The Rogue Moon Queen

Chapter 2

The house was buzzing with anticipation.  The Alpha Emrys Lyall was coming to the Sage Moon packhouse.  He had never crossed the border before.  Normally all talks took place between the warriors at the border line.  No one knew why the Alpha was coming, not even Alpha Sebastian.  Sebastian was currently holding a meeting with his son, Leon, his daughter Sabrina, the Beta Marcus, and Marcus’ son, Nigel.  Sebastian was grilling Marcus on any recent disputes that could be the reason for the impromptu visit. 

“Marcus, I swear to Diana if you or any of your Demon Dogs did anything to bring the wrath of Alpha Emrys down on us I am going to banish you and anyone that follows you and let Alpha Emrys do whatever he wants with you!” Sebastian roared. 

“Bash, I swear we didn’t do anything.  The Demon Dogs haven’t tangled with the Rogues in months.”  Marcus insisted. 

“It’s true Alpha! We haven’t done anything to warrant this visit.” Nigel added. 

“Father maybe Alpha Emrys is coming to discuss a different treaty or something positive.” Sabrina added. 

“Regardless of his reason we have to be on alert. At least until we know his mood.” Leon said quietly.  Right then there was a knock at the door.

“Pardon me Alpha, but they are here.” Said Ty, the pack’s Gamma.

“Thank you, Ty.” Sebastian nodded.

“Let’s go greet our guests and let’s remember that they ARE guests until they behave otherwise.” Sebastian ordered pointedly.  Everyone in the room nodded. “Sabrina wait a moment please?” Sebastian asked.  Sabrina exchanged a glance with Leon then hung back.  Once everyone was out of the office Sebastian took a big breath and turned toward his daughter.

“Brina, I don’t want you out there.  I want you in the kitchens making sure the omegas have everything they need for our guests.”  Sabrina was shocked.  Her father never excluded her from these events.  Even though she was not the Luna, she acted in her mother’s stead.  She had ever since the rogue attack that sent Melissandra into a coma a few years ago.

“Father if you wanted me to hide then why not just send me to the kitchens? Why have me in here?” she asked, trying hard not to lose her temper.  She was furious now that the shock had worn off.  How dare her father try to make her hide? She was not the type of person to run and hide when a possibly angry Alpha comes to visit.  She was a warrior.  She trained alongside her brother.  She was one of the best warriors in Sage Moon. 

“Sabrina, I had you in the meeting because I trust you and you as my daughter need to stay informed about what is going on and who is coming.  I want you to stay safe today.  Alpha Emrys is very powerful and we don’t know yet what mood he is in.  He can wipe out the entire pack if he chooses too.”, Sebastian pleaded.  He knew that if Sabrina decided to be stubborn about this, there was no changing her mind.  He prayed she wouldn’t be stubborn. 

“Father, my place is with you and Leon.  Not hiding in the kitchens.  Alpha Emrys would see it as an insult, that you were trying to hide something from him. I have not nor will I ever hide from anyone or anything.  I am standing with you to greet him.” She replied firmly.  Sebastian hung his head.  He should have known better than to think she would go peacefully to the kitchens.  He took a deep breath and said,

“Alright.  Let’s go greet the would-be Alpha King and pray to Diana that he isn’t in a killing mood.”

            Emrys rode in silence. He was stewing, trying to control his temper.  As soon as he crossed the border, his temper went from simmering to boiling.  His brother’s condition improved very little over night.  He was still in his wolf form.  Emrys had spent the night racking his brain trying to figure out how that was possible.  He tore his library apart, no small feat considering it was about the size of a large ballroom.  He really hoped that he would find the answers he needed and quickly.  He did not like being on this side of the border.  Lincoln broke the silence. 

“You know, they say that Alpha Sebastian’s daughter is a real beauty.”  Emrys said nothing. 

“She is unmated.” Lincoln tried again.  Still nothing. 

“Come on man. You need to redirect your thinking or we will get nothing done.  You’ll go in there demanding answers that Sebastian may not even have.  You and I both know that while his beta may be capable of this, Sebastian isn’t nor would he ever sanction it.”  Emrys looked at him. 

“I know you are right but I can’t seem to get over the fact that Rhett isn’t healing and can’t shift out of being a wolf.  I have never heard of that happening.” 

“Yes, you have.” Lincoln said in a low voice.  Emrys raised a questioning eyebrow.  “Melissandra Duvall.  Sebastian’s wife.  She was attacked by rogues a few years ago and whatever they did to her, she is still in a coma, as a wolf.  Her injuries healed slowly, like she was a human.” 

That’s right.  I forgot about Sage Moon’s Luna. 

Emrys nodded.  Before he could say anything, the vehicle stopped moving.  Show time.  Lincoln got out first and held the door open.  Emrys got out and unfolded his six-foot four frame very slowly.  He wanted all of Sage Moon to take in his size.  It was something he rarely did.  Emrys was tall, broad shouldered, barrel chested, and very muscular.  He was wearing a black t shirt and dark denim jeans.  His amber eyes looked straight ahead of him, meeting the gaze of any that dared to make contact.  Not many people did.  Of the crowd in front of him, only Alpha Sebastian, his son Leon, and the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.  Her hair was the color of blood and hung to her waist, her eyes the shade of Lapis Lazuli.  Her skin was creamy, her lips luscious.  She wasn’t looking directly at him though.  Her gaze was just over his shoulder.  That sent annoyance through him.  Emrys wanted her eyes on him and him alone.  He gave himself a mental shake.  How could a mere slip of a girl, albeit beautiful, distract him so thoroughly?  He took a deep breath to steady his racing heart.  He took one step forward and then she looked right into his eyes.  He froze.  Nothing existed but the two of them.  Time and space seemed to suspend themselves.  He heard nothing but the rushing of his own blood in his ears.  Only one word came to his mind.  Mate.  Damn.