Dark Twin Moon - The Awakening

Chapter 51:

Green-blue eyes shimmered with concern as they watched their Alpha's slow and sluggish movements. His mood had been low since he returned from wherever he had vanished on the night of the Crescent-Moon Festival.

He had brought the injured wolves back to the North Pack packhouse with the help of James' subordinates at Kayleb's request before disappearing with Dal on his back and Chad at his side. Dal's father would have been after his head if James hadn't sent him warriors along to protect him.

Once, he would have bowed to this man as he raised his voice. But at this moment? He could only stare disdainfully at the older man. But when he presented him with the dying bodies of some of his best, he quickly made him turn pale before everyone else. Even though he didn't want to, Luke felt happiness seeing that.

The mighty Alpha, the tyrant of Caldor, seemed to break down. But instead of seeing him falter, a smirk graced his perpetual, youthful face. He ordered his injured pack members to be brought inside. He ignored Luke and the rest after that.

Before Luke could leave this place, the Alpha grasped his arm one last time and whispered something in his ear. It made his blood run cold in his veins. He stared in horror into the man's dark eyes, a not-so-subtle warning inside them. Luke wanted to tell someone immediately but couldn't.

His Alpha isn't in the right state to listen, and James would never have known what to do, considering he's no longer an autonomous Alpha.

But those words were only a fading memory when he looked at Kayleb, so gloomy and broken. Whatever happened, no one knows. Chad couldn't be asked either, as he hadn't been seen since then.

The only good thing that came from that day was that Kayleb finally took control of James' pack.

Even if the meeting with the elder regency council could have gone better, Kayleb had no intention of talking things out. He presented them with a closed deal without even hearing their input. It made the whole area around an old tree engraved with runes filled with red paint uncomfortable.

Luke stood behind Kayleb throughout the entire meeting. He had no idea why because no one else was asked to be there besides him. The only others he knew were James and his Beta, Tarik.

Strangely enough, these old men gave in rather quickly. It surprised Luke to a degree he didn't know was possible. Usually, old werewolves never agree with younger ones because they believe themselves perfect.

It all happened just days after Kayleb returned alone and broken.

Despite it all, Kayleb did everything as usual, almost conscientiously. Ian had secretly warned Luke that his brother might fall into a dark hole again. He had no idea what he meant by those words, but he still swore he would do everything to help his Alpha not to lose himself.

He still remembers Ian patting him sympathetically on the shoulder the day Kayleb returned late that evening and even going so far as to shake his hand, which was uncharacteristic of him as far as he knew him. Upon opening his hand, he discovered a folded paper with Kayleb's name written on it.

Luke should have read it first because almost immediately after he gave it to his Alpha, his mood became even more sour. He had decided to leave him alone that day, but the day after, he started his usual routine again. It drove Luke crazy.

However, to Luke's utter amazement, Kayleb didn't say a word but still did everything he could to let him know he was there for him. He cooked and even scolded him, using only his eyes, when he forgot to change clothes or shower.

In fact, Kayleb hasn't said an unnecessary word since that day. Not at his meeting with the East Pack elders or in class. Most of the time, he only listens. After a few weeks, almost a month, things got a little better, but still was not the same as he was before the bonfire.