The Emerald Queen

THE BANSHEE

Leaving Nora at her bedroom door was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I could smell her arousal and I could have easily lost control. The urge to mate and mark her is strong, but my love for her is stronger. I want her to trust me. I want her to feel safe. She has been used and abused her entire life and that is the last way I would want her to feel around me. After leaving her, I came to my office. I need a distraction and I need to get a head start on tomorrow. I know it's going to be tough for Nora to go back to that place, but I know she is strong.

I head to my bookcase and find the book I want. 'Histories of the Irish Packs'. Maybe I can find some answers in here about her Parents, or at the very least a clue about where to look for said answers. I spend hours reading until my eyes blur. I have found nothing of significance and I can't help but feel inadequate. My eyes droop, so I decide to call it a night and head to my bedroom. I lay on my bed thinking of Nora, how perfect she is and I thank the Moon Goddess for granting me such an incredible Mate. Drifting off to sleep, I realise that this is the first night that I haven't drank in two years. The first night I feel complete enough to let my slumber come naturally. And it's all because of Nora. I will give her the life she deserves. She will want for nothing ever again. 

Sleep takes me away and I dream of her. Her luscious red locks, those amazing emerald eyes and her smile that lights up my world.

I wake up early the next morning, the sun just beginning to rise. My head is clear and my usually thumping brain is still. I wonder why I ever tortured myself so much. I put on my shorts and head for a run. I return to the forest and the field in which Nora first shifted. I can still smell her lingering scent. This is our spot now, it's special. Getting back from my run, the sun is shining over the village. It's still early, maybe 6am. I head to my room, wash and dress. Some black slacks and a white shirt will do for today. Breakfast isn't until 8am, so I decide to head to the pack house to talk to my Father some more. He has yet to hear of last night's revelations, yet to meet Nora. 

When I get to the pack house, it is quiet. The house is as large as mine and it is home to my parents, my Beta Gregory and a few of our pack members who are yet to find their Mates. I go to the kitchen and find my Father drinking coffee. 

"Ah, Patrick. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asks, surprised to see me here so early.

I fill him in on the events of last night, but he doesn't utter a word. I can't read his expression and I'm starting to get worried. 

"Dad, what does this mean?" I ask.

"I'll have to look into it further son, but from memory, there are only a few ways in which a blessed wolf comes into existence. The first step will be to find out who Nora's mother was. She will play an important role in this."

"Myself and Nora are heading back to Kylemore today. Dorothy has to know something. I just know she does, I've always got a bad vibe from her." I say, shuddering at the thought of having to see her again. 

"You may be right son. She may have been the one to find Nora as a baby, and if so, she will be our best lead for finding out about Nora's mother. I'm glad I don't have to deal with her anymore, that's for sure."

"Yeah, thanks for that, Dad."

"My pleasure, Son." He laughs. "Now, you be sure to bring that beauty of yours around here when you get back. Your mother and I are dying to meet her."

"I will. Is Gregory awake? I thought he could accompany us on the trip. He has a sharp mind and some extra security will help Nora feel safe."

"Haven't seen him this morning, Son. You know how much he loves his sleep, but I'm sure he'll appreciate being woken up by you." He chuckles.

I can't help but laugh too. Gregory really does love his sleep. If he wasn't my Beta, I swear he would sleep all day, every day. I head up the stairs to his room. I knock on the door, then barge in anyway. We have been best friends since we were kids, and although I am his Alpha, our relationship hasn't changed. Opening the curtains to let the light in, I see him curled up under his covers. Moon Goddess, that man can snore. He sounds like a freight train. I jump on top of him on the bed. 

"Rise and shine, sleepy head." I mock. 

He groans and pushes me off him.

"Uh, Patrick, is it even daylight?"

"It's 7am, lazy, now get up. We're going on a special mission today and I need you by my side. Get yourself washed and dressed and be at mine for breakfast at 8am. It's high time you meet your Luna anyway."

With that, he comes to life and sits up. I scruff his hair and leave the room. Heading home, I am determined to get some answers today. With Nora's new strength and Gregory by our side, I'm sure it will be easy to make Dorothy talk. But first, coffee. Mrs Murphy is in the kitchen preparing breakfast. 

"What's on the menu today?" I ask. 

"Good morning to you too, Alpha. Bacon and Eggs. That's what on the menu." She retorts.

"Good morning, Mrs Murphy, you know you're my favourite."

"Well who's chirpy this morning? Have a good night, did we?" She asks, turning around to wink at me.

"A perfect night according to Nora, but not the type you're thinking of. For an old lady you have a dirty mind, you know that?"

"Excuuuuse me, Sir. Who says I'm old?"

She turns to face me, pretending to look shocked, her hand on her heart. We both start laughing. Uncontrollable, belly shaking laughs. It's refreshing. I've been so bitter these past few years, but Mrs Murphy always had a smile for me. It's nice to be able to return it. She hands me a cup of coffee and I welcome the hot liquid down my throat. 

"The Luna will be joining us for breakfast today?" Asks Mrs Murphy.

"I have no doubt she will. She wouldn't want to miss out on your delicious grub. Is Sonia around? She can help her get dressed."

"Soniaaaaa." Yells Mrs Murphy, nearly bursting my ear drums. 

Sonia rushes from the laundry looking scared. 

"Calm down, Sonia, Mrs Murphy here thought this was the best time to test the power of her lungs. Would you mind going up to see if Nora needs any help this morning?"

"Of course, Alpha, I'll head up right now."

Sonia is a sweet girl. I don't know her very well as up until now I've managed to keep to myself as much as possible, but nonetheless, she's always happy, she's great at her job and it seems Nora might like her too. 

"AHHHH." I hear Sonia shriek from upstairs. I'm already on my feet when I hear her scream again.

"She's gone. ALPHA! SHE'S GONE!"

I run up the stairs as fast as I can and into Nora's bedroom. Sure enough, her bed is empty and so is the bathroom. 

"Search the house, ask any of the maids if they have seen her!"

Sonia runs from the room and I'm left alone. How can she be gone? No no no. Moon Goddess, please no. I've only just found her, this can't be happening right now. My heart feels like it's breaking and I claw at my chest to try and make it stop. I fall to my knees and I can't stop the tears that fall from my eyes. 

"NOOOOOO." I scream. "NORAAAAAAA."

Gregory rushes into the room.

"Alpha, what can I do?" He asks, sounding wary of me.

"We leave now and we search. Mind link the warriors. We don't come home until we find her!"

With that, I leave, trusting Gregory to make the arrangements. My sorrow has been replaced with anger. Whoever took my Angel will pay. I run down stairs and as soon as I'm out the door, I shift, shredding my clothes in the process. I growl as loud as I can. I run towards the forest, picking up Nora's scent on the way. I could smell her during my run, I just figured it was from her shift last night. f**k! I follow Nora's scent for maybe 30 minutes until it's gone. I've reached our eastern border and her sweet smell of honey is replaced with a smell so revolting it makes my stomach turn. It smells of rotting flesh. Not knowing what to do now, I howl. I howl as loud as I can, hoping Nora can hear me. Hoping she will know that I'm coming for her. Gregory and the warriors have showed up and they all howl with me. We are loud and ferocious. I will walk this earth until I find her. I will kill whoever did this without mercy or regret. She's MINE.

Turning around I can see that there are at least 50 wolves here. I scan the crowd to find who I'm looking for. I see his grey fur at the back of the crowd. 

"Jackson. You are the best tracker in this pack, you will lead the search." I say through our mind link. 

"Yes Alpha."

Jackson is an older wolf, close in age to my Father. When my Father retired as Alpha, Jackson could have retired too. Having never found his Mate though, he decided he would continue to serve the pack. After my two years of misery, I can't imagine how Jackson must feel, and I understand his decision to continue working. He is a brilliant man, probably the sharpest mind I know, and right now, I couldn't be more glad that he is here. He is sniffing close to the border where I first got a hint of that disgusting smell. 

"Alpha. I recognise that scent and it can only belong to one creature. It belongs to Cliona."

My mind races. Cliona? I know that name, but from where?

"She is the Banshee, Alpha. We may not be able to pick up Nora's scent, but lucky for us, Cliona's foul stench will lead us to where she is."

Fuck. The Banshee. I remember learning about her as a child. She is a flesh eating, rotting demon of the night. She lures people from their beds while they sleep with a melody. As long as she can feed, she can survive. She wont survive long once I find her. 

"Jackson, Nora shifted last night. Her wolf bears the mark of the blessed. I know she was targeted for a reason." I say.

"Moon Goddess, our Luna is blessed. The Banshee can't be working alone then. It makes no difference to her whose flesh she feeds on. She must be working for someone else, someone that wants her powers. We will need to work fast, Alpha."

I mind link all fifty warriors and let them know of the situation. Let them know how much is at stake. 

"Warriors, your Luna, my Mate, is a blessed wolf, I have seen the mark myself. Whoever has taken her will use her for her powers. We hunt today and we don't stop until we find her. Whoever is behind this will pay."

They all erupt into a mighty howl. We're coming for you, Nora. We're coming.