The Runaway Luna's Daughter

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Laura's POV

I could feel all the rage and spite I had felt for her before take over my body in one wave. All it took was to see her at my doorstep for the bile to rise to my throat.

“Now, is that any way to greet your mother?”

Her voice was the same. It had that chiding, accusing tone that I'd found dreadful and annoying at the time. I still felt that way about it. Guess people hardly ever changed.

“Spare me that crap,” my voice cracked like lightning. It didn't sound like mine. “What do you want?”

I saw her brows raise. I don't know what she was expecting but I wasn't going to cower under her. I wasn't the little girl she tossed around anymore. I waited for her reply ready to get more feisty.

“I'm not here to fight, Laura,” she sighed. “What I came for… it's important.”

“I don't see how that's any of my f*****g business! Get ahead and do your business and leave me the f**k ALONE!”

I slammed the door to her face.

My heart hammered in my chest like it would burst. Suddenly, I couldn't breathe. My chest burned as I doubled over, my hand crossed over my chest.

“Laura,” Jenine came to my side holding me up. “What's happening?”

“I… I can't breathe,” I gasped, panting for air. I could feel my eyes start to dilate.

Jenine's hands trembled as she held me up.

“What do I have to do? Tell me.”

My hands held my throat as I slid to the floor. I could scent Jenine's fear. I heard the door open.

“Quick. Help her,” I heard her say.

Footsteps approached me. A pair of hands held me up. I felt fingers press against my nose forcing my mouth open.

“Breathe Laura. Breathe through your mouth.”

Hands pushed against my chest. I gasped as air filled my lungs once more. Her scent filled my nostrils as I came to.

“Grandma?”

*It's just me, Laura.”

My eyes blinked open. I pushed myself away from her. My mom.

“I didn't need your help.” I turned to Jenine. “You never should have let her touch me.”

“What would you have me do? Watch you die?” she snapped at me. “Don't you see it? Your loathing nearly cost you your life. You should be grateful I called her to help.”

Her hands folded across her chest. I caught my mum's gaze on me.

“Why are you here?”

“The Alpha called. He said it was a matter of great importance.”

“I don't see how that has anything to do with me,” I squinted. “You know the way to the pack house.”

“I want you to come with me.”

“Why?” I asked. It didn't make any sense. Why would she need me to come with her?

“I'll tell you along the way,” she said.

The gates creaked as the pack guards opened them. I sighed. I wasn't expecting to be back here so soon.

“The Alpha requested for me,” my mum told the warrior that approached us. “Inform him that I'm here.”

The wolf's brows knitted together, a confused look on his face.

“The healer your Alpha requested for.” Her voice was almost a sneer. She hated repeating herself.

“Oh, right this way, please. He's expecting you.”

*********

Ferguson's POV

Karl had brought Luca home as he'd promised. He really did find him. After almost a week of disappearance, he looked so wild and feral I almost couldn't recognize him. Something about how raw he looked reminded me of his mother.

“Where did you find him?” I asked as Karl lowered him onto a couch. I mindlinked the omegas to prepare a bath for him. He needed to be cleaned up.

“I found him alone near the river.” He drew near me. “I think something's wrong,” he whispered into my ear. “He's not himself.”

I looked at him. His eyes. They were distant . Like he was in his own world different from ours.

My eyes flicked to Karl.

“He didn't recognize me. I'm not sure he knows who he is either.”

I stooped to Luca staring into his eyes.

“Luca,” I called. He just stared at me blankly. What could have happened to him?

“I came as quick as I could,” Martha said as she came hurriedly. “The bath is ready. I'll attend to him when he's all cleaned up.”

I watched as the omegas took him with them. The man that stepped out of the bathroom an hour later was the son I remembered. Only he was quiet.

“He still hasn't said a word yet,” Martha quipped. “I don't know what else to do.”

I knew what to do.

“Send for Clarissa,” I told Karl.

“Clarissa?” Karl's eyes widened. “Are you sure about that? She swore never to set foot in our territories again.”

“She'll come. She owes me a favour.”

If anyone could fix Luca, it would be her. She had her ways, sometimes unorthodox but they always worked. I was willing to try anything to get him back. I couldn't risk having a numb son. I'd already lost his mum and couldn't bear to lose him. Not like this.

I glanced up as the door opened.

“Clarissa.” I sprang to my feet. “It's good to see you. I wish we were meeting again under more favourable circumstances but you know how it is.”

“I understand, Alpha.”

My eyes strayed to the young girl with her. What was she doing here again?

“And she is?”

“My daughter, Laura.”

“Your daughter?” My brows furrowed. Whatever. More important matters were on ground.

“What happened to him?” Clarissa asked making her way towards Luca.

“He'd been missing for a few days now. Karl found him in this state. He hasn't spoken a word since.”

“Ah yes, Karl,” she purred pointing a flashlight into Luca's eyes. Her eyes glanced at Karl. “I'd almost forgotten about you. Still doing his dirty laundry?”

I suppressed the growl that threatened to escape my throat. She'd always been like this but I wasn't going to tolerate it anymore.

“Watch your words,” I growled. I saw the sneer on her face.

“Found out what happened to him?” I asked ignoring it.

She straightened up, turning off the flashlight.

“His vitals seem pretty normal. If I didn't know any better I'd say he's been mind controlled.”

“Mind controlled?” I heard her daughter mutter.

My eyes met hers but she looked away immediately.

“Is it magic?” I asked, my heart skipping a beat. Had Orchid gotten to him?

“Could be.”

I didn't like this about Clarissa. Beating about the bush wasn't her strong foot. She was blunt to a fault.

“Could you give me some time alone with him?”

I nodded. The pack healer and Karl left. She looked at me.

“You too, Alpha.”

My face creased. “What's your plan? What do you want to do with him?”

She stared at me unblinkingly. “Do you want your son back or not?”

I could see the glint in her eyes. I started walking out of the room.

“That's what I thought,” I heard her say.

“Not you, Laura. Stay.”

My eyes lingered on her face and her daughter's for a while before I closed the door. Whatever it was she wanted to do, she was free to do it as long as I could get Luca back.