Danny bursts out laughing. “I never thought of that!” He snatches the book and starts skimming through the pages.
I look up from the large, red canvas-bound book resting on my lap. “Why would it matter if I’m a full Luna or not?”
“There’s a pattern we’ve noticed across the various packs we’ve acquired,” Bennet explains. “When the alpha finds and marks his Luna, there’s a surge in matings**especially within the alpha’s core team**even if he hasn’t taken full control yet.”
“Huh. That sounds crazy, but I guess it makes sense. When the leaders thrive, the whole pack prospers.” I return to my book, feeling a renewed urgency to uncover some kind of answer.
“It works both ways, though,” Bennet adds. “We’ve seen alphas without mates go feral. Sometimes it’s because they lost their mate, which hurts both the human and wolf parts of them deeply. Other times, it’s because they never found one, and that longing can drive the wolf crazy. They crave that companionship, that bond, and they want to continue their genetic line.”
Our serious moment is abruptly broken by Danny’s voice, chanting nonsense as he reads aloud. “I will know all the dirt… can’t wait… going to be so sweet.”
“What is he babbling about? Do you understand him?” I shift to get comfortable and make sure I can see Danny clearly with both eyes. He’s a prankster through and through and doesn’t discriminate. The wild gleam in his eyes tells me he’s plotting something, and I probably won’t enjoy being involved.
“I try to ignore the crazy parts of him,” Bennet says with a sigh. “But remember, you’ll be able to use your Luna Aura to shut him up. You could tell him he’s not allowed to speak for an entire day! Oh Goddess, please let us find something useful soon.” I giggle softly as Bennet dives into his research just as fervently as Danny.
A sharp knock interrupts us.
“Come on in, Robin. You know you don’t have to knock, right?”
The large mahogany door slides open silently. Robin steps inside, shivering just a little. “Until I can mindlink, I’ll keep knocking,” she replies quietly. Now I’m curious**who scared her so badly?
“The alpha wants to see you in his office, Luna,” she says.
“You could always just text me,” I tease, waving my phone at her. “Do you know what he needs? I really want to get through a few more questions today.” I lift the heavy book again, determined to find the answers we all need.
“He didn’t specify much**just insisted it had to be face to face.”
I carefully close the book, marking my place with the ribbon bookmark before setting it aside. Her tone doesn’t suggest anything ominous about the summons. Still, after everything that’s unfolded over the past twenty-four hours, I’m uncertain what to anticipate next.
I rise and make my way down the hall, turning right toward Ryker’s office. The door is slightly open, and I catch the low murmur of his voice, though the words are indistinct. I knock twice and then gently push the door wider, only to be hit by a cloying, artificial cotton candy scent that’s almost sickly sweet.
“Oh! Alpha! You really shouldn’t tease me like that!” Amy’s voice rings out playfully.
Red flashes before my eyes. I act before I think, my instincts taking over. I’m on her in an instant, grabbing the back of her head and yanking her away from the desk where she’s perched with one leg dangling, her skirt far too short, revealing who knows what. She lets out a startled yelp, calling out to Ryker for help as I force her into a bowing position.
“Since you don’t seem to grasp basic manners or respond to polite, politically correct requests, I’ll make myself clear in the only way you’ll understand.” I twist her around just enough to lean close to her ear, and she cries out again. “Keep your wild, reckless, sl*tty self far away from my mate, or I swear I’ll pull out every strand of your hair one by one and then beat you within an inch of your life**right here, in front of everyone!”
“ENOUGH!” Ryker’s voice booms sharply, and my gaze snaps to his. His expression is unreadable, but if he sides with her now, I don’t know where that leaves me.
He opens his mouth to speak but pauses as his eyes glaze over, caught by a sudden mindlink.
“F*CK! I don’t have time for this!” Bennet storms in, slinging an arm around my shoulders.
“On it, bossman. Go!” Bennet urges.
Ryker points at me. “You, stay with Bennet and follow his orders. And you,” he directs at Amy, who’s now curled up on the floor, sobbing like a victim, “I’ll deal with you later.” Then he’s gone in an instant.
“Bennet, what’s happening? Where did he go?” I ask, panic rising.
“If you were meant to know, you’d have the ability to know,” Bennet replies coldly. “The alpha deserves a mate who can communicate and contribute during times of crisis, not just someone to shield. We already have enough children and elders for that.”
“Amy, shut the f*ck up!” I snap, my voice trembling.
“Bennet?” I’m close to tears now. Nothing Amy has ever said has cut this deep before. I think I understand my place**sort of. I should be out there fighting or at least sending calming messages to the pack, especially if something terrible has happened. I hope Bennet sees the desperation in my eyes.
“There was an attack. One of the teens was found seriously injured.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.