TRUE LUNA: DANCING IN FLAMES OF THREE

Chapter 2

Alaric's POV

I had been so invested in my conversation with Theo that I almost ignored the strange feeling in my chest. It felt like a wave of electricity, pulling me in another direction. Then the strange scent… it was messing with my head… it was... I had only caught that scent twice in my entire life and just as I recognised it, my gaze landed on the figure outside the door.

Rune? I gulped. She was trembling from whatever she had seen or heard. She wasn’t supposed to find out this way—

Shit!

What could be going through her head now? D-do-does she hate me? Was she scared of me?

“You have no idea what you're asking for, Alaric—”

“Alpha Alaric,” I cleared my throat and looked away from Rune, fumbling with the buttons of my shirt.

My hands were starting to feel wet, however, when I looked back at where she stood before, she was gone, leaving me to deal with Theo more privately. I just hope she doesn't hate me before I'm able to make her mine.

“I am talking to you!” he snapped, bringing me back to reality.

I'd have to confess as well. I enjoyed the devastated look on Theo more than I did on Rune. Actually, I'd never like it on her. I arched my brow, to infuriate him the more and guess what. It worked like magic.

“I wasn't paying attention,” I rose to my feet and so did my Beta, Isaac. “I also have no interest in listening to what you have to say, I'll give you my word. Everyone I've taken from this pack has experienced a better life than they could ever experience here. I'll be giving them back. Faithful soldiers, capable maids, midwives, everything your pack needs to move to a new height. Just give me what I want and they'll be all yours.”

“You can't be serious,” he whispered, shaking his head. His beta didn’t dare to speak… as it should be. I took advantage of their silence and had Isaac check if Rune was anywhere around the exit.

He shook his head slightly.

“So,” I cleared my throat, “Won't you see your guest off, Alpha Theo?” I raised a brow at him with my lips slightly tugged sideways.

“Sure, Alpha Alaric. This way,” he directed.

We had gotten outside where I was sure that Rune couldn't see or hear us when he spoke up.

“Please, Alaric, reconsider this deal. Rune is my only family and I can't lose her to anyone,” he looked me in the eyes with wetter eyes this time.

“What a brilliant choice of words, Theo. However, I've made myself clear. You have three days to bring her over to me. The moon goddess save you from me if you try to play smart.”

“Alaric—”

“I bet she is still innocent and knows nothing about her parents’ death, so I'll remind you exactly what you're walking into if three days pass by and I don’t see her. Every breath and step you've taken under the sun will be unveiled and trust me, Theo. Nothing. Nothing in this pack or entire clan will save you from me,” I lowered my voice with my gaze fixed on his.

I had a strong feeling that he was going to try to set a new plot in motion, but I thought it wise to remind him of the kind of fire he was preparing to walk into if he tried to play smart with me.

I turned my back to leave at once and made it to my pack in less than two hours. Isaac tried to talk to me, but he didn't. I wouldn't blame him either because if the table were flipped, I wouldn't even dare to look into my eyes.

“We've arrived, Alaric,” he snapped his fingers in my face while I shut my eyes tightly in response.

I stepped down from the car, headed straight to my room and locked myself in the bathroom. How can just a few minutes of seeing someone stir so much up? Her face, full lips, amber eyes, slender and long nose and the brown strands of hair on her head… everything about her face drove me crazy.

I turned on the shower and let the water that had been heating up for quite some time hit my skin like small rocks. My chest was starting to hurt, so I held the wall for support until I was steady again.

“Are you here?” I heard Isaac's voice and for some reason, it sounded a bit impatient.

“Over here. Do you want to support your naked Alpha?” I teased, still with a serious voice.

“It's something important. Please let me know once you're done.”

I quickly wrapped my towel around my waist and headed out, not minding the trail of water that followed behind me.

“Did something happen to Rune?” I breathed out, ready to claim Theo's throat with one smooth s***h if he had done something foolish.

“N-no, it's about her, but chill. She's safe,” he chuckled nervously. “I'll be here waiting. There's no need to rush.”

I simply nodded, scanning his entire figure for a single trace of lie. I hurriedly showered, dressed up and walked straight to sit in front of my Beta who looked more surprised than he has ever been in years.

“You really love her, don’t you?” The words almost choked his throat as he said them. He was pale and scared. He had tried to talk me out of this madness so many times in the past that whenever he was quiet about it, it was because he was afraid.

I chuckled from the fear in his eyes.

I thought that I'd never be able to fall for someone else after losing Aurora, but here I am. I wouldn't even call it love. It is a venom I haven't died from yet.

“Love is kinda complicated, Isaac and can be mistaken for something else,” I sighed, gazing out through the window where I could let images of her fill my senses. “Regardless, I'm sure that I can give the entire clan to her. She just has to whisper the words. My entire being will lay at her feet, Isaac. She just has to make the decree.” I smiled to myself.

“I am glad to see you this alive again after so many years, but it is my obligation and responsibility as Beta and friend to remind you of the consequences of every single decision—”

“I killed my Luna, a true blood, my child as well, my only heir and I got cursed for it, yet Rune decided to carry that burden without caring to know how much it weighed first,” I snapped. “She has been carrying it for years without knowing who it belongs to and you sit here telling me about the consequences, Isaac! I don't give a damn what goes wrong and what doesn't!”

“Killing Aurora was a mistake—”

“Exactly, but she willingly decided to get punished for a crime she didn't commit. Even when she knew nothing about the weight that was about to be placed on her shoulder, she didn't hesitate to perform the ritual and transfer the grief to her!”

“This can drive both packs to war, Alaric! The majority wants you dead now, especially since your curse has spread across the clan. Your position as the Alpha of all Alphas will be at stake and there's no one you can trust to be an alliance if such a thing should happen,” he complained, hitting his palm on the desk between us.

“For over a decade, I've waited patiently for this. I clearly don't give a crap as long as it makes her mine.”