Kidnapped By The Werewolf Alpha King (completed)

Chapter 7

As I walk out, I can feel Asher's eyes boring into my back, but he makes no move to follow me. The need to escape from him overwhelms me, driving me forward with urgency.I keep walking down the hall then, I encounter Luke, the Gamma, waiting patiently nearby. His playful tone belies the seriousness of the situation as he asks, "Where do you think you're going?" I respond with a sense of desperation, expressing my need to flee. Without missing a beat, Luke offers a solution, his demeanor calm and reassuring. "Okay, then follow me," he suggests gently. Reluctantly, I comply, allowing him to lead me outside into the expansive gardens. Finding comfort on a nearby bench, I sit down heavily, feeling the weight of my situation bearing down on me. Luke joins me, standing beside me in silent. With a heavy heart, I voice my deepest fears to him. "Luke, am I truly trapped here?" His response is somber but unwavering. "Yes, you can't leave. Asher will find you no matter where you go. As his mate, he can always sense your presence." The weight of his words settles over me like a shroud as I struggle to comprehend the gravity of my situation. Then, with a sense of resignation, I pose a question that weighs heavily on my mind. "What exactly does being mates mean?" Luke's explanation is distressing, his words tinged with a mixture of reverence and sorrow. "A mate is someone who holds the other side of your soul. They are your soulmate, connected to you on the deepest level. They can feel your pain and happiness, sharing in your joys and sorrows. The bond between mates is sacred, ordained by the goddess herself. Losing your mate is akin to having your soul torn asunder, a pain unlike any other." As his words sink in, the reality of my situation becomes painfully clear, and I can't help but wonder if I'll ever come to terms with my fate as Asher's mate.

As I sit and ponder Luke's words, a wave of realization washes over me. If everything he's told me is true, then Asher must be grappling with his own turmoil and pain. But why should I concern myself with his feelings? After all, he kidnapped me. I turn to Luke and offer a forced smile. "Luke, thank you for showing me the gardens, but you don't need to stay with me. I can manage on my own." His laughter rings out, warm and genuine. "Actually, as the Gamma, I'm assigned to be your guard, the Gamma always watches over the Luna" he explains. "I don't see it as babysitting, Airabella. It's my duty."

As Rikki rushes over to me, embracing me in a hug, her familiar warmth instantly easing the tension coiled within me. "Oh, b***h, I missed you so much," she exclaims, her voice brimming with genuine affection. Returning her hug, I reciprocate the sentiment. "I missed you too," I reply softly. Then, unable to contain my curiosity, I ask, "Rikki, did you know about all of this?" Her gaze flickers downward briefly before she meets my eyes again. "I knew he was going to come into the restaurant to speak with you, but I did not know he was going to kidnap you," she confesses. Her sincerity is evident, and I nod in understanding. "Yeah, he f*****g kidnapped me and put a needle in my neck to make me sleep. This is not the way you treat your supposed mate," I vent, frustration lacing my words. Rikki's eyes widen in shock as she processes my revelation. "He did all that?" she repeats incredulously. "I swear I had no idea." Grateful for her genuine concern, I continue, "I know. I was so pissed we have already had a few fights already." Her laughter rings out, a welcome respite from the tension. "Let me guess, you told him to go f**k off," she teases, prompting laughter from both of us. Then, she jokingly suggests, "So I better start calling you Luna Airabella now." I chuckle, shaking my head. "No, you better not. I like your 'hi, b***h' more." Our laughter fills the air, a brief reprieve from the weight of our circumstances.

As Rikki and I share a moment of levity amidst the chaos, I feel a glimmer of relief wash over me. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, her presence brings a sense of familiarity and comfort. "You know," Rikki says, her voice tinged with mischief, "I could get used to calling you Luna Airabella." I roll my eyes playfully. "Yeah, well, don't get too comfortable with it," I retort with a grin. "Hi, b***h" suits me just fine."

I turn to Luke with a playful glare. "Hey Luke, you better not go ratting me out to Asher now," I warn, though a hint of amusement laces my tone. He chuckles, his expression reassuring. "My job is to protect you, not to rat on you," he replies with a grin. Satisfied with his response, I nod in agreement. "Good then," I remark, feeling a sense of relief knowing I can trust him. As Rikki suggests going for a walk, I eagerly join her, the prospect of exploring the area lifting my spirits. We meander through the gardens, the tall buildings casting long shadows over us. Rikki's excitement is contagious as she speaks about the possibilities now that I live here. "You can come visit me anytime you want," she exclaims, her enthusiasm infectious. Her words bring a smile to my face, momentarily dispelling the lingering doubts. Then, curiosity gets the best of me as I turn to Rikki. "Have you found your mate?" I inquire, eager to learn more about her experiences in this werewolf world. She laughs in response, shaking her head. "No, I haven't, but that means I can have s*x and not worry about getting pregnant," she explains with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Confusion clouds my expression as I try to process her words. "What do you mean?" I ask, intrigued by her revelation. Rikki then enlightens me, explaining that werewolves can only impregnate their mates, shedding light on yet another aspect of this intricate world.

I laugh at Rikki's candid remark, her carefree attitude momentarily lifting my spirits. "Well, that's one way to look at it," I quip, finding comfort in her lightheartedness. As we stroll along the path, the imposing buildings looming overhead, I feel a sense of unease dissipate in the presence of my friend. "It's good to know I have you here," I admit, grateful for her companionship in this unfamiliar territory. Rikki smiles warmly, her eyes reflecting genuine affection. "Always, Airabella. You're my best friend, no matter what," she says reassuringly. Her words offer a glimmer of comfort.

We arrive at the large building, and I'm taken aback by the sight of men and women engaged in combat outside. It seems to be one-on-one fighting, and as we pass, they all pause, nodding their heads in a show of respect. I exchange a bewildered glance with Rikki, silently questioning the scene unfolding before us. Undeterred, she grabs my hand, urging me forward. "Come on, I want you to meet my family," she says with excitement, pulling me inside the building. The sounds of combat gradually fade as we enter, replaced by the echo of voices and bustling activity. I watch as a man calls an end to the fights for the day, instructing everyone to head home. As we pass, each person acknowledges me with the title "Luna," repeating it like a mantra. It's starting to grate on my nerves. Rikki leads me to her brother Ian, who is engaged in conversation with a woman. With a warm smile, he greets me, expressing his pleasure at finally meeting me. "Any friend of Rikki's is a friend to us," he says warmly before enveloping me in a hug. Just then, a loud growl reverberates through the room, followed by the possessive word "Mine." Ian quickly steps away from me, the tension noticeable as everyone freezes in place. I turn to see Asher, his presence commanding attention. In an effort to diffuse the tension, I offer a polite greeting. "It's so good to finally meet you both," I say, attempting to ease the atmosphere with a friendly demeanor.

As the tension begins to dissipate, I take a moment to assess the situation. Rikki's family seems welcoming enough, despite the interruption from Asher. Ian and Izzy exchange a glance before Ian speaks up, his voice calm but tinged with caution. "We've heard a lot about you, Airabella," he says, his tone measured. "Rikki speaks highly of you." Izzy nods in agreement, offering a warm smile. "It's nice to finally put a face to the name," she adds, her gaze curious yet friendly. I return their smiles, feeling a sense of relief that they seem open to getting to know me. But as I glance over at Asher, who still radiates a powerful aura, I can't shake the feeling that this encounter is far from over.

I turn to Ian, curiosity burning in my eyes. "Why do you all train to fight? Is this some kind of military hub or something like that? Who are your enemies?" Ian meets my gaze evenly, his expression serious yet composed. "Everyone trains to fight, regardless of their role. Many werewolf packs engage in conflicts, and as part of the royal pack, we often assist smaller packs with their intruders and help them hone their combat skills," he explains. "Our enemies vary, but they mainly include witches, rogue werewolves, and, if we're unlucky, Lycans. Although, I believe Lycans are now extinct after the great war." Intrigued, I inquire further, "What is a Lycan?" Ian's face takes on a solemn expression as he elaborates, "Lycans are like werewolves, but larger. They once ruled the area before the great war, aiming to enslave all races, including humans. Thankfully, a war ensued, and we emerged victorious." My mind reels at the revelation, struggling to comprehend the reality of witches and mythical creatures. Ian's smile offers reassurance, though, as if to say, "Welcome to our world."

I ponder for a moment, then pose the question, "So, if everyone trains to fight, does that mean I will train too?" Ian and Luke respond almost in unison, "No, Airabella. You are the Luna; you do not fight." Unsatisfied with their answer, I press on, "Do other Lunas fight?" Their reluctance to answer is noticeable. Growing impatient, I repeat the question. Finally, Luke speaks up, "Yes, they do, but they were also raised in this world, so it's different." Frustrated, I retort, "Well, that's bullshit." I sense Asher's presence drawing nearer, his authoritative voice cutting through the tension. "Airabella, you will not fight, and that is the end of that discussion," he declares firmly, putting an end to any further debate.

As Asher's words hang in the air, I feel a surge of defiance rising within me. "You can't just decide everything for me," I snap, my frustration boiling over. "I won't be confined to some role I never asked for!" The intensity of my emotions reverberates through the room, but Asher remains steadfast, his expression unreadable. "Airabella, being Luna comes with responsibilities," he says evenly, his tone unwavering. "I'm not trying to confine you; I'm trying to protect you."

I pivot on my heel to confront Asher directly, my words laced with defiance. "No, you're trying to imprison me and control me," I assert firmly, meeting his intense gaze head-on. Without waiting for a response, I turn on my heel and stride away, with Rikki and Luke falling into step beside me. Their silent solidarity bolsters my resolve as I retreat from Asher's presence, determined to carve out my own path in this unfamiliar world.

As we step back into the pack house, the weight of everything hits me like a ton of bricks. The unfamiliar surroundings only add to my sense of disorientation and overwhelm. I turn to Luke, my voice barely above a whisper, and ask him to show me to my room. I need a moment to collect my thoughts. Rikki, ever perceptive, senses my need for solitude and offers her understanding. "Take all the time you need, Airabella. But remember, I'm here for you," she says softly, her warmth providing a small measure of comfort. Grateful for her empathy, I embrace her in a tight hug before retreating to my room. "Thank you," I murmur, my voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry. This is just... too much." Luke nods in understanding as he guides me to my room, offering reassurance that he'll be nearby if I need him.