His Reluctant Luna novel Chapter 35

Lucian's POV -

I ran through the woods. Jake was feeling morose, "Our mate loves another," He said mournfully. "Kill him," he hissed. 

I ran even further. I was away from Alice to keep her safe, from myself. I didn't want to hurt her. Suddenly, the smell of burning timber filled my nostrils. My ears twitched, then her bloodcurdling scream filled my head. I dashed back towards the cabin.

"No no no no!" I screamed and ran into the burning inferno. Alice had fainted, crouching near the bed. 

"Please don't die!" I shouted.

Shifting into my human form, I took out the key from the hidden drawer in the bed. The key was always there, she just did not know it. I unclasped the lock and released her foot from the manacle, which was tightly bound on her ankle. She had tried to shift, but the manacles would not let her.

"I am sorry, Alice," I whispered before carrying her outside.

********

"I remember you now," my mate said. Lying down on the soft grass. I had mentally contacted my Betas and the rangers to arrive immediately.

I was glad that she was safe. If something had happened to her, I would have never forgiven myself. 

"I am sorry, Alice; I should not have chained you. Please don't be mad at me." I pleaded.

She raised her hand and grazed my face.

"We have met before, but I forgot you, what a shame."

I was uncertain if she was in her senses or just blabbering in delirium. I caught her hand and kissed it.

"I'm glad you remember everything, finally."

"Mmm," she mumbled and closed her eyes again.

The sounds of veering engines announced that my betas had arrived.

"Holy Shit, Alpha, what happened?" Damon said as he sprinted towards me.

I grabbed the sweatpants which he threw at me. Both Alice and I were naked because of shifting.

"Call the fire brigade and control the fire before it spreads throughout the forest. I want this entire area scanned for any trace of intruders; I need to find out who did this. I want all reports tomorrow morning." I rattled off my orders while slipping into sweats. Rouge attacks were one thing, but this was complete sabotage. I would love to rip apart whoever did this.

***********

"Alpha, good to see you are fine," Savannah said as soon as I walked into my office. She was arranging my papers on the table.

She had been like my private secretary for years. We had been good friends since childhood, and she had taken over the role of the Alpha female until I found my mate.

"You don't need to do all this, Savannah," I said while collapsing on the plush chair. Last night had been hell.

"I like doing this Alpha, service to the pack." She smiled.

"How is madam Luna?" she asked, cautiously.

"She is fine, just a little shocked, so the healer has given her a strong sedative," I replied glumly.

"Well, glad to know that," Savannah replied in her all-business tone.

I scented Damon and Peter, my best tracker, on the other side and opened the door.

"Did you find anything?" I asked as soon as they entered.

Knowing how important this was to me, he immediately started his report. "There were no scents of any outside wolves. It is also possible other scents of the city have covered their scents. I can't track where they went or came from," Peter reported, then added, "I hate the city."

"Any scent of our pack members?" I asked.

"Sorry to interrupt Alpha, but it's not fair to doubt our pack members, they are our family," Savannah said.

I turned towards her.

"I am not doubting anyone, this is an investigation. I prefer not to leave any loopholes."

"Of course, I understand," Savannah replied.

"The only wolf caught was the one you took down, Alpha. However, after talking to each of the teams, we identified at least three other unknown wolf scents. They came pretty close to the compound. But they did not come near enough. Moreover, their scents were old. They would not have been here last night."  Damon added.