The Alpha's Secret Luna

12.CHARMED I'M SURE

**Current day**

By the time I had come back to my room, the sun was just coming up and Lyam was still fast asleep.

Are you awake Cora? Came Penny through the link.

Felt like I never slept.

I know the feeling, struggled to sleep here.

How’s Lyam?

Still dead to the world. I think yesterday took it out of him.

Yes, all of us. Carlos didn’t sleep for hours, just pacing around. Meet me outside in a minute.

I got myself changed quickly, tucked the blanket back over Lyam, and headed back outside. Penny was already in the hallway, dressed exquisitely with her hair and makeup beautiful done, an enchantment no doubt.

“Goddess Cora, you look like you’ve thrown on any damn thing.” She always criticised what I wore, I was happy to be in jeans and hoody most days, no make-up and throw my curly hair up in a loose ponytail.

“I’ve not got anyone here to impress.” I shrugged.

“It’s not about impressing anyone but yourself.”

“I like myself.”

“You’re hopeless.” She threw her arms up in defeat.

“Ah I’ve been upgraded. I was useless the other day.” I joked.

“You’re irritating.” She replied with an equal smile. “So, where do we go for a bite of breakfast?”

“Downstairs is a good start.”

“Ha ha very funny. We shall leave the boys to their beauty sleep; I hear you dealt with the ladies in his room?”

“Do the walls have ears here?” We started making our way downstairs, passing a few maid Omegas on the first floor heading to the officers’ rooms.

“No, like every pack, the Omegas talk. And talk loud.” Penny whispered as we passed them.

“Always ask the Omegas. They know everything. A pack wouldn’t run without them. This way.” Penny followed me as we took the large doorway to the right of the stairs on the ground floor. The kitchens were just waking up for the day, and you could hear the chefs hurrying around and the sizzle of bacon as it cooked.

“They’re also talking about this ball Marc has been planning. It seems he has had it on the cards for a little whil. Wee conveniently arrived at the perfect time chasing our fugitive. Considering he has been boasting that Twin Falls would be there. If I didn’t know better, I would say that fugitive was sent more as a lure…”

“You are starting to sound as paranoid as Marc, is it infectious in the air?”

“I’m serious Cora, there are too many coincidence, and I’ve never trusted them.”

We rounded the last corner to the kitchen and informal dining area, which was already laid out with lashings of bacon, piles of sausages, toast, with a multitude of spreads.

“Our guests! Come in and help yourselves.” Beamed a plump looking chef before going back to slaving over the stoves. “If there is anything left over, I haven’t cooked enough.”

Me and Penny took a seat and started loading our plates up.

“Are the gentlemen joining us?” She asked as she started flipping pancakes.

“On their way now.” Penny replied as she took 3 rashers of bacon onto her plate. Not 30 seconds later Carlos and Lyam appeared, with hunger in their eyes.

“Pancakes!” Lyam joyed, still a child at heart. They joined us and started piling their plates up too.

“Freshly made. Just what a growing Lycan needs, now I’m Rosalie I’m the chef here so anything you want, I’m your gal.” She had a doughy warmth around her. Her cheerful attitude was a contrast to her surroundings.

“I expect you’re mighty busy with the ball coming up?” Penny was outright in her knowledge, not blinking an eye as she poured herself a tea.

“Oh yes, extremely. And it’s just me and my staff to cater for all!” Again she said all with a smile.

“There are lots to cook for, what with all those packs coming in?” I could sense Carlos glaring at his wife, wishing her to not be so obvious in her questioning.

“It’s no bother to me, I’m used to a full pack so having more officers isn’t the issue. It’s the Guild that put me on edge.”

“The Guild, really? Alpha Marc hadn’t mentioned that to me...” Carlos added bitterly.

“All the house is a flutter with preparing the rooms, atleast 36 officers from 12 packs including you 4 and your Alpha. Plus the delegates from the Guild and...” She leant real close to Penny. “Word going around is there’s an extra special guest... Alpha Marc is going to declare his Luna!” Rosalie squealed with joy before rushing back to her burning scrambled eggs.

“Wasn’t she lovely at telling us exactly what we needed to know?” Carlos took a bit of pancakes whilst glancing at Penny.

“Absolutely my dear, just charming.” She replied with a coy smile.

“Oh lord Penny...” I laughed into my coffee. A charming spell. Used by powerful witches so discreetly to find out what they need to know that you would have blabbed the world’s secrets with a smile on your face and wouldn’t even know it. Why it wasn’t banned from the Witches Guild was beyond me.

“It’s harmless.” She sipped her tea. “We found out what we wanted. I think it’s time to have a talk with Alpha Marc again. It seems he accepted our invitation under his own means.”

“Can’t blame the man. He’s always wanted to improve his standing and has worked us round what he needs. Quite ingenious...” Carlos wasn’t paying any attention to the evil look Penny was giving him. “If you have finished stuffing yourself Lyam we best head off, got a full day ahead of us. Interrogating an Alpha, finding your mate. And here I thought the worst issue was going to be Cora.” He finished with a wink.

“Ah gee thanks, always like to be an issue.” I responded in kind, I picked up a pancake to eat on the go as we dragged Lyam away from the table.

“Thank you for breakfast Rosalie, it was delicious.” Penny complimented just before we left, Rosalie had a delightful grin on her face and was busy humming away to herself. She wouldn’t notice for a few hours at least until the spell wore off and she would be left with a sour taste in her mouth, a funny side effect of the spell.

“If we get caught Penny we are all in trouble.” Warned Carlos.

“Nonsense, just a little one. If I wanted to I could’ve charmed Marc, would make him damn sight easier to deal with.” It wasn’t an empty threat.

“Anyway... divide and conquer? I’ll take Lyam to find Alicia and you two talk to Marc?” I hoped my desperation to not be in the same room with him again was hidden by a good idea.

“Agreed.” Carlos bought my charade. “Meet back before lunch outside? We shall go find Marc.”

“Won’t have far to go.” Came his voice across the hall. “I was on my way to you actually.” He came trouncing over but he had a certain pride in his step today. “I fear we may have gotten off on the wrong foot yesterday, and that you believe I have lied to you about my intentions.” This was a different Marc to yesterday, he seemed more like when I first knew him. “Firstly I meant no disrespect towards you Beta Carlos or to you Penelope.” He bowed graciously. “And I see I was mistaken in sending those Omegas to your room last night Lyam, I thought a strapping lad such as yourself, unmated as it is, would w joy a little evening activities. Again I meant no disrespect, just a misunderstanding.”

“Thank you for your apology Alpha Marc, we all dutifully accepted. It takes a man to admit his shortcomings.” Carlos, ever the saint.

Are you buying this? Penny sent through.

Not one bit, he’s backtracking and its concerning. I replied.

“And to you...” He turned to face me directly, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. “Gamma Cora. My attitude towards you yesterday was unbecoming of an Alpha, I insulted you and your position and, rest my father, he taught me better than to insult a fine woman such as yourself.” Gone was his misogynistic speech and here stood an apparently charming Alpha.

“Thank you Alpha.” Was all I could muster with a short curtsey.

“M'lady.” He bowed back. That reminded me of a time way back when, had he figured it out? I studied him for a quick moment and thought no, if he knew he would’ve done something by now. Surely... “Alpha Harrison is lucky to have such a fine example of a Beta and Gamma. And now my ego has firmly been corrected. I’d like you to meet mine.”

My entire body went stiff as I felt the air around me grow thin as 2 men stepped into the hallway, as stunning as the last time I saw them.

“I’d like you to meet my Beta, Anthony.” My breath stood still and I felt my heart beat in my ears. “And my Gamma Iain.” And then my heart stopped.