QUEEN OF ROGUES BECOMES THE PROPHESIED LUNA

QUAGMIRE

PAUL'S POV

I have not slept even for a moment. After Alfred left I went to my house for some time, then went back to the office. Something feels amiss, I can feel it but I can't figure out what it is. I am not even sure whether the decision to invade the Dark Forest was a good one, but I can't rescind it now.

Abigail, the Delta of my pack walks in, and she finds me going through the maps on my table. My mood worsens. I always wonder why this girl doesn't leave me alone. She hasn't made it a secret that she admires me. She wishes that I was her mate, even when she knows that fate has other ideas. Last year, during a party here, I overheard her saying that she wishes that I don't get a mate, that she wants me all for herself. However, I have never seen her for anything else except that she is my subordinate.

“Staying up late?”

“Yes. We are conducting some operation. I'll only sleep when it's completed."

“I heard that you waged war on the Dark Forest.” She walks nearer, stands behind my chair. I don't want her close to me, so I stand up and walk to the window.

“Yes, the raid is going on, even as we speak.” I say, looking at the rain outside.

“Wishing our warriors luck. The Dark Forest pack is not a walkover. Many have tried and regretted.” That adds water to my stomach. I wonder why Alfred is not communicating.

“Alfred is a seasoned fighter, he has never lost a war ”

“There is always a first time for everything you know.” How I wish she just disappears, but right then, reprieve comes.

“Alpha Paul, some warriors have arrived. They have in their custody the Queen of rogues. I have already placed her in the dungeon. She is unconscious though.” Maurice, in charge of the dungeons, comes in with the announcement. It somehow lifts my spirits. But I am so eager to find out what is happening.

“Very well Maurice. Ensure that she is well taken care of. Bring in the doctor. I will call on you tomorrow in the morning.”

After Maurice leaves, I am left wondering what to do with Abigail, who is still hanging around. Abigail joined this pack six years ago, after leaving her former pack. She told us that her family differed with their Alpha, Alpha Nate, who is my enemy of many years. We took her in and after a lot of training, she rose to become a trainer, then two years ago we made her our Delta.

“What will you do with her? Why didn't they just kill her?”

“My express orders were that I needed her alive.” I can see she is getting agitated because there's something she wants to say, but she can't.

“Besides, this is for me to decide.” I add. She gets angry because her face darkens. Jealousy?

“Very well. You are the Alpha.”

“Of course, the last time I checked

Right then Bruce one of Alfred's men comes in, almost running. One look at him and I am sure something is wrong, everything. He is disheveled, bruised and his clothes tattered. He can't even speak, because of his heavy breathing. On his hand is a blood stained piece of paper which he hands over to me.

In a very good handwriting, the message is very clear, and I walk back to my seat because I don't feel like I can handle it standing. I stare at the two sentences in silence, then Abigail speaks.

“Is everything okay Alpha?” She asks as she approaches the table.

“Please Abigail, excuse us. I want to hear what Bruce has to say.” I stare at her sternly. Reluctantly, she walks out and only when the door closes behind her I turn to Bruce. He is now relaxed.

“I can see that something is wrong. Please tell your Alpha what happened. Is Alfred alive?”

Hesitantly, Bruce looks at me, fails to hold my gaze, then lowers his head.

“Alfred is alive, and ten other warriors. They have all been taken prisoners. After the queen of rogues was whisked away we thought we were on our way to victory. Then something strange happened and we were defeated like children.” He pauses for a moment.

“Tell me more. What happened?” I am dying of curiosity.

“Their Beta, Rowan, called out to an old man known as Garrick. He requested the old man to do something. The old man asked whether he was sure of what he was asking and Rowan said there was no choice.” This doesn't look good.

“So what did the old man do?”

“I was very near to the old man and he raised his bony hand and made some enchantments. This is what altered our fortunes. Suddenly, the earth start trembling, seriously. It was like an earthquake, but of great magnitude.

At the same time, the winds started blowing seriously and the rains changed into a hailstorm. We found ourselves fighting with nature. We were thrown down by the strong winds, and the hailstones hit us really hard as the ground shook us. At the same time Rowan and his men attacked as the old man continued with his enchantments.”

“Are you sure of what you are saying? This sounds too far fetched.”

“I saw it with my own eyes Alpha. When everything was over our fighters were subdued, defeated. I saw Rowan holding a dagger on Alfred's neck before I surrendered”

“What happened next?”

“They were all taken to the dungeons. We went straight into their trap. Then they took me to Rowan and the old man. Rowan wanted to send a stern message but the old man talked him out of it. That's when Rowan wrote the letter I have brought. They just want Lexie back and they'll release Alfred and the others.”

“Who else knows that you are here?”

“No one. I came straight to your office.”

“I guess we should go straight away to the dungeons. This queen of rogues should tell us something about her pack.” Bruce nods, and just then there is a knock on the door. Being so late I wonder who it could be.

“Come in.” I open the drawer and place the letter inside. Just then Alfred's mate walks in, her baby bump more pronounced. Whatever it is she wants here can not be good. Has she sensed that her mate is in danger?

“You are up so late Agnes.”

“Please tell me the truth Alpha. Is my mate Alfred safe?”

“Abigail must have told you something, right?” I guess it must be Abigail. There's no way Agnes could be guessing things.

“Just tell me. Alfred is my mate. We have a strong mate bond. Is he safe?” She sinks on the seat opposite me, the same one Alfred was seating seven hours ago.

“He is safe Agnes. But he is in prison. I am going to get him back home immediately. Don't worry, and don't tell anyone else about this.” She starts crying.

“Agnes, please go home. I assure you that I will deliver Alfred to you as soon as possible. I need him here just as much as you do.”

She gets up, looks at me for a while, then walks out without a word. This is definitely not what I thought would happen when I ordered the attack. And Abigail, she has a few questions to answer.

“Well, Bruce, let's face this queen of rogues before this gets out of hand.”