The Alpha's Treasured Luna

Chapter12

"Erica, you should be resting, dear." Margo’s voice was gentle, yet firm as she tried to guide her back to bed. Erica swayed, slumping against the wall. Her exhaustion was clear, but her determination burned brighter.

“I’ll be fine,” Erica said, though her voice wavered. “I need to know about my mom. Dad never talks about her, and I didn’t even know you and Alpha Allistar raised her…” Her voice trailed off, lost in the weight of the revelations. Before she could slide down the wall, Alex moved to her side, scooping her up effortlessly in his strong arms.

“We’ll talk later,” Alex whispered, his voice soft but resolute. “You need to rest.” Erica didn’t resist. Instead, she rested her head against his chest, his heartbeat steady in her ear. She clung to consciousness, desperate for answers, but the fatigue was too much. “Please… don’t forget. I need to know,” she murmured, her eyes fluttering shut.

Alex stared down at her sleeping face, his chest tightening. The sight of her bruised and battered made something primal stir within him. He would protect her—he had to. But was it just because she was a pack member? Or was there something more?

After placing her gently back in bed, Alex stepped aside as Margo checked her wounds. His eyes lingered on Erica, his mind filled with questions.

“There’s something special about her,” Margo said quietly, barely above a whisper. Alex frowned, hearing her words. “If she managed to take down three demon-possessed rogues as your grandfather said... she’s not just strong. She’s extraordinary.”

He ran a hand through his wavy hair, troubled. “Aerol, what do you think?” he asked his wolf, but the inner voice had gone silent, leaving Alex to ponder alone. *Healing her...* He wanted to help, but licking her wounds like a feral wolf? The thought embarrassed him, but the urge to do so was overwhelming.

Before he could make a decision, a menacing growl shattered the silence, followed by the sound of crashing wood. Alex snapped into focus, bolting toward the back of the house where his father and grandfather were locked in battle with a massive black wolf, its eyes glowing crimson like the rogues’.

“Grandma, get Erica somewhere safe!” Alex shouted, shifting mid-run, his form exploding into that of a white wolf with dark silver eyes. Margo didn’t hesitate, pulling Erica out of bed despite her protests.

“I should have warned you… I felt him coming,” Erica gasped, guilt clouding her voice as Margo helped her up. Her wounds had reopened, and she was struggling to stay on her feet. “This is dark magic,” Margo muttered, eyes narrowing in worry.

“No magic is going to stop me from helping,” Erica said, gritting her teeth against the pain. Despite her weakened state, her voice carried a steel-like resolve.

“We don’t have time to make it to town, and you can’t shift,” Margo said as they reached the front door. She opened a small drawer, retrieving a vial of shimmering purple liquid. “This will mask our scent,” she explained before pouring it over them. The liquid felt cold, but it evaporated as soon as it touched their skin.

The smell of blood and the growls of combat filled the air. Just as they were about to move, a massive black wolf leaped from the roof, landing with a thud before them. Its red eyes locked on Erica, lips curling into a snarl.

Erica’s body reacted before her mind could catch up. She shoved Margo behind her, her brown eyes glowing a fierce amber as the rogue lunged forward.

Before its jaws could snap around her throat, a white blur crashed into the rogue, knocking it off balance. Alex, now fully shifted, snarled and tore into the black wolf, his claws slicing through its chest. With a savage growl, he ripped out its heart and tossed it toward Aeseni, who shifted mid-air to catch the organ in his mouth.

As the last traces of the rogue disappeared, Alex shifted back, panting. His body was covered in scratches, but they were already healing. Erica stared, her breath caught in her throat. “I didn’t know you healed that fast…”

Alex’s eyes flicked to her as he approached, concern etched on his face. “Are you alright?” His voice was gentle as he placed his hands on her shoulders, checking her over for any new injuries. His muscular frame loomed over her, but she forced herself to look anywhere but his perfect, naked body.

“She’s fine, Alex,” Margo scolded, batting him away. “Now go put some pants on before you give the poor girl a heart attack.”

Alex smirked, giving Erica a playful wink before disappearing inside.

Aeseni, having shifted back into his human form, approached. “Mother, I want you, Father, and Erica to stay at the Alpha house. You’ll be safer there.”

“Allistar won’t come,” Margo replied, her voice sad. “He hasn’t set foot near the mansion since Elowen went missing…”

Erica’s heart clenched at the mention of her mother. “You think this has something to do with me?” she asked Aeseni.

“I’m not sure yet, but I think you’re a target. We can’t take any chances.” His tone was serious, but his gaze softened when he looked at her. “There are a lot of people who care about you, Erica.”

Erica looked away, a sudden thought hitting her. “I should be at work!” she blurted out, panic rising. “Rita’s truck—”

“I’ll replace it,” Aeseni cut in smoothly. “You saved my father, after all.”

Before Erica could respond, Alex returned, pulling a shirt over his head. “What did I miss?”