Escape to Midnight

Episode 15

Logan's Point Of View

I waited nervously on the rock cliff I had picked out for our ceremony. I was so nervous, what if she changed her mind? What if whatever happened with her mom made her change her mind? It was stressful enough worrying about her rejecting me, without her Mom adding to her emotional distress. It has been hard for her to adjust to our new life. She smiles all the time and never complains, but we see it. The times she does not understand what we are doing even though she should. Normal family life seems foreign to her.  The times she is distracted and lost inside her own head. I know in time she will adjust, but right now she does get overwhelmed by it all. I was so lost in thought, I did not see my Mother find her seat beside my dad. I was brought back to the moment when Samuel started to howl in my head. I looked down the trail and I saw her. She was so beautiful, I was mesmerized. I could not take my eyes off of her as she walked towards me. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on and she was mine. Samuel was busting to take over and mate her now. It took all my strength to subdue him. 

Charis Point Of View

Logan was looking at me so intently, I felt like he was memorizing me.  Sterling began to speak about fated mates. He was thanking the moon goddess for giving us fated mates. We had decided not to give vows. That seemed a little cheesy, but I had made arrangements to speak during the ceremony. I wanted it to be a surprise for my new family. 

 Sterling turned to me. I swallowed hard, looked deep into Logan's eyes and began to speak. “For as long as I can remember I have prayed for the moon goddess to bring me a mate who would love me with the love I have longed for all my life. She not only gave me a mate, she gave me a family. The family I have always wanted. She has filled my life with people who love me and I thank her. I thank her for Logan, For Beth and Robert and for Lenore. Today Logan and I become one, and I become a part of the Cain family forever.”  I looked over at my new family and saw both Beth and Lenore were crying. I smiled at them. Sterling stepped back into his place in front of us.  He pulled a dagger from his jacket pocket. Logan took the knife first and cut deep line in his palm. He squeezed his fist and let several drops fall into a glass of wine. I took his hand and licked his palm to seal the wound. He handed the knife to me and I sliced my palm as deep as I could. I was afraid my cut would not be deep enough. I did not want to look weak or uncommitted, so I cut my palm very deep. I squeezed my hand and the blood trickled out into the wine glass. Logan licked my palm to stop the bleeding. Sterling repeated our actions and mixed all of our blood together in the glass.   Sterling then took the wine glass and handed it to Logan. Logan took a drink and handed it to me. I took a drink and then handed it back to Sterling. Sterling took the final sip. All at once I could hear everyone in the pack talking. I was finally part of their pack I Reached over, grabbing Logan by his collar and led him to me for a kiss. Instead of kissing him on the lips, I let my canines descend and I Marked him. I felt his excitement as I bit into his neck. I pulled away, licking his mark and turning my neck to him. He marked me again. We looked out at our pack and I saw Beth and Lenore were still crying. I smiled at them, My new family. 

Sterling concluded the ceremony with a recitation to the Moon Goddess. The sound of howling and Music filled the air. Logan had arranged for a celebration at the lake. First we would all shift and run as a pack along our border together. I slipped off my dress and shifted. Looking at all the wolves was amazing. We began to run away from the lake and along the border. I saw a small house I thought  might be Seth’s. A large silver wolf broke off from the pack and went to the house. If that is Seth, He is beautiful. 

As we ran along the border, we saw some rogues lining up to watch us. They were on their side of the border, but clearly watching us. There were seven or eight of them. We kept running, but some of the warriors fell back to guard the slower weaker wolves at the back of the party. We circled back to the lake. Logan shifted first and put his clothes on. He handed me my dress and helped me put it on. I laughed, “This is a first, you helping me put my clothes back on.” 

He smiled and began to kiss my shoulder making his way back to my mark. I felt his canines descend. He continued to kiss my neck and then he sank his teeth into my mark. During the ceremony he had only given me a light mark for show. This time he went deep, it was so intense. I felt so much pleasure, sparks shooting into my core. I moaned and fell into him. He withdrew his teeth and whispered into my ear. “Only a few more hours and you are all mine. I felt a wicked blush creep across my cheeks.” 

We danced for the next two hours. I danced with Beth and Lenore most of the time, although Logan did dance with me quite a bit. I also danced one dance with Robert. It had been a perfect day. Logan and I began to walk home. The music faded away behind us. 

I felt Logan snake his arm around my waist. He pulled me to Him. He began to kiss me, on the lips, then the shoulder and again to my mark. He pushed me back until I was pinned against a tree.  His hands were on my hips and he continued kissing and sucking on my neck. I moaned, it felt so good. He growled in response to my moan. His hands traveled down my hips and to my thighs. He found the bottom of my dress and began to push it up. He grabbed my ass and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist, excited for what was coming. I heard him pull his zipper down. And release his c**k from his pants. I was moaning and rubbing myself against him, my body was alive with desire. I felt the pressure as he pushed his c**k into me. I began to moan louder and rock my hips. He growled again, clearly enjoying the movement. He began to thrust harder, pushing himself deeper and deeper into me. As I felt my body start to o****m, I began to cry out.  He sank his canines into my mark again. I began to scream as the bite pushed me over the edge into my o****m. He followed shortly after, exploding into me. As he slowed his thrusting, I slumped into him. We held each other, sweating and panting. I began to nuzzle him and kiss his neck. 

We heard some pack members walking through the woods close to us. We hastily got up and began to dress. We started walking home, laughing about almost getting caught. My new life was perfect.

Logan's Point Of View

I woke up before sunrise. I looked over at Charis still asleep beside me. She looks so peaceful. I can hardly believe how much my life has changed in six months. She is so perfect. I decided not to wake her.  

I need to get ready for work. Today I officially take over as Beta of the Midnight Moon pack. My father will assist me for a few weeks, but then he will be retired and I will finally be second in command of the pack. In my closet is the suit I bought five years ago for my first day as Beta. I had it custom made. I smile as I put it on. I have waited a long time for today. 

I am not expected to be in my office until 8:00 A.M. The pack house where my office is located is vacant when I arrive at 6:00. The Omegas have not even started breakfast yet. When I walked into my office a huge smile came across my face. I am not sure when it happened, But all of my Fathers furniture and décor have been removed from the office. in its place, is new modern furniture. My parents probably picked this furniture out five years ago when I bought the suit. We have all waited a long time.

Sterling and my Father will be here at nine. When my Father officially Resigns and I am appointed as his replacement.  I will experience an increase in strength and power. Having Beta blood makes me stronger, but being appointed to the position, allows the power to increase. I am responsible for protecting my pack and making decisions that affect them. The Moon Goddess has made sure we are prepared for the added responsibility. I decided to review the latest patrol reports while I wait. 

There have been a lot of sightings of rogue she wolves and pups along our border. More of the pups are being spotted alone. Our warriors have been given strict orders not to engage with them. Ordinarily we kill rogues on sight, even the she wolves. Something is going on in their territory. Why else would they risk staying so close to us? The pup abandoned on Seth's porch is still unknown to the pack. I am not sure if it is the same pup we turned away.  

I remember the way the rogues fought each other while Charis was crossing their land. Is it possible they are warring within their own land? Rogues have no loyalty to anyone. They kill each other without mercy or remorse, this seems different though. Why did it appear as if Bennie had a team helping him. 

Why are the rogues interested in my mate? We have reports of a rogue coming onto our lands, he has been spotted by surveillance around our house. No one has seen the rogue in person. It is as if he is invisible.  That is not possible, so how is he avoiding detection and why is he keeping tabs on Charis. The thought of her with  a rogue instantly makes me angry. I begin to growl at my desk as I contemplate her relationship with him. Now that we have completed the ceremony,  if she does have contact with another wolf, I will know. It will not be good for either of them.  I know I was her first lover, but was I her first love? She may not have had friends in her pack, with Warren watching, but she could have made a rogue friend in secret. I swiped my arm across my desk, papers scattered across my office. I slammed my fists down on my desk and stood up. I wanted to kill this rogue. Whatever his connection to Charis, I did not care. She was mine now and forever.

My dad walked into the room and raised his eyebrows at the papers on the floor. He stood silently for a moment. He seemed to be judging the situation. He seemed to have read my mind, his words struck a chord within me.  "You can’t always assume the worst case scenario. A Lot of the time you will not have all the information. You will need to trust other people's opinions, and you will have to wait patiently to gather evidence to make good decisions. You need to make the best decision you can everyday based on what you know for a fact. The alternative is making the wrong decision and backing yourself into a hole you can't climb out of.” He paused and I thought he was going to say more, but he leaned down and started gathering my reports off the floor.

 I sat back into my chair and put my head in my hands. I know he is right. I don’t have enough information about any of this to know what is going on. I need to be patient and trust my mate. In six months she has not done a thing to warrant my suspicions. 

Sterling enters the room as my dad is handing me back the reports. He claps my dad on the back, “Are you ready? Beth has already asked me twice if you are done yet." He laughed at my mothers impatience.

My Dad turned to him and very unceremoniously said, `` I, Robert Cain, renounce my title as Beta of the Blue Moon Pack.” as he said the words, he doubled over in pain. I jumped up and rushed to his side. “Dad, are you okay?” I asked.

Before my dad could Answer, Sterling said. “I, Sterling Cain, Alpha of the Blue Moon pack, appoint  you, Logan Cain,  as the Beta of the Blue Moon pack.” 

Suddenly, I felt a wave run over my body. It was painful and I doubled over. I clutched onto my fathers arm. He looked at me, I could see pain in his eyes, but not fear. I reassured myself that what was happening was normal. My Father slowly straightened up and appeared to be back to normal. A second wave came over me. I felt a surge of power. The impact of the wave put me on my knees. I gasped and looked again at my father. His face looked pained and I realized I had  a death grip on his arm. I released it and dropped my hands onto the ground. I felt myself shift involuntarily. Samuel felt  a lot bigger than he had been. He was in love with the surge of power. He let out a long low howl. He began to pace around the office. Sterling laughed and opened the door. I rushed out of my office and towards the door of the pack house. An omega opened the door and let me out. I rushed into the woods. I could run faster. I was surprised at the speed. My senses were heightened. As I ran I could smell the rogues close to our border. I decided to run to Seth’s house. First I went to the rock cliff where Charis  and I had our ceremony. I stood there looking out over the water. I let the tranquility fill my mind, I let myself relax. I started to howl. Samuel was excited and we howled long and loud. I wanted everyone in the pack to hear me and know I am the Beta. I took a few steps back and began running to the edge of the cliff. I dove off the edge and into the water. As I splashed down the cold water felt so good against my fur. I swam to shore enjoying the freedom. No stress or fear of what was happening at the border or protecting Charis. Just Samuel and I enjoying and being a part of nature. I felt a large splash to my right. I turned and saw a large silver wolf had jumped in behind me. It was Rex, Seth's wolf. 

“Is that the new Beta of the Midnight moon making all the noise over here?” he mind linked.

I howled again and this time Rex joined me. We swam to the shore. To my surprise, Levi was waiting for us, playing in the shallow water. He is not old enough to have his wolf. He won't be able to shift for at least ten years. I shook my fur to dry off and covered Levi in water. He began to squeal and laugh. Rex joined me in dousing Levi with the cold water. We shifted back and put on some clothes Seth had in a backpack with Levi. 

We sat on some boulders along the shore line. My carefree moment was over. I was hoping Seth could tell me more about the happenings at the border. “What did you think about the rogues watching our run after the ceremony?” I asked

He looked at me a little surprised. “What happened? I did not run the entire border with you, I had to get home and check on Levi.” he answered.

“I have never seen anything like it, a handful of rogues were at the border observing our run. I don’t know if it was recon to assess our pack,  or if it was  curiosity. They just stood at a distance and watched us.” I said

Seth was quiet for a few minutes. When he finally spoke it seemed more like he was thinking out loud. “They are not threatening us or even trying to interact with us, but they are observing us and abandoning their pups in our land.” He began, but I quickly interrupted. 

“Pups, Levi is one pup, why would you say pups?” I asked. He sighed, his hesitation told me he had not intended to tell me there were more pups. I pushed some of my beta Aura out in an attempt to compel the truth from him.

‘Easy Beta,'' He said. I could tell he was annoyed by my display of power. With his Alpha blood I have no power to compel him, but I hoped my attempt would show him how much I needed the truth.

“I found a group of older pups. The oldest of the group is ten. I have been observing them from a distance. They are living hidden in a cave system not far from here. It is on our land, but not an  area we  patrol. The rogues must have known that. They had to watch our patrol routes to find an area we didn't check.  It can’t be a coincidence they hid them there.”

“Why the hell are they hiding their pups in our land? They are risking their lives. A ten year old would be killed if he is found by our patrol. This is insane. '' I said in disbelief.

“You can’t tell anyone! They will be killed. They are harmless pups. Until I figure out what is happening you cant speak of it.” Seth Yelled at me. 

“If I don’t tell Sterling, we could both be banished. This is a serious issue.” I countered.

‘The serious issue is why they are doing it. The pups themselves are not an issue. We need to focus on finding out what is happening in their land. Telling Sterling about them will not help us find any answers.” I could  not argue with his logic. Causing the death of defenseless pups would not bring me any closer to the truth.

 “I want to talk to them.” I said

“What, they think no one knows they are hiding there. We can’t just show up like its normal or okay for them to be here.” He said

“They need to know they have to do a better job hiding. Someone else could find them. You said the oldest is ten. He should be able to tell us why they are here. He can’t shift yet, but he should have his wolf. The wolf will know more about what is happening.  If you want me to keep your secret, you will let me talk to him." I  was not asking and he knew it.

He sighed and got a stick. He drew me a rough map of the cave system. He could not accompany me to the caves.  He had a training session with Charis, so I decided to go check out the cave and see the situation. I told him I would let him know my thoughts before I made a decision about telling Sterling. I decided to walk to the caves. It was  not far, and the pups could not communicate with Samuel.

I arrived at the cave and began to observe them. The older boy was standing just inside the entrance of the cave. If I was not looking for him I would have never seen him. I couldn't see how many others were with him, but Seth was right to assume this kid was the oldest. He was standing guard over the others. He was probably chosen to come with the pups as a protector and not  as one who needs to be hidden. He would be killed immediately if they are discovered. His presence only made the entire situation more baffling. With the defenseless pups they could gamble on our goodwill. This older pup would not be given mercy.

I was deciding how to approach him without scaring or provoking him. I was gripped with a sense of terror. It was Charis. Through the mate bond I could tell she was in distress and scared. I wanted  to ask my mother to check on Charis, but I could not tell her where I was. I quickly shifted and let Samuel take over. We raced back to the pack unsure of what was happening with Charis.