Chapter 30: Releasing The Prisoner
1823 Words
*Jaxon’s POV*
I looked over the pack as they all ate their breakfasts. Everyone had gotten a late start today because of the celebration. Normally I would’ve let them take it easy today. Instead I needed them to do their jobs and take their turns training.
I could feel in my gut there was a fight heading right to us. I wasn’t stupid and I knew for a fact Matteo would be pissed Piper was now completely mine. I knew this fight was coming but I just didn’t expect it to be so soon. Evaluating the destruction of Silver Moon must’ve been an eye opener for Alpha Bradley and Matteo.
“Are you okay?” Piper asked as she grabbed my hand.
I had felt a little on edge but her touch was calming me down. I didn’t like that my fighters probably wouldn’t get very much time in between fights. I already had to start sending people back out to see what information they could gather. If we could figure out how soon Moon Stone would show up then we could get some sort of advantage.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” I gave her a small smile of reassurance.
“Are you sure?” I could feel her eyes study me.
We had only been marked to each other for a whole day but she was figuring out her ability to read other member’s energy quickly. I tested her this morning as the pack members came into the dining hall for breakfast. As an alpha I could pick up on my pack's emotions pretty well, but to pick up on other’s individual energies was a rare occurrence. It had to be one of the abilities that made her so special.
“Yes.” I responded firmly.
The downside of the energy reading is she started evaluating mine. This situation with Matteo only made it worse. My good mood had turned sour as I tried to focus on the next move. Piper quickly picked up on what energy radiated off of me when I was pissed off and stressed.
“If you say so.” She turned her attention back to her food.
“We should wrap up soon.” I suggested. “We have a lot to do today.”
“I’m aware.” She responded as she took her last bite of eggs. I could sense she was slightly agitated by the conversation.
I sighed as I turned myself to face her. “I’m just trying to figure everything out right now. I can feel that Matteo’s first order of business as an alpha will be to come for you.” I spoke through our link to keep the conversation private.
“You don’t have to figure it out alone.” She responded back through the link. “You have Nikko and you have me to help you.”
“I know.” I placed my hand on her thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you.”
She leaned over and gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek. “You’re welcome.”
I stood up once we were all finished and excused the pack to go do what they needed. Piper and I then led the way to the basement of the pack house where the prisoner was being kept. Nikko followed behind as well as four of our delta members. These were the four that had accompanied Nikko and I when we first spoke with the Silver Moon member.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Colton, one of the four questioned.
“Yes.” I kept my stern tone as I made it clear I wasn’t going to budge on this.
I held Piper’s hand in mine as we approached the door to the room that held the man inside. He looked up at the both of us as we entered the room. Nikko entered behind us and shut the door. The delta members were left outside to stand guard.
“Well, you’re still in one piece I see.” The man spoke as his eyes fell on us. “Were you successful at taking Alpha Alec down?”
“Yes.” I answered him as Piper and I took a seat across from him. “Most of the pack was taken down with him, so there will need to be someone to rebuild Silver Moon or the rest of the pack will need to join another.”
He nodded his head. “I figured that would be how this ended. So what does this mean for me now?”
I glanced over to Piper who was already studying the man. She was reading his energy. This was one of the advantages of having her here with me. She would be able to pick up on how sincere he was, if there was anything malicious about him when he left. She was also here though because I wanted her to be included in the decisions I make. She is officially going to be the luna to Dark Moon after all.
“We’re letting you go.” Piper finally spoke up after a few minutes of silence.
The man looked between Piper and I. “Is she serious?” He asked with a raised brow.
“She’s my mate and she will be this pack’s luna, if that’s the decision she feels is right then I agree with her on it.” I answered. I had already made my mind up before but I wanted Piper’s opinion before I actually did anything.
“No shit.” He looked at Piper in awe. “Everyone knew you were supposed to be with Matteo, I’m glad you finally learned the truth and made a wise choice. If you would’ve stayed with Moon Stone you would have regretted it.”
“What do you mean?” Piper asked curiously.
“If your new mate took down Silver Moon so easily Moon Stone will probably suffer the same fate.” He explained. “Unless they bully some of the other strong packs to back them up.”
“Is there more information you have?” I questioned as it appeared he may know a little more than he let on.
“Not really.” He answered. “But I do know that before the fight Moon Stone was coming up with plans. They wanted Alec to help them get some leverage over the other pack alpha’s. That way when you came for them they were prepared.”
“I see.” I wasn’t surprised. Bradley and Matteo were desperate and they knew they couldn’t take me on. Especially with Piper now on my side.
“Do you know anything further?” Piper pushed to try and get more information from the man.
“No.” He shook his head. “That’s all I know. I mean I can always attempt to check in from time to time. Then I can give you guys some updates here and there.”
“Why are you so willing?” I asked apprehensively. “I understood why you wanted to give information to help take down Alec, but why are you willing to help out more?”
He let out a low sigh. “Because there once was a time where all the packs lived together in peace. No fighting, no petty bullshit and fights for power. I don’t know about you but I think it would be really nice if we could get back to that point in our world. We have enough threats against us as is.”
“He’s right.” Piper looked at me as she agreed with him. “There was a time when the werewolves worked together. The idea of getting back to that would be nice.”
I nodded in response.
We wrapped up the conversation and I held Piper close as we began to escort the prisoner out of the pack house. I was on one side of him while Nikko was on the other. The deltas were behind us keeping an eye on things just in case he decided to try anything.
The leaves and twigs breaking under our footsteps were the only sounds we heard. We all remained silent as we walked through the forest. I wanted him to be escorted out of the perimeter. There was no way I was going to just let him walk out of the front door of the pack house.
“What energy is he giving off?” I asked Piper through the mind link.
“Nothing negative right now.” Piper answered as she kept herself alert of our surroundings. “I could tell he was being sincere at the pack house. He really does seem to want peace between us all.”
I shifted my eyes to look at her for a moment before looking straight ahead again. “Let’s hope it stays that way. Who knows what the remaining Silver Moon members have been doing since they retreated.”
We walked silently again. We were beginning to get to the edge of the perimeter. Only a little longer and he would be free to go. I could only hope that he didn’t change his mind once he returned to his pack.
“What’s your name?” Piper abruptly asked the man. “I’ve seen you around Silver Moon when I visited with Matteo, but we never actually met.”
“Parker.” The man answered. “I remember seeing you briefly but I’m just one of the pack members so we never spoke.”
The silence returned as we came up on the edge of the perimeter. I turned to face him. “You’re free to go now. Just some helpful advice, don’t go back on your words. I will not hesitate to show back up to Silver Moon if needed.”
“Understood.” He nodded.
Piper stood by as we watched him walk away deep into the forest. We waited until we couldn’t see him anymore before turning back to head to the pack house. Nikko was by my side and glanced up at me. I could tell something was on his mind.
“Well, what’s your concern?” I was direct with him as we didn’t have time to waste.
“Who do you think their new alpha will be?” He asked.
“He is.” Piper answered.
We both stopped and looked at her. “How do you know that?” I questioned her as I looked at her curiously.
“Alec had no one to pass the alpha position down to. Therefore the Moon Goddess must’ve decided to take matters into her own hands.” Piper explained. “He had the energy of an alpha, just like Jaxon.”
If that’s the case I sure hope she was right on him being sincere about having peace.
- Writer
