Rise of the Crescent Moon

Chapter 30 August

"Hiding out, Alpha?" Gamma Hayden laughed as I stepped out of the cabin.

"That kitchen is not big enough for two Alpha's and a Luna." I chuckled, slapping Hayden on the back.

"Jared is not an Alpha." Hayden responded sternly.

"Jared Valentine comes from Alpha blood, he's as good as an Alpha and will be respected. He's not here for my job, Hayden, you can stand down." I ordered. Hayden bowed his head in respect as I stepped off the porch. I walked around the cabin's property, eyeing the positions of Dru, Theo, and Ford's wolves. They bowed their furry heads as I walked passed.

I sniffed the perimeter of the forest, picking up on a scent I didn't recognize. I mindlinked the wolves,

"Care to explain the abnormal smell?"

"What smell, Alpha?" I growled at the incompetence of my patrol.

"You're kidding me, right? There's an unknown smell on the perimeter."

"I'm sorry, Alpha, we don't smell anything. Are you sure it's not the Luna's scent?" I rolled my eyes at perhaps the dumbest question I have ever been asked.

"You don't think I recognize the scent of my mate?" Silence.

Finally, a sign of some intelligence. I focused on the scent again; burnt toast. It was slightly familiar....

"That's what the witch smelled like when she came through the mirror." My mate's voice snuck up on me from behind. I turned my attention to her.

"That smell, it's the same smell from my bathroom. Don't you recognize it?" Josie's gaze was far away as she searched the woods edge.

"You're right, of course, as always." I tried to pull her attention away with humor, but it didn't work.

"Josie." I stepped in front of her, taking over her view. Her eyes finally focused on me.

"Yes, sorry." She shook her head and smiled softly.

"It's going to be okay, I promise. We'll keep the patrol here to look out for your brother and keep an eye out for the witch and the rogue. I'm going to double the patrols around the pack territory to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. We're going to keep everyone safe." I trapped her face in between my hands and begged her to hear me.

"I'm not scared, August, I'm angry." She said with a stern look on her face. Yeah, that makes more sense.

"Then, I promise to get you justice." I said, pressing my lips against hers. She finally relaxed, collapsing her body into mine and moving her lips against my own. She broke away, breathless.

"I love you." She whispered.

"And I love you and I love that you want to stay with me at the packhouse." I smiled. She blinked at me, blushing suddenly as she remembered the earlier conversation.

"That is, if you still want to." I backtracked, not wanting to pressure her. She grinned,

"Of course I want to. August?" I purred at the sound of my name leaving her lips,

"Yes, love?"

"Take me home." I grinned even wider, picking her up and spinning her around as she giggled.

"Yes ma'am." I snatched up her hand and escorted her back to the car. As we settled into the car, I heard Josie's stomach growl. She covered it with an embarrassed look on her face, a blush covering her neck. I chuckled and pressed her hand to my lips,

"You never got that dinner I promised you." She licked her lips and nodded eagerly.

"It'll be ready when we get home." I promised her, mindlinking the staff to deliver dinner to our room. I escorted Josie quickly upstairs the moment we got home.