Marcus felt hurt, he wasn't quite prepared for that's sort of reaction, but he deserved it, he had been an arsehole to her all day he wished she had not brought up this conversation, he still couldn't decide if he trusted her her or not, her question brought him back from his deep introspection.
"Is that all alpha? do you believe me or would you like to lock me up in the dungeon and starve and torture me some moreto make sure am telling the truth?"
Marcus felt hurt at the carelessness of her tone she was standing before him but at that moment, ahe might have as well been in another country, "oh Lauretta".he called her name mournfully and she refused to look at him acted like he didn't exist and even his wolf spirit howled in sorrow.
what had he done?". He had been nothing but nasty to her, first he had attacked her even though he knew she was merely a human and his wolf was large enough to tear her apart , now he was treating her like she was a criminal. He had never cared about another woman as he cared about Lauretta.
"If that is all alpha Marcus I would like to go to my room now and prepare for my job tomorrow, I have a lot of things to do".
Marcus nodded giving her permission to excuse herself, he knew it was no use talking to her in this state he would find a way to make it up to her , he promised himself fiercely the thought of losing her felt like a bitter vile in his mouth.
Luna fought back tears as she walked to her room , she honestly couldn't tell why she was crying but she couldn't stop, she curled herself into a ball once inside her room and drifted off to the waiting arms of sleep.
After she was gone, Marcus listened until she was sure she was safely in her room then he mind linked his Beta Theo Hayes and told him to come to his room urgently. Theo was already up training the army when he was summoned, he handed over the duties to his second in command and strode quickly towards Marcus home, wondering why he had summoned him with such urgency.
When he got there he couldn't help but smirk at the scent of sex that wafting from the alphas room. if it had been any other day ,he would have teased him but right now it was obviously time to discuss something serious. The pack members have been tense since the two pack out of four had been completely eliminated and they were also very powerful pack that could easily rival theirs.
Everyone had been on edge, panic seeping through the pack like a plague. There were even whispers of sending the younger children to human territory to keep them safe in case of an attack, ensuring that at least a part of the pack would survive. Theo couldn't help but wonder if that was what the meeting was about.
The Alpha wasted no time getting to the point. He informed Theo about the looming attack on their territory, explaining that Luna had been the one to warn him about it. Her information was vague but troubling enough to warrant immediate action.
"I need you to double the guards and restrict all movement within the pack. No one leaves or enters without clearance," the Alpha ordered, his voice sharp and decisive. "And one more thing have someone keep a close eye on Luna. I want detailed reports on every aspect of her day where she goes, who she speaks to, everything. I can't afford any surprises."
Theo nodded in affirmation, suppressing the questions swirling in his mind. He had served the Alpha long enough to know when to follow orders without protest. If the Alpha was suspicious of Luna, there was likely a good reason, though it wasn't Theo's place to pry.
"Understood," Theo replied firmly.
"Good. Keep all of this to yourself," Marcus added, his tone low and deliberate. "The pack is already on edge, and if word gets out, it could throw them into full-blown panic. We can't afford that right now."
With that, Theo left the Alpha's office, his mind racing. The instructions were clear, but the implications weighed heavily on him. The idea of spying on Luna, the pack's beloved leader, didn't sit well with him, but his loyalty to Marcus overruled any personal discomfort.
As preparations for the impending attack began, the pack's atmosphere grew even more charged. Guards were repositioned, borders reinforced, and training sessions intensified. Theo found himself overseeing much of it, his sharp gaze missing nothing. But amidst the chaos, he couldn't help but wonder: Who was the real threat? The attackers closing in on their territory or the secrets within their own pack?
Marcus called a meeting that evening, noting with a frown that Lauretta was noticeably absent. He knew she was still smarting from their earlier confrontation, but there was no time to dwell on personal conflicts. As the leader of the pack, his priority was their safety, and he needed everyone united in this moment of uncertainty.
Clearing his throat, he addressed the gathered pack members, his voice steady and authoritative. "I know tensions are high, but I want to assure you all that we are taking every precaution to ensure our safety. There's no need to be afraid."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "I've doubled the number of guards at the pack house and along the borders. The walls are being raised and repaired to prevent any possible invasion, and we're strengthening our defenses. Every able-bodied young man in the pack is being recruited to join the pack army. We'll train, prepare, and stand ready for whatever may come."
The crowd murmured among themselves, some nodding in approval while others exchanged worried glances. Marcus could sense their unease, but he also felt their determination simmering beneath the surface. He drew a deep breath, determined to bolster their spirits further.
"I understand your concerns," he said, his tone softening slightly. "But this pack has faced challenges before, and we've always come out stronger. We are not just a group of individuals we are a family. And families protect each other. So, I'm asking for your trust and your cooperation. Together, we can face anything."
As his words settled over the room, Marcus's sharp gaze flicked briefly to the doorway, half-expecting Lauretta to appear despite her earlier defiance. Her absence gnawed at him, but he pushed the thought aside. Now wasn't the time to let personal matters cloud his judgment.
Turning back to the pack, he concluded, "Tomorrow at dawn, we begin training. It's time to show the world what we're made of."
The room erupted in a chorus of agreement, and Marcus felt a flicker of pride. His pack might have been shaken, but they were far from broken. As the meeting dispersed, he silently vowed to check on Lauretta. They couldn't afford any more fractures in their unity not when the shadows of danger loomed so close.
Marcus addressed the room again, his voice steady but tinged with a resolute edge. "The women will also be trained to use weapons. We will not leave anyone defenseless. Their safety remains a top priority, and they will be protected at all costs."
A wave of hearty cheers erupted, the pack roaring in approval at this announcement. The sound filled Marcus with a sense of hope. Their unity was beginning to solidify, but he knew better than to let his guard down. Behind the growing strength of their collective spirit lay secrets he could only entrust to a select few.
Once the crowd dispersed, Marcus called a private meeting with the elderly males in the pack the founding fathers. These were the ones who had built their community from the ground up, whose wisdom had guided them through crises and triumphs. Outsiders were strictly forbidden from this gathering; this information was for their ears alone.
When they were seated around the council table, Marcus's face grew somber. "There's something I need to share with you, something I've kept close to my chest for fear of sabotage," he began, his eyes scanning their faces for any flicker of doubt or resistance.
The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling heavily on the air.
"I've been in contact with the leader of the human territory," Marcus revealed, pausing as a ripple of surprise moved through the group. "At first, they were reluctant to get involved. They wanted to remain neutral, to stay out of our affairs. But after much negotiation, they've agreed to help us for the sake of our children."
He let that sink in before continuing, his tone firm. "They will allow us to build a tunnel leading into their territory. This tunnel will serve as a safe passage for the children during the war. Once completed, our young ones will be sheltered and secure within the human territory, far away from the battlefield."
The elderly men exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of relief and concern. One of them, an elder named Gideon, finally spoke. "This is a wise move, Marcus. Protecting the children ensures the future of our pack. But are you certain we can trust the humans? Their history with us has been… complicated."
Marcus nodded, his jaw tightening. "I understand your hesitation, Gideon. I don't trust them completely, but I've weighed the risks. Right now, the safety of our children matters more than our mistrust. This war will be brutal, and we can't afford to let fear dictate our decisions."
Another elder leaned forward, his voice low but steady. "If word of this tunnel gets out, it could make us vulnerable. Who will oversee its construction?"
"I've chosen a team of our most loyal and discreet members," Marcus assured them. "No one outside this room will know its exact location until it's necessary. We can't risk this falling into the wrong hands."
The elders murmured their agreement, their expressions softening with understanding. The responsibility they carried was immense, but they trusted Marcus's leadership.
They talked about it and unanimously agreed it was an absolutely marvelous idea. However, Marcus raised a hand to caution them, his expression grave. "I suspect there's a mole in our midst," he said, his voice low but firm. "This information must not leave this room. No whispers, no hints nothing."
The tension in the room thickened as his words sank in. To ensure absolute secrecy, they decided to communicate solely through a mind link. It was the only way to avoid being overheard or intercepted. Through this secure connection, they discussed the logistics of the plan, each thought exchanged with precision and caution.
Names of a select few who would be entrusted with the construction of the tunnel were put forward. Each candidate was scrutinized, their loyalty questioned and re-evaluated. Only those who passed this stringent test of trust were approved.
After several intense minutes, the meeting was dismissed, leaving the group uneasy but resolute. As the others filtered out, their expressions a mix of determination and unease, Marcus remained seated. He let out a long breath, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
His mind strayed once more to Lauretta but he decided to leave her alone for the mean time she needed time to heal and recuperate, his wolf howled for him to go to her but he quickly shut him out before he did something stupid. He couldn't even tell if the information she gave him was genuine. It was the frantic look in her eyes when she had blurted out those words that made him hasten his plan, it was better to be safe than sorry.
There was thundering and it began raining Marcus lay on his bed each flash of lightening brought with it bad memories he couldn't quite shake off, he got up and closed they blind, letting himself drown in the memories, he wished Luna was there right now with him, he would have been buried so deep in her tight core that he wouldn't even be able to think let alone mourn he should probably stay away from her, he had a way of ruining everything good.