A Tale of His Spy Mate

Chapter Ten: Contacts

Eric POV

When I first met Anna, something didn't sit right with me. Her story, while plausible, didn't make the most sense. I almost didn't believe it when Alpha Xavier confirmed that she was banished.

Which is why I'm sitting at the bar, waiting on a contact from the Shadow Moon Pack. I've known Josh for a long time, and we occasionally provide each other with information.

As I wait, I continue to stew in my own thoughts. Anna nearly cried when she heard about the death of the Rising Moon Pack. Cried! While everyone else was cheering. Her reaction was the exact opposite of the pack's. I could give her the benefit of the doubt since she grew up in a different pack, but she now belongs to the Crescent Moon Pack. Her loyalty should be to this pack.

Anna isn't who she says she is. Justin is too lovesick with his mate to see that. I'll just have to prove it for him.

Justin has been my best friend since we were toddlers and we've gotten into numerous misadventures together. When I tell him about Anna, he'll be crushed. He'll thank me later; the pack cannot afford to have a scheming Luna. It is my job to protect him from anyone who may challenge his authority over the pack.

I see Josh walk into the bar and notice me. He's a decent-looking guy with sandy blond hair and light brown eyes.

"What's up, Eric? What's the urgency?"

"We've recently had a she-wolf come to our pack seeking sanctuary. I don't know if I believe her story. Anna says she was a domestic violence victim. Then, when her boyfriend was found out, he called her traitor, and she was banished by Alpha Xavier."

"Banished? Are you sure you're talking about the Shadow Moon Pack?"

"One and the same, my friend. Anna says she was banished from the Shadow Moon Pack about a week ago."

"Banishments are public in the Shadow Moon, and the last time someone was banished was three years ago. I don't know who your Anna is, but she's not from the Shadow Moon."

I knew it! I'm going to expose this woman for the lying harlot that she is. I thanked Josh, then immediately rushed back to the packhouse to catch Justin before he went on his date with Anna.

"Justin!" I called out as I saw him strolling down the hallway.

"Hey, Eric! I hope you had a good trip to town. I'm about to grab Anna."

"I need two minutes of your time."

"Right now? Can it wait?"

"No, it can't wait."

Justin led me to an empty office and motioned for me to talk.

"Anna isn't from the Shadow Moon Pack. I just talked to one of my contacts from there, and he said the last banishment happened three years ago. Alpha Xavier is covering up for Anna."

Justin's expression went from curious to confused to angry.

"You're saying that based on some contact from another pack, my mate is lying to me?"

"Yes, and Alpha Xavier. They are covering up something; I just don't know what. But if the reason was good, why are they sneaky about it?"

"This is just too hard to take in, Eric. I just don't believe that Anna would lie to me. It could be this contact of yours in the Shadow Pack has an ax to grind with Anna and this is his/her way of getting back. You need more than one random person’s version of the truth to convince me. "

"I’ve known Josh for years and every time he has ever provided me with information, it has always been right. While you've only known Anna for all of twenty-four hours. You've known me your entire life and would rather believe her over me!" I did my best not to raise my voice at the end, but I couldn't help but express my anger that Anna had somehow already replaced me in trustworthiness.

"Don't speak of her like that!" Justin roared back, eyes going slightly red. I saw him take a few calming breaths.

"Because you are my best friend and Beta, I have allowed this conversation. I will banish you if you ever accuse Anna again without irrefutable proof. I have no tolerance for questioning Luna, my partner. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Alpha."

I was shaken that Justin would even consider banishing me over that witch. Anna was trying to ruin my life in more ways than one.

However, I am more determined than ever. I will find irrefutable proof that Anna is not who she says she is.

***

Anna POV

After breakfast, Jess insisted that we go shopping for a new wardrobe. Ellie and Jacob had given me clothes, which were great for the farm but weren't appropriate if I had to represent the pack. I argued that I wasn't officially the Luna and didn't need a million special outfits just yet.

"Are you crazy? You're the new Luna, you just aren't marked yet. You need a wardrobe to match your new position. We can't have a Luna who isn't up on the latest trends."

"I might be the new Luna. It's just a trial period and Justin may decide that I'm not the best fit for this pack."

"I see the way you two look at each other. Are you really thinking of rejecting him? Because he is not going to reject you."

I didn't want to reject him, but if I couldn't find a way to stop this war, it might be my only option. Stopping the war didn't mean I could be Luna either.

The chant, Burn them Down, echoed in my mind again. As soon as the pack finds out I'm from the Rising Moon, they won't hear my side of the story; they'll attack me.

For the first time, I'm terrified for myself in all of this. I had willingly signed up, but I always imagined ending the war before the pack learned I was from the Rising Moon. In my mind, this assignment always ended well for me.

I was finally facing the fact that I could be killed before I could find a way to stop the war. I didn't like the anxious feeling that was starting to rise.

"I don't think I'll make a good luna. I don't want to burden the pack if I'm only going to let everyone down."

"Ha! I saw the way that you can challenge Justin like no one else. You're a perfect match for him. I'm a bit surprised that you haven't marked and mated already.

We would be marked and mated if I was from somewhere other than the Rising Moon Pack. The hesitancy towards our relationship was all on me. Once I was marked, there would be no going back. The pressure to find information suddenly became all-consuming.

My face must have become distressed as Jess quickly moved the subject along.

"How about we just enjoy shopping for now. We'll have all the time in the world to talk about boys later."

I was grateful for the reprieve. It's been a while since I got new clothes, and it felt wonderful jumping from store to store to pick out a variety of outfits. I really needed to find a phone store, as I desperate to contact Alpha Brandon.

Towards the end, we finally made it. We were at the cash register when I needed Jess to leave for a minute.

"Hey Jess, do you mind picking up the other phone case I saw. I may want that one instead."

"Sure! I'm excited that you've found something that you like!"

When she was out of hearing, I hurriedly addressed the salesperson.

"I need an extra SIM card with no contract, fifty dollars of phone minutes. I need it before she comes back."

The salesperson, Jane her nametape said, looked at me strangely before grabbing an extra SIM card and rang it up. I had just finished putting it in my back pocket when Jess returned.

"You're going to be the most stylish Luna ever!"

"If I am, it's only thanks to the most fashion-forward Gamma mate there is."

Truly, I was grateful for Jess and her advice on the trip. Jess is phenomenal at matching outfits and she knew how to pick the right colors that matched my lighter skin tone.

We decided to eat at the food court before heading back to the pack house. We had just gotten our food when I told Jess I needed to run to the restroom quickly.

As soon as I entered the restroom, I ran to the furthest stall and pulled out my new phone. I quickly changed the SIM card to my prepaid one and dialed a number I knew by heart.

Please pick up. Please pick up.

"Alpha Brandon speaking." Thank the goddess.