The Alpha's Secret Luna

9. SLEEPLESS

I spent the remainder of my night in a dreamless sleep, but always on the edge of consciousness. My brain couldn’t turn itself off for long it seemed. I relented and finally got up to see the clock on the side read 03:52. Great. I rubbed my eyes and checked to see Lyam sprawled out on the rug by the fireplace, he still slept like he did when he was a child. I must warn Ali about that. I mused to myself. I decided that if I couldn’t sleep, then I’d go for a walk instead, there shouldn’t be many out at this time. I silently slipped on a change of clothes but left my shoes, quietly tiptoeing out the bedroom as to not wake Lyam I put my shoes on as I headed downstairs.

The manor house was eerily quiet, I expected to hear the sounds of the kitchen staff at the minimum but all was deadly quiet. It unnerved me. I found myself peering round corners, checking behind me for a sound, flitting my eyes around for any sort of movement. By the time I got to the ground floor and was standing in the entrance foyer, I had come to the conclusion that the whole world was asleep. Good, just the way I like it. I slipped out the front door seamlessly and hid in the cover of night as I walked round my old grounds.

Cora? I called out mentally. A heavy yawn reached the back of my mind.

Cassie? What are you doing up?

I couldn’t sleep. Fancy a run?

No thank you, I’d very much like to go back to sleep.

I hadn’t pulled the name Cora out of thin air apparently, or maybe it was the Goddess’ cruel trick that my wolf half was called Cora. It made it easier when I reached 18 as it was more naturally for me to respond.

Cora? I feel we haven’t really spoken in so long.

You are saying that because we are back here Cassie. We are always here, I’m with you and you’re with me. But if you aren’t going to let me sleep I should at least stretch my legs a little. I felt inside my mind her stretch as she sat beside me in my thoughts.

Are we alone? She asked.

Yes.

Together then?

Together.

Another of my unique talents it seemed was me and Cora could separate and she be her own standalone wolf beside my human half. Any Lycan I had ever known or read about could only shift between the two whereas I could separate. A useful, and dangerous, power to have as it could be used against me if we were separated. It was to this that no one knew about this power. When others were around we were one or the other but now, under the glistening moon we could be ourselves. I closed my eyes and felt the breeze against my skin, a calm went through me before I felt her silky soft fur against my arm. She nuzzled her head underneath which was always adorable as standing proud she was over 8 feet tall, dwarfing my 5’7” frame.

Ready?

Ready.

We bounded off into the woods, swerving between each other, jumping over boulders, trees and rivers. We were the closest to peace at moments like this but if only we knew that somewhere, a shadowy figure lurked as they saw a female running wild with an opal coloured wolf.

**

On the other side of the grounds someone else was struggling to sleep. Marc was tossing and turning in his bed, his brain wracked and riddled with fear and doubt. The 2 Omegas laying next to him had left some time ago, they knew he would sleep with you but he would never wake up next to you. He had managed to wrestle the doubts away and was moments away from blissfully sleep when a sharp quick succession of knocks at his door jolted him from his slumber.

“WHAT?!” He spat towards the door. As if it’s very existence insulted him.

“What’s got your knickers in a twist?” Cooly replied Cleo as she made her way in, dressed in a deep mahogany coloured silk shirt.

“These idiots from Twin Falls.”

“Those idiots are your way of moving up the Guild ladder, getting them to recognise the wonder that you are.” Cleo had slipped the shirt off to reveal a matching set of cobalt blue lace bra and underwear. “And what a wonderful, adoring, tender, loving, Alpha you are.” She crawled up the bed with every word, she had come in with a set notion in mind and she always got what she wanted.

“Not tonight Cleo. I’m not in the mood.” Marc pushed her away from him, before getting out of his bed to pace around his room. A tendency of many people to do when trying to figure out a solution to a problem.

“Fine.” Cleo snapped and hurriedly threw the shirt back on. “But don’t come running to me next time you want sex.”

“Would you please not be a brat for one moment?!” It seems the visit from Twin Falls was affecting him more than he thought.

“Sorry, I’m just... lost. That fool of a Beta acting higher than he is, his wife being no better. I heard that their son ran away from the presents I sent him and that- that-- Gamma, she then sent 5 of my finest of a wild goose chase that ending with them in one of the manure tunnels! She’s insolent, rude, disgraceful and a woman! A woman! As Gamma of Twin Falls...” He laughed deliriously over this fact. “But there’s something about her Cleo. Something familiar.”

“Eh, I don’t know what you mean. I’ve taken her as rather plain and boring.”

“You say that about everyone.” He glared at her as she wasn’t being particularly helpful, and if she isn’t helpful, or wanted to fulfil s****l needs then she wasn’t needed. “Leave.” He demanded, with just a hint of his old Alpha tone.

“Marc..” She took a step towards him.

“Leave.” And this time he used his full Alpha tone. Cleo was shocked as she hadn’t heard that tone in him in years, but she could disobey her Alpha. Without a word she turned and left leaving Marc alone with his thoughts.

The fire crackled slightly, and a purple flume came from it for a quick second.

“You called?” Came a sizzling voice from the fireplace.

“Have you seen our visitors?” Asked Marc.

“Just moments ago. The Beta and his female are asleep, the son wasn’t in his room but I found him asleep on the Gammas floor. The Gamma left a few seconds ago out the front door, towards the forest ground to the west.”

“Probably off scouting already, against my wishes and commands. I’ve said it time again women did not belong in court.” Marc clenched his fists in frustration. Why did she infuriate him so? He had met many female Betas, and his share of Lunas but this Gamma Cora drove him to madness.

“No, she was accompanied by a wolf. And one of rare colouring.” This piqued Marc’s interest and he turned to the fireplace.

“Tell me exactly Pharo what did you see?” Marc’s eagerness was easy to read even for a simple fire imp.

“I saw her from the 2nd floor, and my eyes aren’t what they used to be Alpha so forgive me for some vagueness.”

“Just tell me what you saw!”

“Her. And a split second later an opal coloured wolf by her side, like it had arrived out of thin air.” Marc seemed very pleased with this as he let out a devillish grin.

“Tell the others there is work to be done. In 6 days when we host our ball there will be a special guest.”

“Yes sire, we've already taken in accomodation for the Guild, the officers from Twin Falls and from 12 other packs. Who is our special guest?”

“It seems she has returned... my mate and Luna.”