The Alpha's Treasured Luna

Chapter15

“Whoa... you smell different,” Amanda wrinkled her nose, eyeing Erica curiously.

“I know! I’ve taken four showers, and I still can’t get his scent off me.” Erica sighed, exasperated.

Amanda raised an eyebrow. “All you did was sleep in his bed, right? It shouldn’t be that strong. I don’t think even Demetria smells that much like him.”

Erica blushed, her face heating up. “Well... we might have done a little more than just sleeping.”

Amanda’s eyes went wide with excitement. “Details. NOW!” She grabbed Erica’s arm, pulling her closer on the bed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Erica giggled, but the flush in her cheeks deepened. “We just kissed, that’s all. It got a little heated, but we didn’t go any further. I think we both got caught up in the moment.” She laid back, staring at the ceiling, her mind drifting to that night. After her run-in with Demetria, she had left, not wanting to escalate the situation. She had planned to leave anyway, and Rita and Amanda had been so happy when she showed up at the Beta’s house.

“Mmm, it sounds like you wanted more,” Amanda teased, smirking at her.

Erica grabbed a pillow and pulled it over her face, groaning. The truth was, she *did* want more. Being with Alex, even for that brief moment, had been intoxicating.

Amanda laughed, pulling the pillow away. “It’s so funny, though. When we were kids, I used to feel like I was in constant competition with Alex to be your best friend.”

Erica frowned, sitting up. “What? I don’t remember that. You’ve always been my only friend, since like, forever.”

Amanda’s expression softened. “Well, Mom thinks you forgot certain things after the incident. But it’s true, the three of us used to hang out all the time. You, me, and Alex.”

Erica blinked, absorbing Amanda’s words. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

“I don’t know,” Amanda admitted, her voice quiet. “Maybe I didn’t want to share you. After you passed out that day, you didn’t seem to remember him much, and then he left for Alpha training a few weeks later.”

Erica leaned back, her thoughts swirling. “In the last 24 hours, I feel like I’ve learned things about my life I didn’t even know.”

“We’ve all tried to protect you,” Amanda said gently.

Erica looked at her, curious now. “What else have you all been hiding from me?”

Amanda smiled. “If I think of anything else, I’ll let you know.”

“You better,” Erica teased, swatting her with a pillow. Amanda retaliated instantly, and soon, the room filled with the sound of laughter and playful hits. They ended up on the floor, giggling uncontrollably.

After a moment, Amanda sat up, her expression turning serious. “I have a question.”

“What’s up?” Erica asked, noticing the shift in her tone.

“Do you think... you could be Alex’s mate?”

Erica’s heart skipped a beat. “No, I’m not an Alpha’s daughter. You’ve said that yourself.”

Amanda tilted her head, her eyes thoughtful. “But do you think it’s *possible*? Could someone who isn’t an Alpha’s daughter be mated to an Alpha?”

Erica shrugged, her fingers running through her hair, a nervous habit. “I guess anything’s possible, but I doubt it. You’d have a better chance than me—you’re ranked, after all. I’m not. But... I suppose we won’t know for sure until the Wolf Moon.”

Amanda nodded. “I’ve only been once, and obviously, I didn’t find my mate. But I’m thinking about going again next year.”

Erica smiled. “I’ll go with you. It can’t hurt.”

“Yeah, but that’s after Alex’s Alpha ceremony,” Amanda reminded her.

“I know. I don’t think we’re mates, though. It just feels... different.” Erica sighed, tugging at the drawstrings of her sweatpants. Images of Alex flashed in her mind—his touch, his scent, his presence—and she blushed, trying to shake them away.

Amanda noticed and laughed. “I don’t know what you’re thinking about, but I’m glad you’re coming. You deserve to find your prince charming.”

Erica smiled faintly. “Maybe. If not, I’ll just become the pack’s lonely doctor and follow in my dad’s footsteps.”

A knock interrupted their conversation.

“Mandy? E? Can I come in?” Armando’s voice called through the door.

“Yeah, Dad, come in,” Amanda answered.

The door opened, and Armando’s large frame filled the doorway. “Erica, Alpha Aeseni and Young Alpha would like you to return to the Wayne mansion. Even Lady Margo has requested your presence.”

Erica stiffened. “Uncle, I don’t want to go back there. Demetria and I don’t exactly get along, and I don’t want to cause problems.”

Armando gave her a soft smile. “Lady Demetria actually left today, said something about visiting her mother back at her home pack.”

Erica hesitated, still uneasy.

“Lady Margo raised your mother, you know. She’s like a grandmother to you. I think she’d like to spend time with you while she still can.”

Erica sighed, running her fingers through her hair again.

Amanda reached out, grabbing her wrist. “Stop that, or you’ll end up with a bald spot!” she joked, lightening the mood.

Everyone laughed, breaking the tension.

“I’ll go back tomorrow,” Erica said finally. “I just... I don’t want to go tonight.”

Armando’s eyes glazed over, signaling that he was mindlinking with Aeseni. “That’s fine. They’ll expect you tomorrow evening.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” Erica said, standing and giving him a tight hug.

Armando chuckled, patting her back. “Alright, get some rest, you two. Don’t stay up all night braiding each other’s hair.”

Amanda rolled her eyes dramatically. “We’re adults, Dad. We have sophisticated conversations and check our stocks.”

Erica burst into laughter as Armando waved and left the room.

But later, as Erica lay in bed, Amanda softly snoring beside her, she couldn’t sleep. The idea of returning to the Wayne mansion filled her with a strange mix of dread and anticipation.

Suddenly, she felt a chill creep down her spine. The wind outside howled fiercely, rattling the windows. Erica sat up, her instincts prickling. Something was off. She scanned the room, but Amanda remained undisturbed, lost in sleep. The wind abruptly stopped, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.

Before Erica could react, a sharp pain shot through her chest, followed by a pounding in her head.

“No...” she whispered, clutching her chest before everything went dark.