him.
Then, with a more serious tone, Lucas continued, "But it seems she somehow trusts you. he said looking disappointed in himself as she was supposed to trust him and not anyone else. but collecting his thought he continued "So take care of her from now on. It's your duty to protect your Luna. As you know, there are some in our pack who won't easily accept a human as their Luna."
Lucas paused, his doubts surfacing. "I need to learn about her past before officially making her my Luna. I have a feeling she's hiding something," he confided in Andrew, his voice filled with a mixture of determination and concern. "The way she reacted to my touch... I think something very bad has happened to her in the past." As Lucas spoke, his eyes glowed with a fierce, protective intensity. His inner wolf surged forth, ready to shield Emma from anyone who had caused her harm, a silent promise to keep her safe no matter the cost.
Suddenly, his office door burst open, a man rushing in with urgency etched across his face. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly, tension crackling through the air. Lucas's senses heightened, every nerve on edge. Sensing the gravity of the situation, he asked in a steady voice, "What happened?"
"While patrolling, we came across the body of a pack member at the border," the man reported, his words laden with the weight of the discovery. As he spoke, Lucas's eyes flared with a fiery intensity, a surge of adrenaline coursing through him. Without hesitation, he turned and bolted in the direction.
As Andrew and Lucas approached the border, a chilling sight greeted them. A lifeless body lay sprawled on the ground, its head is gruesomely severed and one finger conspicuously missing. The stark brutality of the scene sent shockwaves through Lucas. anger surged within him a molten fury threatening to consume all reason.
Yet in the midst of this raw display of violence, a chilling realization dawned on Lucas. ?This murder approached a dark chapter from the pack's history , a haunting repetition of a past tragedy. He turned to Andrew, his eyes searching for confirmation and found mirrored in Andrew's gaze the same dawning horror and recognition.
It was a reminder of a time they had all hoped would remain buried in the depths of memory. The echoes of that past now reverberated in the present , a grim omen that sent shivers down their spines. The air grew heavy with the weight of the unspoken as they stood in the silent communication with the fallen pack member their mind racing with questions.