The Forgotten Luna

GATHERING THE WOLVES

CHAPTER TWELVE

The full moon was high in the sky when Victor finally came too. Despite his aching head, his first thought was of Jade. Standing on

shaky legs, he looked around to see if there was any sign of her. Not finding her, Victor shifted into his wolf and sniffed the air. Her

scent was not in the air and Victor knew she had left not long after he was knocked out. Turning back toward the palace, Victor let

Jake take control. His wolf could run faster and for much longer than he could. Not bothering to stop and shift back into his

human form, Jake cleared the palace gates in a smooth leap and circled to the back where the bedrooms were located. It was easy

enough to get past the guards and into the house without being seen. He headed to the quarters that he shared with Jade, maybe she

had made it home and was waiting for him. In his head, Victor knew this wasn’t the case. Jade wouldn’t have left him out there in the

forest unguarded and unable to protect himself. But his heart had to believe that she was safe and okay.

When he reached the door to their quarters, Jake retreated and let Victor take control once more. Shifting into his human form, Victor

slipped in the door and let his eyes adjust to the dark. Making a quick scan of the room, his disappointment and worry grew when he

saw the empty bed.

Striding over to the closet, he chose a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. Grabbing a pair of shoes, he dressed without showering and

headed for the stairs. I want to see Mariah NOW! He snarled at the guard.

But sire, she will be asleep at this hour, and she doesn’t like to be disturbed.

Victor grabbed ahold of the guard and drew him close. Listen to me and listen very carefully, Victor ground out. Either you go get

her or I will, but your Queen is missing, and I need to see her now!

Yes, sire stammered the guard.

Good now, what are you standing here for, said Victor as he threw the guard toward the stairs.

And tell Mariah I will be expecting her in the library in ten minutes, dressed or not!

Victor turned and headed for the library. Taking long angry strides, he cleared the long hall in a few minutes and was sitting in a

chair drinking whiskey when Mariah knocked.

Come in! Victor barked.

Slowly the door opened, and Mariah walked in.

Did I hear the guard right? Is the queen missing? She asked.

You heard right, growled Victor. We need to find and find her fast, so here is what is going to happen. You are going to take ten of

your best men and leave no stone unturned in those forests, villages, or any piece of land, building, or cave in this land. I need you to

open a portal that will allow me to pass between our lands freely. I will return to my pack and retrieve ten of my best and most

trusted warriors. I will return as soon as I can, and we will join up with your search party when we return.

Just one thing, said Mariah. I don’t want to cause a panic and if ten wolves suddenly show up in our land, there will be panic.

You do have a point, conceded Victor, I will have each man place a pack on his back containing clothes. As soon as we crossed into

Fae lands we will change back into our human form. It will be slower going, but until we have met up with you it will not cause

panic.

Agreed, said Mariah. I will create a portal here in the library. It should last about four hours will that give you enough time to gather

your men and be back.

More than enough time, said Victor. When I have gathered my men and I once again are here I will call for you. Listen for the cry of

the wolf. It will tell you that I have arrived back, and we will meet by the Oak tree beside the river. Do you know it?

Yes, I know where it is, replied Mariah.

Good now, let’s not waste any more time, snapped Victor.

Walking across the room, Mariah spoke a few words and a portal appeared.

Victor stepped into it and found himself in his own library.

Wasting no time, Victor mind linked with Jermaine and told him to gather nine of the pack's best warriors and bring them and

himself to the mansion.

Is everything okay? Asked Jermaine

No, everything is not okay! Snapped Victor. Now do as I commanded and meet me in the library in fifteen minutes.

Yes, my Alpha, replied Jermaine.

Oh! And one more thing, said Victor, bring the best tracker we have.

Done! Exclaimed Jermaine.

It seemed like an eternity before Jermaine arrived with the men Victor had asked for. Once, they were all seated around the large

table in the dining hall, Victor stood and began to speak.

I have called you all here because our Luna has been taken and you are the absolute best of our pack at what you do. I don’t know

who has taken her or where they have taken her too, but I know I can count on you men to find her and bring her home. Said, Victor.

When was she taken? Asked Jermaine.

Sometime last evening, replied Victor. We had gone out for a run, and someone knocked me out when I was shifting and took her

then.

Why did you not call us sooner? Asked Will the tracker. It’s going to be difficult to find her scent now that so much time has passed.

I know! Snapped Victor but we were in the land of the Fae and have been for many days now.

But Alpha began Jason, the youngest of the fighters, you have only been gone from our land a mere day.

Time moves differently, interjected Dale, the oldest of all the warriors.

Why should we venture into the land of the Fae and risk being caught by our own selves? Asked James, another warrior.

Slamming his hand down on the table, Victor yelled, “My mate and your Luna has been taken! We will leave nothing standing in the

land of the Fae, if she isn’t found, do I make myself clear?

Yes, Alpha came the reply.

Wasting no time, Victor filled them in on the plan to meet with Mariah and some of the best Fae hunters and trackers they had. Next,

he took them to the library and told each man to walk into the portal. They were reluctant to do so at first, fearing a trap, but Victor

reassured them it was safe as it was the portal, he had just come from himself.

I will go first offered Jermaine that way I can greet men as they emerge.

Good idea, said Victor. I will follow shortly. I still have one more thing I must do, but rest assured I will be right behind you.

Jermaine shook his head and stepped into the portal. Next, James was followed by Will. As each man shifted and stepped into the

portal Victor’s impatience grew. Finally, with the last man transported, Victor picked up the phone and called Dr. Gaines.

Gave him a brief rundown of what was taking place, Victor said to him. I want you to take over the pack until my return and I want

you at the mansion in case Jade will need medical attention when we find her.

I understand came the reply from the other end of the phone. Just let me finish up with a few more patients and I’m on my way.

Excellent, but don’t take too long, stated Victor.

His conversation with the doctor finished, Victor shut down his phone and shifted into his wolf.

Now Jake, let’s go find our mate, he whispered and stepped into the portal.