The Luna's Revenge

Nine

Lexi’s POV

The scent of butterscotch filled the air as Tyler laid in front of me, clutching his chest in pain. His wavy chocolate-brown hair was disheveled, and his clothes were torn and blood-stained.

“No, Tyler, please, I love you!”

“Lexi,” he rasped out. “Stay strong. I love you. I’m so sorry. This wasn’t my fault. I love you so much.”

“Of course not, Ty, baby, please. Please don’t go.” I was curled up next to him, head on his chest, sobbing. I interlaced my fingers with his just before he closed his eyes and took his last breath. I screamed as the pain in my heart intensified. I felt like I was dying, too, like my soul was being ripped to shreds.

A shadow fell over Tyler and I, and I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

“Who’s there?” I called out between sobs. There was no reply, but the shadow remained. Something was wrong. It was too quiet, too dark.

I hated to leave Tyler’s side, but I stood and tiptoed in the direction of the shadow. A tall hooded figure. I needed to know who it was.

Before I could get close enough, I heard the crack of a twig on the ground behind me. I whirled around, but seeing nothing, turned back to the direction of the shadowy figure.

They were gone. I looked back again and saw Tyler’s body was gone, too. Where was he? Racing back to the spot where he had been, the ground still warm and blood-soaked, but he was just… gone.

I screamed in agony. Where was my mate?

* * * * *

I came to in a strange bed, with unfamiliar scents all around. I was panicked momentarily, but the events of yesterday came flooding back. I was at Blue River Pack, my second chance mate was here, and Estelle the witch was working on a solution for these nightmares.

Without Ellie to shake me awake, this had been a particularly long nightmare. I had no idea who the shadowy figure might have been. That was new. I wiped a few stray tears from my eyes and ran my hands through my messy hair. I needed a shower.

The bathroom here was gorgeous, with pretty teal-colored tile walls, a white vanity, and an enormous bathtub. I set my sights on the walk-in shower, cranking the temperature up and relaxing under the steamy stream of water.

I hadn’t planned to be traveling very long, meaning I’d packed no toiletries for myself, so I used the shampoo and conditioner and soap left here for guests.

Had I known our mate would be here, I would’ve encouraged you to shave those legs before we left, Sasha teased.

We’re literally wolves! You are covered in fur!

Yeah, but we’re talking about you right now, babe, not me. Furry legs look much better on me. She stuck her tongue out at me.

Moon Goddess, how did I get a centuries-old wolf spirit that acts like a child? I rolled my eyes skyward as Sasha snorted.

After my shower, I quickly towel dried my hair and picked one of the few outfits I’d brought with me - a simple plum-colored sleeveless sundress than ended just above my knees, with a v-neck that showed off a decent amount of cleavage without being too risqué. I had a pair of basic gold flats on as well. Adding some mascara and eyeliner, I decided I was ready for the day.

Now the question was whether I should wait for Jake to remember I was here, or go find him myself. It was 8:30 am, but I had no idea what kind of schedule my mate kept or how the packhouse operated.

I paced around for another 15 minutes before I made my decision. I was going to find Jake. I wasn’t a prisoner or anything, and I’d lived in or near a packhouse my whole life, so it should be fine.

Alphas always seemed to live on one of the top floors, so I’d just find the stairs and head up. Simple.

I found the staircase and went up a floor.

Sasha purred with delight when she realized Jake’s scent was stronger up here. I walked down the hallway, pausing at various doors. I could smell Cameron and Murphy, too, along with a plethora of she-wolves. Instinctively, I growled at the thought of Jake bringing other women home, even though I knew logically it shouldn’t matter.

Let’s find his room and make sure it doesn’t reek of desperate she-wolves anymore, Sasha chimed in. We’ll leave our lovely scent instead so they know better!

I stopped in front of the closed door that seemed to smell the most like Jake, although still smelled strongly of Cameron. They were best friends, I’m sure they spent a lot of time together.

Quietly, I opened the door and stepped inside, hoping to surprise my mate. Instead, I was greeted with his office. I took a few steps forward and inhaled deeply.

Oh s**t. No, this was definitely the Beta office. Now that the door was open, I could tell that Cam’s scent was the dominant and overpowering one in this office. This is why I had never been particularly good at tracking.

Quickly, I turned to leave and immediately walked into a wall. A wall that reached out and grabbed my wrist abruptly, sending a pulsing feeling through my arm. Wait, no, that was just my own heart trying to beat out of my chest in panic.

“Hello, Luna, can I help you?” I could hear from the Beta’s tone that he was neither shocked nor pleased to find me in his office. His eyes narrowed. The way he said “Luna” indicated that he did not particularly think I deserved the title.

Well, surprise, Blondie. I’m not entirely sure I deserve it either, but we both have to deal with it.

I was not entirely sure what Cameron’s issue with me was now that my identity had been confirmed, but I assumed it was some sort of bromance-related jealousy.

“Yes, please, Beta, I would greatly appreciate your help,” I flashed him my doe eyes again. “I was trying to find Jake by scent, and this room seemed the strongest, but it’s obviously not his bedroom. Where can I find him?”

“Not in my office.”

“Yes, I can see that now,” I bit back a growl.

“You can’t find your mate by scent?”

It was my turn to narrow my eyes at him. “I think you know Jake and I only spent a short time together yesterday, and I’m not trained as a tracker. Can you tell me where he is or take me to him?”

Cameron’s eyes clouded over for a minute and then he smirked at me. “The Alpha will be down in five minutes. Have a seat.”

Inwardly, I sighed, but I could play nice for a few minutes. “So tell me about yourself, Beta Cameron.”

He leaned back in his desk chair, stretching, while he thought for a moment. “I’m 24, I’ve known Jake my entire life, and I love the Blue River Pack. And I would lay down my life for Jake or the pack any day.” His tone was serious as his bright blue eyes met mine, seemingly challenging me. “Tell me who you are, Luna.”

He really dodged that question, Sasha commented.

I shrugged at her. I wasn’t afraid of Beta Blondie’s attitude.

“I’m 21, and I have a younger sister, Ellie, who will be 20 in a few weeks. We’re both warriors. My wolf’s name is Sasha. She’s fierce but crazy, and she’s my best friend. I had a mate, Tyler. He died in a car accident two years ago. And… let’s see. I like strawberry cheesecake more than a nutrition-conscious werewolf should.”

Cameron offered me a slight smile at that, which is what I was aiming for. Moving right past Tyler on to a less tense subject.

Just then, I heard a knock at the door. “Good morning, beautiful, and good morning, Cam. May I interrupt?”

My gorgeous mate entered the room, sparing me from additional agony.

“Morning, Alpha,” Cameron said, standing and nodding in Jake’s direction.

“Can you check with the twins and go through last night’s patrol reports? Other than that, I’m going to spend today with Lexi and we’ll catch up tomorrow.”

Jake laid out the orders for the day, and his Beta nodded in acceptance.

“Sure thing. Luna, have a good day,” he said politely as he held open the door, indicating we should get out of his office. The door shut behind us, and Jake and I were left standing in the hallway.

“So… is this when you normally wake up?” I asked him.

“Oh, no, I was up late last night doing some work. Normally I get up around seven, in time to train with the others. But today is just about us,” he flashed me a smiled that made me melt a little bit.

Our first order of business was breakfast, which was surprisingly relaxed. There was a small kitchen on the Alpha floor, which I learned was one floor above the Beta and Gamma floor. Jake made coffee and spicy omelets with chorizo, cheese, and peppers, making me fall even more in love with him.

“Where did you learn to cook?” I asked him.

“My mom, mostly. She loved cooking. We usually ate breakfast separate from the pack when I was growing up.” He smiled, as if he was remembering happy memories. I decided not to ask why he was referring to her in past tense; I had my own past-tense memories and no one ever enjoyed opening those wounds.

“Well, you were an excellent student of her cooking, because these are amazing,” I said, eating another forkful. “I would fake the mate bond with you just for the omelets,” I joked.

His expression briefly flashed to something that looked like concern, but then he chuckled. “I think I’d be okay with that, as long as I get to be with you.”

Sasha purred in my head. He’s so sweet.

Jake and I ran into Murphy on our way downstairs, and much to Jake’s dismay and my delight, the Gamma invited himself to come with us on our walk around the pack.

“I’ll tell you the good gossip about everyone, Lexi, don’t worry,” Murphy said, conspiratorially, as we walked into their town square area. “Jake has to pretend he likes everyone and is above the drama because Alphas should demonstrate fairness and equality or something, but I’m the king of the grapevine.”

I couldn’t help laughing at that. I needed a best friend here if I planned to stay, and Murphy seemed like a good candidate. “Okay, tell me about… her,” I said, pointing at a she-wolf about my age with long blonde hair tied up in two high pigtails. She was holding the hand of a smaller boy, about seven or eight, with similar features.

“Ah, yes, Evie and her little brother Jamie, omegas,” he nodded. “I do know some good dirt on them. Evie makes the best waffles out of anyone in the kitchen. And Jamie is a real ladies’ man, all the she-wolves trip over themselves to babysit him when Evie has to work.”

I burst out into giggles again and Jake, who was holding my hand, growled lowly and rolled his eyes at his friend. “I get that you’re the pack comedian, but could you try to not steal my girl for like, 24 hours at least, Murph? Maybe let me have a shot?”

“I’m just trying to help her understand your pack members better.” He said innocently.

The three of us wandered through the pack like that for most of the morning, Murphy saying ridiculous facts about people and places, and Jake rolling his eyes but smirking to hold in his own laughter.

“And this, this particular sparring ground is where Jake got his ass handed to him by our previous head warrior, Tobias,” Murphy gestured.

Jake shot him a glare. “I was 12!”

“Tobias fought you with a broken arm!”

“Murph, that old man could still take you even to this day,” my mate retorted.

“Who are you calling old, Alpha Jacob?” a voice boomed out.

Jake paled slightly but smirked. “Bastard, you set me up,” he muttered to Murphy.

A giant of a man with long blonde hair stepped out from behind a nearby building. He had stormy grey eyes, which were twinkling mischievously, and he looked to be in his 40s, although might be older given how wolves age. There were jagged scars on his arms and one on his cheek, indicating he had either fought battles before getting his wolf and his healing ability, or had received injuries too deep to fully heal.

“Tobias, I’d like you to meet Lexi Knight, the future Luna of Blue River,” Jake said proudly, wrapping an arm around my waist. I smiled and extended my hand, which Tobias shook.

“Pleasure to see our Alpha has finally met his match,” Tobias grinned. “May I borrow him for a bit to remind him that old men are still capable of putting up a fight?”

“He’s all yours. I haven’t seen him fight yet, so I should probably make sure he’s capable anyway,” I teased. Both Murphy and Tobias laughed, while Jake’s eyes darkened.

Stop provoking Mate, Sasha whined. I can sense Hunter is going crazy thinking he has to prove himself.

I didn’t want Hunter to hurt Tobias, so I wrapped Jake in a hug and whispered in his ear. “Hunter, mate, play nice. I know you’d protect me in a real fight, I just want to watch you spar for fun.”

That seemed to calm him down, so Murphy and I ambled to the side of the sparring ground and sat on the grass while Jake and Tobias stretched and took their positions.

Both had taken their shirts off, leaving them in just athletic pants, and I had to remind myself not to drool over Jake’s gorgeous body.

“He’s like a model, right?” Murphy said, admiration in his voice.

I looked at him, surprised. “I mean… yeah.”

“What? It’s true. Don’t go all possessive-mate on me.”

Laughing, I said, “It’s just rare to hear guys compliment each others’ looks. Usually they’re so insecure. At least the ones I know.”

Murphy smiled at me. “Well, first of all, what kind of wingman would I be if I didn’t talk up my friends? And secondly, I’m not picky about who I like. Although I strictly date people outside the pack, so no competition from me.” He put his hands in the air, looking innocent. “I’m just a wingman in this scenario.”

I trust him, Sasha said. We’d know if he wanted our mate.

“My wolf, Sasha, is giving you the seal of approval,” I told him.

“Jax likes you, too,” he replied. “He said anyone who can put up with as many of my jokes as you can is clearly a strong warrior.”

I giggled and started to respond, but our attention was drawn back to Jake and Tobias, who were ready to start.

Both were clearly strategic fighters, taking their time and watching their opponent, but Jake finally attacked first, a punch to the side that Tobias swiftly dodged. Tobias succeed with a counterpunch, landing a hit on Jake’s shoulder, but Jake quickly recovered.

The two carried on, attacking and dodging for several minutes, before Tobias kicked Jake in the stomach, causing him to double over in pain. I started to leap up, but Murphy quickly grabbed me to hold me in place. Before Jake could stand, Tobias approached him again, but this time Jake was fast, swiftly grabbing Tobias’s arm and flipping him on to the ground, kneeling on his lower spine and pulling both arms taut behind Tobias’s back as the older warrior laid on his stomach.

“Match,” Tobias yelled out, presumably their sign of surrender. Jake released him, offering a hand to help him up.

“Not bad, Alpha,” Tobias smirked. They were both shirtless and sweaty, and although Jake had won, his bruises were more extensive than Tobias’s.

“Thanks, Tobi. Good fight,” Jake laughed. “Now, let’s finish our tour before I get my ass handed to me by someone.”

He was so good-natured, so unlike the Alphas people talk about. It made me love him more.

Love? Sasha asked.

Oh s**t. I didn’t mean to say that, I told her.

But you did.

“Now that I’ve tormented you, Jake, I’m going to head back to the packhouse and do some work. I haven’t seen Cam all day, so I better check in with him. You two lovebirds have a good evening!” Murphy waved at us and jogged off, leaving us alone.

Jake and I looked at each other, before my eyes fell to his torso, taking in the sharp lines of his muscles. I could think of a few ways to spend the rest of the night…