Lunar Eclipse

Chapter Ten

Annette’s POV

“What the f**k were you thinking?!” I yelled as I ran through the forest in wolf form.

“He was our mate! He is so amazing, and tall he must be an Alpha to be that tall, he radiated power. Did you feel it?” she was gushing like a teenager; this was so unlike her.

“Yes I f*****g felt it but did you also smell him? He is a rouge! What rouge do you know is an Alpha?! He might be our mate but I don’t trust him, he is hiding something. Him giving off that much power doesn’t make sense in his current position” I was beyond pissed off, Gia almost ran over to him, right over the border into Goddess knows what.

I thought she had more sense than that, she was the one that was always so tactical in a fight. I had to admit that he was attractive, his smell was enough to make me fully change my mind about this whole mate thing if I could keep that smell around me all the time.

“I am sure he has a perfectly good explanation” she purred, actually purred like a cat in my head. After that little gem I blocked her out while she ran back to my house, once I shifted back I ran into the house straight to the shower to wash off all evidence of this night. Part of me was hoping that I could wash out the memory and turn back time in that shower but to no avail. I went to bed close to 3am only to have to get back up at 6:30, this was going to be a coffee morning.

“Annette there is two rouges requesting an audience with the Alpha and Luna, you are needed in the Event Hall” Prudence spoke in my head with an annoyed voice. She didn’t like rouges at all.

“I will be there in ten” I skipped a shower and put on my uniform hurriedly, taking the steps two at a time I ran out of the house heading straight to the pack house. I was missing my vest but the Rouges were already checked before coming into the pack house it was protocol.

I made it to the event hall wear Prudence handed me my vest, I slipped into it and took my place with the other guards behind the Luna’s chair. I saw that Briar was absent she was probably with Jakob upstairs.

Since Alphas are basically rulers of the pack they normally have like a throne room of sorts which for us was the Event Hall. Alpha Cajetan’s ‘throne’ was an ornately carved chair that has been passed down from Alpha to Alpha of this pack since before we moved over to the states about 550 years ago, each Alpha added to the chair in some way. The Luna’s chair was just as old and ornate; it was the same practice for the Lunas to add to her chair.

The huge double doors opened to reveal two wolves, one much taller than the other, it was next to impossible for this wolf to be a rouge he was more of an alpha size. Could he be the wolf form last night?

The closer he got the stronger his smell got, I didn’t want to believe it but it was the wolf from last night! His nose twitched then inhaled deeply, he caught my scent but he wasn’t looking at me, why? Did he not want to see me?

His clothes were dirty, rough, and torn in some places. His shirt looked like it used to be a light gray color but now it was much darker. His jeans were ripped all over and dirty as well especially at the bottom of the legs.

It was his height that was most impressive, he was about 6’7” on par with Cajetan. I couldn’t help but ogle him, he was the most attractive wolf I have seen, my stomach was doing flips as he got closer to the platform I was standing on behind the Luna. His hair was a dark brown, spiked up like he had been running his hands through it, his skin was tanned and brown which made his green eyes stand out.

Finally he reached the platform, smiling he bowed to the Alpha than the Luna.

“My name is Soren Anluan of the White Woods pack, I have come here to seek sanctuary in your pack for me and my fellow pack member”

As he spoke I heard Randve’s gasp when he said White Woods pack. I was under the impression that the White Woods pack was annihilated by both humans and another pack. There were not supposed to be any survivors.

I couldn’t help it I leaned in closer wanting to hear more of his story, get to know him, comfort him. I pinched the soft under part of my arm before I did something stupid, I was here to protect my Luna I could not forget my job here.

“The White Woods pack you say, we were informed that they were wiped out by humans and the Blood Moon pack. How did you survive? Did you flee instead of fighting for your pack?” Luna Randve asked looking at Soren, I could tell by her stare she was not sure of him, rightfully so I was suspicious of him as well. Soren’s companion growled at Randve but was silenced from a side glance by Soren.

“I apologize for my companions’ behavior, as far as we know we are the last of our pack, we were both severally wounded in battle and only survived thanks to an elder member of our pack finding us and healing our wounds. She has sadly passed away now.” Soren’s face went dark with emotions, so did his companions face, this woman must have been very important to the two of them.

“We have been living as rouges, pack-less fearing the Blood Moon Packs influence on the surrounding packs in our area. We have been traveling for years now looking for sanctuary from a pack that did not fear the Blood Moon Pack.” Soren respectfully bowed to the Alpha and Luna and looked at his companion to do so as well.

“I am sorry for making assumptions, please forgive my previous comments” Randve said with sadness in her voice. I felt sadness too, I could not imagine all my family, friends and pack being gone, then living pack-less for as long as they have. The pain they must feel living with that everyday.

“I understand that they pack was wiped out, but since the High Council did not get involved it was assumed by most packs that the takeover was legal. That can only mean that the White Woods Pack must have wronged the Blood Moon Pack in some grievous way” Cajetan leaned back in his chair folding his hands in front of himself.

“No! My father was a good and fair Alpha! WE did nothing to the Blood Moon pack. They had no cause to attack us like that!” Soren who had been nothing but polite so far shouted at Alpha Cajetan, his eyes also started to glow, he was losing control of his wolf.

“We should go to him, calm him, sooth him” Gia urged me, but I could move, the tension in the room was palpable.

“I would suggest that you keep your wolf in control. If your father was the Alpha I am sure he would be disappointed to see how you are acting, your emotions should be in better control” our Alpha looked to be in control of his emotions but I have spent too much time around him, I knew his tells. His fingers were white with pressure and the pulse in his temple was frantic.

“The Lunar Eclipse pack is not afraid of the Blood Moon Pack, however if the takeover of your pack was legal than by Law you are answerable to the Blood Moon Pack being of Alpha blood.” Alpha Cajetan stood up, pacing for a second before stopping. Luna Randve went stiff in her chair.

“We can not hand them over to the Blood Moon Pack, the White Woods have more than served their punishment whatever it may have been, they have been pack-less for so long which is more than torture.” Luna Randve spoke looking at Alpha Cajetan, pleading with him.

“The High Council will be contacted, and they will decide how to proceed. However if they say that you will be handed over to the Blood Moon Pack we will be required to turn you over” Cajetan stood up motioning to the guards posted on either side of the door. They walked towards Soren and his companion.

“Take them to the cells, make sure they are made comfortable and given a hot bath, food, and fresh clothes” and with that the guards escorted the both of them out of the room.

“Cajetan you cannot be serious! They are just kids! And to be on their own for all this time!” the Luna was more than agitated.

“Randve there is nothing I can do! If the takeover was legal he could have been the reason why Blood Moon attacked. We don’t know what he did! I have to contact the council before we risk our pack for this boy” the Alpha growled in frustration.

“But should we really lock him in a cell? He is not guilty yet!” Randve was now standing up and yelling back Cajetan.

“We will put him in one of the redone cells that are nicer, but we can’t just let him wander around the grounds. He has not been cleared of any wrongs yet”. Cajetan was letting his anger show with Randve and she was matching it blow for blow.

“I don’t think we should involve the council, he could still be killed even though he is innocent. It is a whole packs word against two people.” Randve had a point, how would the Council find the truth when all of White Woods had been eliminated?

“The High Council are the right hand of the Goddess! She will say who is innocent and guilty. Unless you are doubting the Goddess?” Cajetan was fuming but at his last words Randve shrunk back, she had never done that before. Cajetan’s expression softened but was still angry.

“I have to notify them. This can not be handled between our two packs, if I do not notify them we would be breaking the Law. If we break the Law we could be punished and lose our pack” rubbing his face he sighed before continuing “my decision is final.” With that he left the room.

This whole time I was frozen just hearing of this. My mate a criminal? Why was he not branded then? I stared at the door where my mate just was escorted through. I wouldn’t be able to see him until he was cleared. If he was cleared. Oh Goddess what if the Council said he was guilty and he would be handed over to the Blood Moon Pack to be killed? Or worse what if he was tortured? Gia let out a whimper.

“Annette what is wrong dear?” the Luna came to my side touching my shoulder comfortingly. Normally I would find comfort in her touch but now it did not help.

“He…my mate” I could only whimper, Gia was howling in my head. She was devastated at the thought of losing her mate.

“He is your mate dear?” The Luna’s eyes widened.

“I am so sorry Annette, I am so sorry” the Luna pulled me into a hug as the tears fell from my cheeks “I tried to help him I really did sweetie. I will ask for you to see him once before he goes to the council.”