The Human Luna's Second Chance Mate

Chapter 4: I Finally Found Her!

Leonard POV

I tap my fingers on my knee, staring blankly out of the window. I am sure the passing scenery is lovely, but it does nothing to quell my distracted thoughts. I do not want to be here. “Are you okay, man? You seem very distracted, and you are giving off seriously pissed-off vibes,” Cade, my Beta, says from the driver's seat. “I would rather be anywhere but where we are heading. Can you believe that asshole?” I ask, getting irritated all over again just by voicing the words.

“I admit, it’s a d**k move, but we have to maintain decorum. Attending this Luna ceremony is vital for our relations with the other packs. You don’t have to like him or what he is doing. You just have to show your face,” Cade answers. I sigh, leaning back. “I know, I know. I know how to play the part.” I look back out the window. Since I took over as Alpha of the Dark Silver Pack five years ago, I have had to make many adjustments to how I view politics. But what this Alpha is doing is simply wrong. When I received the invitation to a Luna ceremony at the Grey Wood Pack, I was utterly confused.

I was certain they had already crowned a Luna years ago. A human girl, if I am not mistaken, and I would know if she had perished. I did some digging and found out that the Alpha got the Beta’s daughter pregnant and now plans to make her his new Luna.

What about his fated mate? I thought the human was his destined mate. I was actually impressed when I first heard he made a human his Luna, against the wishes of his pack members. If he went through all that trouble back then, why throw away his destined mate now just for a chance to get into the Alpha Council?

I know that’s his endgame, and it’s a pathetic, power-hungry move. It shows his lack of character, and it’s a direct insult to the Moon Goddess. I have officially lost any respect I might have had for his bold choices in the past. I am twenty-seven this year, and I still haven't met my fated mate. I would give anything to find her, and there he is, discarding his fated mate for status. My parents and the pack elders have been nagging me for years to just choose a Luna to stabilize leadership, but I refuse. I am waiting for my fated mate, and no one will ever take her place.

The closer we get to Alpha Hunter’s territory, the more restless my wolf becomes. Our animal spirits are deeply connected to us. I feel his emotions as if they are my own, which is how we communicate. He cannot speak to me in words, but we are completely in sync. Some werewolves, even Alphas, never truly bond with their wolves, which makes them unstable and far less effective in a fight. I may be a werewolf, but I also carry traces of elven blood. My great-grandmother was an elf, and I gladly accept that part of my heritage. It gives me an extra advantage, making it much easier to bond with my wolf.

The moment we cross the border into the Grey Wood Pack, my wolf's mood completely shifts. He feels happy, even excited. Excited about what? I don't want to be here at all. I roll the window down for some fresh air to clear my head, and suddenly, I am hit with the sweetest scent. I sniff the air again as my wolf’s emotions go wild. He definitely wants to be here, and after catching that scent, I do too. What is that smell? It is incredibly unique and captivating, like a direct call to my soul, my wolf, and my heart. Oh, my Goddess… Could it really be?

“Why the sudden mood change?” Cade asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. “I changed my mind. I think tonight will end much better than I ever imagined,” I answer with a smirk. Cade glances at me, rolls his eyes, and shakes his head. He focuses back on the road while I breathe in the calming scent. We pulled up to the gates leading to the packhouse, and Cade handed our invitation to the guards. They nod and direct him where to park. I sit back, smiling as the captivating scent completely soothes my irritation. I got out of the car before Cade could even turn off the engine, earning a frown from him.

“Go ahead, I will be right there,” I told him, and nodded at the warriors who traveled with us. ‘Where the hell are you going, Leonard?’ Cade asked me over the mind link. Werewolves from the same pack can communicate telepathically. You just think of the person, and form the thoughts in your mind. It makes life so much easier, especially when sensitive information is involved. I look back and wink at him, making him groan before he heads inside. I will explain it to him later. Right now, I need to follow this mouth-watering, heavenly scent.

I focus on the trail, using my enhanced senses, bypassing the guests loitering around the estate without paying them any attention. The scent leads me away from the main packhouse where the ceremony is being held. I make my way around the back, following a path toward a separate building in the distance. The scent grows stronger, seeping into my very being and causing my entire body to hum with anticipation. Goddess, the scent is amazing. I look ahead and frown when I realize the destination is likely their pack prison, judging by the heavily fortified structure and the guard posted outside. It doesn't matter; I need to find the source of that scent.

I move forward but stop in my tracks when I spot a female walking toward the entrance. I adjust my eyesight to get a clearer view since she is still a bit far away. I have never seen her before, but judging by the woman’s formal regalia and expensive jewels, she is a Luna. In fact, she could be the new Luna. That would make sense, as none of the visiting Lunas would wander off alone without their Alphas. But if this is the Charlotte woman, what the hell is she doing at the prison instead of being inside at her own ceremony?

The exact same prison my mate’s scent is coming from.

This does not feel like a coincidence at all, and the way she is sticking to the shadows tells me she is up to no good. My wolf grows restless, sharing my immediate worry. I wait until she slips inside the building before I move closer, sticking to the shadows and keeping my steps perfectly silent. There is only one guard to knock out, and then I can find out exactly what she is up to. If that woman is in there to hurt my mate, she is going to pay. Future Luna or not.