His Luna

Sight

The travel to Sam’s household did not take too long as Draken had navigated the path from Alejandro’s household directly to Sam’s. He wanted to go back to the castle as he was thinking that he forgot something but chose not to since it has been already dark outside, and the stars started to show in the clear sky.

Draken decided to be alone when he visited the daughters of the old man, Alejandro, and also visited Sam. As Draken walked through the mini-forest, memories flooded his mind. He recalled the countless times he had accompanied Chloe to this very spot, where the bushes held significance for her. Matilda, the woman who had been like a mother to Chloe, was deeply connected to this place, and Draken had witnessed firsthand the bond between them.

He remembered the way Chloe would light up whenever she talked about Matilda, her eyes sparkling with love and admiration. Matilda had been a constant presence in Chloe's life since childhood, guiding and nurturing her in ways that only a trusted confidant could. The bond they shared was unbreakable, and it shaped Chloe into the woman she had become.

But now, Matilda was gone, and the absence of her comforting presence weighed heavily on Chloe's heart. Draken could feel her pain, her longing for the one who had been by her side for so long. As he passed by the familiar bushes, he couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy and nostalgia.

Draken understood the importance of this place to Chloe. It held memories, secrets, and the spirit of Matilda herself. He knew that revisiting this spot would bring forth a mix of emotions for Chloe, and he wanted to respect her need for solitude and reflection.

However, Matilda was found dead behind the same bushes, and authorities have said that the woman killed herself, despite the official ruling of Matilda's death as a suicide, Chloe couldn't shake off her gut feeling that something was amiss. She knew Matilda too well to believe that she would take her own life. There were too many unanswered questions, too many inconsistencies surrounding the circumstances of her death.

"Draken...something is off." His inner wolf communicated with him.

"I know."

"Let's be vigilant."

Draken trusted his instincts and remained vigilant as he surveyed his surroundings. The dense forest seemed to hold secrets, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being watched. The silence was broken only by the rustling of leaves and the steady breathing of the horse beneath him.

As they moved deeper into the forest, Draken's gaze shifted from tree to tree, searching for any signs of movement or disturbance. His hand instinctively reached for the hilt of his blade, ready to defend himself and Sofie if needed. The bond he shared with his loyal steed gave him a sense of reassurance in this unsettling atmosphere.

Sofie's sudden halt sent a ripple of caution through Draken. He knew the horse possessed a keen sense of smell and intuition, so he trusted its instincts as well. Draken's senses sharpened as he strained to detect any unusual scents or sounds that might give away the presence of another being.

The tension in the air grew as the moments ticked by, and Draken remained still, listening intently for any signs of danger. His eyes narrowed, scanning the underbrush for any signs of movement or the glint of eyes in the darkness. He was determined not to let this unseen entity catch him off guard.

“Shhh. Sofie.” He whispered to the horse. It halted and started to run faster.

As Draken discovered Sofie, the black stallion, outside the pack's vicinity, he felt an immediate bond with her. It was as if they were destined to cross paths and form a connection. Sofie exuded an air of strength, grace, and wildness that captivated Sam's heart. Despite not being his own horse, he saw her as his own, as if she had chosen him as her companion.

Draken could feel that someone was really looking in his direction and he couldn’t see it correctly because it was so dark inside the forest and the moon is not present for the night. When he felt that the atmosphere reverted back to normal and Sofie continued walking again, he knew that the entity he felt inside the forest disappeared. He had been careful with his actions and had been investigating on his own the moment he learned that the Wolfsbane are back in the country and the said group is targeting the Trowbridge pack.

For the past couple of days, he felt that someone was looking at him, and all he could ever see was the shadow he saw outside the hall where he called for a meeting. And nothing goes after that. Prior to that day, his instincts had been telling him.

As the night progressed, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. The absence of the silver moon only added to the unease that permeated the air. The stars, however, remained steadfast, casting their gentle glow upon the world below. Their shimmering presence seemed to offer a glimmer of hope amidst the gathering darkness.

In the distance, on the far horizon, dark clouds loomed ominously. Their heavy presence signaled an approaching storm as if nature itself mirrored the turmoil and uncertainty that plagued the hearts of those gathered. The dark clouds stood in stark contrast to the clear sky, a visual representation of the conflicting forces at play.

From where they were located, Draken already saw the house of his beta, but one thing that caught his attention is the house on the side that was unused, now it lit up. Every time he went to this place, the one-story house on the side of the beta’s main house is not lit and he knew that the house was supposed to be given to Matilda had not once used the house. And now, he could see a cloud of smoke coming out from the house. Draken's curiosity was piqued as he observed the unexpected activity in the usually dormant house. He wondered who could be inside and what could have prompted them to light it up and produce smoke.

Draken exchanged a brief nod with Rodolfo, acknowledging his presence. Over the years, he had grown accustomed to the man's loyal service, yet there had always been an air of mystery surrounding him. Rodolfo had been a part of their lives since their younger days, acting as a caretaker and guardian figure. Draken couldn't deny that he had developed a sense of trust in the man, but there were moments when he couldn't help but wonder about his true nature.

One aspect that caught Draken's attention was Rodolfo's impeccable physical condition. Despite the dangers and battles they faced as a pack, the man remained unscathed, devoid of any visible wounds or scars. It seemed almost unnatural, considering the nature of their lives. Draken had seen his fair share of injuries and battle scars among his pack members, but Rodolfo stood out as an exception.

“A pleasant evening, Alpha. They were waiting in the dining hall.” Rodolfo said as Draken jumped off Sofie’s back.

“Evening.”

Draken nodded in acknowledgement as he handed over the leash of Sofie to Rodolfo. The majestic black horse obediently followed the pack member, her hooves clicking against the stone pathway. Draken turned his attention towards the large, ornate double doors of the grand house that stood before him.

“I will take care of Sofie, you can now enter the house.”

"Sam and Chloe were there already?"

"Yes, Alpha." Rodolfo come near him to assist him with the horse.

“By the way, Rodolfo, is the house on the side already occupied?” Rodolfo paused for a moment, considering his response. He knew exactly which house Draken was referring to, and he understood the implications behind the question. The house in question had been kept vacant for a particular purpose, and only a select few individuals were privy to that information.

“Which house?” There were two houses built separately on each side of the main house. The other one was owned by Rodolfo, and he knew what the Alpha was referring to.

“The one unused since it was built.”

“Chloe brought someone…though she’s a servant.” Rodolfo shrugged about it. At first, he doesn’t like Kirsty, but he slowly felt that the woman was harmless and just lets her be in the household.

“Chloe?”

“Yeah, Sam brought the servant and when Chloe saw the woman, she immediately trusted her, and yeah, brought the woman here.”

“And?” Rodolfo did not answer what he asked of him.

“Chloe let the woman live in the house, actually she arrived just today.”

“I see.”

Rodolfo sighed, knowing he had limited information. "I'm afraid I don't have all the details. Chloe hasn't shared much about the servant with me. But it seems that Chloe sees something in her, something that makes her trust her enough to bring her into our home. Perhaps she knows something we don't."

Even if Draken wanted to know the name of the woman as it intrigued him, he let the thoughts slip off his mind. He started to enter the vicinity and was face now the water fountain at the center of the main lane. He knew that the path to the left goes to the kitchen of the main house, which is also connected to the dining hall, however, he opted to choose the right path. As he continued his journey, he couldn't help but feel a sense of tranquility wash over him. The peaceful surroundings offered him a momentary escape from the chaos and responsibilities that came with being the Alpha. The soft rustling of leaves and the gentle breeze against his face provided a much-needed respite.

The place was illuminated with lighted torches and the wind was cold. Yet something was pulling him to enter the area immediately. And he can't find the reasons why he felt it. When he opened the front door, the servants while holding their cleaning materials for the night who were also sitting on the couch facing him were surprised by his presence and they immediately stood from their seats and nervously lowered their heads.

“Good evening, Alpha.”

He had no problems with what they did, Sam and Chloe have good sets of servants in their household, but these servants were still intimidated, and most are afraid of his presence as the Alpha of the pack, knowing what his reputation is.

“The dining hall?”

“This way, Alpha.” As Draken entered the dining hall, his eyes fell upon the unexpected sight before him. Chloe was straddling Sam, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. It was a sight that took him aback momentarily, but Draken was no stranger to such scenes within his pack.

He had learned over the years that mating and intimacy were complex matters, and wolves followed their instincts and desires.

Sam was closing his eyes and the moment the two felt that someone was looking at them, Chloe looked in the direction of the front door and was surprised to see Draken’s presence humiliation was not even evident in her eyes even if Draken saw their making up session inside the dining hall.

“Draken!” Draken returned the hug, feeling the warmth of his pack members enveloping him. It had been a while since he had seen Chloe, and their presence brought a sense of familiarity and comfort. Despite the challenges and uncertainties they had faced, their bond as pack members remained strong.

“The usual Chloe.” He uttered.

“We were waiting for you.” The woman giggled.

“Yeah, you did. And Sam? Opened your eyes, I am here.” He said which made his beta laugh sarcastically.

“Welcome, Draken,” Sam said and gave him a hug too.