The Luna's Revenge

Chapter4

The courtyard was as busy as ever as I slipped through the stone archway. My boots crunched on gravel when Lynn’s voice cut through the noise, sharp and accusing. “Where’ve you been?” He grabbed my arm, yanking me to his side.

I tore free with a low growl, baring my teeth. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’ve been around.”

He stepped closer, nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air around me, his instincts kicking in.

“You’re not a damn cat,” I snapped, shoving past him. “Quit sniffing me like some prowling rogue.”

“You went to see that woman, didn’t you?” he whispered, his voice tight with suspicion, eyes darting to ensure no fang-sworn overheard.

I let out a dry laugh, masking the jolt in my chest. “I was by the river, Lynn. Stop trailing me like a cub’s shadow. Get a life. Maybe sniff out a mate so you don’t rot as a delta forever.” I strode off, but his footsteps dogged mine.

“Remind me where we were last Mating Ball, Ares,” he shot back, his tone dripping with mock innocence. “Oh, wait! I remember vividly. We were busy chasing rogue wolves and rescuing strange women.” His tone was low but I still looked around to make sure no one had heard him.

I moved closer to him and grinned despite myself. “Won’t interrupt next time, I swear it.”

He didn’t laugh. “The Alpha wants you.”

I froze mid-step, the grin fading. Father didn’t summon me unless trouble brewed, either mine or the pack’s. I turned, searching Lynn’s face for answers. “Why?”

“Don’t know,” he said, shrugging. “Order came an hour ago.”

“Damn it, Lynn,” I growled, biting my lip. “Did you cover for me? Give him some excuse why I wasn’t in the stronghold?”

“I said I’d find you,” he replied, a hint of smugness in his tone. “Thank the Moon goddess I did.”

I cursed under my breath and hurried towards the Alpha’s chamber.

The chamber was secured by two heavy oak doors carved with snarling wolves under a crescent moon. Two fang-sworn guards parted as I approached, their heads dipping in deference. Inside, the air was filled with the scent of pine and old blood, the fire pit crackling in the center. Torvald stood by the far wall, his broad frame silhouetted against a tapestry of the pack’s lineage. His iron-gray mane gleamed in the flickering light, and his brown eyes pinned me as I entered.

“You’re late,” he rumbled, voice like stone grinding against stone.

“Was out by the river,” I said, keeping my tone steady, hands loose at my sides. “Lynn tracked me down.”

He snorted, stepping closer. “You reek of secrets, cub. What’s kept you from the stronghold these past weeks?”

My pulse quickened, but I held his stare. “Hunting rogues. Keeping the territory lines clear. You’ve always said a prince proves his worth in the wilds.”

His lip curled, skepticism etched in every line of his weathered face. “Rogues, hmm? Word travels, Ares. Whispers of a stranger lingering near Mara’s den. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

“Mara heals strays, and her den is not within our territory. Not my concern,’’ I said, defiantly, my arms crossed and leaning on the stone walls.

His growl deepened. “I won’t have outsiders tainting our bloodline. Not after what Kaid’s pack suffered with that tainted Luna.”

I had heard the stories of Kaid’s banished Luna. My jaw tightened. “No taint here, Father. Just a prince doing his duty.”

He studied me, then waved a hand. “We’ve bigger threats. Rogues massing powers and threatening beyond the southern lines. They have become too many, and too bold. I need you there. Not chasing ghosts.’’

“Rogues?” I seized the shift, masking my relief. “I’ll scout them tomorrow and keep them at bay.”

“See that you do,” he said, turning back to the fire. “And Ares, no more disappearing. Your Alpha claim hangs thin without a mate. Where were you during the last mating ball?”

My pulse spiked. The mating ball. It was a blur of scents and howls I would always dodge. It was useless to me. I hadn’t heard my wolf spirit in months, its voice gone silent, leaving me adrift. I shrugged, spinning a lie. “Scouting the eastern ridge. Rogues were sniffing too close. I had to chase them off. Keeping the pack safe while you dance.”

His lip curled, skepticism carving his face. “Scouting, hmm? Alone? No mate in sight, no scent on you. ‘’

“I don’t need a mating ball,” I said, sharper than intended. “I prove my worth time and again, not prancing for some she-wolf.”

His growl rumbled low and he faced me again. “Worth means nothing without a bond. The pack needs an Alpha with a mate. Your wolf spirit should have howled for your mate by now. Or has it abandoned you?”

I clenched my fists, hiding the frustration in my soul. “It’ll howl when it’s ready. I’m no cub chasing my tail to please you.”

‘’Big words, Ares,’’ he growled. ‘’I want you at the Southern line. Take the best betas with you, as many as you need. Once you are done with that border, I want you here at the next lunar gathering. And you must announce your mate,’’ he said, his eyes boring into mine.

‘’I’ll handle the rogue wolves alone,’’ I said. ‘’Will that be all?’’

‘’That will be all for now.’’

I met Lynn in the courtyard, sharpening his claws. ‘’Make them even sharper,’’ I said to him. ‘’We are going to the southern line.’’

He looked at me, confused. ‘’What’s happening there? He asked.

‘’Rogue wolves,’’ I said, my thoughts drifting. I had just seen the perfect opportunity this journey would give me. It would afford me the time to get to know the strange woman whose name I had forgotten to ask. I would take her on the journey with us, and hopefully, I would get my answers before I returned for the mating ball.

‘’Ares?’’

‘’Huh?’’

‘’What’s happening there?’’ he asked again. I looked at him.

‘’Rogue wolves.’’