Skyler’s POV
“You are supposed to be resting.” Kanto was clearly upset that I was there. I pushed the door open and used my new acquired crutches to walk further into Kanto’s office. Colton and Dustin stayed at the door but Kanto caught sight of them. “You two were supposed to make sure she rested.”
“Actually, with all due respect Alpha, that wasn’t their job.” I carefully plopped myself down in the open chair next to Brett. Brett got up and moved the other chair so I could prop up my leg, then he moved over to where Jack was standing. “I heard you say that they were to guard the future Luna, which they are doing. And the other order was to not let anyone into the room except Dr. Garcia. You said nothing about me leaving the room.”
Kanto let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes with his hand. “That’s not the point Skyler.”
“Don’t worry, I checked with Dr. Garcia before I left. That’s how I got the crutches. He said I just couldn’t put weight on my leg to make sure the stitches didn’t rip. My wrist isn’t broken just sore and my head should be fine to move around with.” Kanto was about to let out another sigh so I kept talking. “The good doctor said it was fine and you three are talking about me so I feel like I should be involved in the conversation.”
“Skyler, you can’t push yourself like this, it’ll take longer to heal. Which would mean more time before you get to train, like you wanted.” Kanto had the smallest of smirks on his face thinking he won and I would go back to bed. Poor poor Kanto.
“Yes but didn’t you say that the safest place for me to be is by your side?” Kanto’s tiny smirk vanished, sorry Kanto but I’m staying here. “Also, if I’m to be the future Luna, I should be aware of what’s going on in the pack. Don’t you want me by your side and to be the best Luna I can be?”
Checkmate. After a long pause Kanto finally sighed again. “Fine you can stay, but you better get some rest over the next couple of days.” My poor sweet Kanto, again I’m sorry. But I had no intention of not being a part of a conversation about me. I nodded and shifted into a better sitting position.
“I’ve never seen the Alpha cave like that.” Brett whispered to Jack but if I could hear it, I knew Kanto could too.
“This is the second time.” Jack shockingly responded. Kanto let out a warning growl at the two of them who were holding back their laughter.
“Don’t worry Kanto. Something tells me that both of them are the exact same with their mates.”
“No.” Kanto said with a smile creeping onto his face. “Brett is waaaaay worse.”
Jack couldn’t hold his laughter back anymore while Brett’s face turned a bit pink. Kanto and I started laughing too. It was nice to see that Kanto relaxed a bit with people he obviously cared about. People other than me I mean.
“So I theorized that the person who hired those guys a couple weeks ago may be related to the Steelridge pack that you told me about. Also it’s possible that the person who shoved me down the stairs today might also be related but it could be they just don’t like a human being here.” The three big men all stared at each other as if I were psychic or something.
“Actually we didn’t consider you being human as a reason, but it’s possible.” Brett spoke first. “Your Luna is a smart one Kanto, better watch out.”
Kanto ignored his Beta’s comment. “So first we need to check in on Jasmine’s alibi. Then we need to find the person who took the picture of us, they might be the key to knowing everything. Jack you said the photo was taken on a burner phone.”
“Yes Alpha.” Jack was back to being the serious version I’ve known so far.
“We might not be able to find it by phone, but maybe by pack members who we know were in the city that day. I want you to look into that.” Jack nodded at his new orders. It was weird seeing Kanto in Alpha mode, I’m used to seeing him in a less intimidating light.
“Brett I want you to look into the Steelridge’s Beta.” My confused face must have given away that I didn’t see the connection. “The Beta has been spotted in the city, and since you go to the city frequently, you can understand his movements.”
“Where was he last spotted?” Brett was more serious than I’ve seen him, granted I’ve only seen him once before this.
“He was spotted going into a pawn shop a couple days ago. We’ve been keeping tabs on him, he has been loitering around that block since we spotted him.” Jack informed us.
“Keep an eye on him Brett.” Kanto instructed. “There’s a good chance that if the Beta is there, then Varus is there too.”
“Wait…” My heart stopped. “Say that name again.”
“Alpha Varus, that’s the name of the Steelridge pack’s supposed Alpha.” My heart started racing, panic started washing over me. I didn’t notice that Kanto rushed around his desk until he was kneeling at my side, his touch on my hand snapped me out of my thoughts which were running wild. “What is it Skyler?”
“He’s in the city. Both him and his Beta, they’ve been here for a week on Friday.” I tried to calm myself but my voice came out shaky.
“How do you know, Luna?” Jack asked, Kanto’s focus was intensely on me. I think he knew what I was going to say next.
“I saw him. I saw them both at Vibez, last Friday night.” Jack and Brett looked at me confused but Kanto was busy trying to suppress his rage as his gaze had shifted to the ground. “Varus has bleached white hair and golden eyes, his Beta had dark blue eyes, both came up and talked to my friend and me.”
The room went silent as I held my breath waiting for Kanto to respond. “Brett. Jack. Find where they are staying and check Jasmine’s story.” The two bowed their heads and left without saying a word.
“Kanto?” I felt his grip on my hand tighten, still not making eye contact with me. I had a hunch on what was happening, time to test my theory. I moved my free hand to his cheek. “Zenith?”
Kanto’s head shot up, but it wasn’t Kanto in charge now. His eyes were dark hazel, Zenith was in control. “I’m going to punish Colton and Dustin until they beg for mercy.” His voice came out more raspy than usual and was filled with rage.
“No, it’s not their fault. I was the one who snuck out, they didn’t know.” I removed my other hand and placed it onto the other side of his face. He leaned into my hand and closed his eyes, I could see and feel him calming down. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize.”
“Please.” His voice was softer but not raspy anymore. He opened his eyes again showing me Kanto was back in control. “Please stay with Colton and Dustin if I’m not with you.”
“I will, I promise.” Kanto wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging my stomach and laying his head in my lap. That’s when I made an important realization.
I’ve been adjusting to this whole new world. And Kanto has been there every step of the way. But he’s adjusting too. He’s spent all this time alone waiting for his mate. When he finally finds his, he has to babysit them constantly and explain things. Because of me, he has to worry all the time. Not to mention having me be a human probably complicates things as the Alpha. How could I have been so thoughtless?
“I’m so sorry Kanto. I’ll be more careful in the future.” I felt tears starting to form in my eyes but I held them back to stop Kanto from seeing them.
Kanto removed himself from my waist and stood up. Without warning he scooped me up in his arms, lifting me into the air. “Let’s go upstairs, I’ll have food brought to the room.” Kanto said already walking in the direction of his room. I nuzzled my face into his chest as we moved down the hall.
Once we made it to his room, he gently placed me on the bed. He walked into the closet, when he came back out he was in gym shorts and a t-shirt and in his hands were my pj shorts and a giant sweatshirt I haven’t seen before. He placed them next to me and before heading off to the bathroom. I heard the water turn on but thought nothing of it as I was about to start changing.
“Did you want to take a bath first?” I caught Kanto glancing at me from the door. “I turned on the water for you, I just thought you might want to relax a bit.”
“Yea thank you.” I did feel gross after everything today. I swiveled my legs off the bed but my plans of walking were thwarted as I was scooped up in Kanto’s arms again. He placed me next to the tub and began to leave. “Wait. You aren’t going to join me?”
I saw Kanto’s ears turned a bit red as he froze in the doorway. It was obvious he and Zenith were having a debate on what to do. I couldn’t help but giggle. “Calm down, silly. I’m teasing, I’ll only be a moment.”
I could tell Kanto was a little relieved I was joke but also a little sad. I decided to come up with a plan to repay him in the morning. I sat in the tub for a bit before scrubbing off all the grime, carefully keeping the stitches on my leg out of the water. My mind kept getting stuck on one thought though. Varus. If he’s a werewolf, he would have smelled Kanto’s scent on me if not a little. His last comment was peculiar to me too. ‘Take care of that dog’. So why didn’t he kill me then and there? He clearly knew I was tied to Kanto, so why hesitate?
I snuck deeper into the bath before sighing and finishing to rinse off. I wrapped my hair in a towel then another around my body before hopping over to the door. I peered out to see Kanto lying on the bed with a hand on his face. He didn’t budge when I opened the door, so I assume he’s sleeping. I sneak out of the bathroom and walk towards the close on the bed as quietly as I can while gripping onto my towel.
“You’re making a habit out of this.” I let out a small squeal out of shock and Kanto has a devilish grin on his face.
“You were supposed to be asleep, just like last time.” I finally make it to the clothes on the bed when an evil plan came to mind. I couldn’t hold back my grin all I had to do was time it right.
“I’m a werewolf, I can hear when you open a door next to me.” Kanto said in an almighty tone, oblivious to my future plans. “Werewolves have heightened senses.”
I started walking slowly back toward the bathroom. “Oh yes Mr. All-Superior-Being. Nothing can catch you off guard.” I said a little sarcastically. A proud grin was prominent on Kanto’s face. Time to get rid of that.
I was half way to the bathroom when I decided to drop my towel on the floor. “Whoops.” I said with a sneaky smile before walking to the bathroom with just my clothes in hand. When I made it to the bathroom I couldn’t contain my laughter anymore. The look on Kanto’s face as the towel hit the floor, my poor little virgin boyfriend. I slipped into my pj shorts carefully before putting on the giant, oversized sweatshirt. The minute it was on, Kanto’s scent filled my nose, I could pick up the slight hint of pine tree and a little bit of fresh rain. His scent made my stomach butterfly a little, it made me feel cozy and at home being in his sweatshirt. I brushed out my hair and made a mental note to leave the bathroom as if nothing happened.
I walked out and headed to the other side of the bed. I had to hold in my laughter at Kanto’s glare. “So when is the food going to get here?” I said nonchalantly as I got comfy on the bed.
“That wasn’t very nice.” Kanto grumbled still maintaining his glare.
“I thought you could see that coming, you know with your superior senses.” I smirked at my sarcastic reply. We sat there quietly just staring at each other waiting to see who would crack first.
Then Kanto practically picked me up and tossed me to himself, which caused me to squeal. He nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck from behind while leaving small light kisses that gave me goosebumps and made my stomach flutter. “What am I going to do with you?” He said softly with a smile.
I lifted my arms above my head and dropped them down so I could reach Kanto behind me. “I guess you’ll just have to put up with me.” I turned my head which made him lift his. I leaned back so I could meet his lips with mine. Every kiss with him felt right, I couldn’t explain it.
Unfortunately before we could continue there was a knock at the door. Kanto groaned before rolling off the bed to go to the door and grab the food that was left there. I practically bounced on the bed when I saw the food tray in Kanto’s hand. He just laughed at my excitement. “Hey, you would be this excited too if you hadn’t eaten all day.”
“Well I hope you like lasagna and garlic bread because that’s what we’re having.” My stomach growled before I could answer. “Well I’ll take that as a yes.”
Kanto placed the food on the bed before removing the lid and revealing the cheese covered pasta. The aroma hit my nose causing my stomach to growl again. Once Kanto sat back down, I dug into the meal. It had to be one of the best lasagnas I’ve ever had, I devoured everything on my plate in a matter of minutes. I placed everything back on the tray and moved my plate onto the nightstand beside the bed before plopping back onto the bed. My stomach was full and I knew I was going to be in a food coma soon. I place my hand on my bloated stomach when Kanto finished his meal and lied down next to me.
I shifted my body closer to him as he moved closer to me. I felt warm and cozy in his arms, which reminded me of a question. “Is this sweatshirt yours?”
“Mhmm, it is. I thought you would look good in it and be cozy. I was right.” Kanto said to the top of my head. And he absolutely was right, I was really enjoying this sweatshirt. But what I liked more was being in his arms. I felt my eyelids get heavy as I focused in on Kanto’s steady breathing and sweet kisses on top of my head.
“I’m sorry about causing you to trouble today. Thank you for looking for me.” I said softly.
“I’m just glad you’re safe. I promise we will find the person responsible and hold them accountable.” Kanto’s grip tightened around me.
“I trust you.” I snuggled in to his warmth even more, speaking in kind of a daze. “At least we have some suspects. It could be the Steelridge pack. Oh and you mentioned a person called Jasmine. Who is that?”
Kanto placed a light kiss on top of my head. “I’ll tell you tomorrow.” He whispered. And with that I let my eyelids close and drifted off to sleep.
I was running through the forest as fast as I could. I could hear the pounding of paws on the ground behind me. My lungs were burning as I sprinted by the trees. Somehow in this sprint I was able to crack a smile between breaths. I knew that if I made it back to the pack house I would be safe. I could see the training grounds ahead of me, I pushed myself even harder to make it there. I took a quick glance behind me to see the ginormous wolf catching up to me from the depths of the forest.
Just then I ran into something. I fell down onto my butt which really hurt. But my pain couldn’t distract me from what I ran into. I looked up at the huge furry creature, it’s teeth snarling at me as it’s gaze was fixed down on me. I’ve never seen a creature like this before. I instantly began to wish Kanto was near me. I scrambled up to my feet only to feel hot breath behind me. I knew I was caught and I couldn’t escape.