The Alpha's Luna Of Vengeance

Episode5

ZIAN’s POV

"He is dead?"

Alaric nodded once and sank into a chair, stifling a yawn. There were dark circles under his eyes.

He did not sleep last night. He and the guards had spent the entire night torturing that assassin, trying to get more information out of him.

I had sat all night in my study thinking that in a few short hours, Lalita would leave me forever.

"Tough son of a b***h," Alaric said bitterly, his jaw tightening. "Getting information out of him was like trying to get water out of a stone. All he kept saying was that they would keep coming until Lalita was dead. The guards and I left him once for just a couple of minutes, got back and caught him trying to slit his wrists with a piece of plastic instead of talking. So I gave him his death wish." He sighed. "I know a hopeless case when I see one."

I sat up straighter, blinking in surprise. The assassin had tried to kill himself?

What sort of people were after Lalita, who were willing to die rather than talk? What secret was worth a man's life? What had Lalita done to make them hunt her down like this?

"It is strange how he found out where she was so quickly," I mused.

There had been nothing on the assassin to show who he was or where he had come from.

I turned to the window as the first rays of sunlight filtered into the room. It touched the edge of my desk, my boots.

Dawn.

My chest tightened as I felt an unfamiliar wave of sadness and longing pressing. Could I really let Lalita go?

"You ordered her to leave at dawn," Alaric said softly.

He, too, had shifted in his chair to watch the coming sunrise.

"I know what I said," I snapped, clenching my jaw until it ached.

Alaric leaned forward, hands clasped together on the desk.

"Alpha," he began and hesitated. "I ask you to please reconsider. Lalita obviously has very dangerous enemies. Killing her once she steps foot outside the pack will be too easy for them, since she has no memories of what led up to this. She doesn't even know who these enemies are."

I scoffed. "Yes... Of course. The amnesia story. How convenient. Has it occurred to you that woman is lying through her teeth about everything?"

"I don't believe that," he said after a pause. "And I know you will not just stand back and watch her get murdered."

I faced the window again, refusing to let Alaric read my expression. Just the thought of Lalita getting hurt filled me with so much rage it felt like my insides were burning up.

"Alpha-" Alaric continued.

"Enough!" I pounded the table once and lowered my head, pretending to think. But I had already made my decision. Much as I hated myself for it, I couldn't let Lalita go. Not yet.

"Fine," I said after a long pause. "She stays. For now."

Alaric exhaled. "Thank you, Alpha. I assure you, you won't regret this. I personally will take charge of her-"

"No," I said quickly, biting back a growl. "You will do no such thing. Vivienne will take that responsibility. She can monitor Lilian better than you can."

Alaric bristled. "But I am perfectly capable of-"

"This is not up for discussion," I interrupted. "I gave you the chance to watch Lalita closely once and what happened? She almost got killed. And more importantly, an assassin found its way into my pack!"

Alaric bowed and sat back. He could not really be blamed for the assassin's attack. I knew that.

But it was the only concrete reason I had to keep him away from Lalita. It drove me crazy, the mere idea of another man, even loyal Alaric, getting too close to Lalita.

Alaric and I found Vivienne. I waited until he explained her new duties to her. Then we all headed for Lalita's room.

She was sitting on the bed when we entered, shoulders tense, hands clutching the sheets. It was obvious she thought she was being thrown out.

The moment she saw us, she jumped to her feet.

The movement stirred her hair, bringing that maddening scent over to me. My hands curled into fists behind my back as Varrick stirred restlessly again.

"You are not leaving," I said flatly.

Lalita's breath caught. She swayed on her feet a little, quickly grabbed the bedpost to steady herself.

She was still so pale and frail looking.

"I'm- I'm not?" she whispered, her eyes shining with hope.

She turned to Alaric who gave her a tentative smile. I frowned at him and he dropped his eyes.

"Do not misunderstand me," I said coldly. "Your staying here is only temporary."

"Yes. Yes. Of course," she murmured. "I- I thank you for your kindness-"

"And if I find out that you are lying to me, or that this is all some sort of trick to infiltrate my pack, you will pay with your life."

"I understand," Lalita said softly.

I beckoned Vivienne, who had been standing behind me all this time.

"This is my Beta," I explained. "She will be responsible for you while you are here. And there is one more thing," I added as Vivienne stepped forward. "My pack doctor will treat your amnesia. The moment you are cured of it, you will leave my pack, never to return. Know that I will also be keeping an eye on you. I, for one, do not want you here a second longer than necessary."

Varrick snarled at the lie I was telling. I kept my face expressionless.

Vivienne, holding out her hand to Lalita, gave her a reassuring smile.

"Hello, Lalita. I'm Vivienne," she said as Lalita took her hand and gave her a tentative smile in return. "I think we are going to get along."

As I left the room with Alaric, one thought would not leave my mind.

Keeping Lalita close was dangerous.