The golden Luna Doctor

Chapter 5

ONE HOUR EARLIER

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-HYPERION-

"Are you guys ready to order?" the bubbly waitress asked us as she approached our booth.

"A burger and a soda for me please," Alex responded. "Boy, I'm starving. Make it two, please." Alex is my Gamma. I've known him since he crashed my bedroom window with a football when we were five. He is always starving. Knowing him, after finishing this couple of burgers he'll probably ask for another one.

"I'll go with a BLT and a beer," Marcus chimed in. Marcus is one of my best warriors. He and I are friends too, not as close as Alex though.

The waitress turned to me and said with a playful tone, "And what can I get for you, handsome?"

I glanced up from the menu and took in her looks. She was young, but the heavy makeup gave her an older appearance. Her light blonde hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, and her uniform was unbuttoned a bit too much, revealing her ample cleavage.

"Just coffee, thanks," I replied curtly, the vinyl seat squeaking beneath me.

"Are you sure you don't want something else?" she asked with a flirty smile, leaning over our table and giving me a clear view of her red lacy bra.

After a short, strong exhale, I answered her. "Could you make it quick? We're in a bit of a hurry." I checked my watch and turned away to face the window.

I was tired and cranky. We had been traveling for what felt like an eternity, and when the guys insisted we stop for food, I wasn't keen on the idea. After so many false leads, it felt like I was finally on the right path. I could almost smell her.

But I understood the guys' need for a break—they were just as tired as I was. And they weren't that motivated as I was for the mission.

So, when Alex pulled into the small roadside diner during the late hours of the night, I didn't complain. Much.

"Sure," she muttered before scurrying away.

"She is hot, Alpha. And she was practically drooling over you." Marcus tilted his face up with a smirk.

I shaked my head. "Not interested. I have a girlfriend, remember?"

Alex rolled his eyes. "How could we forget? Erin's favorite hobby is to remind everyone that she's the alpha's girlfriend."

Tilting my head, I gave him a stern look. "Careful, Alex. I'll overlook this because you're my friend, but one day she'll be your Luna, and you should start respecting her."

"Sorry, man. But seriously, Hyp. She's not even your true mate!" he added, apologetically.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "I couldn't care less. Mates are more of a curse than a blessing. Take my father, for instance. He was much happier with my mom than with his so-called mate." In the end, he was killed by the man who was sleeping with his wife. That night, Pierce Troyer took away everyone who mattered to me.

At just seven years old, I became alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. From that point on, I had to manage on my own.

I'm glad I was the one who ended his life. I just wish I didn't lose the only mother I've ever known in the process.

Sensing my somber mood, the guys stopped pushing the topic. I may not love Erin, but we are good friends, and we've been together for years. Her father is one of my older advisors, and I plan to marry her someday.

The waitress came back with our orders, the aroma of fried food and coffee filling the air. This time, she directed her flirty tone at Marcus, who responded in kind.

After the meal, we paid the bill and headed back to our car, parked just outside.

As we drove down the empty road, the guys started to talk s.hit and laughter filled the car. I guess they really needed the meal to lift their spirits. Meanwhile, from the driver's seat, I kept my eyes on the road, my mind racing. I wasn't in the mood for conversation. A specific day from nine years ago haunted my thoughts, with a pair of bright golden eyes shining brighter than the moonlight etched in my memory.

Suddenly, a booming explosion tore through the moment. The car was lifted off the ground, then violently slammed back down, spinning out of control before crashing into a ditch on the side of the road. Smoke and fire engulfed the vehicle, and the sound of crumpling metal echoed across the empty landscape.

I opened my eyes and attempted to see through the thick smoke. Alex and Marcus were no longer in the car; they had likely been thrown clear. I tried to move, but my body was trapped in the wreckage. It shouldn't have been difficult, but I felt weak. Fragments of silver were poisoning my bloodstream. I was bleeding internally, and the silver was stopping me from healing.

We were struck by a damn vampire bomb, loaded with silver specifically designed to kill werewolves.

The region was infested with vampire covens. We've been extra careful, but clearly, it wasn't enough.

Sensing the imminent danger of another explosion, my wolf was screaming for me to get out of there as soon as possible. But my strength was slipping away, and my eyes felt unbearably heavy.

"Hey, can you hear me?" a woman's voice, smooth as silk, reached my ears. And I wondered if she was an angel, and I was dying.

I tried to answer her, but only a grunt came out of my mouth. I felt her hands on my face, her skin as soft as her voice.

Her warm hands withdrew too soon, leaving me shivering once more. I longed to plead with her to return and keep touching me. "I have to get you out of here, okay?" she spoke gently, and I knew I'd agree to anything as long as she stayed by my side.

"Are you my Luna?" I groaned.

"Luna? S.hit! You're a werewolf.