Whispers Of The Moonstone

Thirteen

The tension from the council meeting still lingered like a storm cloud above them, but Rohan knew Drake well enough to tell something else was bothering him. They had barely made it halfway down the hall when Rohan glanced sideways and noticed his Beta wearing a face that could sour milk.

As soon as they entered Rohan’s office, the Alpha shut the door behind them and leaned against it, arms crossed. “You’ve been pouting since the fight ended. Spill it.”

Drake threw himself into the armchair with a dramatic sigh. “I’m not pouting.”

Rohan smirked. “Right. So you’re just brooding with your jaw clenched and looking like someone stole your moonstone.”

Drake rolled his eyes. “Can we not?”

Rohan raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t tell me you found your mate.”

Drake narrowed his eyes at him. “Neither did you.”

Touché.

Rohan chuckled and walked toward the drink cart, pouring them both a glass of water. “You should talk to him.”

Drake took the glass but didn’t drink. He stared at it like it held all the answers. “You should’ve seen the look on his face, Rohan. He looked scared of me.”

“Because you broke someone’s nose in the hallway?” Rohan teased, though his voice was gentle.

Drake groaned and rubbed his hands down his face. “I didn’t even think. The guy touched him and I—” He clenched his fists. “It was instinct. The wolf in me went crazy. I love him so much, Ro. It’s not just about the bond. I’ve had a crush on him since forever. Now that I know he’s mine, it’s like I can’t breathe without him.”

“He’ll understand,” Rohan said. “His birthday’s tomorrow, right?”

Drake nodded. “Yeah. Once he feels the bond… I hope it helps him see I’m not a monster.”

Rohan sat on the edge of his desk, the glass in his hand untouched. “You’re not a monster, Drake. You’re just in love.”

There was a moment of silence between them. Then Drake tilted his head with a smirk. “Soooo… Abigail, huh?”

Rohan made a low groan and slumped back onto the leather couch like he’d just been shot. “Don’t start.”

Drake grinned wider. “Oh, I’m definitely starting.”

Rohan stared at the ceiling. “She’s driving me insane. She doesn’t even know I’m her mate, and I can barely be around her without wanting to lose control. She smells like vanilla and orange and something I can’t even explain. Every time she looks at me, I feel like the world slows down.”

“You’ve got it bad,” Drake said with a whistle.

“I know,” Rohan muttered. “I feel like I’m already in love with her, and she hasn’t even felt the bond yet. What if she never does? What if she doesn’t want me?”

Drake leaned back in the chair, crossing one ankle over the other. “Dude, she bowed to you in the kitchen. That’s gotta hurt.”

Rohan covered his face with a groan.

“But honestly,” Drake said, voice softening, “Abigail’s different. You can see it in her eyes. She doesn’t even know her worth yet. I think once she feels it—once she knows—she won’t back away.”

“I’m waiting for her birthday like it’s judgment day,” Rohan mumbled.

Drake chuckled, then the room shifted back to serious as Rohan straightened up.

“We’ve got more than just mates to worry about,” Rohan said. “Those spies at the border… they weren’t there for war. They were watching for someone. Someone inside the pack.”

“What baffles me is they keep coming back knowing they stand no chance?” Drake asked.

“I think they know the girl is here. They just don’t know who.”

“I wonder who it is” Drake said curiously .

Rohan’s silence said more than words.

“It has to be an omega ,” Rohan finally said. “That much we know.”

Drake looked toward the window, troubled. “We have to be ready, Ro. If the enemy gets to her before we do—”

“They won’t.” Rohan’s voice cut through the room like a blade. “They won’t even touch her.”

Drake nodded slowly. “We need a plan. Strengthen patrols, watch for witches, train the younger wolves harder.”

“I want you to quietly assign guards around the pack house,” Rohan added. “Don’t make it obvious. We don’t want the pack getting worried and restless”

“Understood.”

They both sat in silence, the weight of responsibility heavier than ever. But beneath it all, their hearts were entangled in something far more terrifying than war—love.

The kind that could change everything.