THE LUNA'S BURNING FATE

The Nightmare

Gerald's POV

I rushed inside and dropped Amelia on the couch in the office.

“Avery? Natasha? Claire? Joe? Anybody? Please answer me.” I checked everywhere but they were gone.

“Lylah!” I growled through Mindlink but it was blocked. Instead, I felt every other person's submission through the link. They must have felt my emotions which rarely happens.

“Eric, find Lylah now,” I ordered through the mindlink.

“Yes, Alpha.” Eric is one of my trusted allies and friend but he regarded me differently. I was more of an Alpha to him.

I built the safe house after the incident a few years ago. The orphans were traumatized after the attack on the Crimson Moon Pack, so I took them in and cared for them. Lylah wasn't pleased about the development. What could she do?

But I was wrong. That night ruined everything. Lylah began to traumatize the pack in unimaginable ways. As a result, I gave access to just one person, Avery, Uncle Zico's daughter, and my Niece.

“Lylah!” I called. The atmosphere was rigid and fear was eminent in the room. I could smell their fear over the smell of pancakes. The silence was deafening. I didn’t want to scare them more than I already had but Pete, my wolf was starting to take control.

‘I can sort this out Pete, stay down’. I warned but he ignored me.

‘I'm tired of hearing that, Gerald. It's time to put her in her place. He growled, pacing back and forth in my mind.

I punched the wall, causing a dent in it. It was a good thing I decided to use the stairs or so many things would have been destroyed.

‘She's my sister, we'll do no such thing’. I retorted, slowing down my pace. I had to get Pete under control before facing Lylah.

‘We all know what's at stake here. If we don't get the pups on time, You’ll lose yourself, forever. He said as a matter of factly. Pete is cursed but he still fights to be himself instead of losing to the monster.

I scoffed. “It doesn’t matter, Pete. I'm the sole reason she turned that way. I will take whatever comes my way but know that I won't risk innocent lives for the sake of my cause.” I said with a note of finality and opened the door to her room. It was empty but strawberry and ginger lingered in the air.

“Alpha?” Derek appeared in front of me, looking serious. This is someone who makes a joke out of every situation and one more thing, he only calls me ‘Alpha’ in dire situations.

“I figured you’d be here since you blocked everyone out. Avery’s body was found in the stable.” He relayed the news without wasting time. Then dipped his hand into his dark jeans pocket to retrieve a piece of paper.

“This was found on her.”

I stared at the little piece of paper that he dropped on my palm.

“I warned you,” Pete mused, solemnly.

“Now's not the time for that.” I snapped at him and blocked him out

‘You'll never find it’ was boldly written on the paper.

If it's what I'm thinking then I needed to get Lylah first. All evidence was pointing at Lylah but I didn't dare second that.

“We don't have much time, Derek,” I ordered and walked into Lylah's room. In less than a minute, I was out of the window and onto the ground.

“Larry, there's an intruder. Now's the time.” I reminded him and went straight to the scene where Avery’s body was found.

Eric and some guards were already there. Thankfully, it was a secluded area. This would prevent the news from reaching the pack as it was a standing law to keep things like this confidential until the Alpha decided to inform the pack.

“Any clue?” I turned to face Eric but he shook his head.

“We found nothing suspicious.” He replied and moved closer to me.

“We found Lylah and the pups in the safe house,” he whispered. If Eric is keeping this secret then there is a spy among us.

“I have to go.” I hurriedly said and left. The vein in my head was throbbing and my palms were sweaty.

‘It's going to be a long night’. I thought. How do I explain to Uncle Zico and his mate?

Lylah was helping the pups get into bed when I arrived at the safe house. They were five in number, two of which were twins, 2 years old, Josephine and Luca. Natasha, Claire, and Joe were 5, 6, and 7 years old respectively.

“They are in shock.” Lylah broke the silence.

“What happened and how come you're here, Lylah?” I softly asked. Waking the pups would do me no good.

She knew it and used it to her advantage. After tucking the twins in, she sat close to them, petting them to sleep.

“I don’t know. I happen to save them. That's what matters.” She looked up and gave me a small smile.

“Avery’s dead, Lylah. Someone they cherish is gone. And you dare smile at me? I lost my Niece damnit.” I let out my frustration through the mind link and took a step into the room, balling my fist. Her eyes widened a fraction and she looked away.

“She was already dead when I arrived,” Lylah replied through the link and finally decided to act maturely.

She stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her.

“It was 10:25 pm when I entered my room to sleep. Someone knocked on my door and it happened to be Felicia. She told me that Avery had mindlinked her and pleaded that I should come down to the safe house but I refused.” I glared at her.

“We both know you would never refuse an opportunity like that. What have you done Lylah? You have to tell me the truth.” I demanded. Pete wanted to take over but I didn't allow it.

Her lips quivered and her eyes moistened. “I'm telling the truth, Gerald. What would I gain from killing someone? You know I would never do such a thing.” She cried, without taking her eyes off me.

“I can still feel the pain, Gerald. It's crystal clear like the blood moon. I know what it feels like to watch someone you love die in front of you, so why would I put someone through that?”

I froze. Her words dug itself deep into my soul. It opened fresh wounds and in a flash, I was fighting my way through the nightmare once again. I found myself locked in the darkest part of my past. I saw my younger self slitting my father's throat.

“Gerald!!” Someone extended their hand to me amidst the terror. I hesitated to take the hand but when I caught sight of the beautiful Auburn hair. I hurriedly took her hand and she pulled me out of the cruel world.

“You are fine now, you are fine.” Her soothing voice calmed me. But when I opened my eyes, Eric was taking her away.