The Discarded Luna

Taking Responsibility

Two hours passed and I slept some more. Alex knocked on the door gently before opening. I was on guard, having woken from my nap.

“I am sorry to startle you.” Alex was carrying bags of food as he came in and closed the door. “Did you rest up?” He asked while heading towards the kitchen. I followed like a hungry pup.

“Yes, I was just sleeping, but don’t worry.” I quickly added to his sorry look. “I need food more than sleep right now.”

Alex smiled slightly at that and threw me a slice of ham. I ate it quickly as I started to help put the groceries away.

“Why do we have electricity and running water here?” I asked, having been curious all day to why a house that looked modern was abandoned but still working.

Alex looked at me sheepishly. “I come here to escape being the beta and so I wanted the comforts of a home. Though I fail to keep it clean or up to date.” He chuckled and I gave a small smile.

“It is still comfortable.” I said putting the last of the groceries away.

“Thank you.” Alex pulled out some pans and started cooking. After about twenty minutes, chicken, green beans, and some roasted potatoes were ready.

Sitting at the island, I looked hungrily at the food. “That was quick.” I drooled as Alex turned to me with two plates in his hands.

“Yeah, I know you probably wanted to eat quickly.”

We ate in silence as I scarfed down the food. Sighing in satisfaction, I helped clean the dishes then plopped on the couch.

Alex sat in the recliner and we stared at each other. I thought in silence for a few moments, thinking about how to help the pack.

A flash back to the rogue entering our property, I knew I needed to get an assessment of the situation first.

“Tell me about what has been happening for the last two weeks. And I mean everything.” I looked at Alex with determination in my eyes.

“Well, let's start off with the ball. Vanessa immediately took some assets from the pack and took the money to spend on herself. She bought an apartment in the city and a lot of new clothes. Dante did nothing to stop it. He has been dropping the ball on a lot of things with the businesses. One of our smaller ones, a retail store, went bankrupt last week. We have another retail that is about to go under as well. Twenty pack members worked at the first and the second has about twenty as well.” Alex paused to take a sip of water as I pondered this information.

“What about our bigger companies? Has the deal with Cincom happened yet?” I asked.

Alex looked at me with a weird face. “How did you know about that?”

I shrugged. “I did the books for Charles. The paperwork was among it.”

Nodding, Alex continued. “Yes, the deal is about to happen in two weeks time. We managed to get an extension to show good faith that we can get the job done. Do you want to know the specifics of the job right now?”

“No, I will need the full job description in front of me before proceeding, but I assume Dante has not touched it?”

“No ma’am. He seems to be in a coma like state most of the time. Doing work but not really accomplishing anything. We have also been having another, werewolf problem.”

“Is it the rogues?” I asked, getting up for my own glass of water. Alex laughed. “Do you know everything about the pack?”

Shrugging, I filled my glass up. “No, but I know enough. I was the one to find a trail on the ball night of a rogue that entered the property. I don’t know what came of that.”

Alex was next to me in an instant. “What rogue?”

Raising an eyebrow at him, I replied. “The rogue scent I found and reported to Charles. Did he not tell you? Well, clearly not. Anyway, what is the rogue issue that you are about to bring up?”

“We have had five more breaches in the last two weeks. We cannot find them or know who they are.” Alex clenched his hands and teeth. “They are so elusive, but they only come during certain times.”

“Who is running the patrol at the time they come in?” I asked but already knew the answer.

“Charles.” Alex said, anger in his eyes.

I nodded and headed back to the couch. “That makes sense. I think the rogues are in league with him and Vanessa, but we cannot prove it yet. What we need is more allies.”

Alex sat down as well. “I think I can help with that. I have a few trusted warriors and the Black Moon pack is wishing to help us.”

“Black moon?” A flash of a tall dark man came to mind and a name from some paperwork. “Xavier’s pack?” I wondered.

“Yes ma’am. He wishes to help us in any way possible.”

I nodded. “We will need to be careful to not show weakness to this pack, but we are desperate and need help.”

Alex pulled out his phone. “Do you wish for me to set up a meeting?”

Nodding, I gave my consent. “Tonight if they can.” I commanded. Alex nodded, dialed someone and talked quickly to someone on the other side. Snapping the phone close, Alex nodded. “Set for tonight at midnight.”

Sighing, I leaned against the couch. “Alright, I need some things. Paper, a seal of our pack, pens, and some darker clothes.”

“Yes ma’am, I will be back three hours before the meeting. It is five o’clock now. Please rest up before then.”

I nodded, and Alex left. A simple time, a simple silence, settling over everything.

I let the silence take my senses. Feeling nothing, I just stared at the ceiling.

A knock on the door signaled that Alex was back. The numbness had taken all my senses, even that of time. Shaking myself into a semblance of being alive, I watched as Alex entered the room. Carrying a paper bag, he brought out the requested items.

Nodding in approval, I grabbed the clothes and headed to change.

Showering in the bathroom upstairs, I made sure to scrub every part of myself. I needed to feel alive for this to keep working. Finally done and changed, I headed down stairs. Alex had made sandwiches for us and was munching on his.

I smiled at him while grabbing the food. Setting up the paper, I constructed a tentative pact to use for tonight. Without giving too much away the pact would cover extra protection, discrete interactions, and funding for certain businesses.

Sighing, I rubbed my head. "Where will the meeting take place?" I asked Alex.

"At the southern border near the river. My trusted members will be assigned to watch there and will be our extra guards." Alex said while eyeing me.

Nodding I went back to the pact.

"It is time." Alex said an hour later. I nodded and rolled up the pact. My sandwich was still untouched. Sighing I handed the pact to Alex, he placed it into his jacket pocket. Throwing the food away I turned to see Alex eyeballing me. I shrugged and shook my head. “Wasn’t that hungry.” We headed out of the house and ran through the woods.