Luna of the North

21

Gabriela

I awake surrounded by warmth and softness.

Unexpected, considering the last thing I remember is collapsing onto the ground in front of a bunch of North enforcers and begging to be brought before their alpha.

Peeling my eyes open, I blink a few times as my body adjusts, still sore from running for so long without stopping. My body aches, but thankfully I've slept long enough for my wolf's healing to have kicked in by now.

The room I'm in is unfamiliar, but similar to the one I stayed in while attending the ball. Instead of two beds, this room only has one.

Peeling off the covers that have been tucked around me, I slide to the edge of the bed and test my weight on my feet. Sore, but not bad. Manageable, at least.

Inside of me, my wolf roils, happy that I'm finally awake.

"Let's see what's going on," I mumble to her, and finally stand.

I'm in different clothes than what I remember coming in, and I try to not let that shake me. Hopefully Elijah has some lady attendants who were kind enough to change me before tucking me into bed—actually, I'm sure of it.

Because why would he allow his mate to sleep in filthy clothes?

Heading over to the door, I try the handle and am shocked to realize that it's been locked from the outside.

What the hell?

I try it a few more times, but the door doesn't budge and the handle doesn't turn.

Why am I locked inside of this room? To keep me safe? But that doesn't make sense...

Unless Alpha Storm came after me while I was asleep and they were worried about me leaving without an escort. Obviously as Elijah's mate, they'd want to protect me at all costs. I am the future Luna of this pack, after all.

I knock on the door a few times, calling out to...who knows. Anyone, I guess.

It takes a few minutes but soon, the lock clicks and the knob turns. I take a step back to allow the door to open, revealing two enforcers standing in front of it.

"Did you need something?"

I nod. "I need to speak with your alpha. Immediately."

For some reason, they exchange an odd look with each other.

"That...won't be possible, miss," one of them says.

"Why not?" My brows knit together.

Perhaps Elijah's still keeping our relationship under wraps to keep me safe.

It wouldn't surprise me if Alpha Storm sent spies here to infiltrate and get to me. The unfortunate truth about running away from my homeland is that I know Alpha Storm will do anything he can in order to get me back before I can get to Elijah.

Especially now that he knows I'm pregnant.

"It's urgent," I say. "Please tell him that Gabriela wishes to speak with him."

They both stand there awkwardly, neither of them moving from their spots. I try to see it from their shoes—a female blasting through their border checkpoints and passing out as she speaks their alpha's name, only for her to wake up however long afterward and demand an audience with him.

To anyone who doesn't know the full story, the situation would be strange at best. I'd be skeptical too if I were in their shoes.

"Please?" I ask. "He's expecting me."

One of the enforcers, the one on the left, sighs. "I'll...go tell him you're awake."

I hold back my grin, relief flooding through me instantly. "Thank you."

Both of them nod and then yank the door closed, locking me back inside.

Looking out of the window, I notice that rain is falling heavily outside, fitting for the conversation I'm about to have with my mate. I can't imagine how he'll react—both to the news that I'm here and asking for his help in freeing my friend, and that I'm carrying his future heir.

What will the rest of his pack think of that?

Sighing to myself, I settle back down onto the bed and wait.