The Royal Luna (Book 1)

26

I don't blame her for the decisions she made and the timing of those decisions. I hold no blame towards her for anything, but I do wish she had given me the opportunity to explain or at least reached out to her wolf so that I could do so. Unfortunately, she didn't do either of those things. It made me angry, the frustration bubbling within me, and perhaps even slightly feral, my instincts taking over.

Even though I'm a hypocrite for lashing out at her for making a pact with a deity, when I did the same, the only difference is that I knew exactly who to approach and what to offer and negotiate. When you grow within their ranks, you learn precisely whom to seek out and how to navigate the delicate balance. Kallisto didn't have that knowledge; all she ever experienced was the greed from Aega, a force she could not fully comprehend.

A primal howl escapes my throat, echoing through the forest, and I hear other howls respond in the distance. The power coursing through my veins is intoxicating, capable of making anyone bow down before me, including the Marshalls, with the exception, of course, of the cunning minx who challenges my authority. Just thinking about her ignites a mix of anger and desire within me. My wolf and I engage in a constant debate about the blue-eyed beauty, torn between our conflicting emotions.

The howls of the others resonate through the air, their presence both reassuring and imposing as they follow in my wake. With each thump of their paws against the earth, I close my eyes, allowing the primal forces of nature to guide me out of the dense forest until I near a familiar clearing. The energy here is palpable, surging through the ancient trees and pulsating within the very soil. I inhale deeply, taking in the scents of the clearing that surrounds me, catching a hint of his essence. She trained here with him, under his watchful gaze. The others quickly catch up, allowing for Michael and Alexander,  who are able to detect the presence of the Gods that linger in the air. Alexander lets out a snarl of frustration, followed by a huff from Michael, and I shake my head in silent reproach.
These fools have no idea she frequented this place, seeking solace and guidance from someone other than us. And if their scent is any indication, she came here often, her connection to him running deeper than we realized. My wolf growls at the thought of his mate spending time alone with another man, hidden from our watchful eyes. The mere possibility of what transpired between them stirs a primal possessiveness within me, a surge of protectiveness that threatens to consume me. I growl lowly, my determination solidifying as I turn back towards the cabin. Kallisto and I need to have a serious talk, one that leaves no room for secrets or doubts.

As soon as the cabin comes into view, the metallic scent of blood fills my nostrils, sending a chill down my spine. I scan the surroundings, my eyes widening in horror at the gruesome scene that unfolds before me. All those damn idiots, oblivious to the danger that lurks, have blindly followed me, leaving Kallisto vulnerable and alone. Rage surges through my veins, threatening to overpower my senses. Without a second thought, I propel myself towards the cabin, half transformed causing my body to morph into its wolf and human form, granting me the speed and strength needed to break through the door with an explosive force, shattering it off its hinges in a shower of splintered wood.The sight that greets me is sickening, a twisted tableau of pain and suffering. Amidst the crimson-stained chaos, I catch a glimpse of Kallisto, her pale form lying motionless amidst the sea of red. Relief washes over me as I realize she's still alive, her mark yet to set aflame. But the amount of blood, so much blood... it's a grim reminder of the severity of her injuries. Inhaling deeply, I fight to maintain my composure, though the turmoil within threatens to consume me entirely.

The boys follow suit, their presence a mix of concern and helplessness. Alexei makes a move to touch her, but Harry restrains him, his voice laced with urgency. "No! We need to move her carefully. We don't know the extent of the head wound or how she sustained it." The others stand frozen, their eyes fixed on Harry, awaiting his instructions. Time is slipping away from us, and her heartbeat is slowing. Thankfully, Harry is aware of the urgency, swiftly moving to her side, his hands examining her head with utmost care. My gaze scans the room, desperately searching for any clues that might lead us to the assailant, and that's when I spot it—an innocent-looking baseball bat with a small blood stain. "Harry," I call out, pointing to the bat. His face contorts with a mix of anger and determination as he curses softly, slowly but deliberately lifting her head to examine the wound. "What is it?" I ask, my impatience barely contained. He looks at me, desperation shining in his eyes. He doesn't need to say it; I can see it in his expression, read it in his unspoken words. Kallisto's chances of survival are uncertain. "Load up the damn truck! NOW!" I roar, my voice reverberating through the cabin as the others scramble, gathering Harry's medical equipment and potions.

The way they move with synchronization makes me wonder if this has happened before or if they were trained for such emergencies.My attention is drawn to Alexei, his gloved hands carefully collecting the blood-stained bat and sealing it in a plastic bag. I lift Kallisto's fragile form, while Harry maintains a steady grip on her head, his hands applying pressure to the wound, stemming the flow of blood as much as possible. Together, we carefully place her in the truck, her head cradled on Harry's lap, his touch gentle and protective. I close the door, my eyes lingering on the bloodstained scene, a testament to the violence inflicted upon my mate.As I turn towards the car, I notice that the others have already shifted, their wolf forms ready to accompany us on this dire journey. However, one black wolf is conspicuously absent. "Michael!" I roar, my impatience evident. He emerges from the house, holding a syringe in his hands. I snatch it from him, issuing a stern command for him to shift. I swiftly climb into the car, barely settled before Alexander starts the engine, the vehicle vibrating with anticipation. Gripping the syringe tightly, I make a mental note to administer it to Harry as soon as his hands are free.

The engine's roar fills the air as the car speeds down the road, racing against time. Alexander's voice breaks the tense silence. "Do you know anyone who would do this?" he asks, his concern evident. I shake my head, the weight of the unknown heavy upon my shoulders. Kathryn has been imprisoned, making her involvement unlikely. Kallisto didn't have many enemies apart from Kathryn and Jacob, but I find it hard to believe that Jacob, in his wolf form, would harm his true mate, rejected or not.I draw a deep breath, attempting to recall anyone who could be responsible, but my mind draws a blank, the canvas of my thoughts devoid of names or faces. It isn't long before we arrive at the pack hospital. Although the cabin was nestled deep within the woods, Kallisto's parents ensured its proximity to the hospital, as they often spent weekends here during her mother's pregnancies.

I'm already out of the car before it comes to a complete stop, bursting through the hospital doors, urgently inquiring about Doctor Shayla. She swiftly appears before me, her eyes mirroring my concern. I turn around to retrieve Kallisto, only to find that Harry and Alexander have already brought her in. "What happened?" Doctor Shayla asks, her voice laced with urgency as she rushes to Kallisto's side. She lies limp in Alexander's arms, her head cradled gently by Harry, blood seeping through his trembling hands. Harry tenses as Dr. Shayla approaches, an unspoken tension hanging in the air. But at that moment, I can only trust her expertise and knowledge. "Well done on applying pressure to the wound. We'll take her to the ER. The rest of you, stay here," she instructs, and Kallisto is swiftly whisked away on a hospital bed, disappearing through the double doors that seal her off from our sight.
My wolf's restlessness intensifies, his inability to communicate with her wolf fueling my apprehension.

"I'm going in," Harry declares, determination etched across his face. Before anyone can stop him, he strides purposefully through the double doors, his backpack filled with potions and medications a testament to his readiness to aid. I slide down the wall, unable to bear the stillness and the unknown. All I can do now is wait, my heart heavy with hope and fear intertwining in a delicate dance.

The agonizing passage of time weighs heavily upon us as almost 15 grueling hours crawl by. Each ticking second feels like an eternity, amplifying the anxiety that grips our hearts. Finally, the double doors swing open, and my breath catches in my throat as Harry and Doctor Shayla emerge. Their weary countenances betray the toll this ordeal has taken on them. Harry's once vibrant eyes are bloodshot and swollen, evidence of his sleepless vigil, while Doctor Shayla's hands tremble slightly, the weight of the news she carries etched upon her face.Their shared glance speaks volumes, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Slowly, they approach me, their steps heavy with the weight of their revelation. I can sense it in the air—whatever words will spill forth from their lips, they are words I am not prepared to hear. A sense of foreboding settles over me, tinged with a potent mix of fear and anticipation, as if the universe itself holds its breath, waiting for the truth to be unveiled.

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HIIIIIII....OMG this is probably my best chapter yet! I really took my time writing this one. Still unedited though hihihi

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I thought about ending the book here, but meh... I'll end it later. 

If you guys want to see anything in the story let me know!

V.A.