QUEEN OF ROGUES BECOMES THE PROPHESIED LUNA

SPANNER IN THE WORKS

LEXIE'S POV

Everyone goes back to their seats, but I can tell that the party has just been spoiled.

Paul is so angry that he can't sit down while Nathan looks equally disturbed, and I can't understand why. I suspect it has something to do with what Nate told him before he left.

Whatever the reason, the happiness that filled this hall only moments ago has disappeared, and my hatred for Nate has multiplied tenfold. He is the reason for this.

Paul finally returns to the table and just then, Alfred enters the hall.

Paul immediately calls him over, and judging by the look on his face, I am certain he is about to dress him down.

The other Alphas remain silent, watching.

“Alfred,” Paul begins. “Today we have just witnessed the biggest breach of security this pack has ever experienced. Why?”

Paul has decided to settle pack matters in front of his peers.

Alfred looks around the table. He seems hesitant to discuss private matters in front of everyone. But Paul is clearly angry and thirsty for answers, so he has no choice but to speak.

“I am so sorry, Alpha. No one knew Nate would be coming. If we had known, we would have locked him outside. I only learned about his presence when someone told me they had seen him near the changing room.”

“Changing room?” Paul shouts. Everyone else goes silent.

Alfred should have left that detail out.

“Yes, Alpha. He went there to confront your mate, our Luna. I had him physically removed.”

“And no one saw the need to tell me?”

Paul's voice suddenly becomes calm.

But somehow, that calmness is more frightening than his shouting.

“We didn't want to spoil your mood, Alpha. I handled it.”

“Of course you did. Listen Alfred, I am the Alpha of this pack. Always remember that.”

His eyes narrow.

“I must know every small detail concerning my pack. Leave my moods out of this.”

Alfred lowers his head.

“And something else,” Paul continues. “I think someone here is working with Nate. He didn't just walk into this pack without help. Someone must have—”

He doesn't finish.

The great doors suddenly open and a man walks through them.

His clothes are tattered. His face is bruised, and bloodstains cover his shirt. Two guards are supporting him on either side.

Paul looks at him quizzically.

I can tell he doesn't recognize him.

“What is the problem?” Paul asks.

Before the man can answer, Alpha Nathan suddenly jumps from his seat.

It's as though he has seen a ghost.

He walks toward the injured man, staring at him in disbelief.

“Mark!” Nathan exclaims. “What happened to you?”

The silence in the hall is so pronounced, you can hear a pin drop.

The music has stopped.

The celebration is officially over.

“Nathan? He is your man?” Paul asks.

Nathan nods slowly, his face filled with worry.

“Yes, Paul. He is one of my most trusted guards.” Nathan says, turning towards Mark.

“Something terrible must have happened at home.” He adds.

Paul's expression changes immediately.

“Alfred, take them all to my office.”

He looks at Nathan and then at the injured guard.

“In the meantime, I need to address our guests so they can leave at their pleasure.”

Alfred leads Nathan, Mark, and me towards Paul's office.

As we walk away, I can hear Paul thanking the guests for coming. His voice is controlled, but I can sense the urgency beneath it.

He tells them that an important pack matter has arisen and that they are free to remain or leave whenever they wish.

My parents are among those being addressed.

For a moment, I feel like going back and saying goodbye to them properly.

But then I remember that there are more important pack duties awaiting me.

I promise myself that I will find time to visit them at home.

For now, they can return knowing that their daughter is alive.

And more importantly, that she is doing well.

At the office Alfred welcomes us and we sit down. Paul comes in immediately. He walks over to his seat and once he is settled he breaks the silence.

“Now you can tell us what happened.”

Mark looks at his Alpha, as if asking for permission. Nathan nods in approval and Mark starts.

“We were at the pack when rogues attacked us. They have destroyed a lot of our property, killed a few of our men and taken a few prisoners. They have opened the dungeons and set free the rogues we arrested last week. I was lucky enough to escape and bring you the news.

“Which rogues attacked you? Did you recognize any of them?” Paul asks.

“Yes. I recognized their leader William. He has led this particular pack for a long time. They have been doing small time attacks, and we have always beaten them. But today they came with extra vigor, and strength that we couldn't match.” Mark says.

“I know him. I always suspect that William killed my parents.” Paul muses.

“I have to go right now Alpha Paul. If my pack falls, I fall with it.” Nathan declares.

“If you fall I fall too Nathan. We are going together.” Paul inserts.

“Paul please. You just got your mate. You need some time together. Please let me go alone. I can sort out this mess.”

“No way. I know what I promised you. Start preparing. We are leaving in a few minutes.” He says with absolute finality. Then he dismisses everyone except me.

“Lexie...”

“No Paul. You have to do this. I have an idea. I will go back to Dark Forest, finish up with handing over, then I will come back. I hope you will have come from the Blue Moon.”

“You can go Lexie. Take your time, then come back. I am taking some experienced fighters with me. We will crash those rogues in a few hours.”

A few hours later Rowan, Mara and I are at Dark Forest. That was quite a day. I feel so tired and I go straight to my bedroom and throw myself at the bed. I can now heave a sigh of relief from the tiredness in my body. I sleep immediately.

Then sometimes later I wake up abruptly. I look at the clock on the wall.

I have been asleep only two hours.

There is silence everywhere, but I can't sleep again however much I try.

I am thinking.

Paul.

Nate.

Nathan.

Mark.

I try to connect the dots. Then it occurs to me that Nathan was attacked because someone knew that he wasn't at home. His absence must have caused some laxity in his pack, making them sitting ducks.

How I wish Paul helps him crash the rogues, then come back safely. I want him alive.

The thoughts keep disturbing me, and sleep disappears completely. I decide to take a walk.

I quietly leave my bedroom and step into the corridor.

The compound is unusually quiet. Most of the warriors are asleep, and only a few guards remain awake, keeping watch.

I walk outside. Moonlight bathes the entire compound.

The cool night air hits my face, and for a moment, I feel better.

I take a deep breath.

Maybe walking will help clear my mind.

I walk slowly through the compound, thinking about Paul.

I don't know why his absence suddenly feels so heavy.

Perhaps it is because I have only just found him, and already he has been called away.

I shake my head.

“He will be fine,” I whisper to myself, but my heart refuses to believe it.

I continue walking.

Then I notice something strange.

A faint golden light shines from somewhere ahead.

I stop.

There are no lamps in that part of the compound.

I stare at the light for a few seconds. It appears to be coming from beneath one of the large trees near the edge of the compound. Strange.

I take a few steps toward it and one of the guards notices me.

“Your Majesty?”

I turn around.

“I'm just taking a walk.”

He looks toward the trees, then back at me.

“It's late, Your Majesty. You shouldn't be walking alone.”

“I won't be long.”

He hesitates.

“Please stay within the compound.”

I nod.

But my eyes return to the strange light.

Something about it is pulling me towards it.

I take another step.

“Your Majesty,” the guard calls again, this time with concern in his voice. “Don't go there.”

I stop.

“Why?”

He looks uncomfortable.

“I don't know. I just… don't think you should.”

I almost turn back. Almost, to heed his advice.

But then I hear something, a faint whisper carried by the wind, coming from that tree.

I cannot make out the words.

I look toward the tree again.

The golden light seems brighter now.

Before I can think better of it, I start walking towards it.

“Your Majesty!”

I hear the guard behind me, but I don't stop.

The closer I get, the quieter everything becomes. Even the insects seem to have gone silent.

Then I see him.

Elder Garrick.

He is sitting beneath the ancient tree with his legs crossed and his hands resting on his knees.

His eyes are closed.

He isn't moving.

At first, I think he is asleep, then I notice something strange. His lips are moving.

He is whispering something. I take another step.

“Elder Garrick?”

He doesn't respond.l look around.

The golden light is surrounding him, faint and almost transparent.

It isn't coming from a lamp.

It seems to be coming from him. He is producing some energy. I stare at him in disbelief.

Then I notice something even stranger. His shadow is moving.

The moonlight is falling from one direction, but his shadow stretches in an impossible direction.

For a moment, I wonder if my tired mind is playing tricks on me. I rub my eyes and look again.

The shadow is still there.

And it moves again.

“Garrick?” I call at him.

Nothing.

His lips continue moving.

I move closer, trying to hear what he is saying.

At first, the words are too faint, then I catch them.

“The chosen one…”

My heart skips.

I lean forward.

“What did you say?”

He continues whispering.

“The chosen one must heal…”

I freeze.

What does he mean?

I move even closer.

“…before she can unite…”

My breath catches.

Who is he talking about?

I look around, suddenly uncomfortable.

There is nobody else here. Is he talking about me?

“Elder Garrick?”

His lips continue moving, oblivious to my presence. I hear another word, but I can't understand it.

I lean closer, eager to find out what he is saying.

Then suddenly his eyes fly open.

I jump backward in shock. Garrick stares directly at me.

For several seconds, neither of us speaks.

But something about his face frightens me.

He doesn't look angry or surprised. He looks terrified.

“Elder Garrick…” I whisper. “What were you doing?”

He slowly looks away.

“I was praying.”

“Praying?”

“Yes.”

“To whom?”

His eyes return to mine.

For a moment, I swear I see fear in them.

Then his expression becomes calm again.

“To the Moon Goddess.”

I stare at him, waiting for more.

“Why?”

He doesn't answer.

I take another step toward him.

“What did you mean when you said the chosen one must heal before she can unite?”

His face changes, only for a second, but I see it.

He knows exactly what I'm talking about.

“I don't know what you heard, Your Majesty.”

“I heard you clearly.” I stand my ground.

He looks away.

“Perhaps you were dreaming.”

“No Garrick . I was standing right here.”

Garrick rises slowly from the ground.

The golden light around him has since disappeared.

The shadow too.

I stare at the place where it had been.

“What is happening to you, Garrick?”

He doesn't answer. He just stares at me.

“Do you know something about me?”

Silence.

His silence tells me more than his words could.

“Garrick?”

He finally looks at me.

“You should return to your room, Your Majesty.”

“I'm asking you a question.”

“And I'm asking you to trust me.”

“How can I trust you when you keep hiding things from me?”

His face tightens.

For the first time, I realize that whatever secret he is keeping isn't something he wants to hide from me.

He is afraid of telling me.

“Please,” he whispers. “Go back to your room.”

I stare at him.

“Why are you afraid of telling me?”

He says nothing.

I turn to leave, but something makes me stop, and I look back at him.

“Garrick…”

He raises his eyes.

“What happened to me in that forest seven years ago?”

The question hits him like a blow and his face goes pale, and for several seconds, he simply stares at me.