The Fourth Mate

Chapter 6: Lucky's Visitor

The clear water of the pond rippled from the gentle warm breeze, sifting through this clearing. The leaves lifted a little from the muddy ground that is cold from the shadows of the day. The trees swayed their greeting in the waning sun, painting the sky a gray-blue color above. A few stars had come out to greet everyone, too. Then, there were the foraging rodents darting in and out of the bushes that were cuddling the trunk of the trees. It all seemed peaceful even with the noise coming from Lucky. It is why she came to this spot.

There was no one around for a few miles to watch her cry. The pain she felt from breaking her bond with her sister hurt, but she knew it had to be done. Lucy does not love her nor care for her anymore. The only thing that her twin sister cares about is herself. Her words told her enough when she gave no sympathy or care like her sister is supposed to do. Even as a Luna, she is supposed to care for her pack members. Still, there was none towards her, and she is technically a pack member.

She knows it is her sister’s fault for everything that just happened. It was no different than when her sister had a guy come up to her professing his love, which enamored Lucky. They dated for a while and made out. He made her feel like she was the only one in his life when she needed a friend or someone just to care. She had given herself to him six months later only to find out it was a set-up. He never loved her but her twin. Lucy knew it and took advantage of him to get her in trouble and break her heart, too. Her sister accomplished her goal at sixteen except for one small part.

Lucky threw herself into her studies and paid no attention to anyone after that. Any time a guy would ask her on a date, she would refer them to Lucy. Her parents came down on her hard about that. She had already seen that coming and told them where to jump off a bridge at, but she never told them what was done to her. It would not matter since her sister was always pampered, and she was treated like a problem.

Now, Lucky has found herself in a similar situation except she has Star, whom she must protect from the alphas. Alpha Edge, though, is strong. She felt it from his aura, and he was smart, too. He could tell that she was different from her aura and hair. It was what makes him dangerous for her, especially with his mark trying to form and connect to her heart.

What will happen now, Star?

Alpha Edge will take us to his pack when he is done with this one. He will also try to connect with you using your vulnerability to sway you to like him. His pack will do the same, as you already know. There will be those that don’t want you to be their Luna, and those who dislike your sentiment towards him.

I see.

Her wolf said it so matter-of-fact that she wondered if she was alright. Star sent a comforting wave to her that let her feel that everything would be alright. She wishes it were true, but she needed something to give her hope. This entire mess is a nightmare that she wants free from.

We will be alright even if that alpha manages to convince us to keep his mark.

How?! I don’t want to be with a cruel man. My family was bad enough. I don’t want to end this life in the same way as its beginning.

I know, but we must not lose hope. It is the one thing that will keep us truly living.

Lucky cried over the truth. They must find a way to be happy and to keep a wedge between her and that alpha. She is used to being alone, but it hurts to know that she can never have friends like she used to a long time ago. It is the one hope she had gained back after receiving Star. She imagined who all she would meet and how loneliness would disappear. Her trust issues would disappear, too, because she would be away from Lucy. Now, it is all gone by that man who wants her as his mate.

She turned her head to look at the water and wondered how it is that clear when the bottom of it is muddy. It should be brown like other ponds, but it is not. It lets her dive into the water to cool the burning pain filling her body, especially in her neck where the mark/bruise was. It was only a temporary relief, though.

She got out soaking wet and sat on the muddy shore hoping for relief from the pain that made her feel like her joints are arthritic.

“Hello, little wolf,” a man called softly.

Lucky’s head turned quickly to see a tall man dressed in a brown suit with a brown tie. His brown eyes were red rimmed, and his face looked ashen. It has a soft look on it and aimed at her. He did not seem muscular in his lanky body, but that did not mean he did not have strength. Something about him told her that, which she attributes to her wolf instincts. It did not abate her fear or worry about this man's sudden appearance.

However, she was more interested in knowing what type of supernatural species he was. She could sense he was different than her, but more importantly, she wondered how long she laid there for him to sneak up on her.

“Who are you?” Lucky demanded firmly, which surprised her. She thought her voice would tremble. “How did you get into Alpha Cullen’s territory without the guards knowing it?”

“So many questions from a sad little wolf,” he chuckled, like it was no big deal. “How about you come with me, Lucky, so we can find something to make you happy?”

“How do you know my name?” she asked defensively.

Careful Lucky! He is a vampire.

“I am not surprised you don’t remember me,” he said, feigning hurt before he cleared it up with a laugh. “You were pretty drunk that night... So, I forgive you.”

“So, you got me to drink that potion?” she asked curiously.

There was skepticism lingering in her heart. She would not believe just anyone who claims to have done it. Still, she yearned to know who did this to her. She is not sure if she would thank them or turn them into alphas.

“Not so much me as my master,” he answered with a shrug. "Now, you need to come with me, and don't make this hard on yourself. You are nowhere near my level yet."

“Since it was your master that gave me the potion,” Lucky said as she decided what she needed to do now. "Then, I will give him this favor. However, this will be the last one I give him, so don't come to me anymore.

“I am marked by Alpha Edge Titan. I could feel his aura, and it is strong. You will not defeat him so easily, and he will come for me.”

She had no idea where the conviction came from or why she spoke like she knew what he would do. It shocked her, but she was not willing to give that away to this vampire. She did not know what he would do to her or if he would believe her. She prayed to the Goddess of Wolves that he does.

“Edge Titan?” the man growled. "You're marked by that man?!"

“I didn’t have a choice,” she grumbled pitifully. “He forced his mark on me, so don’t act like I am scum.”

“I will need to regroup,” he mumbled after regaining his calm demeanor. “You need to dive back into the pond to rid yourself of my scent. I will see you another time.”

“Don’t expect me to come willingly,” Lucky snapped. “I do not wish to see your master or become a part of whatever he has planned. My life is my own, and I will go wherever I wish to go.”

The vampire left after that, and she followed his instructions before going back to the packhouse. She was tired by the time she entered her room and had forgotten about the vampire. She took a shower that eased the aches building in her joints from stiffening too much. The pain comes in waves splashing her with a new level of hurt, whether it is high or low. It did not rased her hunger that was gnawing at her, but she felt sick from the hurt. She decided to ignore her need for food and just go to sleep. She knows it will not be good sleep, but she needs a rest from today while hoping tomorrow will be better.

Strangely, as she was drifting off to sleep, she felt her bed dip down and Edge’s cigar and musk scent filled her nose. The pain slid away with this warmth wrapping around her aching body. She breathed out the last of the tension, keeping her awake and went into a deep, peaceful slumber.